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13 Dec 04 - 02:33 AM (#1355336) Subject: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: GUEST,JTT Sorry, still off-topic. My friend who's teaching in the California kindergarten needs to buy some stuff for the kids. But the school itself supplies only paper, scissors, pencils and crayons, linking blocks and a CD player. Is there any fund to which teachers can apply to get money for further supplies? She wants to get things like shelves so she can do a Montessori-type thing with activities available to the kids, plus some small treats that can be used in reinforcing learning. (Please don't offer to send money. I'm looking for formal sources of funding for her. I Googled for this without success.) |
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13 Dec 04 - 09:19 AM (#1355532) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: Jeanie I'm in the UK, so don't know how things are in the US, but if the kindergarten is in an impoverished needy area and there is a good financial reason why the school can't offer more funds itself for materials, has she (or the school) thought of approaching companies and businesses who might help ? As a for instance, here in the UK Barclay's Bank provide funds for weekly drama sessions for physically and learning -disabled adults in our town, they sponsor the costs for costume and scenery for the annual show in the local theatre and some of the staff work with the group as volunteer helpers. I believe the bank does this as part of their nationwide community assistance programme. I'd be surprised if there weren't similar schemes in the USA. It's certainly an avenue to pursue, I would think. All good wishes, - jeanie |
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13 Dec 04 - 09:30 AM (#1355538) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: artbrooks The "Adopt a School" program has been around for a while now in the US; suggest to your friend that she approach a business with strong local ties or a moderate-sized government agency with a local office. This is also the sort of thing that the PTA did when my kids were in school. |
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13 Dec 04 - 10:11 AM (#1355570) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: Stilly River Sage California is one of the states that lets teachers draw money for school supplies, or perhaps it is get reimbursed or is a tax thing. I only know about this because it was in the news recently that the fund was cut, or the level was dropped per teacher, something like that. She needs to inquire of the other teachers or the prinicpal, or her union. Most teachers end up spending money out of their own pockets, even if there is such a fund. SRS |
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13 Dec 04 - 09:23 PM (#1356152) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: dianavan This is a big issue in B.C. In the past teachers have spent an average of $500.00 a year on classroom resources. In addition, we rely on fundraising by the parents to pay for field trips, program enrichment, technical equipment, library books, etc. etc. Its a slippery slope my friends. Because we have been subsidizing the public school system for so long, they now think that privatization is the only answer. Its just another neo-con tactic. Cut back and bleed the system instead of raising taxes and funding the system appropriately and then turn around and blame it on the unions. |
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14 Dec 04 - 08:31 AM (#1356498) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: GUEST I spend about a thousand a year on my classroom..there seems to be no other way. As for "treats" to reward learning, I disbelieve strongly in that concept so it is not an issue for me> I agree that school boards do not supply enough "extras", so it becomes a matter for the teacher to decide..will you raise funds or just provide the things yourself. |
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14 Dec 04 - 09:27 AM (#1356537) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: s&r US public school = UK state school? Stu |
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14 Dec 04 - 12:37 PM (#1356752) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: Mrs.Duck Yes Stu. I reckon I must spend several hundred pounds a year buying bits and pieces for school whether its rewards or games etc. We have a budget but it rarely offers more than the basics and we are a poor area so little chance of raising extra funds through PTA. Mostly I don't notice how much I spend as it is spread over the year but when I actually sat down and worked it out I was suprised. |
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14 Dec 04 - 12:51 PM (#1356765) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre Both Office Max and Staples have school programs for different funding equipment issues...start asking there. Most teachers do spend quite a bit out of pocket but be sure to check your tax laws as quite a good chunk of money spent for your classroom is tax deductable. Make sure to keep receipts and check stubs. Check out the Salvation Army or Goodwill for shelving....might need to be sanded down and repainted, but hey...that makes it your own, helps a good organization and gets you decent stuff cheap! Michelle |
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14 Dec 04 - 12:52 PM (#1356767) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: wysiwyg PTA in a poor area won't have much money either, unless there is a national PTA fund? Red Cross collects school supplies for kids in war-torn areas. Maybe a local chapter would partner with a local PTA for help for their area's schools? ~S~ |
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14 Dec 04 - 11:43 PM (#1357202) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: dianavan Michelle - There are no tax deductions for teachers that buy school supplies for their classrooms - at least in Canada. What country are you talking about? Please let me know. Maybe we can present it as a model. You are right about fund raising by the PTA in poorer areas (especially inner city). Thats why the public school system is no longer an equitable system. The public schools in wealthier sections have many, many more resources as a result of fund raising by parents. So much for equal opportunity! |
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14 Dec 04 - 11:45 PM (#1357206) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: Peace I am not happy to hear that, Dianavan, but you should know it's exactly the same in Alberta as it is in BC. |
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15 Dec 04 - 01:31 PM (#1357765) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre Dianavan, I am in the United States where teachers are allowed to claim a certain percent of their income that has been spent on classroom supplies. My mom taught school for 33 1/2 years and has claimed 100% of the money spent on her classroom. She reports that one year she spent $2000.00 on her classroom and it was 100% deductable....she also says it's on the last part of the form where you would find union dues and such...may be called misc. Michelle |
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15 Dec 04 - 08:26 PM (#1358144) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre While this isn't a grant, I just read something about a Teacher's Wish List. The idea is that you can register (starting in January 2005) online for things you would like for your classroom. Once registered, parents, PTOs and any donors can see the wish list and purchase the item for your room. I don't know how well this will catch on but you never know. Might be a neat idea if you exchange gifts with your coworkers...everyone could get someone things for their room instead of personal trinkets. You can call to get a catalog at: 1-800-562-1192 or check out the website. www.theteacherswishlist.com Michelle |
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16 Dec 04 - 08:57 AM (#1358589) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre Ok, this isn't about funding directly, but there is a FREE resource for cataloging all web information that you might use in your classroom. It's user friendly and I'm having a blast putting together all my classroom resources in ONE place where I will be able to access them easily (Language Arts, Science, Math, Reading, Social Studies, Music, Art, Lesson Plans, Clip Art, Activities, State Standards and the list goes on....). Check it out! www.eduhound.com :) Michelle |
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16 Dec 04 - 09:01 AM (#1358595) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: Greg F. Can you register a wish that the pols would get off their asses, stop the "tax cuts at any cost" dementia and allocate adequate state and federal funding? That's the fundamental problem. I don't see Senators and Representatives having to purchase their own office supplies.... |
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16 Dec 04 - 09:14 AM (#1358609) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre AGREED! In the meantime, teachers and schools must find a way to provide students with the materials they need. Sometimes this means sticking to the very basics of paper, pencils, erasures, crayons, scissors and glue. Then you do what you can to fill the gaps. Teachers are very creative people and do find ways to make things work...at least the good ones do. What's even more disturbing are the textbooks. Have you looked at any of them lately? Especially the history and science textbooks. The history texts are highly incomplete (focusing mainly on white history only) and the science texts are so outdated that it isn't funny. Good thing we have the internet where we can find other sources of updated and more complete information to bring to our students. Oh...and don't forget the state standards. The general gist of that is that all students must meet set guidelines...good luck doing it with the bare minimum materials. In addition, for schools who don't meet the state standards for 2 years in a row...they lose their principal. If the trend continues, teachers lose their jobs. Now...I would agree with that if all teachers had adequate materials to teach with, but they just don't. What is the old saying? Make due, use it up or go without. Michelle |
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16 Dec 04 - 09:10 PM (#1359260) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: Greg F. In the meantime, teachers and schools must find a way to provide students with the materials they need... Why? As long as they do, and the parents and the pols don't feel the pinch, it'll never change. See dianavan, above. All you're doing by subsidsing is enabling & empowering the cretins that keep cutting back on education funding. |
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16 Dec 04 - 10:00 PM (#1359271) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre So, you are suggesting to let the kids go without? What if it were your child or grandchild? Would you still think the same? *I* am not doing anything for or against the government but rather *FOR* the CHILDREN. I don't mind spending some of my own cash to help in that kind of situation. I am currently a precertification teacher, however, I have taught in private schools and been involved within the elementary schools for the last 10 years. If you think parents don't feel the pinch, you are very much mistaken. Have you ever had a parent approach you because they couldn't afford to do something that would benefit their child educationally? What about even the small non-necessary things....say a field trip to the local court house...should a child who can't afford the cost of the bus ride not be able to go? I wouldn't have an issue in sponsoring that particular child or children (anonymously) within my own spending abilities. Yeah, government help would be greatly appreciated by many...but in the meantime, there are millions of children who NEED the very basics of pencils and paper. In the time it takes the government time to decide who is eligible for such funding, time to hire people to allocate funds and other governmental red tape, today's kindergartener's will be in high school...should that entire generation go without? Michelle |
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17 Dec 04 - 09:45 AM (#1359686) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: Greg F. So, you are suggesting to let the kids go without? They're going without now, every hour, every day, every year. And your "meantime" has now been over twenty-five years, at least. Several generations have already gone without. As long as people like yourself are willing to absolve govt. from its responsibility to adequately fund public (that's U.S. style 'public, not UK 'public') education nothing is going to change, and the kids will continue getting screwed. Its not "government help" - a gift out of the kindness of their hearts. Its their damn responsibility. If that's OK with you, and your sticking a band-aid on the problem makes you feel better, knock yourself out. |
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17 Dec 04 - 08:25 PM (#1360118) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: dianavan A couple of years ago, we were so fed up with subsidizing the educational system that we decided to afix little sticky labels to our materials and resources that say, "teacher funded material" to let the parents know what we were doing. Most parents aren't even aware how much we spend out of pocket. They assume that public education is publicly funded. The govt. knows that teachers, being teachers, will buy materials rather than see their students suffer - in fact they count on it. The only way to make parents aware and force the politicians to fund schools adequately is to STOP SUBSIDIZING THE SYSTEM. If a child can't go on a field trip, tell the principal (they have contigency funds for this purpose). As far as books, materials and other resources needed to support the curriculum; our parent group has finally said, NO! It is the govt. who devises the curriculum and they are responsible for providing adequate resources. The parent group provides money for extra-curricular or enhancement only. Spend your time educating parents and let them fight for the education of the children. Teachers can bargain through the union but teachers cannot do it alone. We just end up getting bashed! The govt. is so stupid, they cut back on the library funds to provide a little book for 3 year olds (lots of fanfare). In the meantime, our school library is only open 50% of the time. Additional services for students needing learning assistance is practically non-existent. Michelle - If you are not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Try to think a little more long range. You're not doing anything but putting out the fire. Another fire will crop up at another time in another year. You can't do it alone and believe me, nobody will thank you for it. |
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17 Dec 04 - 11:13 PM (#1360177) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre So, Dianavan....if you are thinking I am just putting out a fire, why the hell are you here asking if anyone knows how to get funding...why not let YOUR class do without so YOU aren't just "putting out a fire?" You people kill me. If you aren't into teaching for the kids and to help where you can, it's time for you to leave and make room for someone who doesn't mind stepping up to the plate. I think you both are missing the point entirely. I AGREE with you...folks pay school taxes (at least in the US) even if they don't have children in school or children at all...and those taxes are supposed to help...and in many ways they do. Hmm..let's see...the schools have heat (necessary where I live), there are free lunch programs, free breakfast programs, adequate teachers for the number of children, adequate pay so the teachers are making a pretty good living, buildings are safely maintained....there's more, I'm sure. But hey, I'm tired and it's late. I understand your point of view and I'm pretty sure you understand mine. I'll go teach and do what I can and for those of you who would rather stick it out in the hope that the government will do something...knock yourselves out. I think the answer is a balance of both....but that's just my humble opinion. I'll bow out of this thread now. Good luck. Michelle |
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17 Dec 04 - 11:53 PM (#1360189) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: GUEST Teachers in California 2002-2003 were GIVEN 250 tax credit (that is 250 taken off their tax responsibility - i.e. substractor from the tax pay-back to the state.
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18 Dec 04 - 03:55 AM (#1360260) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: dianavan Michelle - You asked, "why the hell are you here asking if anyone knows how to get funding." I don't think I asked that question. Me thinks you are confused. |
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18 Dec 04 - 08:43 AM (#1360336) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre Yep, you are right, it was not you. My apologies. Michelle |
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18 Dec 04 - 12:26 PM (#1360456) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: dianavan Michelle - I know its different in the States but in Canada experience counts and respect for experience counts alot when you are being interviewed for a teaching position. I have heard statements like "...it's time for you to leave and make room for someone..." before. If you have been in the system for any amount of time, you know its underfunded to the point of crumbling. Schools are not safe. They need earthquake upgrades, there isn't enough supervision at recess and lunch and they are dirty. Many classrooms have inadequate ventillation and molds and fungus thrive. We do not have free breakfast and lunch programs. All special support services have been drastically reduced (psychologists, counsellors, speech and language therapists, special education teachers and teachers aides). When the classroom teacher cannot access services for students, it is the students who lose. How do you think that by, 'stepping up to the plate', you can solve these problems? In addition, I am assuming that you do not have children of your own or a mortgage to pay. When you are young, the salary is sufficient and you can afford to subsidize the system. When you have your own family, its your own children that are making the sacrifice. Besides that, it won't solve the problem. Parent groups and individual teachers who donate money only contribute to the problem of an inequitable system. |
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18 Dec 04 - 12:49 PM (#1360474) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre Dianavan, First of all, I am not as young as you think. Secondly, I do have teaching experience, quite a bit actually. I do own a home and therefore have housing expenses. I do not have children of my own but I do have a farm and if you think raising all kinds of livestock and is much cheaper, dream on. I can't speak for the Canadaian system as I don't live in Canada. In the United States, most children get what they need for school....usually the parents buy and the school subsidizes. There are still many needs but my entire point is that I don't mind kicking in and neither do the teachers I know. The government here DOES help by allowing pretty reasonable tax breaks for those who do buy for their classrooms. There are many needs for schools whereever you go. And I wish the government would take care of more of it also, but in the meantime (I know this is a sore issue for you), I refuse to let one of my students do without if possible. Michelle, who is truly done beating this horse to death. |
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18 Dec 04 - 01:59 PM (#1360532) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: dianavan Michelle, you said, "In the United States, most children get what they need for school. "Also, "I refuse to let one of my students do without if possible." 'Most' children are not 'all students' and 'if possible' is not good enough. The govt. should not be "subsidizing" parent's and teacher's contributions (another statement you made.) Rather, they should completely fund education so that all students have an equal opportunity. That is the basic foundation of public schooling. Parental funding is what private schools are all about. Govt. funding is what public schools are all about. In no case should a teacher be subsidizing any school. By doing that you are taking part in a cover up and padding your own ego by claiming that this is what a 'good' teacher does. A good teacher, teaches with whatever they have available. They do it all the time. That doesn't mean that the materials and resources are in any way adequate. |
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05 Jan 05 - 01:16 AM (#1371728) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: GUEST,school marma duke Here in Oklahoma, 50th in teacher pay in the US, we are given anywhere from $50 to $200 for our personal use in our class. But this must purchase all the supplies you'll need like construction paper, art supplies, paper clips, staples. This in at least the 3 different districts I've been in and they were poor districts. I spend an average of $500 of my own for supplies like crayons and paper, because if I send a note home to the parents, they get real pissy that their 4 year old needs more than one box of crayons a semester. And pencils, you might as well forget getting more than 5 pencils for the year. They think they last forever. These kids are mostly from drug dependent families from the recent past like parents, grandparents, etc. They are so delayed, but the system wants them reading when they leave Kindergarten. Most are lucky to even be writing their names! Then the life they lead during the summer, they forget everything they learned in Kindergarten, and then go to 1st grade seemingly not knowing anything. Don't know about you but I am tired of being blamed for the children not learning when they do master what you are teaching at the time, but they are unable to store it to memory. Parents don't understand when you go over and over and over the material until the children act like zombies reciting skills learned. I hope the deeper it's stored, the better the retention level. |
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05 Jan 05 - 07:13 AM (#1371876) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: Cats at Work I teach children with Special Needs in the UK and for any huge pieces of equipment we need, that are just not possible out of school funds, we have had gifts fron the Round Table, Rotary International and the Masons. I know Rotary is very active in USA but don't know about the others but there must be something like them there. Try asking for a specific piece of equipment from them, you never know.. Good luck. And for all those Catters who have railled against schools not providing, I quite agree, if the governments want a good standard of education they need to put their hands in their pockets and pay for it, including teachers salaries (now that's the Trade union Official in me talking..) Happy New Year. |
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05 Jan 05 - 08:42 AM (#1371941) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: GUEST I teach in Nova Scotia, Canada and this place is the most poorly funded area of Canada. We have lots of money for other things but education has become so watered down over the years that even the basics are missing in our schools. I spend quite a bit of my own money and parents and students raise a fair amount but we are still lacking in basic needs. We have libraries with no staff, no book budgets, art teachers who have few supplies, elementary teachers who buy pencils for God sake. I get very discouraged by all of this..are we enabling..yes we are..but what would the kids do if funds were found from these other sources ? |
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05 Jan 05 - 09:08 AM (#1371959) Subject: RE: BS: Funding for school supplies? From: LilyFestre I think it's a catch 22 kind of situation. OF COURSE we ALL would LOVE if our governments would provide more financial support for education and school supplies!!! But then what shall the children do without supplies while we are waiting? Yep...catch 22. Michelle |