A clarion call was sent out to volunteers to help support low performing schools in east Gainesville and Hawthorne during an event hosted and sponsored by the Alachua County branch of the NAACP.
Held to celebrate the 115th Founders’ Day of the NAACP, the Save Our Schools mass meeting was held at DaySpring Baptist Church in northeast Gainesville on Monday.
Five elementary school principals spoke about the necessity of the community being involved in the education and lives of local children.
The principals who spoke during the program were Beth LeClear, Ph.D., of Lake Forest, Stella Arduser, Ph.D., of Rawlings, Christiana Robbins of Metcalfe, Ed Hauckland of Shell and Anyana Stokes of Joseph Williams.
They all encourage the community to volunteer in classrooms, cafeterias, reading programs and as mentors to help students succeed in their early childhood education.
Stokes said those who are unable to offer physical support should consider providing supplies and incentives like gift cards to encourage student attendance.