Carson City schools seek gift cards to help students in need

Now through Aug. 16, the Carson City School District’s McKinney-Vento Students in Transition program is requesting gift card donations valued between $20 and $100 to help pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students in transition. Students in transition are those individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence including children and youth sharing housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reasons.

Community members and businesses are encouraged to donate gift cards from local establishments for the school district to purchase clothing, hygiene items, shoes and other essentials. Needed gift cards include those from Arco Gas, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Ross, McDonald’s, Smith’s or similar stores, gas stations or restaurants.

The request for gift cards is designed to assist in managing the storage of various goods and products at the McKinney-Vento office. These monetary donations are preferred to physical items as student needs and sizes are constantly changing. The gift cards will primarily be used by the McKinney-Vento office to purchase needed items; however, occasionally, some gift cards will be given directly to the students and families in need.

“Having gift cards on hand for the start of the school year helps our office ensure students are prepared with stylish clothing and necessary supplies for the upcoming school year,” said Hannah Etchison, special projects coordinator, McKinney-Vento and Foster Care liaison for the Carson City School District. “Every student deserves to have new back-to-school items.”

Students in transition often live in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations. Other primary nighttime residence may be a designated public space not designed for regular sleeping such as cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings. Students in transition might also include migratory children or unaccompanied youth who are not in physical custody of a parent or guardian.

The school’s McKinney-Vento program helps these students receive an appropriate public education as well as the following services provided.

•          Enrollment in school immediately, even if students and families are lacking documents or if the student’s situation changes

•          Transportation to and from school, if needed

•          Free school meals

•          Referrals to outside resources

•          Support with school supplies, school fees or sports fees

•          Academic tracking and interventions

•          Assistance in obtaining required documents such as birth certificates

•          Removal of other barriers that may impact educational progress

•          Scholarships and help with graduation needs

•          Summer programs

Donated gift cards can be dropped off to Carson City School District McKinney-Vento, 618 W. Musser St., Carson City, Nev. 89703. Gift card pickup is available upon request. Donation receipts are also available upon request. For more information, contact Hannah Etchison, 775-283-1537, hetchison@carson.k12.nv.us.