Seventy students from the senior class of Mother McAuley traveled to Springfield to participate in the “All Kids Count: Give Us A Choice” rally.  McAuley’s participation in the rally showed the school’s support for increasing state benefits for nonpublic schools.  Programs such as the Textbook Loan and Transportation Reimbursement Programs, a pilot school choice program (House Bill 1577), the Tuition Tax Credit, and nonpublic school registration remind us that “All Kids Count”.   

“The rally for "All Kids Count” brought up the importance of the issue for more funding of private schools.  The rally was exciting and fun especially since we shared it with students from private schools around Illinois,”  Mary Kate Bansley of Beverly.

When asked why it was important to bring her classes to the rally, American Government teacher Ms. Pollard explained that “as citizens of a democracy, it is essential to not only teach about the concepts of democracy but also to encourage our students to be active members of the community and the nation.”

“I believe the rally ‘All Kids Count’ gave me a chance to support a just cause.  I learned that if you want change, sometimes you must take action.  This rally was a great way for me to take action in a cause that could perhaps change private schools in Illinois,” said Jessica Lyman of Mount Greenwood.

Photo Caption:
Mother McAuley’s American Government classes attended the “All Kids Count” rally at the Capital Building in Springfield.