EDITORIAL: Give kids a fresh start. Help with supplies

Tomorrow is the first day of school for most Long Island students. A new school year marks a fresh start - textbooks opened to Chapter One, clean pages in a notebook, pencils sharp.

But for many kids, these first days carry a reminder of financial hardship. Nonprofit groups serving needy families report that more Long Islanders require help this year to buy school supplies, backpacks and clothes. At the same time, donors who stepped up with $100 checks in the past are giving $25 now, if anything at all.

It's not that people don't care. Long Islanders have often proven their generosity. But this long recession has hit many hard. Others just need reminding. The John Theissen Children's Foundation says that many new donors have appeared since Newsday published a report last week about the need.

There's still time to give - that's the good news. Depending on the organization, some will take donations through the end of September, and others collect money and supplies year-round.

Parents who can afford it should send in a few extra supplies this week. Each year, many teachers compile a communal stock to distribute among all their students - whether or not their families contributed - a discreet way to make sure no student goes without.

School principals, also, should consider digging into their budgets for the extra dollars needed for classroom supplies. Too often, teachers end up paying from their own pockets.

Hard times have a history of inspiring a spirit of community. We just need to listen to the call. Schoolchildren deserve a clean slate tomorrow. hN