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To the person who took our school's One-Act Play trailer...
I'm still hoping this is just a mistake. I'm hoping this is my fault and that I've simply forgotten why someone would have a legitimate reason to use our trailer. If it's not, please read on.
I want you to understand two things about the trailer you've stolen.
First, you've stolen it from a community that doesn't have much...but would have given you all that it has if you had only asked. 80% of my kids are on free or reduced lunch. Most of them would understand what it feels like to be broke and need help. You've stolen from a community that takes care of what they have and spends what little money they have cautiously. My OAP teacher taught for 28 years before she was able to have her own trailer. We don't waste public funds out here. There hasn't been a bond passed in Penelope since 1938. We all understand what it's like to have to go without. It's the reason our district provides free school supplies to the kids and free dual-credit college tuition. It's the reason our tiny school has opened a daycare with financial assistance.
Second, this isn't a victimless crime. You may think that insurance will simply cover our loss. It won't. We bought that beautiful trailer used for $3,000. Our insurance deductible is $5,000. So, if we can scrape together enough to replace it, the money will come straight out of the kid's pockets. How much is $3,000? It's more than the coaching stipend for a first year coach. It's just about the same amount it costs us to provide a year's worth of school supplies to every kid in Penelope. It's more than the last set of bleachers we bought this summer and the same amount I spent on a handicap accessible ramp for our Life-skills classroom. It's about the same price as the security camera system we put in the AG building that recorded you.
The worst part for me is that I feel personally responsible for this. It's my job to help this district overcome everything in its path so that my kids are successful. Stuff like this detracts from that in a way that is hard to explain. And I didn't prevent it.
I'm so discouraged for you that your life is at a point that stealing from the school seems like an option. I will pray that you have a change in heart and also that whatever has brought you to this finds the healing it needs.
Tomorrow morning the teachers officially come back. This is an amazing staff and we are blessed to get to work in a great community with even greater kids. A week from tomorrow our kids will fill the halls. I pledge to you that we will do everything in our power to give these kids opportunities that keep them from ever being in your shoes.
I'm still hoping this is just a mistake. I'm hoping this is my fault and that I've simply forgotten why someone would have a legitimate reason to use our trailer. If it's not, please read on.
I want you to understand two things about the trailer you've stolen.
First, you've stolen it from a community that doesn't have much...but would have given you all that it has if you had only asked. 80% of my kids are on free or reduced lunch. Most of them would understand what it feels like to be broke and need help. You've stolen from a community that takes care of what they have and spends what little money they have cautiously. My OAP teacher taught for 28 years before she was able to have her own trailer. We don't waste public funds out here. There hasn't been a bond passed in Penelope since 1938. We all understand what it's like to have to go without. It's the reason our district provides free school supplies to the kids and free dual-credit college tuition. It's the reason our tiny school has opened a daycare with financial assistance.
Second, this isn't a victimless crime. You may think that insurance will simply cover our loss. It won't. We bought that beautiful trailer used for $3,000. Our insurance deductible is $5,000. So, if we can scrape together enough to replace it, the money will come straight out of the kid's pockets. How much is $3,000? It's more than the coaching stipend for a first year coach. It's just about the same amount it costs us to provide a year's worth of school supplies to every kid in Penelope. It's more than the last set of bleachers we bought this summer and the same amount I spent on a handicap accessible ramp for our Life-skills classroom. It's about the same price as the security camera system we put in the AG building that recorded you.
The worst part for me is that I feel personally responsible for this. It's my job to help this district overcome everything in its path so that my kids are successful. Stuff like this detracts from that in a way that is hard to explain. And I didn't prevent it.
I'm so discouraged for you that your life is at a point that stealing from the school seems like an option. I will pray that you have a change in heart and also that whatever has brought you to this finds the healing it needs.
Tomorrow morning the teachers officially come back. This is an amazing staff and we are blessed to get to work in a great community with even greater kids. A week from tomorrow our kids will fill the halls. I pledge to you that we will do everything in our power to give these kids opportunities that keep them from ever being in your shoes.
Organizer and beneficiary
Carolyn Wren
Organizer
Penelope, TX
Scot Kelley
Beneficiary
