Free supplies benefiting record number of students, teachers in OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY – In 45 minutes, Oklahoma City school teachers laid claim to 250 reams of white copy paper. It took even less time – 15 minutes – for teachers to virtually swipe up 52 bottles of hand sanitizer. And they didn’t forget the crayons, markers, rubber bands and other items they need in the classrooms available for order free every month through Teachers Warehouse.

Teachers Warehouse, a program of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools underwritten by Chesapeake Energy Corp., Devon Energy and OG&E, allows teachers to order supplies via a web site on a monthly basis. They did so in record numbers this month. This week and next week, Teachers Warehouse will distribute more than $37,000 in supplies to 669 teachers at 81 schools in the Oklahoma City School District. The supplies are expected to impact more than 14,000 students.

The numbers demonstrate the warehouse is reaching its goal of bridging the gap between what schools have and what students and teachers need to be successful despite growing demand.

The value of August orders represents a 73 percent increase compared to a year ago and 44 percent increase over last month. Since its inception three years ago, Teachers Warehouse has distributed more than $688,000 in supplies. Volunteers log about 600 hours per month conducting inventory, unloading and sorting donations and packing orders.

For more information about donating money or supplies to Teachers Warehouse or to volunteer, please visit www.okckids.com or call 405.879.2007.

The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools

Created in 1984, The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public School is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create community ownership in the success of every child.  

The Foundation is the winner of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’s 2010 Outstanding Local Education Foundation Program Award for Competitive Edge, 2009 Outstanding Local Education Foundation Program Award for Teachers Warehouse, 2006 Outstanding Local Education Foundation Program Award for Partners in Education, the 2000 Medal of Excellence Award, and the 1998 Award for Nonprofit Management Excellence.  

Visit www.okckids.com for more information on their programs and volunteer and giving opportunities.

Record number of teachers seeks classroom supplies

Supt. Karl Springer and
1st yr. teacher Christine Toy

OKLAHOMA CITY – As Oklahoma City teachers prepare for the first day of classes after the summer break many stopped by the Teachers Warehouse to pick up the free school supplies that they had ordered. 

I spent time this afternoon with Oklahoma City Public Schools Supt. Karl Springer helping teachers load donated supplies. The free supplies were provided by The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools. 

This private-public partnership to put school supplies in Oklahoma City classrooms is reaching more schools than ever – and the school year hasn’t even begun.

Teachers Warehouse, a program of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools underwritten by Chesapeake Energy Corp., Devon Energy and OG&E, is distributing supplies to elementary school teachers today and Thursday. Middle school and high school teachers will receive their supplies next week. In total, schools will receive nearly $25,000 worth of copy paper, spiral notebooks, highlighters, pencils, crayons and other classroom tools and necessities by the end of next week.

The warehouse received orders from 569 teachers at 80 schools – both record numbers for a program that launched only three years ago. Those teachers serve an estimated 12,000 students who stand to benefit from the supplies.

Michele Albanys, a teacher a Capitol Hill Elementary, particularly appreciates the Foundation offers supplies year-round. “When I show up with the blue bags of supplies, the children know to help. They like to help unload them and take the supplies to where they belong.”

The increase in orders reflects The Foundation’s goal to reach more students with free supplies, further bridging the gap between what schools have and what students and teachers need to be successful. Since its inception in 2008, the program has provided more than $600,000 in supplies to teachers. This school year, the Foundation’s goal is to provide free supplies to as many as 800 teachers per month.

“We began this partnership even before the economy made it more difficult for schools and families to make sure teachers and students have what they need,” said Lori Dickinson, executive director of The Foundation. “The need is even greater now.”

Gently-used and new supplies are donated by businesses and individuals throughout the school year. The list of supplies that teacher may request from the Foundation include: 

• Single-Subject Spiral Notebooks
  (wide ruled and college ruled)
• White Loose Leaf Notebook Pape
  (wide ruled and college ruled)
• #2 pencils (regular or mechanical)
• Student scissors (pointed, Fiskers)
• Glue Sticks/Glue Bottles
• Post It Notes
• Highlighters
• Ballpoint Pens (blue, black & red ink)
• Crayon Packs
• Colored Pencils
• Markers
• EXPO Dry Erase Markers
• Vis a Vis Overhead Projection Pens
• 3 x 5 index cards (blank and lined)
• Binder Clips—all sizes
• Reams of 8 ½ x 11 white copy paper
• Reams of 8 ½ x 11 colored copy paper
• Paper folders with 2 pockets and brads
• 8 ½ x 11 file folders
• Standard/Metric Rulers
• 1” 3-ring binders (hard cover)
• Washable Markers
• Backpacks without wheels
• Paper Clips
• Regular staple refills
• Tape dispenser refills
• Divider tabs (5 tabs and 8 tabs)
• Flash Drive (128 MB or more)
• Electric Staplers
• Heavy-duty Staplers (to staple large packets)
• Three-hole Punches
• Pencil Sharpeners—regular and electric
• Backpacks
• Pencil bags/boxes
• Scientific Calculator
• Hand Sanitizer
• Thesaurus
• English Dictionary & English-Spanish Translation Dictionary
• Multi-Colored Construction Paper packages
• Art Supplies (paint brushes, water colors, modeling clay)
• Miscellaneous craft supplies (pipe cleaners, beads, ribbon)

Click here to read the KFOR News Channel 4 story