<p>My daughter is a Senior Class Officer. They are having trouble deciding what to leave as a Class Gift. The situation is complicated because the high school building is scheduled for a major renovation/addition in a couple of years, but there aren’t any finalized building plans yet. They’d like to leave something tangible, but they don’t know what. I don’t know how much money they have, I’d guess in the neighborhood of $1000 or less. I don’t think they like the idea of endowing a scholarship and I don’t think they really have enough money to do that.</p>
<p>A class a few years ago left a bronze statue of the school mascot. </p>
<p>I’m not sure they could even plant trees (or a tree) because we’re not sure of the impact of the renovations on the footprint of the school or if the parking areas/roadways will be moved.</p>
<p>How about books for the library? Or internet subscribtions? Or a really good atlas, globe, world map? The world has changed so much in the last ten years and most libraries have a hard time keeping up – a good library atlas, large and detailed would be a great gift!</p>
<p>I would vote for the bench - can be moved during the renovations, kids can take photos of themselves on the bench and post to facebook, future classes from rival schools can spray-paint it in their school’s colors… or everyone can ignore it after installation.</p>
<p>Love libraries, used to work in one. I love maps and atlases and own more than I should. I don’t think your typical 2010 grad would be as enthusiastic about anything on paper - their lives are electronic.</p>
<p>I was thinking about a bench. I agree with Dragonmom… my husband has a huge atlas he loves to look at, but D thinks he’s nuts - she just goes to Mapquest or Google Earth.</p>
<p>Something to make the school better accessible for kids on crutches/ wheelchairs (additional ramp or guardrail where needed)</p>
<p>Electronics for the hearing-impaired to enjoy assemblies/school plays better (that’s kept in control by the administration, requested upon entry to the auditorium)</p>
<p>Machine in library to help vision-impaired students/ text enlarger with lights, for example</p>
<p>Much nicer chairs for the School Secretary, front office staff, cafeteria cashier, school nurse</p>
<p>Find out where the custodians hang out and see if they need a chair, a lamp, a GOOD microwave… You’d be amazed at what they don’t have.</p>