November 17, 2011

Old Mother Hubbard Went to the Cupboard


Actually...Ol' Mr. E went to the cupboard....and this is what I found!?!?!?
 I am thankful for all that I do have....don't get me wrong, but I'm starting to worry about what I don't have so far this school year....MY SUPPLY MONEY!!  I know many schools have little to no budget for their art teachers, but I have always been blessed with at least $2 to $3 a child(depending on budget cuts given years).  Now...that is still a challenge to buy supplies for 550+ students that have art once a week for 36 weeks (think about doing a quality project for $0.06 a child each week).  Go to Michael's or Jo-Ann's and see if they can find a project that can be done for that!!! :) ha ha   ANYWAYS!?!?!?!?!?  The money is at the school now...but has not been "released" to be used yet.  I'm good on most of my supplies....but my tempera paint, good drawing/painting paper, glue, and my construction paper(some colors) are starting to run dangerously low.  For those of you who get nothing...I'm sorry if I'm sounding ungrateful.  I know I am blessed!!!!  But for me...at my school....for my program....I am not use to this.  Even if they released the money this week....I probably would not get my supplies till almost Christmas break.  That being said...I am an art teacher...AND I WILL BE CREATIVE IN MY TEACHING & THE SUPPLIES I USE!!!! :) ha  ha  That is what we do...we make it work(thanks Tim Gunn for letting me use that).

10 comments:

  1. sounds like it is time to do a lesson on using recycled materials. I guess that's why I never turn down anything that is donated - you never know when that my be all you have left to work with! I also get about $2 a student - but I have to work for it by doing a magnet fundraiser which has been taking up all my time right now!!

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  2. Hi Ted,
    I feel your pain.......We were PROMISED last Spring that we would be getting $3 per student this fall but some principals in our district are not forthcoming with the money. One of my compadres, who has 400 students in one of his buildings was told he could have $200.00.Period. I went to someone with clout in our district and let that little nugget slip so we'll see what happens. I hope you get your supplies SOON!

    :)Pat

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  3. In search of some freebies... contact a local printing company. We have one here in town that donates their mistakes to us. 3 years ago I got a PILE of really good paper that was 11x36. A few quick cuts and it is ready to go. It has saved me a ton so I have more money for other things. Also contact the calendar store that sets up in the mall for the holidays. They sometimes will give you all the unsold calendars... of course they are missing nov. and dec. but who cares. Good luck. Art teachers will always make it work!

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  4. We can always prick our fingers and draw with blood, no? (Just kidding. I think it stinks that you have to scrounge.) There are lots of wonderful recyclables out there, but when it comes right down to it, you want decent paint, and Elmer's Glue-All, and some Sharpies, and some decent paper. The rest you can invent I think.

    I will admit to a fair supply budget but still 'enhance' with my own personal purchases. I wonder how many other teachers (that aren't art teachers) actually buy materials for their classrooms?

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  5. Thanks for sharing your budget, I'm glad to know others struggle too. I'm in Utah, and get about $2 per student. But, talking to other art specialists in my district, I'm the exception. One teacher, at a school with 500 students, received only $100 for the entire school year! Ridiculous.

    And yes, of course you'll make it work, but I think it's important to spread awareness of the problem.

    Laurie Dyer

    www.tabroom.blogspot.com

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  6. Hey - I'm a friend of a friend of yours.... that's not why am writing tho.... check out this website, it might prove helpful for some supplies?
    http://regives.com/ there is another site that I am trying to remember - where you can actually post what you need and people donate new stuff.. when I think of it I will post it to you! BEST OF LUCK!

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  7. ahh DONORSCHOOSE.ORG please please check it out!!!

    (Friend of Victoria's :)

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  8. Tishalou- have you looked at Artsonia? I did the magnets for years, and it sucks up so much time. With Artsonia, parents can buy anything you upload, and you don't have to do the collection logs and paperwork that come with fundraisers. They release your money when you are ready for it. One check, one log, and no chasing around the magnets, and all. Just gotta send a note home, which they will generate for you- you just print them out.

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  9. I have 570 students plus so I feel your pain on budget strains. I live in a community of about 6500. Take a look at my site and see what our WONDERFUL community is doing to help boost our art budget. They had us make beautiful giant Christmas stockings that they are auctioning off with proceeds going to our elementary art department. This might be a possibility for Easter as well. The kids LOVED the project too and they learned great collaboration skills. I am also putting each child's artwork on a class slide show with photo peach and at our art show this spring they will sell for a minimal price of maybe $5. Very affordable and great $ maker for the art department. I am also really active in our PTO and get some $$ from them. Just some ideas for so many people that have budget woes right now. http://mrseukensartmooseum.wordpress.com

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