Published: March 01, 2006 02:28 pm      

Group intent on helping students in need

Kids come first.

Not only is that a motto in the Rockwood Area School District, but it is also a teacher-run organization.

“I think Kids Come First is just indicative of the kind of district we are,” said Clair Lewis, an English teacher in the district. “We really do care about our students, and in the modern era, we have to do a lot more than just teach.”

Lewis said his involvement in the organization stems from his responsibility for students.

The organization, run solely on contributions, helps students financially when they are in need.

High school Principal Mark Bower said teachers show support through their donations. Every other Friday, teachers donate $2 or more to the fund, he said.

“In my previous experience, I have never seen anything like it,” he said.

“The teachers are always willing to help out with kids that are in need.”

Bower said he is proud that students can benefit from the extra effort.

“I’ve just seen kids that have really been in need, whether they needed money for some school activity and their family couldn’t afford it, or a fire in their home,” he said. “Kids Come First stepped up and really helped out.”

Schools Superintendent Vincent Capricci said the program shows how much teachers care about the students.

“The title of the club says a lot about the qualities of the club,” he said.

Teachers, administrators, guidance counselors and school nurses can nominate students for the program.

Lewis said Kids Come First began more than 10 years ago on an as-needed basis.

He said Susan Barclay, a high school math teacher, was the founder of Kids Come First.

“She is always the first one there to help, whether it is faculty, staff, students or someone in the community,” Lewis said. “She is one of the most giving people I have ever met.”

Jay Best, a high school history teacher, said he is a board member of Kids Come First.

“(Barclay) has been an integral part of the club,” he said. “She is the one that has her ear to the ground and knows what families are in need, and she really makes that happen.”

Barclay is able to identify many families that need the club’s help, Best said.

“She is the shaker and the mover in it,” he said. “From our standpoint, we’re all here to help kids any way we can.”

He said the club’s hope is that students will someday be able to help someone else in a time of need.

Initially, Lewis said, if there was a house fire or family tragedy within the district, teachers would gather funds and help the student in need.

Now, he said, the money is constantly on hand to provide for school lunches, warm clothing or snow boots.

“I think its mainly about students feeling like they are ready to learn and it’s also about their self-concept and them feeling better about themselves,” Lewis said.

Barclay said nominations for needy students are confidential.

“We are trying to keep everything we do confidential,” she said.

The program has provided students with money for senior pictures, legal services, clothing and for class trips, she said.

“Whatever the need is, we can do it,” she said.

“The kids appreciate it. They don’t take advantage of it.”

Already, about 150 students have benefited from the program.

“It’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life,” Barclay said.