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.
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Parent Teacher News • Nov/Dec 2016 • 9