Recently, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District announced a partnership with the 2010 United States Census Department urging area residents to stand up and be counted when the 2010 Census questionnaire arrives in the mail around April 1, 2010.

     According to NECSD Deputy Superintendent of Schools Ralph A. Pizzo, the Newburgh area was greatly under counted in the 2000 Census. The inaccurate numbers corresponds to lack of funding for the NECSD as well as other area agencies. The funding includes school budgets, the distribution of funding for Title 1 and special education program, college tuition grant and loan programs, school construction, road construction, and public transportation programs.

     Within the NECSD, students will be taught the importance of making every neighbor count as well as learning how to help their friends and families participate in the Census vote this year as part of the initiative 2010 Census: It’s About Us. The initiative is aimed to engage America’s youth to help ensure every household member is counted. In addition, students will receive age-specific materials for students in Kindergarten though 12th grade including family take-home kits, in-school lessons, and data to teach NECSD students about the importance of the Census’ role in history.