Isn't That Rich Podcast

The backpacks are coming off the shelves, the practice fields are busy, and registration is in full swing. Back to school is here, and while the kids might not be counting down the days, it is one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year for our schools and our families.

On this episode of the Isn't That Rich podcast, Ashley sat down with Kelly Green, Herrin School Board President and Vice President of our Herrin Farmers State Bank branch, to talk about what this season really looks like for students and families, and the many ways all of us can pitch in. Here is what we learned.

A new year, a fresh start

Kelly is genuinely excited about this school year, especially watching some of the new coaches and young athletes step up. But what stuck with us most was how she framed the whole point of it all. Winning games is great, but the real goal is building good humans: good citizens who graduate and go blaze their own trail, whatever that looks like for them.

Things have shifted since COVID, too. A lot of learning happens on Chromebooks now, and that presents real challenges for families who do not have Wi-Fi at home. When a student can log on during a snow day, it is not just about keeping up with homework. It gives teachers eyes on that student, a way to make sure they are safe and doing okay. Sometimes that connection matters even more than the lesson.

Why back to school is stressful for a lot of families

Let us be honest: heading back to school is expensive. Supplies, clothes, shoes, and gas that is running well over $4 a gallon all add up fast, and a lot of families just do not have a lot of extra right now.

School funding has changed a lot over the years, too. Herrin is funded through evidence-based funding tied to attendance and student needs, and in recent years more of that money has been diverted to districts up north that have growing needs of their own. There are real needs in Chicago, and there are real needs here in Southern Illinois. So our district works hard to stretch every dollar, leaning on its grant department and federal funding to bring in extra resources, all so it does not have to pass costs along to local taxpayers.

Two resources every family should know about

If you are feeling the squeeze this fall, Kelly pointed to two great starting points.

First, reach out to your Regional Office of Education. Herrin falls under ROE #21 in Williamson County, and wherever you live, your ROE can connect you to resources that go well beyond school. Struggling to pay a power bill? They may be able to help you find support for that, too.

Second, visit the Herrin School District #4 website. Just Google the district and you will find a community resources page along with contact information for every school. If you cannot find what you need there, call the school. Somebody will point you in the right direction. As Kelly put it, the main thing is to get educated, get informed, and never be afraid to ask.

The McKinney-Vento Act

One topic Kelly wanted to make sure our community understands is the McKinney-Vento Act, a federal law that helps children experiencing homelessness or housing instability stay in school and get the support they need. Because the single biggest thing that helps any student succeed is simply being in the classroom.

This does not only apply to a family living out of their car. It can be a family staying with relatives, living in a motel, or displaced for all kinds of reasons. If a student does not have a fixed, regular, adequate place to call home, this act can help. And importantly, it lets that student stay enrolled in their same school. When everything else feels uncertain, keeping the same teachers, the same classmates, and the same seat next to a friend can be the one steady, safe thing in a student's day.

Time, talent, and treasure

When we think about helping schools, most of us jump straight to writing a check. But Kelly reminded us that we are all blessed with three things: time, talent, and treasure. And time and talent are every bit as valuable as treasure.

Here are a few ways to put yours to work.

If you have a professional skill, share it. An accountant or financial adviser could sit down with a family and help them complete the FAFSA, which is notoriously confusing and often the one thing standing between a student and college. Anyone comfortable reading a tax return can make a real difference here. The school can set up the space; you bring the know-how.

If you have a little extra when you go supply shopping, buy double. Send that second set in, and a teacher will quietly make sure it reaches a student who needs it. Neutral colors are especially helpful for clothing donations, so kids can grab and go knowing everything matches.

And if you have time to give, reach out. Volunteers are welcome from pre-K on up. There is a vetting process and background checks, but as Kelly said, nobody is ever going to turn away a volunteer when there is something to do.

What our schools actually need

Kelly checked in with teachers, administrators, and ROE folks, and the number one need she heard was not fancy. It was backpacks, especially ones filled with hygiene items. Most of our schools now have a hygiene closet, and many have washers and dryers so kids can get clean clothes and a fresh start to their day.

Here is a running list of things that make a difference:

• Backpacks (a student's bag is their whole world, and a broken one is embarrassing)
• Hygiene products: soap, shampoo, deodorant, body spray, and female hygiene products
• Extra clothes: underwear, leggings, shorts, neutral colors that mix and match
• Gym shoes for PE in all sizes
• Binders, pencils, loose leaf, and graphing paper
• Wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, and basic first aid for classrooms and the nurse's office

When in doubt, look at your own student's supply list, and grab a little extra of whatever is on it. And if you want to give something specific, email or call the school and ask where the need is greatest.

Feeding kids beyond the school day

A lot of caring for students happens after the final bell. Kelly gave a big shout-out to the Gumdrops program out of the Carterville area, whose volunteers pack thousands of backpacks of food every week and drop them at Williamson County schools so kids have something to eat over the weekend. Herrin students are among the many who benefit.

She also praised the district's summer lunch program, led by Jean Nestler and her team, who have been putting together around a thousand meals for weekly pickup to make sure kids do not go hungry when school is out.

If you are a student who is worried about food, or anything else, Kelly's advice is simple: talk to your social worker. There is no judgment, only help. They can connect you to food, to the McKinney-Vento resources, and even to counseling if you are carrying something heavy like grief. They are there to get you into a good place so you can succeed.

Just show up

We spent a good chunk of the conversation on attendance, and for good reason. There is a direct correlation between being present in the classroom and a student's success. It is more than academics, too. Being there is how kids learn to interact, communicate, and function in the world.

That is why the district celebrates it. Through Let's Talk Tigers, Superintendent Nathaniel Wilson and the team recognize student achievements, and the very first thing they highlight from every school is attendance. They have even had students go their entire school careers without missing a single day. Of course, if a student is truly sick, staying home is the right call, and logging on to a Chromebook keeps them connected. But whenever they can be there, they should be.

A word for students

Ashley asked Kelly what she would say to students who see a classmate struggling. Her answer was one word: grace. Give people grace. If you see someone struggling, whether in the hallway or online, say something and try to help. And if you do not have the words, tell your social worker, "I think something is going on here. Help me help them."

Our schools already have student groups built around exactly that spirit, from student government at the high school to service-minded groups at the junior high tackling real issues like vaping. When kids look out for each other, everybody wins.

Watch for Stuff the Bus

Keep an eye out for a Stuff the Bus event coming soon. A school bus will be parked in the middle of town at the chamber office, and you can drop off school supplies, hygiene backpacks, gym shoes, or clothes. Details on the date and time are being finalized, likely a Saturday morning. If you have a little extra to give, bring it out that day and the district will make sure it gets exactly where it needs to go.

The bottom line

Every student deserves the chance to shine, whether their path leads to college, a trade, or something else entirely. And it does not take a huge gesture to help them get there. Time, talent, and treasure. Every little bit adds up to a lot.

We are proud to be part of a community that shows up for its kids, and we are proud that Herrin does everything it possibly can to give every student a shot at success.

Have a question about giving back, planning ahead, or setting your family up for the year? Stop by and see us at any of our locations in Alto Pass, Harrisburg, or Marion. We would love to help you make a difference.