Maureen Estep’s Post

This! This important & what my doctoral work is about: equitable access to the outdoors because all kids need it! Please consider filling out the form

So much more… So much more than filling hungry tummies - this is feeding tamariki nutritious fresh kai - they are learning to grow and cook it themselves. It’s connecting kids to where food comes from, naturally this reduces food waste, and means kai is more affordable and accessible. This is enriching social connection across cultures and generations through the joy of sharing kai. It’s disheartening and depressing to be hearing distracting and divisive commentary on lunches in schools. Our schools who are integrating the holistic Garden to Table approach to their school lunch programme tell us they are reducing waste, their students are eating a wider range of nutritious kai, and we know they are setting up their students for a more food secure and more sustainable future. Let’s not lose sight of the real issues here e hoa mā. We must invest in the health and wellbeing of our children across Aotearoa, and in our shared and beautiful environment, more than ever in our togetherness as a nation, and in a more secure, accessible and resilient food future. Here’s the impact that’s been achieved in 2023 for many thousands of Garden to Table tamariki. Haere tonu tātou katoa, we must keep going forward together with positive solutions 💚🥦☀️

Happy Halloween from IDeal! 🎃👻 Saving for education isn't so scary - Benefit from tax-free growth with IDeal's 529 plan. Visit IDsaves.org to learn more. #IDeal529 #Idaho529 #EducationSavings

Policy can be used to build more equitable school systems, which is why our local school boards are such an important lever for change. We encourage you to attend your school board’s meetings to hear how they discuss policy, and we were excited to attend Cincinnati Public Schools’ Policy Committee meeting with our current Cincinnati class. A big thanks to Cincinnati Public Schools board member, Kendra Mapp (Cincinnati Class 4), for talking with us after the meeting and sharing her insights about how policy helps lay the foundation for new systems. Curious about the difference between a policy and a practice? Want to know who’s in charge of each? Check out this quick overview: https://buff.ly/3Z1Fwf4

💚 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 💚 Exciting news from County Durham: a forward-thinking scheme has successfully enrolled 2,500 more children for free school meals, ensuring that no eligible child misses out. This innovative pilot, led by 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 (FixOurFood) and local councils, has shown how 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 can break down barriers like paperwork, stigma, and lack of awareness. Headteachers and families are already feeling the benefits. From reducing financial pressures (saving families an average of £400 per child per year!) to improving focus in the classroom with well-fed pupils, this scheme is making a meaningful impact. Durham County Councillor Alan Shield perfectly summed it up: this initiative is so successful that it should become "𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲." And why not? When a system helps children thrive, alleviate family stress , and supports schools with additional funding through the Pupil Premium, it's a win for everyone. This isn't just a story for local progress - it's an example of how collaboration and bold thinking can transform lives. It's inspiring to hear that other councils are following Durham's lead. Let's hope this marks the beginning of a wider movement to ensure no child goes hungry at school. Here's to more initiatives like this, driven by care, innovation, and a commitment to 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. Together, we can build a brighter future for all children. 🌟 https://lnkd.in/eXVPsZAX

As we approach the ESSER deadline of September 30, 2024, for districts to obligate their funds, we’re reflecting on how districts have leveraged ESSER resources, what we've learned along the way, and the steps school systems are taking for long-term sustainability. In addition to health and safety enhancements, here are some key ways ESSER has made an impact in our schools.

📚We’re bringing Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to Tasmania. Rosie's Reading has been formed to give Tassie kids a headstart in life through the gift of reading and together with United Way Australia, Imagination Library will roll put as our core program. Imagine a Tasmania where every child starts school able to read and ready to learn... 22% of Australian children start school 'developmentally vulnerable'. By Year 9, 42% of Tasmanian kids can't read well enough to match the curriculum they're meant to be learning. The first 5 years of a child's development plays a massive role in their future opportunity. It improves career prospects and health outcomes, reduces the likelihood of crime and helps to ensure Tasmania will have an educated and productive workforce for years to come! To make this happen, we've broken Tasmania down into 105 suburb areas. One by one, we'll be looking for sponsors (Community Groups and Businesses) to adopt a location for a minimum of 3 years. We won't shift multi-generational literacy challenges overnight. That's why we're committed for the long haul, working together with the full range of other literacy programs to do our part from birth to age 5. Find out more and meet our board at rosiesreading.org #TASMANIAN #LiteracyMatters

ICYMI - The World Resource Institute's recent webinar brought together leaders from state agencies, advocacy groups, school districts, and others to shed light on policy best practices to deploy electric school buses at the state level. Get caught up on the discussion of equitable electric school bus policy! 🚌⚡ https://loom.ly/_aKEfFw

🍽️ The Fight for Universal Free School Meals in Nevada 🍽️ This video sheds light on the current debate surrounding the veto of the $43 million extension of pandemic-era Universal Free School Meals in Nevada. The veto has put immense pressure on school districts like Washoe County, which is now forced to tap into its general budget to ensure students are fed. Despite Governor Lombardo's claim that the program contributes to food waste, fact-checkers have called this assertion misleading. With nearly 80% of students in Nevada benefiting from free meals, it's clear that access to food plays a crucial role in their ability to succeed in school. 💬 The question is, should all students have access to free meals, regardless of income, to support their education? What are your thoughts on the balance between budget concerns and the essential need to feed our kids? Watch the full report for more insights into this important issue! #Education #SchoolMeals #Nevada #PublicPolicy #StudentSuccess #ChildNutrition

In a 2023 nationwide survey of of 296 district officials, 284 principals, and 478 teachers, a concerningly large percentage of the group described the buildings they work in as too small, outdated, toxic, unconducive to instruction, and ill-equipped for students’ rapidly evolving and growing needs. There is great demand amongst our nation's educators and administrators for upgraded infrastructure, but the widespread issue over the lack of funding persists. When they are uncomfortable, teaching becomes more difficult and the learning environment for children everywhere is negatively impacted. Get in contact with one of our experts today to see how you can begin to solve this issue through a budget-neutral approach: https://lnkd.in/ei9Yy-Z9