CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Back to school has already begun for ten year teaching vet Cameron Helms. She teaches 2nd grade at Oakhurst Elementary and now is the time of year when she takes stock of what she has, like plenty of paper clips, and what she needs, like new crayons.
Helms says she spends $1,200 a year on extra supplies for her classroom and now is when she spends the biggest chunk. She says, "Usually around 400, (but) my budget this year, I'm a newlywed, so it's a little bit less. :29
Helms is certainly not alone. Across the country, public school teachers spent more than $1.3 billion out of pocket last school year according to a study by the National School Supply and Equipment Association. The average amount per teacher is $356. That's down from $395 in '07-'08 and $552 in '05-'06.
Places like Classroom Central in west Charlotte help fill the gaps. It's a non profit that collects donations and supplies from area businesses and then lets teachers come "shop for free." Sometimes, the supplies extend beyond the classroom. Executive Director Janice Book says, "A lot the kids we serve don't get a birthday, they don't get any kind of Christmas."
The Charlotte area is pretty lucky to have Classroom Central; only about 24 similar programs exist across the country. The facility on Wilkinson Boulevard is so successful, Pittsburgh is modeling their program after it.
Booth says, “I am just completely bowled over by the generosity and depth of caring by the Charlotte community. It's really quite moving."
The first "shopping" day at Classroom Central is in two weeks. In the meantime, Helms will figure out what extra supplies she needs for the students she considers family. "We want to do it, it's not a sacrifice, we want to do it and I think if we could, we'd do more,” she says.
Helms says she's lucky to have a great principal at Oakhurst Elementary, who also spends her own money on school supplies.
Add a comment
Most Popular