Pupils feel pinch of poverty
How poor is poor?
The federal government considers a family of three as poor this year if their income is $18,530 or less.
The income limits for the federal lunch program are higher than the poverty line: A family of three making $23,803 or less qualifies for free school lunch this year.
The free-lunch guidelines did not change from the previous year, but the income guidelines did increase in previous years.
In 2008-09, for example, a family of three qualified for free lunch with an annual income of $22,880 or less.
In 2007-08 that same a family qualified for free lunch with an income of $22,321 or less.
In Janesville public schools this year, nearly half the children receive free or reduced-price lunches. The majority of those get free lunch.
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JANESVILLE — He lives in the basement of his grandmother's house.
Grandma died last month.
The 18-year-old's mother is dead, too, and an aunt is selling things so she can pay rent on his grandmother's house.
The aunt bought him two months of groceries, but after that he's on his own, he said. He does his laundry at friends' houses.
His favorite part of life these days is Parker High School. His face lights up when he talks about it. School is where he gets to be with his friends.
The young man is one of four Parker High School students who recently talked to a Gazette reporter about their lives in poverty.
The four agreed to be interviewed on the condition that their names not be used.
They are among an increasing number of children living near or below the poverty line in Janesville. The Janesville School District reports nearly half of all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch under federal income guidelines this year.
The number of low-income students has been creeping up for years with no sign of a leveling off, echoing a national trend.
Parker teacher Deri Wahlert, who organized the Parker Closet to supply poor kids with necessities, said the stress about money at home affects what happens at school.
"They worry so much about whether or not their family will lose the house or where food will come from since food stamps don't last the entire month," Wahlert said. "Kids don't want to upset their parents … so they bring the stress to school.
"I've noticed more students with anxiety, depressed, crying at school," Wahlert said.
Teachers spend class-preparation time talking to upset students, "and if time is short and/or students need more counseling, the guidance counselors or social workers take over," Wahlert wrote in an email.
Teachers at elementary and middle schools can tell similar stories.
Social workers and counselors—whose shoulders kids can cry on, and who work to connect families with social services, among many other tasks—are among those whose jobs are on the chopping block. The district is planning layoffs to deal with a projected budget shortfall next school year.
"I have never seen the guidance office as busy as it is this year," Wahlert said. "There is always a constant stream of students in that office."
Bread winners
The four Parker students who agreed to speak with the Gazette didn't arrive at the interview with a list of complaints, but in the course of an hour-long conversation, it was clear that their lives are a struggle.
One girl said she lives in a nice house, but about eight years ago the family's finances went sour.
"My parents fight a lot," she said, mostly about money.
The four students interviewed are on track to graduate, Wahlert said, but most impoverished students struggle with grades.
"Usually it's a one-parent household with a few kids, so when the adult is working, a lot of the older kids have to take care of their younger siblings," Wahlert said. "This obviously puts a dent into homework time. There is also a lack of support for grades from some parents, mainly because of time and availability to their children."
A second girl interviewed said her family is on the verge of eviction, as her mother, a certified nursing assistant, hasn't had a job for some time, and unemployment compensation is running out.
But things have been worse, the girl said. She remembers crying herself to sleep every night while in fourth grade. That's when she and her two brothers and her mother shared one bedroom in a three-bedroom home. Two other families lived in the other two bedrooms.
The girl has a job at a fast-food restaurant, but she's not getting enough hours and is looking for another job to help her family, she said.
Meanwhile, she worries when her old car will break down and about paying for gas so she can take her siblings to school in the morning and get to work in the afternoon.
"Some of these kids are the sole bread winners in their families and work nights, or many help work with family jobs late into the morning hours and lack sleep and food, let alone (having time to) completed homework," Wahlert said.
More struggling
The third girl interviewed lost her home to Hurricane Katrina. The family had relatives in Beloit, so they moved here. Her mother just lost her job. The family income consists of a disability check.
Her mother had worked at a gas station, "so we weren't really living the lavish life," the girl said, her voice tinged with sarcastic humor.
Food runs out at the end of every month for her, her two siblings and a cousin who lives with them, the girl said. They are hungry for a couple days until the new check arrives.
"My mom tries as hard as she can," said the girl, who also is trying to find a job, with no success.
Her father has been gone for years and doesn't send child-support payments, she said.
The girl said she's more motivated and her grades have shot up since her mother lost her job.
"I want to go to college because I really don't want to live like this no more," the girl said.
But the girl may be the exception. Wahlert said she sees many students who find it hard to get motivated while they deal with the stress of poverty, and this year is the worst it's been.
"More students are struggling, and more students are not on top of their grades," Wahlert said. "Sometimes the topic I'm teaching seems so trivial to the issues I know my students are facing."
All four of the students have their eyes on their futures. One girl got scholarships to Lakeland College but still needs several thousand dollars so she can attend.
And the boy who is on his own said he hopes to attend UW-Rock County. Or, he might join the Marines.
Apr 18, 2011 at 7:07 p.m.
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I have nothing but respect for my daughter. She has honestly been through hell and back! She is a strong woman who has survived insurmountable odds. She is resourceful and intelligent with street smarts as well as being academically amazing! I have NOT rescued her from every situation that has thrown her into turmoil. For the most part, I knew what she could and could not handle. I HAVE rescued her when things were beyond her control. That said, I believe I did everything in my power to be sure she and her children were safe.
THANK YOU prinny for setting the record straight. (Also, the ONLY reason I say you are single is because you are not "married") Its just a title... I apologize, you know I'm "old school". I didn't know it bothered you. But to be honest, I do refer to you and your "best friend" as a couple. AND, he is your fiance... for which I let everyone know that the wedding is soon! I am so proud of you!
Apr 16, 2011 at 9:24 p.m.
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Priny you have my respect.
Apr 16, 2011 at 8:51 p.m.
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prinny... I truly believe you as a mother know the true meaning of what it is all about when people/families need that hand up.I want you to know by no means was I attacking you or your children.I don't give it much thought on where my tax $$ is going or to who.What I mean by that is,I can't control our government or the spending so it is what it is.Again please know that I was not attacking you when I made the comments towards your mother and her tax $$.You really sound like a amazing person and know what needs to be done to make a better life for you and yours.Congrats on what you have accomplished in your life .
Apr 16, 2011 at 4:10 p.m.
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Ok, well, I suppose I can speak for myself. I AM the daughter to which you are referring. Although, I will state I am NOT a single parent, anymore. I have a very loving man in my life, and have had for several years now. Why my mother continues to call me a "single" parent to EVERYONE is beyond me. With the being said, no I am not on welfare, I do have three children, and am in school part-time in addition to working full-time, as well the man in my life working full-time. And honestly we make pretty darn good money, and will be buying a home this year, once we find the right one for us. We pay our bills and can self-sustain now, without the help of those that were there for us in the past. However we are always greatful for the help we received when we needed it.
Yes there was a time I was on every program I could qualify for including food stamps because I was in no position to be caring for three kids, while working at Wal-mart. Yes I went to my mother occasionally and if she knew I had exhausted all options and I would actually be in harms way, she would let me "grocery shop" in her cupboards if it meant food in my kids' bellies. No she didn't always help, because she's taught me and my sister to learn how to survive, by not always giving in. It's taught me some life lessons. Would I do the same to my kids? Probably not. But I am a different parent than she is. Neither way is right or wrong. Just different.
Yes she appears somewhat hypocritical in these blogs condemning the exact programs or topics that are so dear to MY heart because they were there for her family when they were needed. But she is entitled to her opinion, just like we all are. Which is why even as her daughter, I will not talk politics with her. Me and my fiance and our kids ARE a union family. My fiance is a union plumber. While there are certainly some issues with how SOME unions are run, I do NOT support Walker's agenda on all levels, though I agree some reform is needed. But cutting the programs for our children and MY immediate family does NOT sit well with me. I WAS at the protest when Walker came to town, and I will continue to fight against him for the sake of my children for the well-rounded public education I was afforded as a child. I will fight against Walker's agenda to cut funding for college students, because I am one. And that directly affects me.
People tend to side with policies that they are directly affected by. Gmaof3 is not a parent of school-aged children, or responsible for any college children, or in a union, or anything for that matter anymore, so the stances she takes are pertinent to her life. While many of us disagree, she is entitled to her own opinion.
Just MY two cents since I am always referred to on these blogs. Made sense for me to set the record straight about ME and MY family. :)
Apr 16, 2011 at 12:24 a.m.
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12345678, but that's just my point. My daughter DOESN'T run "short". She lives on a functioning budget, doesn't make grandiose purchases she can not afford, and her children are well taken care of. She is NOT on state aid. Not that I even need to explain anything to you, but you're barking up the wrong tree here.
The state is broke and it didn't just happen overnight. Its been building for at least 2 decades! None of what Walker is proposing, will cure it all over night. It will take time and a lot of effort from all of us.
And no, I don't agree with all of these changes, but something has to change. We can't keep spending as if we HAVE it.
Apr 15, 2011 at 12:15 p.m.
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WalterR...She just thinks your family is entitled to have/receive state benefits.She is always the first to complain about other people on her TAX $$ ,but gets real defensive when others questions why her grandchildren are on the same programs.JMO.This has NOTHING to do with her daughter as a single mother,she is doing the best she can with making a life for her family.My question is....when her daughter runs short at the end of the month do you think good ol' gma takes her to the grocery store?? My guess is she DOES NOT !!!
Apr 15, 2011 at 6:45 a.m.
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gma,
What do your gripes about public assistance programs have to do with these struggling kids? Are you alleging that they have not tried to recover? Do you think that extended unemployment benefits never go toward feeding children in the homes of unemployed people? Do you think it would be better to not let those people have that money? To let those children go hungry?
Apr 13, 2011 at 7:06 p.m.
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I am really not an angry person, just opinionated. For more reasons than I care to note here. I've lived through it all and yes, we have made financial mistakes. My irritation is with people who refuse to even TRY to recover. To bank on the financial "back-up" through our state government is abuse. To extend the unemployment benefits was just the beginning. Yes, the economy sucks...
And 12345678, step down dude.
Apr 12, 2011 at 3:40 p.m.
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An article on conditions and struggles of local poor students warped into a morality lesson and yet another advancement of our Utopian Uber-Libertarian ideologies... Beautiful fellow Patriots, just beautiful. Someone even worked in the "lower my property taxes" angle. Genius.
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We are fireing on all cylinders my fellow Patriots. Keep up turning up the heat on the proletariat and they will bend to our will.
Apr 12, 2011 at 1:31 p.m.
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WalterR...Good thoughts in your post.This is my opinion on gma,she's just a angry person from her own choices.After going back and reading some of her comments,she has been down right mean and judgemental towards others.JMO
Apr 12, 2011 at 11:20 a.m.
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I'm still astounded by the negative attitudes in so many of these comments. Don't we want more for future generations than we had? Isn't that the point? Clearly there are many people that don't want that. Many more than I imagined. Apparently some people feel that just because their lives didn't turn out the way they had hoped, the next generation of young folks should not have different opportunities to succeed. Excellent! We'll continue to make great strides as a society with that line of thinking. Fortunately, there are people, like the teacher in this article, out there that actually do care about what happens to the disadvantaged young people in this community.
Apr 12, 2011 at 10:54 a.m.
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no matter how responsible adults can be, it's really hard to make ends meet in today's economy. Children who were used to worrying about cell phones and dating now have to worry about how they will get to school and what they are going to eat. I have been in these kids' shoes before and thank god for the kind teachers who helped me and tried their hardest to reach out and make me finish high school. If it wasn't for Ms. Owen, I never would have been accepted at Rock River Charter School and I would have had to drop out of Parker to go work at Kmart and help pay the gas bill. Since I was still in school I was able to graduate with my class. I am still in poverty,and those of you who are not have no right to judge these kids. They are trying.
Apr 12, 2011 at 9:51 a.m.
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Local81
"The only thing I have compassion for is the loss of their loved ones. Other than that welcome to the adult world everyone faces. No one meets you half way, and if you want a future go get it."
Yep, your right these youngsters should JUST pick themselves up by their bootstraps,,,IF;only they had shoes..........
Apr 12, 2011 at 8:39 a.m.
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gmaof3...What?? How is it a unions fault when a young couple wants the American dream of home ownership?When you signed the papers at 14.5%,you couldn't EASILY afford that house.Your situation has nothing to do with a union or non-union job.Chalk it up to being young and take the responsibility of your own actions.When you do that, also find some kindness for others that are making or will make the SAME mistakes you have made in life.By your comments on most money issues ,why is it you can/did learn from past experience but others can't? With having young grandchildren a lot can and will still happen in this world to learn from THEM.Why is it we but the price of someones worth on the all mighty dollar ??How does it make you feel with children that go to bed hungry because the parents no longer have those good paying jobs? To think when a person calls and asks your employer if they will make $13.00/hr and you just hang up on them..wow
Apr 12, 2011 at 7:50 a.m.
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Kids are living in poverty; parents are having to work two jobs or more just to survive. And yet, when we ask a unionized teacher to kick into their own retirement savings and into their own health insurance...well then we're just being selfish! Parents are working their butts off, but no one gives a crap. All they see is dollar signs. Greed is killing America but everyone refuses to accept their part of the blame.
Apr 11, 2011 at 7:47 p.m.
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And what students need the social workers and councilors more than these kids? The current cuts are going to make these kids' lives even harder without some counciling at school.
Apr 11, 2011 at 7:27 p.m.
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While hindsight is 20/20, and it is easy to rant about people who have children they can't afford, I do NOT feel this is a fair "blanket" statement. 1st hubby and I were able to EASILY afford children. Back in the early 80's, our jobs were secure. We bought our first home @ a 14.5 interest rate. A ridiculous rate but we didn't see the writing on the wall. He was union, I was not. HE was one of the last out of the plant. His union did NOTHING for us. All of the money he payed in... and we lost our home, with a 1 & 3 year old! We were forced to file bankruptcy in 1987!
THIS is EXACTLY why unions leave such a nasty taste in my mouth.
That said, our children NEVER knew what dire straits we were in. To them, it was just a big adventure! They actually thought we were "rich"! through all of this, we protected our children from the mental & financial anguish we went through. This is what I refer to, when I say how disgusted I am with people who drag our children through all this CRAP!
WHAT is a child gaining? Children should NEVER have to feel ANY of this!
Apr 11, 2011 at 7:14 p.m.
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correction I blast public sector emplyees, you must be a teacher.
Apr 11, 2011 at 6:51 p.m.
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NoLeftist,
The reason the article doesn't touch on the subject is because that subject is irrelevant to the article. These kids are already born. If their parents were to get married now, the kids wouldn't all of the sudden find themselves out of poverty. Not necessarily anyways. This article was focusing on the struggle the kids are going through right now. It seems you would like to focus on the circumstances surrounding how they came into the world. In fact, it seems you are condemning the very event of their births in general. I'm sure that would really make these kids feel great considering what they have to deal with on a daily basis. I think you showed quite the lack of class by getting up on your soapbox to try to divert attention away from the great cause that Deri Wahlert is championing. I say good for her, and shame on you.
Apr 11, 2011 at 6:50 p.m.
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whzbng:you bash teacher in one blog and boast about education in another. WOW. Get a clue.
Apr 11, 2011 at 6:44 p.m.
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Koch, It is much easier than that, stay in school and get your diploma, go to college or trade school, get educated in field that is useful for empolyment. Do not have children you cannot afford(single parents) or you start behind the 8 ball. Get a job, do not live beyond your means and save for a rainy day.
Apr 11, 2011 at 4:59 p.m.
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The one good thing that comes out of these kids who are just scrapping by and trying to get an education is that, if they make it thru high school and maybe even college, they will be dynamite in the working world. If I was hiring for a company I would hire these kids because they have had to overcome many obstacles to get where they wanted to go.
Apr 11, 2011 at 4:17 p.m.
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during the holiday season, my wife did a fundraiser for such students at parker. The students, who remained nameless, were asked to list things they wanted. we were touched by the responses. there were no "ipads" on the lists, or any other such devices. no designer clothes, or fancy sneakers. their "wants" included toothpaste, socks, shampoo, school supplies such as paper and pencils. everyday things most of us take for granted. It left me with a little hope for this race we call human.
Apr 11, 2011 at 3:26 p.m.
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Hmm. It appears at least 3 out of the 4 kids' parents are not married. Of course, the author does not delve into such a touchy subject, even though that is the single largest driver of poverty.
Much like Democrats who constantly decry poverty but say and do absolutely nothing about the largest cause of poverty - out of wedlock births.
Political Correctness is condemning these children and millions of others to a life of poverty. It is shameful.
Apr 11, 2011 at 3:22 p.m.
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Just make sure before you are born that your parents are wealthy, and you will be alright. Though we had to litigate with a blacksheep brother over our oil fortunes, we don't complain, life is tough and not fair and liberals are bad - a lesson best learned young I say.
Apr 11, 2011 at 3:05 p.m.
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According to Obama the recovery started in June of 2009. His stimulus has created the illusion of a recovery but,
45 million are on food stamps in this country.
1 of 3 people have no retirement savings.
50% of Americans have less than $2000 in savings. This is what govt handouts look like. The more given the more poeple want them. Where is personal responsibility? Do they even teach that anymore?
Apr 11, 2011 at 3:01 p.m.
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My heart breaks for these kids, NO child in this country should have to go through what they are going through. There should be sufficient social programs to support these kids yet these are the programs that are cut first. What will happen to the same kids next year and the years to follow? Our government officials need to step up and make significant changes in social programs level the playing field for the poverty stricken citizens and help them get out of poverty rather than keeping them in it. These kids are our future and they're getting kicked in the teeth.
Apr 11, 2011 at 3:01 p.m.
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My heart breaks for these kids, NO child in this country should have to go through what they are going through. There should be sufficient social programs to support these kids yet these are the programs that are cut first. What will happen to the same kids next year and the years to follow? Our government officials need to step up and make significant changes in social programs level the playing field for the poverty stricken citizens and help them get out of poverty rather than keeping them in it. These kids are our future and they're getting kicked in the teeth.
Apr 11, 2011 at 2:52 p.m.
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No, you don't understand, MooShoo. And I haven't the time to try to explain to someone who doesn't care to understand.
Apr 11, 2011 at 1:25 p.m.
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They need to educate the adults reponsible for these kids. A large percentage of these families are recieving foodstamps and rental assistance and utility assistance and a check. Well the way I see things these adults that get this assistance owes it to these kids to not spend any of that money on cigarettes,alcholol and getting thier nails done and eating in restuarants. Those kids deserve to eats regular meals 3 times a day, 7 days a week. If it takes the adults to skip a few meals so kids can have it so be it. Stay out of the nail salon and cut off the internet and satalite TV. Educate the adults how to buy groceries and getting priorities straight. These adults feel they are entitled because they don't work. THEY are not entitled to anything but the kids are. Get your head out of your --- .
Apr 11, 2011 at 12:50 p.m.
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I understand Billie, you are villifying public employees. So what you are saying is kids go hungry because of greedy teachers. You are using version 1(a) of the blame the victim argument. Ever consider running for school board?
Apr 11, 2011 at 12:42 p.m.
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Exactly billnewbie , my taxes are way too high already.
Apr 11, 2011 at 12:36 p.m.
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MooShoo, I didn't raise the issue of school lunches or how they are paid for. I raised the issue that increases in property taxes increase hunger by draining away money that poor families need to feed their children by increasing housing costs on families that can barely make ends meet now. School lunches won't do a thing to alleviate that. And neither will our defiant and self-interested unions who have made that perfectly clear.
Apr 11, 2011 at 10:34 a.m.
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Thanks, Ms. Wahlert, for all that you do. Donations are on their way.
Apr 11, 2011 at 9:21 a.m.
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I was on my own at 18 with a job and rent to pay but is was just after I graduated. I also had a job while I was in school. The jobs are out there. McD is hiring again as well. You have to start someplace!
Apr 11, 2011 at 9:11 a.m.
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"a certified nursing assistant"
Not sure if this help but add in the Gazette em,ployment section says "cnas needed".
Apr 11, 2011 at 8:31 a.m.
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Judging from a few of the comments we could use some mental health resources in this community right alongside helping these poor kids out.
Apr 11, 2011 at 7:31 a.m.
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Oldvet, you can afford a computer and the internet, you're not broke. It's your choice not to donate to the children.
Apr 11, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.
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The percentage of kids eligible for
"FREE" meals at school goes up only because the standards for getting "free" meals are lowered. If the Liberals have their way, soon all students will be eligible and then the libs can get together and pat each other on the back tell each other what wonderful caring people they are at yet another "feel good" session. Libs. If you want everyone to have a free meal, how about taking up a collection from like minded people to pay for it? I can't afford it any longer. I have enough to do taking care of MY kids and MY responsibilities
Apr 11, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.
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The percentage of kids eligible for
"FREE" meals at school goes up only because the standards for getting "free" meals are lowered. If the Liberals have their way, soon all students will be eligible and then the libs can get together and pat each other on the back tell each other what wonderful caring people they are at yet another "feel good" session. Libs. If you want everyone to have a free meal, how about taking up a collection from like minded people to pay for it? I can't afford it any longer. I have enough to do taking care of MY kids and MY responsibilities
Apr 11, 2011 at 5:49 a.m.
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Children should never go hungry and wonder where their next meal is coming from! Adults, for the most part, have control over their every day life--children do not. Childhood should be about childhood. How sad for these children. Thanks for suggesting the ways to help them.
Apr 10, 2011 at 11:48 p.m.
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It is a shame that when someone tries to raise awareness about children not being able to eat or focus on what is important (school) people start the whole Union deal. What does that have to do with anything, what Deri is doing is trying to help out children(What a teacher does) and then they are going to cut teachers jobs. You should thank the very teachers that taught you to read the very article you just read! I was in a Union and they didn't do anything for me accept tell me my job went to Mexico, I wish these teachers were paid MORE for what they give us when we are children, the ability to read, write and do math!
Apr 10, 2011 at 10:53 p.m.
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The only thing these kids should have to focus on is their education. They should be able to finish out high school and go on to college if they so choose without having to worry about putting clothes on their back, where their next meal is coming from or where they're going to lay their head at night. All of this garbage people have been posting on here about how these kids should deal with the realities of life is offensive. It truly does take a village to raise a child. We've come too far as a society to tell kids that are going through rough times, "Well, I suffered, so it's not a big deal if you have to suffer, too." The lack of compassion being expressed in these blog comments is truly frightening. Deri Wahlert's efforts are commendable. At least she knows what it means to be human.
Apr 10, 2011 at 10:25 p.m.
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realist.....nice..... four letter word????? I hope you ARE NOT involved in our children's classrooms. Yes I have volunteered at schools, during and after school...somethings I've seen and heard do really concern me
Apr 10, 2011 at 10:24 p.m.
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Sad to say ,but the numbers will only go up.I don't doubt the numbers given for some schools,maybe someone could answer this question...How can Craig how a low % rate with the feeder schools/students that go from middle school to Craig? It just seems to me the % should be higher after considering the % from Edison & Marshall being the two schools that the students would come from.
Apr 10, 2011 at 10:21 p.m.
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Belman: I looked at a few of your other posts, and realize now, based on your politics, that you were probably being sarcastic in your comment below. If that is the case, I apologize for my comment directed at you. In my defense, you failed to use the universally accepted sarcasm notation: ˙ɔıʇsɐɔɹɐs ƃuıǝq ǝɹ,noʎ ʍouʞ ǝʍ os 'sıɥʇ ǝʞıl 'spɹɐʍʞɔɐq puɐ uʍop-ǝpısdn ǝʇıɹʍ oʇ pǝsoddns ǝɹ,noʎ
Apr 10, 2011 at 10 p.m.
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we try to put the blame for everything on the teachers and working people blame other working people when the reality is the ones who pay less and less all the time are the wealthy.Don't believe it then you are uninformed. If you want a place to start check out what the tax rate was for the wealthy anytime after WWII.
Apr 10, 2011 at 9:52 p.m.
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local81=jodymac=cass!!!
Apr 10, 2011 at 9:11 p.m.
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I could donate if my taxes weren't so dern high.
Apr 10, 2011 at 9:07 p.m.
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Deri...You are a saint! God bless you and the work that you do!
Apr 10, 2011 at 9:04 p.m.
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Thanks for this article. I will be donating to Parker Closet. I will also be calling the elementary schools that are closest to me and see what they need.
Apr 10, 2011 at 8:49 p.m.
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"The income limits for the federal lunch program are higher than the poverty line"
Pretty sure it's a federally funded program.
Apr 10, 2011 at 8:44 p.m.
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Billie, the article does not tell us where the subsidy comes from to pay for meals. Just a guess, it comes fromthe feds, not the property tax. But it would be nice to know. Frank, who pays for the meals, is it local property tax, state , or the feds?
Apr 10, 2011 at 8:43 p.m.
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goodforjanesberg
Your post suggests that teachers don't know how to volunteer time to the students. You obviously have never volunteered any time in a school outside of school hours or you would not be making comments that make you look like a complete ----. You can pick the four letter word you want to complete that sentence. Local81 "Teachers the Union gets to charge a fee to join the Union to all new Teachers." You are smart. These layoffs are a big conspiracy by the unions to lay off as many teachers as possible so they can charge a fee to new members. I wish you would get the hint. You have been kicked off this website three times that I am aware of and yet you still continue to come back. You think you are outsmarting people by changing your name yet ignorant enough to keep making the same tell tale off topic arguments. I am still trying to figure out your logic and when you will figure out that levitt and the school district have no ties or connection except that they are both in Janesville. So anytime you want to stop talking about the ice arena that would be great.
Apr 10, 2011 at 7:46 p.m.
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goodforjanesburg and everyone else...
1. Items needed for Parker Closet: Boxers, Briefs, underwear, Hanes T-shirts, socks, mens deoderant, mens body wash, kleenex, smaller containers of laudry soap, dish soap, food such as mac & cheese, pasta, cereal, crackers, poptarts, granola bars, canned fruit. All these items can be dropped off at Parker between 7:30-4:00 each day.
2. Parker is not the only school that accepts items. Please contact each school to see what each need and/or take.
3. Just an FYI...the students and I conducted this interview before learning about the cuts to teachers, counselors, etc. in the district. My comments were honest and were not in anyway meant to "gain sympathy" to the teachers union. My comments were purely for informational purposes.
If anyone has any questions or comments about the Parker Closet please feel free to contact me at 743-5804.
Deri Wahlert
Apr 10, 2011 at 6:52 p.m.
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So the social workers who are losing their jobs are busy. I guess cutting them and a batch of teachers loose is the wrong idea. Raising property taxes, that will solve everything.
But if we raise taxes, it gets even harder for some of these folks to make ends meet every month, doesn't it? Yes, I know that almost all the poor folks in Janesville don't own a home and therefore don't pay property taxes. But landlords don't really pay property taxes and raises either, that's included in the rent. So rents will rise too, making the lives of the poor that much harder. Oh, I know, the tax increase will only be $30 or $40 a month for those folks. But that's $30 or $40 a month more that they'll be short each and every month. That's probably 2 or 3 more days these kids will have to go hungry.
I my opinion, that's 2 or 3 days too much. Particularly since the unions said they'd help with this budget problem by paying for more of their benefits which would reduce how many will be laid off. But no, they need to protect themselves and their finances from the cost cutters. So we have a quandary, either we let go some social workers who may be able to help out our poor students and their families, or we raise the property tax which will make our poor students miss a few more meals and add a few more students to the list of hungry kids at the end of each month while we're at it. And all to protect the integrity of "the contract" and the benefits of our loyal, selfless, hard working unionized public employees. What a sad commentary on our society this is.
Apr 10, 2011 at 6:42 p.m.
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Congratulations, Belman. That might have been the most ignorant, short sighted, hateful post I've ever read on this site. Luckily, you're wrong: the majority does not think this way.
Apr 10, 2011 at 6:12 p.m.
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Maybe we have got to the point that if you can not afford to go to school maybe they should stay home. Anything that you can't not afford you should not have. If you can not afford kids that should go to the state with a mimnum of care for them. The majority thinks this way and it is time for all to have this way of thinking. Those that have money can have kids other should not.
Apr 10, 2011 at 6:08 p.m.
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This article stinks of "SCHOOL SYSTEM CUT BACKS". The title just kinda sucked us in a little. If the article sincerely wanted to bring attention to poverty and need, then it perhaps would have mentioned how to donate items, and what items to donate to Parker Closet. It might have also suggested that "WITH ALL THE CUT BACKS" maybe some of the school system retirees VOLUNTEER to help out. I've seem many thin times during my lifetime too. It wasn't easy, but with pride, dignity and a lot of hard work I managed to not only survive, but eventually thrive. Now I am a better person for what I've been through and I VOLUNTEER. It's called giving back to your community. Maybe there should be a little course for School system employees on this subject....JMO
What does the ice arena have to do with anything in this article? Do you think if we bulldoze the place tomorrow that there would be no more poverty?
Apr 10, 2011 at 6:03 p.m.
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I'd like to thank the woman and her two young daughters for donating all the food to House Of Mercy today from Saint John Vianney Church (I hope I got that right).
-volunteer
Apr 10, 2011 at 5:35 p.m.
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Every school year the % of children living in poverty goes up, FACT. A few weeks ago the Gazette published statisics on how much the Hispanic population has grown, FACT. Hmmm, but let's all pretend like that's not a coincidence.
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