The North Cedar Community School District serves about 800 students in the rural communities of Clarence, Lowden, Mechanicsville, and Stanwood in east-central Iowa.

In 2019, around 42% of the North Cedar School District student population qualified for free or reduced lunch. This means that around 42% of North Cedar families were at or below the federal income eligibility guidelines.

Economic Factors remain one of the top factors influencing high school graduation in the USA.

“The strongest predictors that a student is likely to drop out are family characteristics such as: socioeconomic status, family structure, family stress (death, divorce, family moves), and the mother’s age. Low socioeconomic status has been shown to bear the strongest relationship to students’ tendency to drop out” (Ritter, 2015). Data shows that in the US “In 2009, the event dropout rate of students living in low-income families was about five times greater than the rate of their peers from high income families (7.4 percent vs. 1.4 percent)” (Chapman et al., 2011). In 2016 the event dropout rate of students living in low-income families was around 3 times greater than the rate of their peers from middle- and high-income families. (Cui et al., 2018).

It is clear that economic factors have a correlation to high school dropout rates. With many of our North Cedar families facing financial strain, it is important to provide supports to help alleviate stressors and risk factors leading to dropouts.

The Goal of the “Resource Closet” is to: Uplift and empower our North Cedar students, and families through minimizing financial barriers to basic necessities, so students can focus on their education. Thereby, reducing the barriers that cause or contribute to students struggling to attend and/or graduate school. To ultimately improve the lives of our students, families and overall community.

Why? Lack of personal hygiene and cleanliness is a risk factor that can impede students’ abilities to successfully graduate. Acquiring personal hygiene products and clothing can be a huge challenge for many families, (yes, even families with full time jobs). These items are expensive and buying them can shift money away from other important purchases like; food, transportation, rent, utilities, healthcare, etc. Students who don’t have access to hygiene products can feel socially isolated and are at greater risk of being bullied. Additionally, lack of access to clean clothes or basic hygiene items can negatively affect student’s abilities to learn and succeed in school (Davidson, 2012).

Note:  There can be a lot of shame and stigma surrounding receiving help. Especially for something as sensitive as personal hygiene and cleanliness. If you are feeling anxiety or stress surrounding the idea of physically coming into the “Resource Closet”, please reach out to the Resource Navigator to discuss an alternative that works for you.

• As the weather gets colder, folks often have a difficult time getting hot water. This is nothing to be ashamed about! If you don’t have the ability to shower or bathe at home, please reach the Resource Navigator.

• Also available in office and upon request: Applications for SNAP, Applications for Community Action Eastern Iowa Utility Bill assistance/Weatherization.

References:

Chapman, C., Laird, J., Ifill, N., and KewalRamani, A. (2011). Trends in high school dropout and completion rates in the United 

States: 1972-2009, (NCES 2012-006). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

Cui, J., Holmes., McFarland, J., and Rathbun, A. (2018). Trends in high school dropout and completion rates in the United States: 2018 Compendium Report (NCES) U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

Davidson, Jennifer (2012, December 17) Poor Hygiene in Schools: How It’s Affecting Education, and  How It’s Addressed in  our Community. KSMU.  https://www.ksmu.org/2012-12-17/poor-hygiene-in-schools-how-its-affecting-education-and-how-its-addressed-in-our-community

Ritter, Barbara (2015) Factors Influencing High School Graduation Issue. Brief Prepared for the Washington Student Achievement Council.