I was talking with my sister last night. She is a teacher. She has taught English as a Second Language students, first grade and now kindergarten. Her public school district supplies all kids with crayons, pencils, scissors and glue, among other things.
She teaches in a school where many children come from poverty. Not all, but many. The parent teacher organization is nearly non existent. Other elementary schools have very active and generous PTO's. Some teachers actually get a Starbucks coffee everyday by an active group of parents! Whoa.
You know what my sister wants? Not Starbucks. She wants hand sanitizer and tissues to keep her and the kids healthy in the classroom. She currently buys these out of her own pocket. And did you know first graders and kindergartners go through lots of tissues!! I have encouraged her to at least mention the need in a newsletter. Not all parents will respond or be able to contribute, but some will.
My youngest daughter (8th grade) actually had 3 boxes of tissues on her school supply list. This had always been the case for us in all three districts our children have attended. My oldest simply had a request from the band directors last year to donate. We did...happily!
I will pick up more tissues today at the store. I will give them to the band and my sister next time I see her. I will also get a couple large containers of hand sanitizer for her as well. I will likely spend less than $20 but it will make a difference.
I hope if you know any teacher, in any grade and any subject you consider giving a tissue and or hand sanitizer donation. They really can use these things...and they are often not provided by the school.
Does your child's school ask for these types of donations? Do you give? Do college level teachers (I think there are a few of you here) need these things as well? Let's discuss!!
Facial Tissue & Hand Sanitizer
August 23rd, 2013 at 03:05 pm
August 23rd, 2013 at 09:40 pm 1377294044
August 23rd, 2013 at 11:52 pm 1377301965
August 23rd, 2013 at 11:56 pm 1377302179
PNW Mom, we have had dry erase pens on our lists for a few years now. Kids use dry erase boards in class more than they once did.
August 24th, 2013 at 12:53 am 1377305592
We do have hand sanitizer provided to us, but not tissues. That I usually buy, or tell the kids to get toilet paper from the bathroom!
If your sister is at a public school, be sure to let her know to look into donors choose (I think that's the name) - ps teachers can put up needs and people can donate to the various needs. (wish there was something like it for private school teachers ... oh well...)
August 24th, 2013 at 05:36 pm 1377365801
We just give whatever we have on hand, when it is asked for. Most recent request that we could oblige was paper bowls and pencils (the kids bring home a TON of pencils, I have blogged about that a few times). So I sent a bunch of pencils back, win-win. But, we are far more focused on giving time to the school because we have infinitely more time than money, right now. My spouse also is able to earn tons of Scholastic gift certificates for the teachers and librarian (in exchange for volunteering for Scholastic). So, basically, we have provided thousands of dollars of books to the school, in exchange for labor.
August 24th, 2013 at 05:50 pm 1377366631
@MM, I am always willing to give when it is asked for. I think that is the biggest message I was trying to give to my sister. It's okay to ask!! I just don't know that the response will be great considering the income level of the parents.