When members of Girl Scout Troop 3383 out of Lakes Elementary School learned that teachers in their school were spending an average of $1,500 of their personal money on classroom supplies because of funding shortfalls by the state, the 14-member troop decided to step into action.
Operation “Tools for Teachers” provides the opportunity for local and national companies, as well as Rockford Public Schools families and community members, to donate school supplies for classrooms. Items needed include construction paper, paint, pencils, calculators, markers, etc. The girls view this as a way “to be there for the teachers, when they’ve always been there for us.”
Superintendent Michael Shibler remarked, “Anyone who lives in the Rockford area knows how supportive this community is of the schools. This is yet another example of our ‘Quality Community, Quality Schools’ as students learn valuable lifelong skills from parents and adults.”
Collection bins will be available in the schools and Administration Office through the end of March. In May, teachers will be invited to shop through the donations for their specific classroom needs.
For more information, please contact Troop Leader Nicole Pierce at (616) 885-4382 or Co-Leader Erin Wenger at (616) 240-8685.
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