New data shows that approximately one million students across the United States are homeless. In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the number amounts to an average of one homeless child in every classroom .

School districts are also in need. Budget cuts and teacher layoffs mean that schools have to make do with less. As a sign of the times, some of these costs are being passed on to students and their struggling families. It's not uncommon for class supply lists being handed out to include more than just the traditional pen and paper; some schools are now also asking for general classroom items such as Clorox, garbage bags and hand soap.

Nobody's saying that these aren't tough times for everyone. But with the number of homeless students and burdened families on the rise, shouldn't free public education, the most democratic path to self-sufficiency America has to offer, be the last thing cut?

As big as the problems facing our education system are, there are small things we can all to do help. Our friends at DoSomething.org have partnered with Staples to collect school supplies for students in need, which you can drop off in the collection box at any Staples store and have delivered to local kids. And our friends at the homeless advocacy organization Hear Us have started a campaign calling on Congress to fully fund programs targeting homeless students.

If a nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members, we're at risk of flunking out. At the beginning of this new school year, let us dedicate ourselves to improving on our performance.

Source of information: Change.org

NEW WEB RESOURCE ON IMMIGRATION & CATHOLIC TEACHING

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Department of Migration and Refugee Services has partnered with Catholic University of America to develop the "U.S. Catholic Bishops and Immigration" website. The website highlights the role of the U.S. Catholic bishops and the Church in our nation's experience of immigration and the Church's involvement in shaping immigration policy. Learn why the Church is so actively advocating for comprehensive immigration reform.

http://libraries.cua.edu/achrcua/immigration/immigration_wel.html

You are also encouraged to visit the website of the Diocese of Tucson and check out the "Bishop's Monday Memo" (link near the top of their homepage). Bishop Gerald Kicanas has been addressing the situation in Arizona and speaking forthrightly about the Church's perspective.

http://www.diocesetucson.org/