A Teacher's Wish List...

Teacher demands can seem overwhelming, both in terms of time and money. Especially in light of budget cuts in education compounded by increasing financial concerns of many families. Resulting in lower expectations of parents either willing or able to pitch in help with class projects. So, the million-dollar question is, "what can parents do to help out teachers without having to reach into their own wallets?" Here are just a few ways parents can help out teachers:

• Box Tops: Box Tops can be found on many products that families already purchase. Schools can purchase a variety of supplies using the Box Tops they have collected. To learn more about Box Tops, go here http://www.boxtops4education.com/
  

• Elmer's Glue Crew: Did you know that when teachers recycle Elmer's school glues and glue sticks they can earn money for their classrooms? Help out the teacher by creating a recycle box to collect empty Elmer's school glues and glue sticks. Once the box is full either bring it to your local Walmart after Earth Day, April 22, or if you have collected at least 250 bottles/sticks you can mail them to Terracycle (Elmer's will donate $.02 cents for every gluestick and school glue you recycle through Terracycle to your classroom!) By participating in Elmer's Glue Crew, a teacher will be entered to win $1000 cash and more for the lucky grand prize winner. You can learn more about the Elmer's Glue Crew here.

• Staples Ink Recycling Rewards: Help a teacher out by setting up a "tub'o'ink" in his/her classroom! You can use an empty coffee-type canister, and tell the students to bring in their used up ink cartridges. If your teacher is signed up for the Staples Teacher Rewards Program, they can bring in the cartridges and get $2 back for each one! They're allowed to recycle 10 each month, that's $20 a month to help them in school supplies for their classroom! To learn more about their Staples Rewards Program go here Thanks to Teach to Yearn for this awesome idea.

Teachers not only need help financially in the classroom, but they need your time as well. Here are ways parent volunteers can help out teachers in the classroom:

• Putting together homework folders
• Read with the children
• Be a chaperone for school/class field trips
• Use your skills & talents to share with the class/teach a lesson
  
• If you can't help in the classroom, volunteer to do any prep. work from your home

Be creative and do what you can! Teachers love any help they can get!