Completing the 2020 census is vital for our schools

The essential role that schools play in family and community life has never been clearer now that they are closed because of COVID-19. We are reminded daily, in many ways, that schools do more than provide an education for our children - they also feed, protect, and care for them while parents and guardians are working or managing other commitments.

Now more than ever, it's vital that we support our schools - and one of the best and easiest ways to do that is to respond to the 2020 Census. Every household in our nation is being invited to complete the census online, by phone, or by mail - without ever needing to leave the house.

Census results will provide the basis for distributing hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds to communities like ours for the next decade. These funds support programs and services that our children and families rely on, including school meals, maternal and child health programs, and housing, heating, and food assistance.

I'm proud to serve as an ambassador for the U.S. Census Bureau's Statistics in Schools (SIS) program, which uses census statistics to improve data literacy and help prepare students for future learning and careers in an increasingly data-driven world. The program offers online activities, videos, maps, and other resources to help pre-K through 12th grade students understand why statistics matter. For the 2019-2020 school year, the SIS program collaborated with teachers across the country to create 67 new 2020 Census activities, including a song, engaging videos, wall maps, and more. These resources are available for free on the SIS website.

At my school, I wanted to find a fun activity to help all of our students understand the importance of the census. I requested a large map of the United States filled with state population data from SIS, which I posted in the common area that students and teachers pass through daily. Beside the map, I posted an introduction sheet to orient the students to the data on the map.

Every other week, I posted questions for each grade level. I kept them simple, ensuring that students as young as first grade would have a chance to learn something about the census from the map. I encouraged students to analyze the data points to solve the problem and then drop their answers in a ballot box beneath the map. If they were correct, they'd win a prize. I loved seeing the interest and excitement stemming from this activity and was proud to bring the census to life for my school in this way.

SIS resources are perfect for teachers and parents seeking ways to keep children learning at home over the summer. The activities are engaging and include easy-to-follow instructions, and no teaching experience is needed to help students use them. Students can take a virtual field trip to the Census Bureau, test their census knowledge with "The 2020 Census Challenge" video, or read along with the "Everyone Counts" story and activity book. The 2020 Census resources include activities children can do with their families to spread the message about the importance of responding to the census. These activities show young people how they can make a difference and support their community and their country during a time of uncertainty.

But remember, children can't count themselves in the census - they're depending on you to count them. When you complete the census, be sure to include every adult and child living and sleeping in your home all or most of the time as of April 1, 2020, even if they are not related to you. Children under the age of 5 are often missed in the count. However, you should not count anyone staying with you temporarily, such as college students or short-term visitors.

As a teacher, I know our families and communities want to do what is best for our children. Now more than ever, we need to ensure that our students have what they need to thrive - and the good news is that the 2020 Census is a safe and easy way we can all make that happen. Responses are confidential and protected by law, and you can complete the form online from your home right now at 2020census.gov.

I'm dedicated to doing all I can to help shape a bright future for my students, and that includes making sure that everyone in my household is counted in the 2020 Census. I urge you to join me.

• Steve Kahlfeldt, of Aurora, is the middle school social studies teacher at Winfield Central School in Winfield, Ill.