College of Education and Human Development

See more news from the...

Donate a Backpack to Help a Teen Start the School Year Off Right!

July 23, 2015

The purchase of backpacks and school supplies can be a major challenge for some families.

"Buying items for the start of the school year can really impact a family's ability to meet other basic needs," said Krishna Leyva, manager of the Family and Community Engagement Center for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS).

To lend a hand, the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University organizes a backpack drive to help local students have a great start. The college annually donates about 80 new backpacks each summer. 

"I'm very proud of the way our faculty and staff always participate, contribute backpacks, and help," said Mark R. Ginsberg, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. "It's a small way to demonstrate how much we care that students in our community are supported as much as possible in their learning." 

This year, CEHD's backpack drive will benefit students at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. It's the only public high school in Alexandria City and very well-known and respected, said Gerson Paniagua, an ACPS community outreach specialist. The district is one of the most diverse in the United States, and nearly 65 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced price meals. 

"The high school backpacks are a huge need," said Paniagua.

"We never have enough." 

 

Donate a backpack for students who need them!

 

Backpacks for high school students tend to be more expensive than those for younger students. They are usually sturdy, though, and can often be used for several years.

For this year's backpack drive, CEHD is inviting everyone in the Mason community — all faculty, staff, and students — to join in and donate backpacks. CEHD will ensure that T.C. Williams receives them in plenty of time for school. 

The backpacks will be picked up from the Mason campus at the end of August and brought to the high school to be counted, sorted, and stuffed with new school supplies. Soon after, they will be distributed by social workers and counselors who have strong relationships with families and students and know best who has the most need.

Here are some tips on how to help:

  • Please bring a new backpack (without wheels) to the CEHD Dean's office in Thompson Hall (Suite 2100) on the Fairfax campus, between 9 am and 4:30 pm.
  • If ordering online, the shipping address is: CEHD, 4400 University Drive, MS 2F1, Fairfax, VA 22030.

  • Not sure what kind of backpack to donate? Yesterday, we asked some T.C. Williams students what they think! In case it's helpful, they said the following backpacks are particularly appreciated:

  • The last day to bring donations to CEHD is August 20. 

If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Juliana at ljulian1@gmu.edu. Thank you in advance for your donation!

 

About CEHD

George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the most comprehensive education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a full range of courses, certificates, and degree programs on campus, online, and on site to more than 4,000 students each year. CEHD is fully accredited by NCATE and all licensure programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education. George Mason University, located just outside of Washington, DC, is Virginia's largest public research university.

For additional information:

Follow CEHD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MasonCEHD or Twitter at @MasonCEHD.