Education begins with

a strong foundation

July 22, 2007

Frontiersman editorial

In building, nothing is more important than laying a strong, solid foundation. Expensive exterior trim, hardwood floors and state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances look sleek and modern - a sign of quality. If what's holding the showplace up is weak, the house eventually comes tumbling down all the same.

Such is also true when it comes to the education of our children. Like constructing a home, educating a child also requires a strong foundation.

That's where the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman's Foundations for the Future program can help.

Now in its fourth year, Foundations for the Future is our way to help elementary school students throughout the Mat-Su Valley by collecting and distributing school supplies to students who need them.

As any good carpenter knows, one needs the proper tools to build. By making sure all our young learners are equipped with the correct tools for learning, Foundations for the Future will help students and teachers to create solid building blocks for successful and productive learning.

Those wanting to help build these foundations can drop their elementary school supplies off at the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman office, 5751 E. Mayflower Court, Wasilla, or continue to read your hometown newspaper for more information about the program and where to donate.

Last year, the generous Mat-Su Valley came through with thousands of items for local students to use, including:

€ 544 three-ring binders.

€ 120 pairs of scissors.

€ 743 boxes of 24-count crayons.

€ 490 boxes of 12-count color pencils.

€ 1,651 ink pens and 1,058 pencils.

€ 15 backpacks.

€ 980 spiral notebooks.

€ 998 packages of 150-count loose notebook paper

€ 117 rulers.

€ 805 erasers.

€ 120 boxes of tissue.

€ 898 bottles and sticks of glue.

An impressive list, but we can do better. We'd be pleased to make sure every child who needs one has a backpack this coming school year. Better yet, fill those backpacks with a healthy supply of essential tools for our young learners.

We are pleased to organize Foundations for the Future and know how it can be the difference in some children coming to school with the same toolbox as their classmates; however, it's only a beginning.

The strongest foundation any young student can have is a solid and supportive family that values education. Read to your children every day and have them read to you and make homework a priority. Communicate with your child's teacher and volunteer in the classroom if possible.

We'll help fill those backpacks with the necessary supplies, but it's up to us all to challenge these students to use their greatest tools of all - their minds.