Our Classroom Heroes

My name is Christine and I am the director of a childcare center and elementary school in North Philadelphia.  Our childcare center reopened in June with all the necessary safety precautions to keep our children and staff safe.  In September our elementary students returned to full day in person learning 5 days per week.  Most schools have not done this and I am amazed every single day with the commitment of our teachers and staff.  I so want to reward them for their work during this pandemic.  They don't complain and they have remained steadfast in their dedication to report to work with a huge smile on their face, even though many schools have shut down.  We are 95% state subsidy and one of the most severe challenges we have faced, is keeping our staff employed with the reductions that we have received in our state funding.  There has not been one day since it started that we have not paid our staff, but in my heart, I know its not enough.   They deserve a bonus this year and we just can't afford to give it to them.  I am asking anyone who reads this page to give something, whatever you can so we can give it to our HEROS is the CLASSROOM.