Parents and community members respond to rising costs of school supplies –
As the rising cost of school supplies continues to be a widespread problemSome parents in Orange County are struggling to afford school supplies for their children.
As at other schools in the district, Carrboro Elementary School Parent Teacher Association collects donations to provide students with school supplies, KC HysmithVice President for Communications at Carrboro Elementary School PTA, said.
Accordingly Data for 2023-2024 from the Emergency aid fund for primary and secondary schools, over 34 percent of Carrboro Elementary School students come from low-income households. Hysmith said since Carrboro Elementary is a Title I School – a publicly funded school with a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students – the School Supplies Fund ensures that all students receive the support they need.
“The main driving force here is equity and access to the materials they need to have a good school year,” she says. said.
Hysmith said Teachers at Carrboro Elementary School give the school Parents’ Council a list of materials for their classes and they are working with volunteers to source all the necessary materials. The materials include pencil boxes, folders, crayons and hygiene products, among others, she said. said.
Most of the work – including collecting materials and donations for the students – is done by volunteers rather than corporate sponsors, Hysmith said. said. Carrboro Elementary collects monetary donations using an ongoing budget that is funded entirely by parents, and any leftover money is used for school supplies for the next school year, she said said.
Maria Elena Mendeza parent of a student at the school, said The material supplies fund saves parents a lot of time because they do not have to buy school materials themselves.
“(The students) really need it, and they have it here,” she said. said.
In an email, Hysmith wrote said The budget for school supplies this school year is just under $16,500 for about 500 students. said in an email that parents are asked, if they are able, to donate about $35 to $40 per child. Parents are encouraged to donate more to other families who cannot reach the suggested donation amount, she said said.
