Wasatch Front districts puzzled by increase in homeless students

Some Wasatch Front school districts report many more homeless students this fall than in past years, but they are hard-pressed to pinpoint exactly why.

For homeless children, a day at school can be a lot different than for those with warm houses to go home to.

Mary Ann Nielson, Davis School District's homeless liaison, said some have only a few items of clothing to their name, and they are more focused on where they are going to sleep that night than on the three R's.

The number of homeless students in school districts has been on the rise each year. But the numbers in Davis, Granite, Jordan and Salt Lake City school districts have taken a leap this fall.

"We have never had this many this early in the year," said Nielson. "Usually the high point is in February."

Though leaders don't know why there are so many in the district this year — approximately 1,300 — Nielson attributes some of it to loss of jobs, little affordable housing and high health costs.

This year Jordan reported more than 1,700 homeless students while Granite so far has around 700.

Maggie Laun, the school counselor at Jackson Elementary in inner-city Salt Lake City, said fuel costs could be a factor. "And we haven't even hit the heating bills yet."

Jackson alone has about 100 homeless students this year.

"Most of the students have no idea that there are homeless kids sitting next to them," Nielson said. "It is because we don't see it that people aren't aware."

According to Nielson, many parents are employed but having a hard time making ends meet. They live in motels, shelters, trailers, campgrounds and storage sheds. Nielson said many double up with other families in apartments, hoping landlords don't find out.

"I would say the majority are working parents in minimum-wage jobs who can't find affordable housing," Nielson said. "And we know we have many more than numbers indicate because they don't have to let us know."

But if families do allow themselves to be identified as homeless, districts can help out.

Districts work with community shelters to make sure students have clothing and food and can blend in with other students and have the services needed to learn in school.

Nielson said she also works to find immunization documents and birth certificates and refers parents to service agencies.

"It is hard to help the child until you help the parent," Nielson said. "The system is hard to navigate, so a lot of them just give up."

Laun often recruits students by visiting area motels. She finds children, provides them with clothes and supplies and gets them in the classroom.