California Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization donated thousands of dollars it raised through the year for student supplies.
The school's PTO presented a check for $4,000 to be placed in the CES supply program on Friday. Faculty and staff will use it to gather materials on behalf of students and their parents before the school year begins.
This continues a trend at California Elementary School: Staff and the PTO began setting aside funds for supplies as a way to minimize the amount of materials parents needed to buy for their children. However, because of the PTO's success raising money from multiple fundraisers, the school began to buy the majority of the supplies needed for students.
"Our first goal was to shorten the school supply list for our families. ... Now we are able to order supplies in bulk and cut costs down," said CES Supply Committee head and pre-K teacher Kimberly Scheidt. "This year, we're going to be able to offer (supplies) for $15 per student and parents don't have to do anything besides get a backpack and water bottle. All the other supplies we give directly to the teachers."
Supplies already set up in the classroom means parents do not have to worry about finding the right materials. Scheidt said their main objectives are to cut costs and to relieve parents' search for supplies before the school year begins.
Sheidt said the supply program receives donations through fundraisers held throughout the year. However, parents can donate if they choose to. For example, parents might send in additional money with the initial $15 requirement for materials.
By sending in $20 or $50 to cover the cost, additional funds will be put either toward families who cannot afford the supplies or students who enroll mid-school year. Supplies from these funds are placed into the CES needs room, which contains extra materials to use as necessary.
"It is just to support our families and students with the supplies that they need -- and teachers also," Scheidt said. "It's appreciated as well. The program, we hope to continue it -- it's a great savings for our families."
CORRECTION: This article was edited April 6, 2022, to correct Kimberly Scheidt’s name, which was incorrect in the original version of this article.