After reading the chapter, “Patterns of Homelessness,” from the book Braving the Street, I could not stop thinking about the section where it discussed homeless children. It described that the cause for homelessness among families was from family disruption during their economic crisis. This deeply affected the lives of the children. In school, they were reported being fatigued, could not concentrate, and had difficulties academically and socially. This caused them to have to change schools or fall behind. These problems for the children normally occurred once the family was forced to leave their homes.

I was shocked when the author wrote that in New Hampshire “schools often close their eyes to the paperwork required for school entrance (which can take time) in an effort to minimize further loss of school experience” (24). This explains that faculty and staff ignore the suffering of the students who are obviously struggling. It is as if schools do not want to take children out of classes so that they do not fall behind in school, but how is this aiding the children in any way? Some of these children may be calling out for help, but the faculty does not want to put in the effort to do the paperwork.

This makes me look back on all of my experience volunteering in classrooms. I wonder if I had noticed a tired child who obviously was struggling, but I did not consider what was going on in their lives outside of school. How many homeless children in school go unnoticed and are in dire need of help? How can teachers see these children every day and do nothing about it?