A 2021 survey found that teachers spend $750 of their own money on supplies for their classrooms every school year. 30% of teachers spend over $1000. These numbers are absolutely staggering. With that in mind, a new group has been formed in the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School District to try to take some of that burden off teachers.
The CGD Community Corral (CCC) is the new organization formed with the goal of benefiting students and teachers in the school district. One of the group’s founding members, Elizabeth McOllough said, “There has been a PTA and TAP in the past, but both have been dormant for several years. We wanted to create a more inclusive group that involved students and community members as well as parents and teachers.”
As the group gets going, their first big effort is the Adopt-a-Classroom program. This program is not unknown in the district, but with the CCC taking it over, the group’s founders hope to revitalize it. Under the program, businesses and individuals can donate money directly to classrooms. The funds can be used by the teachers to purchase supplies or anything else their classrooms might need that might otherwise have been purchased out of their own pockets or not at all.
“We decided we’d like to bring back the Adopt-a-Classroom program as that was something the teachers really appreciated,” noted McOllough. Other CCC founder Brittany Redenius added, “Getting this program going is necessary to support our teachers and our children in any way we can, from helping provide supplies for the classroom or some extra funds during the book fair or snack milk and anything else that might benefit our teachers and children.”
Elementary Principal Tricia Rosendahl said that both she and her staff are very appreciative of the Adopt-A-Classroom program. “We are very excited to have this program back,” said the principal. “I just spoke to a teacher and she said, ‘we are ELATED it is back.’ Teachers use these funds for indoor recess activities, classroom incentives, classroom goal celebrations, etc.”
CGD Elementary teacher Rachel Sido also expressed her gratitude for the program. “Adopt-a-Classroom is very helpful as a teacher,” commented Sido. “We are able to get supplies for kids who don’t have it. We are also able to get learning items to use in our classroom to make learning more engaging and hands-on. As a science teacher, I’m able to get more experiment supplies for my students to use throughout the year and learn science through hands-on experiences.”
The Adopt-a-Classroom organizers explain that 100% of the donation goes directly to the selected class or program to make purchases to enhance instruction. Donations are even tax-deductible. A classroom can be adopted for $100, but any donation amount is encouraged.
There are even some perks for adopters/contributors to the program. They will receive a thank you letter from the class(es) adopted, a copy of a letter sent home to parents about contributors, and a certificate indicating your sponsorship. Contributors will also be invited to special school events.
Perks aside, the CCC’s organizers hope that people and businesses will see the program for the worthwhile investment that it is. “Our hope is to get families and community members back involved with the school,” emphasized Redenius. “We live in a very strong community that is always willing to help where it is needed and loves to be involved. And our children's education is very important. I hope the kids will recognize this and grow to be just as involved as they grow older.”
Rosendahl agreed with that sentiment, saying, “We always appreciate the support of our very generous communities. It does take a village to raise our children.”
The group is looking at other fundraisers down the road but for now they are hoping to get momentum behind the CCC and their current fundraising project. “The main focus over the summer is to get the adopt-a-classroom back up and going strong and to get our organization out there for others to join and hopefully help with those other projects,” said McOllough.
To adopt a classroom or learn more about the program or the CCC, you can visit the CGD Community Corral Facebook page. You can also email questions to McOllough at emm_08@hotmail.com or call 515-851-2319.
