As an elementary teacher, I sit in numerous meetings throughout the year discussing all kinds of data. We look at test scores for English Language Arts, as well as Math. We dive into behavior data, attendance information, and so on.
Another topic that gains our attention as educators is the overall well-being of the child. Do they feel safe at school? Are they building friendships? What do they need that we can help provide for them?
One of the answers to these very important questions is very simple – food.
Basic Needs
I am a firm believer in the the concept of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Many students come to school tired, hungry, and anxious. If we want to help a child succeed, either academically or socially, we need to see that those needs are met to the best of our abilities.
Children, nor adults for that matter, should be expected to perform well during their day when they are worried about where their next meal is going to come from, or if they are going to be safe at home after school.
While we can not always help in a school setting with some of the outside factors students are facing, we can do better at providing access to items such as food and hygiene products.
This is where the concept of a ‘Comfort Shelf’ comes in.
No One is Turned Down
About 4 or 5 years ago, I was reading an article about a school that provided an area in the building where kids could go to ‘shop’ for items they may need at home, such as food products and hygiene items. I did a little bit of research to see how other schools were implementing this idea. It didn’t take long and I was hooked on the idea.
I pitched the idea of a ‘Comfort Shelf’ to my administrator and he was very supportive. I found a couple of old bookshelves, went to the store to stock items, and we were ready to go.
Now that we have it, I can’t imagine it not being there.
The majority of its use comes from children looking for snacks during their classroom snack time. We do have those that will also ask if they can take some ramen noodles home or mac & cheese for dinner.
The answer is always yes.
Costly, But Necessary
The stocking of the shelves can become costly, but we do have staff that will bring items in and drop them off. My mother-in-law also makes a yearly money donation that I use at our local store to buy items.
While the ‘Comfort Shelf’ offers both food and hygiene products, it is the food section that is utilized the most.
Are there kids that take a bag of animal crackers from the shelf when they already have a snack in their backpack? Absolutely. I’m sure that there are students that don’t necessarily need items from the shelf, but I also believe that we don’t always know all the circumstances.
I’m approaching my final years of teaching. While I’m still at school, I will continue to put money aside here and there to purchase supplies for the Comfort Shelf. I’m also planning on how to continue with the concept after I retire.
The need for the supplies is absolutely real. It feels like the least we can do is have basic items available for kids if they need them.
Goals for Today:
- Read my Book
- Make Homemade Pizzas with the Kids
- Bake a Cake