Rightly or not, every summer teachers across the country pay out-of-pocket to buy classroom supplies for their students. In Washington, the amount they are spending is considerably more than parents realize.
A recent study of some 3,000 adults nationally shows that the mismatch between perception and reality here is the third-widest among all states.
According to the American College of Education, which conducted the survey, Washingtonians believe K-12 teachers spend about $367 annually on supplies for their students. The actual figure is closer to $453.
A majority feel that figure is too high. And when asked to rank who should be responsible for covering the cost of classroom supplies, teachers were last — behind government, a child’s school and parents.
Every summer, generous readers of The Seattle Times lend a hand to help ease the load, both for teachers and students living close to the margin, by contributing to the newspaper’s annual School Supplies Fundraising Drive.
It kicked off last month — for the 27th year in a row — and every dollar raised will be divided between three local organizations who dole out the funds to families in need: the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness; YWCA Seattle-King-Snohomish; and on the East Side, Hopelink.
In years past, these groups purchased backpacks, stuffed them with fresh new school supplies, and gave them to children living in shelters or other emergency housing. But after parents explained that gift cards would be more useful, some of the groups pivoted in that direction.
Hopelink, however, still uses the donations to give filled-up backpacks to K-12 students from the Lake Washington, Riverview, Skykomish and Snoqualmie school districts, primarily through the organization’s no-cost food markets held in Redmond, Kirkland and Sno-Valley, starting Aug. 24.
“Something as simple as a notebook, pens, or calculator can help provide a sense of dignity and belonging that uplifts students and our collective well-being,” says Hopelink CEO Meghan Altimore.
The Times’ School Supplies Drive continues through Labor Day.
How to help: The School Supplies Drive is part of The Seattle Times Fund For Those in Need, a registered 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization. The easiest way to donate is online at st.news/schoolsupplies. Checks may also be sent to: The Seattle Times School Supplies Drive, P.O. Box C-11025, Seattle, WA 98111; email questions to ffn@seattletimes.com.
