Summer vacations are winding down with the start of the new school year just a few weeks away. Families are stocking up on notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and other school supplies as teachers begin decorating classrooms and developing lesson plans.

This month marks National Back to School Month, a great opportunity to support teachers in our communities by:

• Donating school supplies. Teachers are always in need of school supplies for their classrooms, and many cover the expense with their own money. Check with local schools to donate items the teacher needs, like tissue boxes or hand sanitizer.

• Volunteering. Consider volunteering at a back-to-school events, such as welcome picnics or registration days.

• Thanking a Teacher. Consider a thank you note to teachers letting them know how much you appreciate all their hard work. Or just say “thank you” the next time you see them at school.

It’s also an opportunity for PSSI to reassure families in our communities that the safety and wellbeing of schoolchildren remain our top priority. Our teams are implementing stringent measures in all our locations to prevent the hiring of unauthorized minors. Yet, it will take more than that to eradicate child labor in the U.S.—we need collaboration and communication. Our “See Something, Say Something” campaign embodies both, and encourages people from within the community, including teachers, coaches, and others to speak up if they know or suspect that a minor is working at one of PSSI’s locations.

As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” School districts, community leaders, PSSI, and parents are that village and together we can ensure that children are where they belong: in the classroom.