Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Nov/Dec 2016 | Page 11

Donated school supplies are tools for student success Starting school without the necessary tools colored pencils, rulers, scissors, ruled paper, to succeed in the classroom can be a stumbling compasses, protractors, composition books, block for children. crayons, glue sticks, erasers, art supplies, Thanks to the efforts of School Tools, a calculators and pens. partnership between WSOC-TV, Classroom “It’s a joy to know that people care, and Central and Communities In Schools, hundreds for students to know that they are loved,” of Union County Public Schools students, as said Barbara Aligwekwe, a counselor at Walter well as students across 22 counties in North Bickett Elementary School. “We want to help and South Carolina, will have the needed tools them have everything they need. It’s a good to be successful. thing -- showing love to our kids.” Items were dispersed to school personnel As Jondrea Finney, a counselor at Benton over a two-day period (Sept. 8 and Sept. 9): Heights Elementary School of the Arts, picked elementary schools on Thursday and middle up needed supplies, she said students at her and high schools on Friday. Title One and school appreciate the donated items. “They priority schools were invited to take supplies in really need them. Mostly, they need uniforms. the morning before other schools arrived. We also need lots of composition notebooks Many teachers made specific requests for and crayons. We are so grateful for the needed items for individual students. Those community support.” were filled individually. Carrie Hill, a counselor Barbara Aligwekwe, left, a counselor UCPS students have benefited from School at Walter Bickett Elementary School, at Benton Height Elementary School of the Arts, Tools for more than 10 years, and each year with Jondrea Finney (seated) and Carrie said the level of need this year was pretty high. the gifts from the community grow. MaryAnn Hill, both counselors at Benton Height “Our teachers are going to be really happy, Amick, the UCPS coordinator of the project, Elementary School of the Arts, picking especially since we’re year-round. They’ve been said this year’s donations (8,768 items) far up school supplies for their students going for the first four weeks trying to makeexceed last year’s (6,409 items). complements of School Tools. do. The students get very excited when they “Our community contributions have been get the new school supplies. Especially when amazing,” Amick said. they get a new backpack. It’s like Christmas.” Hill said. Since this year’s School Tools effort began in early August, —This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools donated items include uniforms, backpacks, binders, lunch bags, Communications Office. Register NOW 2016 - 2017 School Year Session Begins Aug 22, 2016 USAG 2014 Club of the Year • Toddler Gymnastics Classes • Preschool Gymnastics Classes • Girls & Boys School Age Gymnastics Classes • Tumbling Classes Xcel Teams Competitive Teams 704-847-0785 704-847-0587-fax www.SouthEasternGymnastics.com Parent Teacher News • Nov/Dec 2016 • 9