Help us raise the remaining $2,215 we need to meet our goal! (as of December 28th)
Every day, across Massachusetts, the state with some of the best educational opportunities in our country, teachers are expected to supply basics like three ring binders, pencils, and notebooks to families who can't afford them.
Art teachers are budgeted less than one dollar per student for the entire school year.
New teachers in cash strapped districts are expected to find their own classroom furniture and white boards.
STEM instructors are expected to teach hands-on learning with no raw materials to offer their students.
With continually tightening budgets and population growth in our inner cities, teachers are being asked to provide more and more out of pocket than ever before.
Christine Kennedy, a long time Lynn educator, has served on our Board of Directors for the past three years. As an experienced educator, she joined the board to encourage and support the upcoming generation of teachers as they start their careers. She writes,
" One of my first jobs was worse than I would have ever expected. I walked into a classroom that was bare other than the
teacher's desk and the students' desks. I had to go up in the attic to find the basals. Every other stick of furniture that I needed for that room I had to provide for myself. I remember buying wooden bulletin boards and hanging them up by myself...
The chalkboards were in such bad shape I had to paint them to even use them. Chalkboard paint is expensive. I had to provide a rug, book cases, and a pencil sharpener along with all the paperback novels and school supplies. I still have some of the furniture that I bought for that classroom today. I probably spent $1000 before school started.
I have gone into schools where I was given one ream of run off paper for the month. Other schools had no construction paper, pencils, scissors or any of the normal things you would expect. I have bought several printers just for school (hundreds of dollars in Ink) and even a small xerox machine for my house at one time.
New teachers certainly do not go into the profession for the money, but they hardly expect to have to provide their own furniture and books. But especially inner-city teachers are asked to do this even today. "
Christine's story is still being relived by new teachers in 2015.
The need for Extras is as relevant as it was when Dr. Drew filled a closet with reusable materials for the teachers in his school, 35 years ago.
For the past 35 years, we successfully filled the gap between the reality of school budgets, and the needs of teachers to enrich their classrooms and engage their students.
On December 1st, we launched our 35 Year Legacy Campaign. We set a goal of raising $10,000 by the end of the year. To date, we have received $7785.00 in individual donations, foundation support, and our annual Patina and Pearls fundraiser.
We are humbly asking for your tax deductible donation today of $35 or more to help us meet our goal and continually help teachers, help children, and help the environment.
Thank you for your consideration, your generosity, and your time.
With Gratitude,
Jocelyn Almy-Testa
Executive Director
Extras for Creative Reuse