5 School Supplies Teachers Really Want You to Donate

In some parts of the country, school starts in less than a month (in my neck of the woods, some kids go back next week!). School supplies are already dwindling in the bins, and the dollar aisle at Target is hot with deals.

Many cities have "Stuff the Bus" campaigns where you have the opportunity to donate school supplies that will go to needy students in high-need schools.

For the most part, I think this is a great idea. However, taxpayer dollars do pay for many of the supplies that public school children use. Regardless, there are always supplies that teachers end up buying out of their own pockets. With the average teacher salary in America at just a little over $55,000, that's a lot of one's own money to spend on consumable supplies. However, teachers do it because they want the best for their students. They want to make their classrooms exciting and colorful, and they want to give their students hands-on learning experiences that they will hopefully never forget.

I asked teachers on my Facebook page what supplies they could really use that the community could donate, and here's what they said:

1. Paper. Unfortunately for all the naturalists out there, paper is not going away as a staple for American learning. Not only is copy paper needed, but also:

• graph paper (I used this teach to my fifth graders long division - so much easier to keep all the columns straight in math!)
• writing paper
• computer printer paper 
• index/note cards, sticky notes (many special education teachers use these to help their students organize and categorize tasks and behavior)
• construction paper
• notebooks

*Get creative: I found blank books in the dollar aisle at Target. How fun would it be for budding artists and illustrators to use those for book making?

2. Cleaning and personal care supplies. An overwhelming number of teachers cited the need for such staples as Kleenex, antibacterial wipes, and hand sanitizer. Many school districts do not provide these. In a public school, you can't really ask parents to provide anything. Many do send their child with a box of tissues, but the few I used to get ran out quickly. 

*Tip: Check out big box stores like Costco and Sam's Club for great deals. 

3. Math, science, and art supplies. Have you heard of the STEM or STEAM initiative in our country? To make this work, schools need supplies for students to create, to innovate, and to motivate. I knew a lot of teachers who wouldn't do art projects or science experiments because they didn't have the proper supplies. Supplies needed include, but are not limited to, the following:

• straws
• paper clips
• drafting supplies
• computer software
• rulers
• glue (all types)
• clay
• pencils
• markers
• butcher paper

*Check out Pinterest, WeAreTeachers, and other websites to get an idea of the supplies STEAM classes might use. Or ask the school!

4. Time and Talent. Look, we all want our children to have hands-on learning experiences; but in order for that to happen, many times simply more hands are needed. Sometimes just having an extra body in the classroom is a god-send. If you have a specialized skill, such as computer programming or coding, offer to teach a few lessons. Some schools have had to cut music and art classes. Perhaps you could volunteer to teach an after school program for interested students.

*Words of advice: You'll never know if you don't ask.

5. Basic necessities. In some of the poorest schools and school districts, children come to school improperly dressed for the weather. They go home to no food on the shelves. Some children have accidents at school, and have no clothes to change into.

*Call your local school district to find out what needs they have OR Google "food and clothing donations to schools." Google gave me lists of cities like Portland, Atlanta, and others in Minnesota that have drives set up specifically to donate food and clothing for at-risk students.

My last two bits of advice would be these:

1. Ask your local school district or your child's classroom teacher what they need. It may be something as easy to find as stickers. Or it may be a greater need that you can help to fill.
2. I get frustrated every year at the long supply lists our boys' private school posts every year. At the end of the year, they bring home many unopened and unused supplies. Save these to either use again or donate the next year. Or cut the list in half, and get half at semester break to help defray the cost. 

When I was a teacher, I spent a lot of my own money in order to make my classroom a colorful, exciting, and fascinating learning environment. I could do that because I was single. Now with a family to support, I don't know if I would be willing to spend my hard-earned money and not get reimbursed. 

But you know what? I'm sure I probably would, as do many thousands of other teachers because they love their jobs and they love the children they teach. Your children. 

Why not take some of the tips and suggestions I've given you above and help make a classroom more exciting and stimulating for this year's crop of learners? 

Teachers, what did I leave off this list? What's on your wish list?

I Don't Know Why

Last weekend, Hubby and I escaped on a quick get-away to Chicago. In Friday night, out Sunday morning, Hubby had a conference all day on Saturday, leaving me peace and quiet all afternoon.

My original plan was just to hang in the room - lounge in bed without anyone asking me for snacks and sippy cup refills, watch movies with out having to get up and wipe someone's bottom, and write in a space where I could only hear my own thoughts rather than the bickering of others.

But by noon, I was two movies in and the city was beckoning to me, so I strapped on my tennis shoes and decided to power walk to the nearest Garrett's to get Hubby a bag of the popcorn he loves so much.

I have never been afraid to wander around big cities by myself. In my twenties, my best friend lived in Washington D.C. and I went to visit her every spring break. While she was at work, I would see the sights, navigating subways and taxis by myself (after she showed me how, of course). When she moved to Boston, I relished the chance to see a new city.

When Hubby and I lived on Long Island, we looked forward to trips into the City (Shouldn't that be capitalized? New Yorkers think so). I loved when someone would visit us, and I knew my way to all the hot-spots like a pro.

We've been to Chicago numerous times, and I must say, it's probably one of my favorite big cities. It's clean and interesting, and the people have a Midwestern attitude and courtesy.

As I made my way to a different Garrett's than the one known to me, I passed several homeless people on the streets. Not a new sight, as it seems as if there is one camped out on almost every street corner. It breaks my heart to see people passing and not even acknowledging these people - the Invisibles. I've often thought I should carry a pocket full of ones and quarters to drop in every cup I pass.

But I don't, and I don't know why.

People say all the time, These people are drunks and drug addicts. They will spend the money on booze. Besides, they could get a job. They don't need to beg.

I almost admire people who beg. What a humble endevour. To admit and ask. It has to be hard.

But still, something stops me from keeping that wad of ones in my pocket, and I don't know why.

I passed a woman on my way to Garrett's. She was sitting outside the Chicago Theater with a sign that said, "Hi, my name is Keesha and I'm homeless. Any help you could give me would be appreciated."

I passed her by, but I couldn't stop thinking about her. What if she was a mom? What if she left her kids somewhere? What if she fled an abusive relationship and was trying to get away and was hoping for some break for a better life?

As I spent my thirty-five dollars on popcorn, I kept thinking of a post I read earlier that day. In it, the brilliant writer - one of my inspirational favorites - pointed out a difference between being "blessed" and being "grateful." I, too, have a problem with the phrase, "We're so blessed."

If we are blessed with things and people in our lives, why are some others . . .not? Why are some people living in wealth with more toys and electronics and jewelry and cars than they know what to do with and others are living in filth on the street with a backpack of "treasures" if they even have that?

We all know it has nothing to do with how some Almighty God has chosen to bless us or not. Many people would say it has everything to do with our own choices.

But you can't ever know a person's story without asking, can you?

I left Garrett's, clutching money in my hand. I had taken a round-about route to get there, and realized the direct route back to the hotel wouldn't take me past Keesha. I chose to go the round-about way, though. I don't know why, but I had to. As I approached her, she was looking the other direction, but her head turned toward me as she heard money drop in her cup. Her face lit up. Despite her crooked and dirty teeth, she had a beautiful smile and her eyes sparkled.

"Thank you so much. Bless you. Have a nice day," she said.

I put my hand on her shoulder and smiled. And then I walked away.

I don't know why I walked past all the homeless men and gave the woman money instead of them.

But for the grace of God, that could be me.

"Grace of God." No, I don't think so. Dumb luck, circumstance, time and place, maybe. I don't know why it isn't me instead.

I do know that in all of the complaining I do, all of the things I think I want and need, none of it matters if we don't have love and compassion. For everyone.

If we don't know someone's story or don't take the time to know it or to look in someone's eyes, what does everything else matter?

On our next trip, I think I'll load my pockets full of quarters. I should be doing it anyway. What's a quarter among compassionate humans?

People just don't see how easy it is.

And I don't know why.      

A Teacher's Day Made Better Thanks to OfficeMax

I used to be a teacher in my single days. I worked in an area of town that was ever-changing. Families moving in and moving out, rental property changing hands, children in foster homes or living with relatives.

There were a few stable families - nice middle class families struggling to make ends meet on a daily basis. But most of my students' lives were in upheaval.

The school district provided enough supplies to run my classroom, but I wanted more for my students. I wanted rewards and incentives, I wanted flashy and engaging bulletin boards, I wanted books they could devour and feed their interests with.

So I spent my own money. A lot of it. In fact, the some teachers spend an average of $1,000 of their own money annually on classroom supplies. Yeowch! I could do that when I was single, but if I ever went back to teaching now that I have a family, I'm not sure I could part with that money.

OfficeMax realizes that and wants to erase teacher-funded classrooms. In fact, OfficeMax® joined with AdoptAClassroom.org to create A Day Made Better. For the past seven years on October 1st, they have surprised more than 1,000 teachers across the country with $1,000 worth of classroom supplies.

And guess what? This year I got to be one of the people to deliver this awesome surprise to a very worthy teacher!

I have a wonderful friend that I met through blogging - Courtney from the blog Our Small Moments. She is sweet and smart and creative. She also happened to lose her husband to cancer about a month ago, and is now teaching and raising her two young children on her own.

I loved being able to surprise her with all of the awesome loot. Her students were so excited  - and so good! They handled the surprise really well.

This will really help ease Courtney's mind. She can do her job without worrying about taking money out of her own pockets that can go toward paying Scott's medical bills and saving for her children's future.

She was shocked and thrilled and so sweetly speechless. This gift definitely went to a worthy teacher!

And seriously, because of their generosity in realizing how important teachers are, I am doing all my shopping at OfficeMax from now on!!

OfficeMax donated the classroom supplies that I received and donated to the teacher. Opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own. I have not been compensated for this post in any other way.