How can you help?

Recyclebank Green Schools Program 2011-2012

2012-02-23T13:42:00.003-08:00

So I found this great way to help donate money to some very deserving schools and help the planet at the same time! Recyclebank is this great site where you can earn rewards points by learning about and doing things that help the environment. I earned 70 points within approximately 10 mins., and I still have tons more I can get, by simply pointing and clicking. You can exchange the points for various rewards, including donating to schools that are participating in their Recyclebank Green Schools Program.

The schools involved have created green plans that they wish to implement. Recyclebank will give $1 to the school for every 250 points donated. So what are you waiting for? Go click, donate, help out a school. Even if you are only able to donate a small amount every little bit helps, right? And be sure to go soon they end the donating period on March 15th, 2012!

Labels For Education

2012-02-16T10:57:00.000-08:00

Ok, so Labels For Education is offering a chance to earn 100 bonus points for your local school!

Just click here to print out their special Valentine collection sheet! You want to hurry though, since these need to be turned into the school before April 30th!

So what are you waiting for? Hurry on over and print out a sheet and help earn some extra points!

Love Your Teeth!

2012-02-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

A Public Service by Dentist Advisor

Ok, so this one is more for the teachers of the younger students out there. But it is still really cute! Just follow this link to get started. You can put in your schools name, your classroom info. and extra instructions that will appear at the top of chart along with the students name when it is printed!
You can even print them out even if you aren't a teacher. There are a great and affordable reminder to help encourage kids to brush their teeth.
Here is mine that I printed out as an example:

Blogging From A to Z Challenge

2012-01-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

So on top of a few other things I have decided to do this year, I have also decided to participate in the Blogging from A To Z Challenge April 2012. It is being hosted by a whole bunch of bloggers:

Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird)

Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas)

Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh)

Life is Good (Tina Downey)

Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons)

Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins)

The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence)

The QQQE (Matthew MacNish)

Author Elizabeth Mueller(Elizabeth Mueller)

Pearson Report (Jenny Pearson)

No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow)

Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp)

Coming Down The Mountain(Karen Jones Gowen)

But the main place to go to for information and such is:

The Blogging From A to Z Challenge April 2012 Home Page
The challenge itself seems like a lot of fun. Basically if you take out all the Sundays in April you have 26 days. Now there are 26 letters in the alphabet...soooo....each day is theme based on a letter in the alphabet. Starting with A and working through the rest of the letters all the way to Z. (This is just a REALLY shortened version HERE is were you will find all the important information, including when you can sign up, what to do if April starts on a Sunday etc.)
Anyway, I think it will be loads of fun and I'm already coming up with ideas. Let me know if you plan to participate too, I would love to see what everyone else comes up with!

Easy New Way to Earn Boxtops!

2011-12-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

Want an easy way to earn boxtops for your school without having to even leave your house???
Of course you do, since it is getting colder outside and it's sooo much nicer to stay inside where it is nice and toasty!

First go to Box Tops 4 Education and sign up. (if you haven't already!) Then after you log in/sign up, click here to go to the Click & Earn page. Watch videos, answer questions. The four choices they have offered so far all were quick and easy. Plus the one actually gave me some good ideas for my Christmas cookies. I did all for promotions in under an hour and earned Box Tops for my school!

Simple and easy and I didn't even have to leave the house! So what are you waiting for? Go check it out!

Why I Teach a Guest Post from Robert C. Roman

2011-11-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

I saw this post the other day, and I wanted to share it with the rest of you. The author of the post, Robert C. Roman, was kind enough to let me steal it and re-post it here.

Why I Teach

By: Robert C. Roman

For those of you who don’t know, I’m a teacher.

More specifically, I teach life science at an inner city high school. Over the past few months, I’ve spoken with a number of people about the job. Quite a few of them have suggested, either subtly or directly, that I should be doing something else. Teaching at a more affluent school. Teaching at a safer school. Going back to work in the computer industry. Going even further back, to the medical industry. Going back to school and getting my masters in education, so I can move into administration. Working more closely with administrators, for the same reason.

In every case, I appreciate that the person took the time to offer me advice. In some cases, I haveto force myself to that appreciation, but it’s the right thing to do. I’ve come to realize that Jim Butcher is right; you don’t realize the fine details of something until you try to teach it to someone else, and lately I’ve been trying to teach students about character. At any rate, since I’m not going to be taking all that advice, I thought it might be good to explain the reason why. Maybe they will see it, maybe they won’t, but again, that’s not the important thing. Character is who you are when no one is watching.

Let me start by stating quite firmly that the most important people in the school are the students. It’s not the teachers, although by number of contact hours we might come in second. It’s not the administration, although the Dean of Students might come close for the same reason as the teachers. In some schools the guidance counselors might come close; I’m not sure, because I saw mine about four times in my high school career. Without the students, a school is not a school.

According to Dr. Clarke, one of my Alternate Route teaching certificate professor, the task of a teacher, especially a High School teacher, is to prepare young men and women to become contributing members of society. Whether this is by teaching them to communicate (Language Arts), to apply basic logic to life (Mathematics and Science), to understand the world around them and the people in it (Social Studies and History), or to perform the basic functions needed at a job (Career and Technical Education, which is the current name for what used to be Industrial Arts), the end goal is still the same. Take a young adult and teach them what they need to know to contribute to society and find their place in it.

Now, some of you know I don’t watch the news. It’s depressing, and rarely has an impact 0n my daily decisions. This isn’t to say it doesn’t impact my life, but after four layoffs and extended periods of unemployment, I don’t have the luxury of as many choices as some folks do. I don’t have the option of going away for vacation, or choosing what car to buy, or taking time off to go sit on the sidewalk in New York, or dig a survival shelter and fill it with supplies. I admire the folks who have the options and do the right thing with them, but that admiration doesn’t change my options. Watching civilization crumble on the news doesn’t expand my options, either. But that doesn’t mean I don’t see it crumbling.

Two and a half years ago, I walked into a classroom in Camden New Jersey and saw a girl trying to take notes with her left hand. This was a girl who rarely interacted with me, and was close to being dropped from the roster for non attendance at the time. She was writing with her left hand because she’d broken the right one on a wall, because someone had been mocking her. I sent her to the nurse, and when she got back with a cast, set her down next to another student who I knew kept good notes, and had him take notes for her.

Three months later, the pair were at the top of my class. Three months after that, they’d banded together with a small group of students determined not just to graduate, but to do so with honors, at the top of their class.

This June they’re going to.

They’ve overcome personal tragedies, parental apathy, and a system which pours resources into supporting the students least interested in education at the expense of those most interested. They’re not perfect, nor are they saints; they’ve colluded on almost every piece of work any of them have handed in. They’ve got a reputation for ignoring rules if they feel they need to in order to reach their goals. They’re snarky and full of themselves and don’t take constructive criticism well.

But in a city which earns its nickname of Murder City, They’re going to graduate at the top of their high school class, go on to college or trade school, and at least some of them intend to come back to Camden with the intent of Making Things Right.

And maybe they will make things a little less crumbled.

And in some tiny way, telling a young woman that she was more important than the paint she’d knocked off the cinder block helped that.

That’s a nice story, in and of itself, but it’s not the whole story. It’s not even the most important bit. Anyone can look at success and tell himself that it’s why he does things. But when you do that, you begin to focus on the ‘good kids’.

There are no good kids.

Let me say that again.

There are no good kids.

At the same time, there are no bad kids, either. There are just kids, who make good decisions or bad ones. None of them make all good decisions, and none of them make all bad decisions. Some of them tend towards wisdom, others tend toward self destruction, but it’s about the decisions they make, not some kind of inborn quality. Worst of all, there is absolutely no way to tell which kid will make which decision.

That’s why, as an educator, no matter how much I want to, I can’t just come to school for the good kids. I can’t just come to school for the borderline cases, the ones who might succeed with just a nudge in the right direction. I have to come to school for all the kids, including the ones that hate my guts because I demand that they learn to read and write, not just sound out words and shape letters on a page.

So every day I go in, I show the students by word and by deed what it means to be a civilized adult. I talk to them as adults. I show them how to teach themselves what they want to know by teaching them what they have to know. No matter whether the kids are polite or rude, whether they are the best and the brightest or have a list of learning disabilities longer than my arm. No matter whether they show up every day or once a quarter.

Changing the world isn’t about making plans to save ten million children.

Changing the world is about making a plan to save one child.

Then doing it ten million times.

I’ve been told that it might not be the healthiest thing for me. I already knew that. Leonidas knew that at Thermopylae too. This isn’t about healthy for me. This is about the fact that here, in this spot, I have a chance to make a difference. If I walked away from this, I couldn’t let myself forget about that fact.

I can’t walk away and stay the person I am. Everyone comes to that point, sooner or later, where they say ‘this is where I make my stand’. I never thought my stand would be in a drafty room with peeling paint and questionable electric. I never thought my stand would be made on mismatched, broken tiles, in a room where no two desks are quite the same height, and at least one leg of every table is loose. But this is my windmill, and in the end, all I can do is couch my lance and charge, or become something else, something less than I am now.

I’m a teacher.

A few thoughts in closing:

Teaching is the fine art of lying to students in order to show them the truth.

In the real world, bloodymindium replaces narrativium.

- Paraphrases of Terry Pratchett in The Magic of Discworld

There is only one thing all great teachers have in common – they care about their kids.

- Robert C Roman Sr, teacher. retired after 48 years. returned to the classroom the following year.

And finally…

Robert C. Roman is a high school teacher in Camden, NJ. He is also the author of The Artifice Series and Iron Angel Series. Click here to go to his blog and find out more. (or if you just want cheer him on in his effort to change the world!)

Re-Post of NaNoWriMo's Young Writers Program

2011-11-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

I posted this last year, and I wanted re-post it since I still think it is a great way to get kids interested in writing.

O.k. November 1st marks the beginning of NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month. The whole goal behind NaNoWriMo is for the people participating in it to write a 50,000 word novel by midnight of November 30th. They catch is they can't start writing it until November 1st. This is a program I only first heard about last year and only this year realized how it helps our schools. How? Easy.
NaNoWriMo has a program called NaNoWriMo's Young Writers Program. This program is specifically set up and designed for children 17 and under to participate. Unlike its more adult oriented program kids can set their own word-count goals. Also it is able to be incorporated into a classroom curriculum. Best part, it's free to participate. Their website provides educators with a virtual classroom to help them better work NaNoWriMo into the classroom. They also have a NEO lending program for classes that are unable to access the internet for the duration of NaNoWriMo. The NEO they lend out is basically a kid friendly laptop/word proccessor that the kids in the class can use to type up their stories on. They also offer ways for kids to participate without using computers.
They also provide forums for teachers to communicate with one another about NaNoWriMo and workbooks for students to use to help them write their novels.
How does this relate to any of us??? Well it's free! It's a free curriculum for teachers who are strapted for cash and can't always afford some of the newer writing courses out there. It's also a great way to encourage kids to write and learn helpful organizational skills. No time in the classroom? Why not start it as an after school program? They also offer free novel proof copies to kids that reach their word count goals.
As for the rest of us who aren't teachers? Why not offer to help organize getting together pens and paper for the children to write on? Volunteering to help encourage the kids to keep writing, or coming in and helping add up word counts for the kids after they are done writing. Maybe if you have an old typewriter or word proccesor lending it out to the class so the teacher can help them type up their work? How 'bout even just bringing this to the attention of the teachers at your local schools?
There are so many ways this can be applied to benefit schools and kids it's unbelievable.
Now, unfortunetly, I know the deadline for signing up to participate is a little more than 7 days away.** And the deadline for applying for the NEO's is well past. However, NaNoWriMo is a yearly event that takes place every November. Go sign up, check it out. See if it's something that you, the teacher, could see working in your classroom. Parents your kids can sign up independantly of a classroom. Why not both you and your child sign up for it this year and see how it goes. Give it a test run. Then next year already be ahead of the game and be ready in September to see about talking to the teachers at the school and seeing if it would be something they are interested in.
In today's economy where classrooms sometimes are working with books and tools that are in desperate need of updating, and when funds are not there to do it with, this provides a new and innovative way to help encourage young writers. And helps give kids a fresh new way to learn.
So I encourage all of you reading this to go check it out!
Again here are the links for NaNoWriMo's young Writers Program andNaNoWriMo itself.

** at the time of the original post it was.**

Boise and Box Tops for Education

2011-10-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

Boise has teamed up with Box Tops for Education, and is giving away a TON, literally a ton, of paper to two lucky schools!
If you are a fan of Box Tops for Education on Facebook, just go to their wall and click on the link they have posted for the contest to place your vote. The school with the most votes will win, as well as a lucky second school, that will be chosen at random. Just make sure you get your vote in before October 31st. Since that is when the contest ends!

Click here to check out the Terms and Conditions of the contest.

Car Wash Update!

2011-10-15T23:11:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to thank everyone who came out to support The Beaumont High School Band and Color Guard at the car wash today!

Thank you for taking time out of you schedules to come and show your support. Whether as a parent, or as just a local citizen who was willing to take the time to have the group wash your car. Also thank you to the customers who made extra donations, know that your money is going to a very special group of kids. I know the kids really appreciated all the support and encouragement that they received today. The kids were very tired by the end of the afternoon, but they had lots of fun, If you were unable to join us this time there are more car washes planned to take place sometime in the spring.

Car Wash!!

2011-10-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

Anyone who is in the Banning/Beaumont, Ca area: The Beaumont High School Marching Band and Color Guard will be holding a Car Wash this Saturday(tomorrow) to help raise fund for their group. If you haven't purchased a ticket for the car wash yet that's okay. You can still come get your car washed without one. (you will however need to pay for it, of course)
It will be held at the corner of 6th St. and Pennsylvania in Beaumont. Prices are as follows: $5 donation for a car and $8 donation for a truck. They will be there washing from 9am-3pm. So come out and support a good cause and help encourage some amazing kids!

I personally will be there from 12-3, so if anything, come out to meet me! (And get your car washed while you are at it!)

Thanks in advance, email me with any questions!

AimeeKay

DonorsChoose.org Blog: Starbucks and MSNBC Team Up and You Can Too!

2011-10-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, here's a good one I found in last Sunday's paper. This one is good for anybody, even those of you who don't have kids in school. Starbucks is teaming up with MSNBC. From now until 12/31/11* when ever you buy specially marked packages of Starbucks Gold Coast Blend-Morning Joe Edition they will donate $5 to a DonorsChoose.org project of your choice. All you have to do (besides buy the coffee, of course) is enter the code from the back of the package at donorschoose.org/starbucks.
So if you're a Starbucks fan, or just feel like helping out a good cause, go buy a specially marked bag of Starbucks Gold Coast Blend-Morning Joe Edition! Go, go now!

If you're interested in finding out more about it go to:
DonorsChoose.org Blog: Starbucks and MSNBC Team Up and You Can Too!

*or until $600,000 has been donated)

Fund-Raiser!!

2011-10-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

O.k. Once again the San Gorgonio Middle School Theater Group is having a candle fund-raiser. Unfortunately this still does not allow you to purchase online. So if you are interested in purchasing any of the candles and are in the Banning or Beaumont, California area please email me. That way I can put you in touch with one of the group who is selling these candles. This fundraiser is for them to raise money for this years performance of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Which is scheduled for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of December. (I will have more on times and place later)

There are 15 different scents and each one is $10. The only thing over $10 is the Jar Candle Topper and Base which is $18. It also says the burn time on the candles is 50hrs.

Iced Gingerbread

Cucumber Melon

Christmas Holly

Crisp Cotton Breeze

Lavender Spice

Mandarin Mulberry

Baked Apple Pie

Holiday Home

Angel Wings

Cinnamon Sticks

Mango Cooler

Warm Cinnamon Pumpkin

Hot Cinnamon Rolls

Vanilla Cream

Candy Mint Twist

20% off Teacher Appreciation at KMart.

2011-09-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, the title pretty much says it all. If you got the circular for Kmart this week be sure to check it out. On the back page they have a coupon for teachers. It's good from 9/11/11-9/17/11 and is gott for 20% off all back-to-school stationary items. It's eligible to all teachers with appropriate ID.
So if you're back in your classroom and looking to save some money on supplies be sure to check it out.
Not a teacher? That's fine, if you have the circular, why not clip the coupon and send it in with your kid to your local school or just drop it off yourself. I'm sure it will make some teacher's day.

Zout Helps Teachers

2011-08-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

Looking for a fun way to acknowledge that extra special teacher in your life? Don't feel like leaving the house in this horrible weather we've been having lately?
Zout (from Purex) is giving away $2500 to help a teacher stock their classroom. All you have to do to nominate you teacher is go to the Purex Facebook page and click on the Zout Helps Teachers tab on the left hand side. Then just fill out the form and there ya go. (You do have to "like" the Purex Facebook page before you can enter) The contest ends Friday September 16th.They will then select a random teacher to win the $2500 sometime around September 19th. (Click here for more official rules) So be sure to go and nominate your favorite teacher before then!
Wouldn't $2500 for their classroom be a nice way to start of the school year?

Back to School Savings

2011-08-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

****** ****Just a little shopping update...If you live in the Banning/Beaumont, California area:
1-the walmart is out of its .75 cent filler paper. (not sure when they will be getting more in, and if it will be in time for this sale or not.)
2-if you are looking for compasses the new walgreens on Oak Valley Parkway has compasses for .50 cents back in its clearance section. just go in past the make-up department to the end of the aisle and there are a whole bunch left.************************

So are you ready for school yet? School here starts tomorrow. So I hope I am. I never really know how ready I am until after they get home from the first day and tell me everything that they still need to get. lol.
Well here's a list of the sales going on this week. Hope you find them helpful!

K, Walgreens (click here for your local circular) :

They have a few buy one get one free items (folders and notebooks and stuff)

Penway wooden ruler .29 cents. (again these you will probably need to go through as a large percentage of them aren't even)

Penway 24 pack crayons .29 cents

Splash color binder .99 cents

Liquid paper correction fluid or tape .99 cents

Index divider with pockets .99 cents

With coupon from Circular:

Elmers school gule or 2 pack glue sticks (limit 3) .79 cents

It's Academic 5 inch scissors .49 cents

Penway or wexford index card case holder or poly slider pencil case .49 cents

Bic Ultra round stic grip pens-8 pack- .99 cents

Penway or wexford 1 subject notebook-70 sheets- .49 cents

Here's for Walmart (click here for local circular):
Cra-Z-Art Crayons-24 ct-.25 cents

Cra-Z-Art Watercolors-8 ct- .97 cents

Crayola Markers-10 ct- .97 cents

Crayola Colored Pencils-12 ct- .97 cents

Paper Folder 2 pockets with or without prongs- .15 cents

1 subject notebook-70 sheets- .20 cents

100 scheet Composition book- .40 cents

1 inch economy binder- 2 inside pockets - .92 cents

Paper mate ballpoint pens-12 pack- .97 cents

They also have a lot of other sales, plus they really don't have limits on items. (at least from what I've seen)

Here's for Big Lots (click here for the weekly circular):lue

2 pocket laminated porfolios .50 cents

2 pk. dry erase markers .50 cents

4.oz school glue .50 cents

3 ct. glue sticks - .50 cents

Rite Aid (click here for the weekly circular)

The only think with Rite Aid is you need to have their Wellness+ card to get the deals. So if you are planning to go make sure you get one. So all these sales are WITH the Wellness+ card.

Playskool crayons-24 ct.- .29 cents

Mead notebooks-70 sheets- .29 cents

Plastic or Wooden rulers- .29 cents

Pick erasers-2 ct- or eraser tops-15 ct- .29 cents

paper or poly portfolios- .29 cents

Sheet protectors- .29 cents

Glue sticks or glue- .29 cents
Pencil case or pencils-10ct- .29 cents

They also have a lot of buy one get one frees

Hopefully these were helpful, if you know of any better deals etc, just let me know and I will put them up too!

The Venus Goddess Fund for Education

2011-08-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Gillette Venus Razors is pairing up with Jennifer Lopez to help raise money for it's Venus Goddess Fund for Education. They want us all to share our "Inner-Goddess" stories. (Basically anything that makes you feel your best or helps bring out the best in you) For every story they receive they will donate $1 to their Venus Goddess Fund for Education.

Here's a quick summery of the Fund from their page:

"Venus has partnered with global charities to empower women through education.

The Venus Goddess Fund for Education helps women across the world reach their full potential. Whether providing books for children in third world countries, mentorship for teens, or scholarships to women in need, the opportunity to improve lives is endless. "

No, this is not a charity or group that directly helps out teachers or class rooms. But it does help women and children across the country and around the world get a better education, by giving books, scholarships, etc.. This is a highly positive, extremely low effort way to help out. All you need to do is click and type and enter your story. Don't even need to leave the house.
Click here to share your Inner-Goddess and help donate.

Back to School Savings

2011-08-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

So is everyone ready for School?
Depending on where you are school might not start for almost a whole month, but in my daughters' school district, school starts on August 16th.
For my younger daughter shopping is easy, since my other daughter is only a year older we already have a heads up on what she will need. My older daughter however. Not only is she entering a new grade, but also a whole new school level.(high school!!!!!!) So we aren't quite sure exactly what she will need. We have picked up the basics, notebooks, filler paper etc., but we aren't sure on the exact amounts we will need. Will she need one per subject? Will she even need one for certain classes? And are there going to be certain items that we will need that we didn't even think about? Last year that item was compasses. We got lucky and found some at Walmart that weren't too expensive. Of course then we promptly found a bunch on clearance at Walgreens almost a month later. I bought some then just because they were only .50 cents. I stashed a few at home for emergencies, and then sent some to the math teacher at the school, at least then they could have some extras for class use.
So are you ready for school yet? Do you buy everything the moment it first goes on sale? or do you wait to see if you can get an even better deal? Do you buy the basics and wait to see what additional stuff the teacher might want? or do you buy one of everything, just in case? The biggest thing that annoys me is when I buy something and come home to find I could have gotten it somewhere else for not only less, but A LOT less. So in the effort to help other parents out there school shopping, or teachers who are stocking up for their classrooms I am going to post the best sales I see around for awhile, at least until September which is usually when the sales here die off. If I see anything really good that maybe isn't advertised, like those compasses on clearance, I will post up a note on that too. I'm only putting up stuff I see in the circulars, I'm not going online, although I will try to give a link to the stores website, and I am only doing it for circulars I get. That being said, if you know of a sale that I haven't mentioned, doesn't matter if it is at a store I've mentioned or not, please let me know. I will put that info up too. I am in Southern California, so I also don't know if the Walmart or Walgreens or whatever is having the same sales in your area, just a little note in case they are. I am also going to try to post this stuff on Sunday, (not Tuesday night/Wednesday morning like I am with this one, sorry) so you can get a head start on any sales. Also I'm only putting up the best prices I see. So if it's buy one get one free I'm probably not putting it up only because I don't know the price. Or if it is cheaper at walgreens Im putting up walgreens price not a different stores. Sorry, I can only type so much...

So anyway on with the savings:

K, Walgreens first, only because I just got back from there.

Penway or Wexford Filler Paper-130 sheets-.59cents or 2/$1; 280 sheets-.99 cents
(for those of you who don't know what filler paper is, it's that lined paper you put in binders)

Penway or Wexford 60 or 70 sheet notebooks are .29 cents; the 120 sheet notebooks are .99 cents
If you have the coupon from the circular you can also get the Penway composition 80 sheet notebooks for only .49 cents. (the difference between the composition and the regular notebook is the notebook has the spiral on the edge)

If you have the coupon you can also get It's Academic 5 inch scissors, 2 pack of Elmers glue sticks or Elmers school glue for only .29 cents.

Crayola 24 pack of crayons is on sale for $1. But you get $1 in Register rewards so it's basically like getting it for free. but there is a limit of 1 (so if you need more than one you gotta go and come back)

Crayola Markers-10 pack- are .99 cents

Crayola White Poster Board is .29 cents

Penway Highlighters and Designers pencils are only .09 cents each

Penway wooden 12 inch rulers are only .19 cents. (the only comment I have on these is that a lot of them are not straight or have other issues, so maybe spend the extra cash on a different one, or be prepared to spend extra time searching through the box for one with no faults)

Penway or Wexford School box or carry alls (pencil pouches for the binders) are only .59 cents (which is funny cause if you look inside the circular there is a coupon saying you can get them for .69 cents)

2 pocket Wexford folders aer .09 cents

Penway or Wexford No. 2 pencils are .19 cents

Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils-10 pack-are .39 cents

Paper Mate 1.2 stick pens(regular pens)-10 pack- are .29 cents

Expo markers-2 pack-are .99 cents; 4 pack is 1.99 (but the 4 pack is 4 different colors the 2 pack they are both the same color)

Paper Mate EraserMate pens-4 pack-.99 cents

Corner Office or Wexford Index Cards (100 count) are .39 cents

Penway or Wexford Erasers (both the 2 pack of the pink ones and the 24 count pencil toppers) are .39 cents

Wexford Binder or Splash Color Portfolio (1 inch) are .39 cents.

Wexford or Corner Office 5 tab divider's are .39 cents

Penway or Wexford Index card holders and slider pencil cases are .39 cents

With coupons you can also get :
-Penway or Wexford Pencil Sharpeners for only .39 cents
-It's Academic stretch book covers for .69 cents (this is the same coupon that I mentioned above that has the pencil pouches for .69 cents that are listed for .59 cents on the outside of the flier, and honestly they are *meh* in the actual works well department. I bought them last year, and I should have just gotten paper bags at the grocery store and made the book covers out of those, then the kids could have designed them any way they wanted and they probably would have lasted A LOT longer)
-Corner office or Wexford 2 pack corrction fluid (generic white out) .99 cents
-Penway or Wexford 2 pocket folders with prongs, 6/$1

Tech Gear Zipper Binders are $6.99 (this is a good price since the mead binders are 9.99)

On the more expensive end, certain backpacks are buy one at 9.99 get one free. I found last year that if you go to Big Lots you can get them for less, but go early because there is a good chance they will be sold out.

There are also LOTS of other school items for sale, I just listed the ones that were incredibly low click here to check out the online weekly circular.

Here's for Kmart (click here for the weekly circular, on this one be sure to change it to your local area):

Crayola colored pencils-12 count-$1; You can also get Crayola crayons-24 pack-for only .25 cents. but there is a limit of 4

Elmer's school glue-.25 cents. but again limit of 4

also they have Lunch kits (lunch boxes basically) for only 9.99

Here's for OfficeMax (click here for the weekly circular, again just make sure you change your location):

OfficeMax filler paper-100 sheets- .01 cents. thats right 1 penny but there is a limit of 3.

Paper Mate Write Bros. Black or Blue Ballepoint pens-10pack- .10 cents limit 3
with the coupon from the circular you can get composition books-100 sheets-for .50 cents

There are also a lot of buy one get one free items and buy two get two free items so be sure to check out the circular.

Hopefully these were helpful, if you know of any better deals etc, just let me know and I will put them up too!

update

2011-08-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have put up a new post, and it doesn't look all squished. *fingers crossed* that the problem, Whatever is was is solved. I have some posts scheduled to go up over the next few days, weeks, etc. So if you happen to see them and they start to look all jumbled up and squished again, please be kind enough to let me know. (hopefully it wont)

Box Tops for Education

2011-08-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give a friendly reminder about different Box Tops for Education programs. Right now, not only do they have a lot of double box top rewards on certain products, they also have a lot of online specials as well. Haven't signed up for any online program yet? What are you waiting for?

Click here to sign up for Box Tops 4 Education. They have a complete list of which products have Box Tops on them (and it's printable). You can also shop online and receive eboxtops for your school. (no clipping required) There are over 100 different online stores you can earn box tops in, and not just stores that are strictly online, you can also shop Kmart, Best Buy, Kohls, just to name a few. Plus they have printable coupons that you can use to save money on items with box tops. They also have recipes, tips, and contests to win more box tops. You can also check out what your schools goal is and how far they have to go to meet it.
Click here to sign up for Reward Your School with Bonus Box Tops and you'll receive an extra 5 bonus tops. (I know, I know that's only .50 cents, but that's more then nothing right?) This program lets you choose from 15 different stores, and then enter your corresponding store card number. Then it will load your card with bonus box top offers. Such as when you buy 3 of a certain item you can receive 10 bonus box tops. You can also create your own personalized shopping list that you can take to the store so you remember what you can buy that will help you get those extra box tops.

update

2011-06-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

Hi im currantly have issus putting up posts in my blog. when i try to put up anything new everything gets scrunched together. i am working on trying to fix this. please feel free to leave me suggestions or email them to me. (aimeelavalle@gmail.com) thank you.

AimeeKay

Support Judy Mays

2011-04-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

So yesterday on Facebook, I came across this item:

Parents: English Teacher Writes Racy Novels

Now you can click on the link and read what WNEP has written. Although I also suggest watching the video as well since there are some things that were stated in the video that somehow managed not to make it to the written portion.
Here's the deal. This blog is dedicated to helping people find ways they can help their local schools. Yes sometimes I get on my soapbox when I see something that is truly upsetting. For example one of my more recent posts involving teachers being terminated to save money and field trips going virtual. I don't do book reviews on my blog, or participate in blog hops, or other blog related items, because I don't feel it relates to the topic of the blog itself. Well this is one of those items that has got me dusting off my soap box again!

Judy Mays writes romance novels. Judy Buranich has been a teacher for 25 years. Ms. Mays is adored by her fans. Mrs. Buranich is adored by her students. They are the same person. Mrs. Buranich does not bring her work in to the classroom. In fact she doesn't advertise in class at all that she writes under the pen name Judy Mays. Yet some high minded, busy-bodies who obviously have nothing better to do have decided that because Mrs. Buranich writes romance novels that she should no longer be qualified to be a teacher. Much less a High School English Teacher. Really?!?!? In fact said busy-bodies even felt the need to bring Mrs. Buranich's private life, into the public spot light. Unfortunately they were able to find someone at WNEP with a taste for trash news who was willing to humor them and put their story on the air!
Seriously this really got to me on multiple levels.First there is the whole privacy issue. I know in today's society, where one can find out pretty much anything about anyone with the press of a few buttons, privacy has pretty much gone the way of the dinosaur. But anyone can see that Mrs. Buranich took extra effort to keep her writing life and her teaching life separate. Even on her website I was unable to find an actual picture of Judy Mays. The only referral to what she does besides writing is where she states she is "disguised as a mild-mannered tenth grade English teacher in a small public high school"** The t.v. station showed a video interview of Judy Mays discussing her novels and compared it to a picture of Mrs Buranich to confirm they were the same person.
I'm sure she kept her personal life as private as possible to avoid people using it against her. Which brings me to the second thing that really gets to me about this. Teachers are people too! They deserve One of the busybodies actually said Mrs. Buranich should choose which she wants to do, teach or write. Really? I know tons of teachers who have second jobs for various reasons, who would never be told to make that choice. Mrs. Buranich's second job didn't interfere with her teaching. Obviously now it is but that was through no fault of her own. If a teacher has a second job and must choose between the two what next? I know, I know she writes erotic romance. OOOOOOO. Big whoop. It doesn't come into her classroom it wasn't involved in her teaching at all. If we force someone to choose over something as minuscule as this what next? Will a teacher be terminated over their religion?? Or because they are gay? Or because they choose to marry someone outside of their race or culture? Or maybe even because they are married at all. After all that would possibly interfere with their job. She isn't breaking the law with what she writes. So really it's no ones business but her own. Especially since she doesn't bring her work to school with her. People teachers have lives. They don't live at school. See I knew this my whole life. I grew up with a parent who was a teacher. So it didn't shock me when I saw my teacher at the grocery store. I did have to explain to my own kids that their teacher didn't live at school. I'm sure everyone with children has had a similar moment. They are cute and sweet. Apparently none of these busy-bodies parents ever explained this to them. Because of people like them teachers everywhere feel the need to not have any type of life, since somebody might use it against them.
Then there is the third thing that is bugging me. The one that most relates to this blog. School funding is a nation wide crises. Teachers are basically required to fund their own classrooms and projects if they decide they want something better for the kids. Mrs. Buranich has been teaching for 25 years. I'm sure some of her money from her extracurricular activity has even found it's way into her wallet to help supply her own classroom at some point. What aggravates me is that not only do these women have nothing better to do, but the news has nothing better to report than this. How about they report about schools having to cut perfectly qualified staff because of a cut budget? How about they report about the art classes that get canceled because the school can't afford them? How about if the parents want to make a positive influence in their children's lives they start by showing them how to help others and volunteer to help in some after school programs, instead of showing them how to hound and harass people.
Maybe Mrs. Buranich has never had an under funded classroom. Maybe the schools in the area are some of the lucky few that aren't underfunded and have never had programs cut and those "concerned " parents have never had to see their kids cry because they no longer have their favorite classes available. Maybe the local news area that WNEP covers hasn't been hit by the nationwide economic down turn.
That's a lot of maybes that maybe I just don't believe. That being said, if you all out there in computer land feel as I do that this is a bunch of bull-pucky and that this is a pointless witch hunt. Please feel free to show your support for Judy Mays aka: Judy Buranich. Visit and like the facebook page Support Judy Mays (Mrs. Buranich and/or visit her Amazon page. ( I am not putting a direct link up to her website only because it is age restricted and I know there are some minors that every so often read this blog.) Also feel free to go to WNEP and let them know how you feel about tabloid trash reporting, especially when there are more important things going on in the nation.

**here is the link to her amazon page where the quote is also . I am not putting up the direct link to her website since it is restricted to only over 18 and I know I have readers who are under 18 here.
Judy Mays Amazon Page

First We March on Austin by V. Furnas

2011-04-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

Ok in March I posted And Now, a Visit by What???? . In it I referred to V. Furnas and a post she had written for her blog Life 4 Me By Me entitled First We March on Austin back on March 12th. Well I spoke with her and she was kind enough to let me re-post the original post of First We March on Austin here in its entirety. So here you go:

Waking up at 5:30 am after a week of double shifts is not how I planned to spend my first Spring break Saturday. My father taught me that there are times you have to do what you have to do, regardless of how you feel. Today, I had to be in Austin.

The school district I teach in has been slow to release information regarding any reactions to budget "adjustments" that will need to be made to meet budget short falls for next year. One of the things that has been on the list of schools all over the nation are layoffs. The target is for the new teachers fist. The one to three year teachers that have just started their journey, have started living the life they have dreamed of since childhood when they fist clutched chalk and taught their dolls and stuffed animals. My best friend is 40 days from being out of this range. She received the notice that her contract is up in the air last week. This has sent us both on a mission to save not just her, but the children and the teachers that will remain. It is the reason I wake up when I would really love to sleep late.

An organization, Save Texas Schools, organized a rally to march onto the capitol building. When I got there, they had the building surrounded and were marching to the main stage set up in the back side. "Save our schools," was chanted by more then 10,000 Texas teachers and education supporters.

Texas has long had a love hate relationship with education. We love to make education mandatory, make testing and rules on how paper work is maintained but we hate to provide proper finance. Texas is 37th in funding per pupil in the United States. That means as a state we spend $9,227/student in Texas that is $1,359 below the national average.

Texas is however, number one in teen pregnancies, and death penalty sentences.

Marching shoulder to shoulder, stroller to stroller the chants grew louder. Several brought drums, beating in time to their walking they rounded the building.

One second there was a strong crowd next to the stage, then I turned around and there were masses and masses. Women and men wearing green shirts wondered around passing out dots. Red dots to count the number of people. By their counts the numbers were over 11,000.

I am wearing mine! (Don't judge the hair it was windy and humid. And the pink face is from 15 minutes of being in the sun. Don't even want to talk about what the face looks like now. Whooo. Should have worn giant sunglasses like my friend, then you wouldn't see the bags under the eyes.)

Back to the rally...

The most amazing of the speakers was the Superintendent from Perrin-Whit ISD (outside of Ft. Worth), John Kuhn. In his inspired speech he requested equitable treatment for school districts. Likening the present system that lawmakers are continuing to create as "the new American caste system," where the rich send their children with vetted resumes to get a private education while funding is continually cut for the poor, and the immigrant. Mr. Kuhn stated that he will not be apart of such a system, he will educate every child especially the "broken." The crowd erupted into cheers. Goose bumps crawled up my skin.

That was the moment I drove three hours to feel. Being a part of the community of Texas educators standing together and yelling out that we would stand together as one.

I beg fellow Texans to become educated on the issue and vote accordingly. This is not the time to stand passively by, shrugging and saying "it will be what it will be, no one will listen to me." You have to talk to be heard. Exercise your first amendment right, and protest! Shout and be heard.

If you missed the rally and live in Texas there will be a second one, Monday*

Be there. Your children's future depends on it.

******************Ok. Just so there is no confusion this was part of her original post, however obviously that was March 12, so this second rally/march has already occurred. *****************

I just wanted to say thank you again to V. Furnas for letting me re-post her original post. And I encourage all my readers to go check out her blog Life 4 Me By Me.

Just a Reminder...

2011-03-31T20:04:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to remind anybody who is interested in See's Candy that the sale for San Gorgonio Middle School ends Sunday. Just click here for more information.

Also if you live in or plan to be in the Beaumont/Banning, California area be sure to come out to DelTaco's Give Boldly to School's Night on April 6th from 4pm-8pm, to help raise money and show your support for Three Rings Ranch Elementary. Remember it's at the DelTaco off of Beaumont Ave, in Beaumont. Click here for more details.

Plus to all those gardeners out there hoping for April showers to help water your May flowers. If you haven't gotten enough pretty or colorful flowers to add to your garden, be sure to check out the Flower Power Fundraiser! The last date to purchase from it is April 29th, and the proceeds benefit the Art Club at San Gorgonio Middle School. Click here for more information.

Also a big Thank you for the Buzz from Meghan over at mmriley.com, when she mentioned my post Script Frenzy Young Writer's Program. This starts tomorrow! For more information click here!
Please don't forget to vote for my blog at We're on the Fence, picketfenceblogs.com. Just click on the little rectangular button to the right! Thank you!

And now, a visit by what????

2011-03-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

Ok. I know I promise not to get on my soap box. But this article I read in the paper the other day and a blog post I read around the same time really got stuck in my head.
The article was from The Press-Enterprise on March 22, and the title was And Now, A Visit By Video. (You can find a copy of it at The Press-Enterprise's site, although it's $2.95 to read it. However they do have a version of it online titled Virtual Reality The Newest Thing In School Field Trips . )
The blog post was by V. Furnas, at Life 4 Me By Me, entitled First We March on Austin, from March 12.

The article, as it's title implies, is about the new trend in school field trips where instead of actually getting on the bus, and having a hands on experience, the students sit in the classroom and through videos, cameras, and computers have a "field trip". The main reasoning behind this new form of virtual exploration? It is not because they are exploring countries a world away. The main reason is schools don't have the money to pay for the travel expenses. (gas, buses, etc) Because of budget cut backs most schools get the funds for field trips from fund raisers, or the parents of the students pay for the trips. I know we've all had that happen. "Mom the class is going to such-and-such place. I need you to sign the permission slip. Oh and I'll need $30 too."
Now if kids are going to a water park or theme park, such as the end of year trips to Knotts or 6 Flags. I understand where fund raising or parents should have to help pay for the kids to go. Going down a water slide is not really related to my child's education, nor will it help them get into college. (Even though my 14 year old could probably give me a list of reasons why it is related and would help, sorry no I don't think so) However, going to someplace that is related to the subject they are learning about? For example, every year 4th graders around here do a whole big thing on the California Missions. Going on a field trip to a local mission would definitely be something that would be fun and educational for the kids. Why aren't field trips like this allowed for when the budgets are figured out?
This brings me to the other topic that has been bugging me. I was reading First We March on Austin , you should read it, in fact I'll wait while you go check it out. Checked it out? Good, ok so she was talking about a rally she went to in Austin that was held by Save Texas Schools. And the whole reason behind the marching and the rallying is because of school budgets getting cut, and to save money they are laying off perfectly good teachers simply based on how many years they have worked. The thing is this isn't just happening in Texas, it is happening all over the U.S. I'm not saying that a teacher who has been teaching for 20 years has more right to teach. I'm saying that it is a pretty crummy way to cull the herd. Why not instead offer incentives for teachers that might like to retire early? Or base the layoffs on evaluations? I mean teachers are now required to have specific accreditation and what not. So on paper all teachers should be equal right?
Yes I know California, and most states for that matter, are in debt. The whole country is in debt for that matter. I just think that instead of cutting funding to education maybe putting some money into it might be a bit of a better idea. I mean kids are our future right? I really don't care if the person teaching my child has had fifty years working with kids, or if they are fresh out of college, as long as they are able to communicate the information to my child in such a way that it makes an impact. In a way that gets them involved and gets them to want to learn more, I think that is more important. I also would much rather that money is budgeted to send classes on curriculum based field trips then to send some senator or governor on a trip to some island retreat. I'm not going to say I know how to fix all the problems, I know the government has money issues and greed issues. But somebody somewhere should be able to do something right? Just saying.

DelTaco & Three Rings Ranch Elementary

2011-03-26T00:26:00.000-07:00

I love DelTaco. They are one of my favorite fast food restaurants. I've always liked them, but I truly fell in love with the a few years ago when I discovered that for some reason their soft tacos are one of the few foods I can keep down when my heart meds make me nauseous. Well now I have even more reason to love them!!! They have a new program: Give Boldly to Schools Night! (ok. I am assuming it is new, it might not be, but this is the first I've heard of it, so until I'm corrected I'm saying it's new) This is great! Now I can go buy a bunch of the food that I love, AND not feel so guilty about it 'cause it's helping out a local school. (after all helping out a school in need is MUCH more important than my diet. lol) Plus it's the DelTaco I go to all the time. They even gave me taco wrappers when I made Fondant and Icing Tacos for my friends shower. (See not the only one with a Deltaco obsession)( I know they only gave me 4 its not like they broke the bank or nothing, but it's still pretty cool.)

What can I say she had an obsession with pizza and DelTaco tacos.

Okay so to everyone in the Banning/Beaumont, California area here are the details:

Where: 435 E.4th Street or more simply the DelTaco in Beaumont on Beaumont Ave, just

Beaumont, Ca past the entrance to the 10.

or click here to see driving directions from google maps.

Picture from Google maps

When: April 6th 2011

From 4pm-8pm

20% of the net sales go to a local school, which in this case is Three Rings Ranch Elementary.

So whether you know someone at Three Rings Ranch Elementary that you would like to show your support for or you just want to support a local school or you just really want some Deltaco, be sure to come out on the 6th!

Not in the area? Is there a DelTaco near you? Go check it out. Maybe they are having Give Boldly Nights, the one I frequent had a big sign on the front door couldn't miss it. No sign, just ask. Maybe they don't have a school set up to have one yet, in which case, if you know someone from a local school why don't you suggest they go check it out?

Script Frenzy Young Writer's Program

2011-03-16T01:12:00.000-07:00

Back in October I told you about NaNoWriMo's Young Writers Program, and how it can be used in the classroom. Well for any of you who participated in November's novel challenge, you probably have heard of Script Frenzy. This post is for the rest of you.
April is Script Frenzy month. Like it's counter part in NaNoWriMo in November, it is a whole month dedicated to writing. Except this month's goal is to write 100 pages of a original scripted material (for example a screenplay, stage play, TV show, short film, or graphic novel), instead of a 50,000 word novel. Also, as with NaNoWriMo, they have a Young Writer's Program for this event. Again this Young Writer's Program version offers kids an chance to set their own goals and work in groups. (Where as with the adult group requires that you write the full 100 pages.) They also offer tons of helpful resources. From workbooks for kids, based on their grade level. (It is separated into three categories, Elementary, Middle, or High School) to How-to guides based on what kind of scripted material you are interested in writing, and much more.
Again it is also a great program for teachers to present in the classroom or as an after school program. They provide free lesson plans and a free Script Frenzy Classroom Kit. (it comes with a progress chart, and button and stuff) And they offer forums for teachers to be able to connect with each other and share ideas. They also have the NEO lending program again. (The NEO they lend out is basically a kid friendly laptop/word processor that the kids in the class can use to type up their stories on) And unfortunately again I am late on that one too, the requests for the loaner program needed to be sent in by March 15th. However as with NaNoWriMo this doesn't mean that students can't participate.
As for the rest of us who aren't teachers and aren't writing the next great screen play? Why not offer to help organize getting together pens and paper for the children to write on? Volunteering to help encourage the kids to keep writing, or coming in and helping the teacher count pages or helping the kids brainstorm or even offering to read them over when they are finished? Maybe if you have an old typewriter or word processor lending it out to the class so the teacher can help them type up their work? How 'bout even just bringing this to the attention of the teachers at your local schools?
As I said in October, in today's economy where classrooms sometimes are working with books and tools that are in desperate need of updating, and when funds are not there to do it with, this provides a new and innovative way to help encourage young writers. And helps give kids a fresh new way to learn.
So I encourage all of you reading this to go check it out!
Here is the link once again for the Script Frenzy Young Writer's Program and also the link for the main Script Frenzy site.
Also in October there was a comment from one Robert C. Roman , that his students were thrilled to participate in the Young Writers Program for NaNoWriMo and I asked him to let me know how it turned out. Well some of his students met their goals! Isn't that amazing? Currently he is looking for people to help beta read* some of the students work. Interested? Click here for more info . Imagine how much it would mean to a kid to know that someone out there wants to read their work. Not only is it helping out a teacher, it is encouraging kids to use their imaginations, and even maybe to believe in themselves. One of the most important things that I think gets over looked in this whole school funding mess is the kids. I know everyone says that the funding issue should be solved for them. But if everyone actually believed that it should be done for the kids, then why is there even an issue in the first place.
K, sorry slipped onto my soap box. :) Anyway be sure to check out Script Frenzy's Young Writer's Program, and if you're interested in Beta reading for some hard working kids, be sure to stop by Robert Roman's blog and let him know!

* according to Yahoo! Answers a beta reader is A beta reader is a person who reads the same genre fiction that your writing is, and who offers you critical (both positive and negative) feedback.

Fund-raiser!

2011-03-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

San Gorgonio Middle School's Performing Arts Department will be holding a See's Candy Fundraiser from now until April 4th. All funds go to support the performing arts department and that includes its remaining activities this year. Such as the Spring Musical and the Fine Arts Festival.

There is no online ordering for this one. (Sorry) But it you live in the Beaumont/Banning California area and are interested in ordering feel free to contact me at aimeelavalle@gmail.com. I personally am drooling over those gourmet lollipops and can't wait til they get here!

Boxtops

2011-03-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

People are always asking me what items come with boxtops. Well just recently I got this list from one of the local schools. Also you can go to boxtops4education.com and sign up for their program online. It takes about a minute to sign up. Then you just put in your zip code and find schools in the area who are signed up for the program. Some of the great things you can do? Help earn Box tops online, Sign up for contests to win box tops for your school, and they also have coupons you can print out to use for brands that carry boxtops. You can also see what your schools goal is, as well as what they have currently earned for the year.

Sundance Elementary: Early Act, Mentor Programs

2011-02-20T14:33:00.000-08:00

So a while back I wrote a post regarding Box Tops, Campbell's Soup labels, and those little metal tabs from the tops of soda cans. One of the people I spoke with regarding these items was Mrs.Waters from Sundance Elementary. The thing I thought was especially cool about the whole can tabs collecting was that it doesn't really do anything to benefit the schools who participate in it. It is a perfect example of how even though teachers are struggling to provide for their own classrooms, and even though students are suffering because of lack of funding they still are willing to do things to benefit others. (The tab program benefits The Ronald McDonald House)

Mrs. Waters and Mr. Bowers

Mrs. Waters is also in charge of Early Act. Early Act is a group of students, that is sponsored by the local Rotary Club. Early Act looks for various programs that they can provide service for or help donate too. The Early Act group at Sundance is made up of approximately thirty 4th and 5th grade students. They help organize the Box Tops and Campbell's Soup labels brought in by their fellow students. They have raised money for Relay for Life, hosted different dinners for the local rotary club, helped with the local city wide clean up, and they hold car washes, as well as after school movies and school dances to help raise money for their programs. In fact the year end goal for these students isn't a trip to a theme park, or a party. They hold and serve a dinner for their parents.

Inside a Power Box

Today they were helping out Side by Side Humanitarian . This is a local food bank that among other things helps "to resource and distribute food in the San Gorgonio Pass communities of Calimesa, Beaumont, Cherry Valley, Banning and Cabazon, California. Future plans include expansion into eastern Riverside and surrounding desert communities." It's founder, Kevin Bowers, came to the school with food and boxes and the kids eagerly helped make power boxes to give to local homeless. Power Boxes are boxes that contain one meal for one person. Within roughly over 30 mins they had made 100 boxes. The kids don't get any reward for this, no medals, no special prizes. Yet none of them complained and they were even looking forward to helping again.

If you are a local group that would like to become involved with Sundance's Early Act feel free to email Mrs. Waters at twaters@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us.

Not part of a local program or group but would like to be involved? Sundance also has a Mentor program. A Mentor adopts a class and once or twice a week goes in to help out. For example they help read to students, or work one on one with the students. You don't need to have a child in the school to help out, but you do need to get fingerprinted. Interested? Just go in to the school and speak with the secretary at the front desk.

Gosh, as I said before, isn't it amazing that with currant economic problems and everything else, the teachers at this school are still making the effort to instill a sense of compassion in their students. Huh, really makes you think. I'm not saying all teachers are super heroes, or that all teachers go above and beyond, but in that same reasoning not all teachers are lazy and apathetic only working so they can have off for summer vacation. That being said maybe you don't have time to spare helping out at the school itself, but how hard would it be to clip a box top or two and drop it off at your local school? Maybe a soup label? These programs help bring in funds that the schools can use to help continue such programs like Early Act.

To find out more about Side by Side Humanitarian click here.

Act clubs sponsored by Rotary clubs aren't just limited to elementary age children if you are a teacher and interested in starting your own Act club click here for more info.

Sungevity

2011-02-06T20:02:00.000-08:00

Looking for a way to help out your school and the environment? I just found out about this one from one of my readers, Dustin Bell. (Thanks again!)

Sungevity , a home solar installer, has set up a program that helps schools raise money by getting the surrounding communities to go solar. For every customer that the school refers the school can receive up to $1000. This program is currently available in Colorado, Arizona, and most parts of California, but they say on their FAQ page that they are looking to expand to new states in 2011. This looks like a great program! Not only does it help the school it also benefits the environment, and helps save the home owner who has the solar panel systems installed money in electric bills. (Something everyone likes) The program can be run at anytime in the school year, as often as the school wants to run it. Since Sungevity solar products are for homeowners it helps to involve the whole community not just parents of children in the school. They also have an option where the school would receive $500 and the homeowner would receive $500. (if helping out the local school and the environment, aren't enough)
If you know of a school or a group that might want to raise money through Sungevity.org, go to their website to enroll. They will provide the school with all the outreach materials and information they need. Plus, not only to the have their Internet site to answer questions, they also have a 1-800 number that the school can provide to the community. In my personal opinion, the more ways a program has for people to get their questions answered is always a good thing.
They have a blog were you can find out more information on this program, and others that they are involved in, or click here to go to their FAQ page.

Know of programs or fundraisers that are helping schools and wanna get the word out? Email me at aimeelavalle@gmail.com and let me know!

Creating A Successful Student by V. Furnas

2011-02-01T19:29:00.000-08:00

So just a little intro, and then you can all get right into my guest author's post.
The beginnings of this guest post originally started with The Cubicle Chick's post 5 Tips to Help You Stay Active In Your Child's Education, Which I found while scrolling through posts on Seeded Buzz. Valerie had referred back to The Cubicle Chick's post in her own post Christmas in August on her blog Life 4 Me by Me. I thought it would be a great idea if I could have her do a guest post about how a teacher feels are good ways to get involved in your child's education, since that was what Cubicle Chick's original post had been about. And She was nice enough to spare some time from her very busy schedule to do just that.
Even if you don't have time to spare to help out with extra-curricular activities, you still would like to know that your child is getting everything out of their education that they can, right?
And while you might not have the most time to spare that you would want, this post at least helps to point out ways that you can focus the time you do have so it will hopefully be it's most beneficial. So enjoy her very informative post, and feel free to take it and use it to help yourself and your child get the most that they can out of their school time.

V. Furnas

Even though I may not have a closet filled with sweater vests that fit every season, dripping with colors and animated characters (you know the ones, the uniform of the elementary teacher), I have loved being a teacher for the last eleven years.
Teaching at its core is connecting and helping others grow. It is being there to hold the hand of parents while they take the step of letting go and allow their child to take responsibility. This looks different for every age group. I happen to teach 7th grade, the best year ever!! Teachers know it is truly a magical time of transition. The child that comes into your classroom in August that still plays with toys leaves in May a teen ready to be the young adults filling the halls of high school. The transition is different for each child. However, there are some serious predictors of success.
I know that sounds scary. Looking at your little precious with his left over milk mustache and cookie crumb facial, it is hard to picture him begging for the keys to the car. And we all worry that if we fail to make that call or email your child’s future is a goner. There are ways to help your child make this leap. That will not damage either of you. Parental support can be broken down into three different stages: early development,
relationship with educator and the at home follow up.

Early development

This is a topic that is vast in range and depth. If you are interested this link is to the government website.
It is choked full of 30ish pages of useful and exciting ideas to implement.

Keep it basic.
• Read to your child. Children that are taught to love books early love them forever.
• Teach cooperation. Teaching children in teams is professionally encouraged. Many times students can explain things to each other better than you can. Plus it saves huge amounts of time if they can ask each other questions instead of pecking at me with the same ones over and over.
• Teach empathy. These days educators are attempting to wipe out the bullying that used to be common. Programs like Rachel’s Challenge, are being introduce holding students responsible for being the ones to step in when they see bullying take place. Empathy is key to this movement.

Relationship with educators
Taking that big step into middle school parents appear to be as lost as their child. Everything changes. A teacher instead of focusing on the same 24 kids for the day, now have 150 and don’t know their names until twelve weeks into the school year. And those numbers are predicted to only grow.

• Introductory email. The best way to have your child stand out from the pack is an email at the beginning of the school year. Introduce yourself, and your child. Give any information about your child’s educational experience that will be helpful for the school year to proceed. For example, if your child has anxiety related to math, or working with groups, or needs to have the teacher check that he understands, these are all very useful. Honestly, I typically only get one to two emails of this nature every year. This does not mark your child as a problem. It separates him from the masses.

• Ask the teacher if you have a question. Two years ago I had a parent come up to me during open house. She introduced herself, told me her son loved my class. She leaned into to me and in hushed tone made a pact with me, “If you promise not to believe what my son says about me then I will promise not to believe what he says about you.” I laughed and jumped at that opportunity of immunity. Sometimes the middle school child leaves out major parts of stories focusing on a single sentence out of context. Keep that in mind when your child tells the wild tale. Shoot an email and remember 12 year olds exaggerate.

• Act quickly and proactively. Middle school is where students are learning their own organization that fits for them. Unfortunately sometimes they think it works only to find out at the end of the grading period it was a huge fail. Let them feel that. It is good to try and not be successful. Teaches amazing lessons, painful ones but it is better to get those out of the way while they are in middle school not high school or college. If they are struggling then contact teachers get recommendations. Set up a homework folder. On one side keep the work that needs to be done. On the other side work that is complete and needs to be turned in. In the brackets you can keep calendar sheets that your child will fill out daily and you can check. Works every time. There are other plans feel free to see which one works for you.

At home follow up
Students are watching you. The attitude that you have about school is the one that they will take on as well. Priority or not they will mirror it. If you come up with a plan with the teacher to help them succeed then do your part. If you feel it is not working then regroup and try something else.
The best advice I can offer parents is stay plugged in to your child. You don’t have to be the mom that is up at the school every day to be involved. Success is all about communication.

Like what you read? Want to read more from V.Farnas? Check out her blog
Life 4 Me by Me.
Interested in being a guest blogger? Let me know, send me an email at aimeelavalle@gmail.com.

Looky, looky, I posted something and it's not a fundraiser! (oh and there's a contest in there too!)

2011-01-25T17:07:00.000-08:00

Ok. So as I said in a post a few days ago between being sick, and the holidays, and a whole lotta other stress and everyday craziness I haven't posted anything for almost a month. Sorry. Going to try to work on atleast getting something up more than once a month. (I hope) I would make that a New Year's resolution, but considering most resolutions don't make it too far into the new year I don't think that would help any. If anything it might pretty much garauntee that I won't put anything else up.

This pic is of one of those stressful everyday
crazy things that seems to happen to me.
All I did was put it in the bag with some
microwave burritos and it exploded.

So at the moment I've been searching the web looking for any contests for helping schools, or anything like that. However whether it is due to the lingering pain in my head from last nights migraine or there just isn't anything out there, I can't seem to find anything. It's probably the former and I just need to look harder. So if you know of anything please feel free to post me a reply or email me at aimeelavalle@gmail.com .

I am also looking for more people to spotlight! If you know someone that deserves a little recognition, let me know. Whether they helped out a local classroom or with an after school program or if they regularly donate box tops, rewards points, whatever to their local school let me know. I'd be glad to interview them and put them in the spotlight. Please remember though that not all people want to be in the spotlight, and if I have no way to contact them I have no real way to do a spotlight on them. I personally would prefer to contacting them via email.(It is easier especially if it is a bad health day and leaving the house isn't possible) However if they are local (to me, which means Banning or Beaumont California) I wouldn't mind maybe setting up a face to face chat, that way I can get a good picture of the person, and maybe even some pics of them in action doing whatever helpful thing it is that they do. The only problem with this is that I have more bad days than good days most months so it might not be an option.

Also I am looking for anyone interested in doing a guest post. Maybe you have a great way you help out your local school? or are a teacher and have ideas that you would like to share? Contact me if you are interested. Again just email me. Just please remember posts should at least be relevant to helping out local schools, classrooms, or school programs/groups. I personally don't talk about a lot of the politics behind why the schools are underfunded, mainly because I don't feel I know enough about all the details to do so. However if you are someone in the know and would like to share that would be great too!
Or if you have a program/fundraiser for your local school that you would like to spread the word about it. I'll need the details, times, location, if it's a fundraiser if it isn't able to be ordered from online then who people can contact. But I'd gladly post about it and get the information out there.
Gosh if I can just get 12 people who want to talk that means I only have to find one thing a month to write about and I would keep my bargain with myself to try to get up more than 1 post a month! (between my health and my natural born laziness just doing one post a month might take an act of God)

One good thing I did today was check out my My Coke Rewards account. Why is that good you might ask? How does that even relate to schools? Because you can donate your points to schools that have registered with their program. (I mentioned it in one of my posts back in October) Anyway just because you can donate isn't really the good reason why I'm mentioning that I checked out my account. I'm mentioning it, because I realized that at this moment I have points that I don't know what I am going to do with. So this is were the good part and the relating to school parts comes in. To my first two readers who post a comment regarding this blog I will donate 50 rewards points to their school of choice that is registered with MyCokeRewards. Just leave the zip code for the school and the name of the school in some part of your comment so that I can find it when I go to donate. Or leave your email so I can contact you to get the information if you don't want to post it. The school has to be registered with their program for me to donate the points, so please make sure you check first. Remember this is for the first two people to post a comment on this post. (Posting once and then a second time so you are the first two comments wont get 100pts to the school of your choice that is registered.)
I'm not sure if there is a way to donate points in someone elses name or not, but I do know that it shows you how many points your school currently has so that will show that it has gone up.
If your school isn't registered, coke gives you the option of emailing the information to the principal or whoever is in charge of fundraising programs etc for the school.
Anyway, think I got all the bases on that covered. Any questions email me or comment.

Also I signed up with another blog site to help get my blog out there to more people!
See the little button on the right? The "On The Fence" one? Yea, that's them. Please be sure to click on the button and vote for my blog! Thank you!

(see I already posted more than once this month! Yay!)

Box Tops For Education $50,000,000 Flash Parade

2011-01-21T17:51:00.000-08:00

Just found this on youtube! Just a nice little reminder to save those boxtops!

Cheesecake Fund-raiser!

2011-01-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

So I didn't mean to do two back to back, but I just got this other fundraiser over the weekend and it ends the 21st!
Okay this one there is no way to order online! (sorry)
So it will probably only be of interest to you if you are in the Beaumont or Banning, California area. So if you are interested in ordering be sure to stop by Sundance Elementary School before Friday!!

Fundraiser!

2011-01-18T21:05:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody!!! Happy New Year! And I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!
Sorry I haven't been posting all month. Between the holidays and getting sick I was kinda out of it for a bit. But I'm back! Yay!

So to kick off the new year I have a new fundraiser for you! It's to help support the art club at San Gorgonio Middle School.

Simply go to Flower Power Fundraising. Click on the Place order link in the upper right hand corner. Then it will let you look up the organization. Just type in San Gorgonio Middle School, the city is Beaumont, and state California. Just click on the link and it takes you to their sales page! It lets you see what their goal is and what they have earned so far. As well as giving you options of sending emails to other people who might be interested and when the fundraiser ends! (Very cool.)
It ends on April 29th by the way, so be sure to go check it out, and invite any of your green thumbed friends who might be interested in adding some beautiful flowers to their gardens, while supporting a great cause at the same time!

Not sure? Scroll down and check out some of the flowers they are selling (but trust me you wanna take the time to go to the site, they look much better there!) :

Winners for the Clorox Power a Bright Future Contest:

2010-12-09T17:18:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to give everyone an update on the Power a Bright Future Contest.

The Grand Prize Winner is awarded a $50,000 grant. Also there were three 'Category' winners who received $20,000 grants.

The Grand Prize Winner is:
Metrolina Christian Acadamy with their entry "Bring our Warriors Home"

The three "Category" winners are:

In the Play Category:

The Collingswood Language Acadamy with their entry "We Need a Safe Place to Play"

In the Learn Category:

Archimedean Middle Conservatory with their entry "Making History Every Day"

In the Create Category:

Mountain View High School with their entry "Coming Together is a Beginning, Staying Together is Progress, and Working Together is Success"

Feel free to go check out the schools and their programs!

Superstar Spotlight: Sheri Gilbert!

2010-12-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

This Spotlight is on Sheri Gilbert! She is a terrific lady, who lives in Beaumont, Ca. Sheri read about my blog 60 pot holders in 60 days, and was so inspired she wanted to do something to help out too! Sheri decided to help two of the local students from San Gorgonio Middle School make marshmallow pretzel pops to sell at the Dickens Festival. So despite the busy holiday season she set aside some extra time to have the kids meet with her and make these wonderfully sweet and gooey treats. Lucky me, my camera and I got to join in on the fun, and even got to try one too!!!
Ok, so what exactly are marshmallow pretzel pops? (besides delicious!) They are pretzel sticks topped with chocolate and candy coated giant marshmallows. They are also easy, and fun, to make!

First you need a few ingredients:

Pretzel rods (the longer and thicker kind)

Some form of Meltable chocolate chip
A candy sprinkle or topping
and the Giant size marshmallows.

Ok, first Sheri put wax paper on every counter/surface that was going to be used. To anyone who is interested in making these this is a MUST, otherwise the clean up afterwards would be crazy. Then Sheri had the girls sort through all the pretzel rods. The great thing about this is that even if the pretzel rods are broken they can still be used! As long as there is at least 3 or 4 inches of pretzel sticking out after the marshmallow is stuck on it, it is still usable. Then after that she had the girls skewer the marshmallows with the pretzel rods. This was done with lots of shrieks and giggles from them since not all the pretzels wanted to stay in one piece and would snap as they were being pushed into the marshmallow. Fortunately most of them decided to snap at a reasonable length and therefore could be used to make another pop.

Then Sheri melted the chocolate and began dipping the marshmallowed end of the pretzels in. Now a tip to anyone who wants to try this, make sure the chocolate is well melted! If it isn't the marshmallow gets kinda stuck and the pretzel will break!

The chocolated coated marshmallow pops were than quickly handed to the girls who rolled them in a variety of sprinkles. The girls discovered that patting the marshmallows in the sprinkles worked better to fully coat them then actually rolling them, this is also important to note if you are interested in making you own. The newly covered pops where then placed back on the wax paper to dry.

After about 30 mins. the chocolate had hardened enough to wrap them up in plastic wrap and get them ready for the festival.

Don't they look wonderful? So be sure to come by the festival and get some! Make sure you come early or they'll all be gone! If you happen to see Sheri be sure to tell her thank you. The children definitely appreciate the time and effort she put in to helping them make these wonderful creations for their event! Thanks again Sheri!

So every once in a while I would like to acknowledge someone that has gone out of their way to help out a local school. If you know someone, and would like to have me interview them for a Spotlight email me at aimeelavalle@gmail.com

Want an Easy Way to Donate to Schools?

2010-12-01T03:02:00.000-08:00

People always say that they want to help but they don't have the time or resources well here's another way you can help with just a few clicks. No need to even leave your computer area, much less your house, and it won't cost you anything but a few moments of your time: Ok, so Bing is continuing its effort to help out schools. It has launched it's $1 Million Dollar Giving Challenge. From now til January 15, 2011, Bing wants to donate $1 Million Dollars to schools. How do you help? Easy. Go to: $1 Million Dollar Giving Challenge, click on the click here button (it's orange you can't miss it) Scroll down past the pictures and click on the Help Now link. A nice little window then pops up that gives you the choice of having Bing donate $1 on your behalf to donorschoose.org, or you can choose to make Bing your home page and you will recieve a donation code for $5 to use at donorschoose.org. Simple easy and no money out of your pocket. Plus no need to even leave your house.

San Gorgonio Middle School Dickens Festival and "Scrooge a Christmas Carol"

2010-12-01T02:13:00.000-08:00

If you've been reading my post 60 potholders in 60 days, then you're well aware of the Dickens Festival that San Gorgonio Middle School will be holding. Well I now have definite dates and times. So if your in the Beaumont, Ca, area, be sure to stop in and show you support for one of your local schools. They will have food, crafts, and much more. The Dickens Festival itself is open from 6-8 on December 3rd and noon to 6 on December 4th. The play "Scrooge a Christmas Carol" will be performed at 7pm on the 3rd and at 2pm and 5pm on the 4th. Hope to see you there!

Fresh & Easy Shop for Schools Program

2010-11-20T15:59:00.000-08:00

Looking for a way to help out your school? Fresh & Easy shopping centers have a Shop for Schools Program. During designated times of the year Fresh & Easy will donate $1 to a participating school for every $20 that you spend in their store.
Right now until December 31st, for every reciept over $20 that you give to one of the schools participating in their program they will give the school $1. The good thing is that it is for every $20 you spend so say for example your reciept is for $40 the school gets $2. So you don't have to shop in $20 increments. Not sure what schools are participating? Well just click here to check out the list of schools that are currantly participating.
Don't see your school? Well unfortunely the registration for this year ended on October the 1st. However don't let that get you down. Go to your school and let them know about the program. Contact Fresh & Easy and see when the next program is scheduled to start. That way your school can get prepared for the next time. Don't have a kid in a local school that's participating? That's ok, still save your receipts and just stop in the office at one of the schools that are participating and drop them off, trust me the school will appreciate it!
Don't want to stop and drop off a receipt but you still shop at your local Fresh & Easy? Fresh & Easy also will be having Shop for Schools Shopping Nights for the schools that are participating in the Shop for Schools program. Just check with your school for what is the date for their shopping night, shop at Fresh & Easy between 4pm and 8pm on that night, and 5% of the total sales from that time go to school. No need to worry about going to a school at all.

***Are you a local store or business that is having school nights? or programs to benifit local schools? Let me know I will be happy to post about it. Just email me at aimeelavalle@gmail.com. ***

Redu

2010-11-16T22:03:00.000-08:00

So Bing, in colaboration with other companies, has decided to continue its efforts in assisting education by starting the website REDU.

"REDU stands for rethinking, reforming and rebuilding US education. It is a movement designed to expand and encourage the national conversation around education reform by providing information and resources to learn, a community platform to connect, and tools and initiatives to act." (This is basically a direct quote from its "about REDU" section on its home page)
It provides links to various articles regarding education, and things people can do to help out schools and classrooms. It also provides ways for teachers and parents to interact and is linked to Donorschoose.org to help donate to schools nationwide. I think this is one more great example of a company taking initiative to help out our schools and should be applauded. Go check it out, see what it's about. Anything that helps raise attention to the national problem of underfunding in school classrooms is definitly a good thing.

"Our School Needs" contest winners:

2010-11-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

I jsut wanted to give everybody an update on who the winners of the Bing "Our School Needs" contest were.

The $100,000 grand prize winner is:
Greenfield Hebrew Academy (Atlanta, GA)- whose quest for a new roof may soon be fulfilled so students will no longer have to avoid puddles in the hallways when it rains!

The three first-prize winners, who will recieve $50,000 are:

K-6: Patriot Elementary School (Fort Carson, CO) - students from this military post need cameras and technical resources to keep in touch with loved ones overseas.

7-9: M.S. 158 Marie Curie School (Bayside, NY) - this school hopes to bring back basic school supplies and after-school programs lost in severe budget cuts.

10-12: Oakland International High School (Oakland, CA) - in a school where over 25 different languages are spoken, teachers want musical instruments, art supplies and technological equipment to bring lesson plans to life.

The winner of the Ryan's Pick $25000 prize is:
James Singleton Chtr School (New Orleans, LA) -This school is trying to form a marching band and music program, and need the funds to help supplie musical instruments, etc to the students.

Also Bing was so impressed by the finalists that they decided to award $5000 to each finalist that did not recieve a grand prize, first place prize or Ryan's pick prize.

Feel free to go check out all the schools that entered and their programs at:
www.Bing.com/OurSchoolNeeds

AND thanks to the donation codes that Bing awarded to the first 30000 voters each day, over 6600 projects and 169000 students have benifited on DonorsChoose.org.
If you still have a code be sure to redeem it before November 30th:

www.DonorsChoose.org/OurSchoolNeeds

Looking for a way to earn money for your school?

2010-11-09T16:58:00.000-08:00

To PTA/Teachers/People who handle fund raisers, etc:
Burger King in Calimesa California, is looking for schools/school groups that would be interested in partnering with them to hold a School Benefit Night. School benefit nights are a fun and reletively easy way to earn money for your school. The school contacts the restaurant, set a date, and then spread the word.
A percent of that nights sales goes to the school.
Also the night is planned around your school. Teachers are welcome to come out that night and "help out". Thus giving them a chance to get to know the parents in a non-school setting. Balloons and decorations in the schools colors, as well as other activities.
If you are associated with a school or school group in the Calimesa/Yucaipa area of California and are interested contact Alej Garcia at 951-255-0915. Or just go into the Calimesa Burger King, located off the 10 exit, off Calimesa Blvd. You can see the sign from the freeway.

This is for schools in the Calimesa/Yucaipa, California area, however the idea itself is a really good one. If your school isn't in the area of the Calimesa Burger King, why not go see if your local Burger Kings or other restaurants, ice cream shops, etc., are holding school nights. In the past I know that the local Cold Stone Ice Cream store had hosted one, Pizza Hut does, and Dairy Queen as well. Even if the store isn't a national chain or for that matter even if they don't have more than one location, that's ok. They still might be willing to host a school night, or some other form of promotion to help raise money for your school or school group. Remember this benefits them too. They get basically free advertising and good public relations with the local community. If you have a school night or program coming up, let me know. I will gladly post the time and location to help spread the word. Just email me at aimeelavalle@gmail.com.

See's Candy & Jungle Beans Coffee Fundraiser!

2010-11-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

O.k. for all my coffee and chocoholics out there, I've got a good one for you! Sundance Elementary is having a fundraiser to help support it's PTA student programs. For example: Santa's Breakfast and Imagination Machiene.(the imagination machiene helps encourage creative writing) They are selling See's Candies and Jungle Beans Coffee. Unfortunetly there is no link to purchase the See's Candies part of the fund raiser online. So if anyone is interested in anything from that part and lives in the Beaumont/Banning California area please email me at aimeelavalle@gmail.com and I will help get you in contact with someone from the school.(sorry to anyone farther away but I personally don't have the funds to ship anything.)
However the Jungle Beans Coffee portion of the fundraiser is available for ordering online. Simply go to http://www.fundraisingiseasy.com/. In the upper part of the screen there is ORDER COFFEE NOW, click on that link and it will take you to the different coffees you can choose from. Whenever you're ready to check out just enter the Sundance key code: SDE123 and 50% of these orders will also be donated to Sundance Elementary.

Be sure to check it out soon! The fundraiser ends November 15th.

Superstar Spotlight: Cheryl Adams!

2010-11-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

This first Spotlight piece is on Cheryl Adams. She is a wonderful woman who happened to hear that the local middle school was having trouble with their costumes for the Christmas play. The trouble? They didn’t have any, and funds were fairly non-existent. Well Cheryl heard this and figured she definitely could do something to help. You see she owns a store, Classy Consignments.

It is a charming consignment store. If you live in Beaumont or Banning perhaps you’ve seen it? It is on 6^th st. in Beaumont, across from the civic center and city hall. Well once a month Cheryl goes through her inventory and donates items that haven’t sold to charities in the area. Well of the main items that Cheryl takes in for sale at her store is clothing. Now while Cheryl knew that not all the clothing would be suited for A Christmas Carol, the play the students will be performing. She knew that there would definitely be items that could come in handy.

So in the spirit of wanting to help out the students she proposed an idea. If the theater teacher were to come down and help out while they were pulling this months items, then any clothing items that the teacher happened to see that would be useful for the play she could take, free. Yes FREE!

So this Sunday morning I found myself down amongst the racks at Classy Consignments, figuring two pairs of hands would be better than one. I had the pleasure of getting to know Cheryl and her assistant Monica as they worked and gave some of their own precious time to asking “What about this item?” or “How about this?” AND I got to meet Scooter. Cheryl’s adorable doggie! He was dressed up as a little devil for Halloween. At first he was camera shy, but he came around. He made rounds while we were working. Making sure everyone was ok and giving an encouraging tail wag as he trotted by.

I’m sure that having to look out for “helpers” who had no idea what they were doing, did not make the day go by faster. However both Cheryl and Monica were still helpful and entertaining. Along with the wonderfully useful items that were found, Cheryl even treated breakfast and lunch! A pleasant and unexpected bonus.

We found many modern pieces that could be converted to Victorian dress. Amongst the treasures were long velvet skirts, beautiful silky blouses and tops; even a wonderful wrist purse, the perfect accessory for a Victorian Christmas Caroler. While they are still in need of more costumes, this act of generosity definitely went a long way towards helping the students. So if you have a moment be sure to stop in and say thank you to Cheryl. She did not need to open her doors to complete strangers last Sunday, but she did. Be sure to also say thank you to Monica, who was extremely helpful and kept her eyes peeled for anything that might be useful. If you are really lucky, you might even get to meet Scooter.

Bing "Our School Needs..."Contest Finalists have been chosen!!

2010-10-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

So for the Bing "Our School Needs..." Contest the final 15 contestants have been chosen! Now it's time to go vote for which one of those schools you think deserves the prize. The school with the most votes will win $100,000. Can't decide which one is your favorite? Thats ok, because you can vote up to 5 times a day. The only catch is you can only vote once for a school per day. So if you want you can cast your vote for up to 5 different schools every day.
Want another reason to vote? The first 30000 people to vote each day will get a $3 donation code for DonorsChoose.org. DonorsChoose.org is an online charity site where teachers can post classrooom projects in need of funding. This is a really great program the connects you to teachers all over the country. You can look through different project types or through differect economic levels, to choose a project that you wish to help with. Are you a teacher looking for ways to raise money for a class project, or for a special speaker, or for even possibly a class trip? Want more information? Click here for a link to find out more information.
So go vote! Quickly! Voting ends November 7th! Remember that if you are one of the first 30,000 to vote to go use your code to donate $3 to a school at DonorsChoose.org. Didn't get a code? Still go check them out. Maybe you know a teacher at your local school that could benifit from DonorsChoose.org and would like to sign up. Be sure to tell them about it.

OfficeMax A Day Made Better & Adopt-A-Classroom

2010-10-26T00:18:00.002-07:00

OfficeMax has a program to help teachers. It's called A Day Made Better. They work with Adopt-A-Classroom to help bring much needed supplies to teachers and classrooms across the country. One day a year they surprise over 1000 teachers with over $1000 in supplies. Adopt-A-Classroom helps donars adopt a classroom to help provide financial and moral support. The fund usage is up to the choice of the teacher of the classroom. The only thing teachers cannot use the funds for is field trips.
Considering that on average teachers spend approximatly $1000 out of their own pockets each year to help supply their own classrooms. These two groups working together provide a great relief and encouragement to over extended teachers through out the country. Office Max also has many well known public figures who are also advocates for their programs.
This years adopt a classroom already occured on October 5th. Click here to view some of their stories. You too can become involved in many different ways. Anywhere from becoming involved in Adopt-A-Classroom to something as simple as buying a gift card and surprising one of your local teachers with it to use to purchase supplies for their classroom.
To become involved in Adopt-A-Classroom is easy. Simply go to thier website. They have an easy to use school locator. Type in your schools name and press go. Not seeing your school? Or don't have a specific school in mind? Simply put in your zip code and it will bring up the schools in the area that are already involved in the program. Now you may need to do some research at this point if you are interested in adopting a classroom it does ask for a teachers name and email and phone number. However you can still click on the no preference box and it will take you to where you can choose how much you wish to donate. 100% of all donations go straight to the classroom. None is taken out for anything else.
If you are a teacher you can simply click the teachers tab on the right hand side and register your classroom.
Not a teacher? Click on the launch a local program tab. Teachers, administrators, parents. All can use this option to help bring Adopt-A-Classroom to their community. They give you access to informational materials and outreach tools. These tools help to give local schools and communitys information about the program, and they also help to track your progress. Both these programs do amazing things to help out our schools.

Power a Bright Future Contest

2010-10-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

So Clorox is having a Power a Bright Future Contest. The winning school recieves a $50,000 grant. It is very similar in set up to Bing's "Our school needs..." contest . However they have already narrowed down the submissions from schools and now are onto the final voting. Just click here or on the link at the bottom of this post to go to the Clorox Power a Bright Future Contest. In the upper right hand corner is a Login Box. I suggest you put in your email and register first. Since you will have to register to vote and it doesn't take you back to the school you were voting on, so you will have to find it again. And there are LOTS of schools. They make registration easy, you can choose not to have them send you information on Clorox, Clorox products, affiliates, etc. And you don't need to confirm your email. So you can go straight on to voting. Now you can only vote for one school, but you can vote once a day so remember to go back tomorrow, and everyday until the first of November. Help your school get the program it needs. Your schools not entered? Then simply look through the schools and find one whose program you feel deserves the money. As an added bonus for those of you with printers, after you vote clorox gives you free coupons for clorox products that you can print out. Just for voting. They also have a daily game you can play for a chance to win a prize for yourself.
Remember voting for the schools ends until November 1st, and you can vote everyday! So hurry up and go vote!
So go vote! Go hurry! Why are you still on this page?

Clorox Power a Bright Future

NaNoWriMo's Young Writers Program

2010-10-24T03:32:00.000-07:00

O.k. November 1st marks the beginning of NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month. The whole goal behind NaNoWriMo is for the people participating in it to write a 50,000 word novel by midnight of November 30th. They catch is they can't start writing it until November 1st. This is a program I only first heard about last year and only this year realized how it helps our schools. How? Easy.
NaNoWriMo has a program called NaNoWriMo's Young Writers Program. This program is specifically set up and designed for children 17 and under to participate. Unlike its more adult oriented program kids can set their own word-count goals. Also it is able to be incorporated into a classroom curriculum. Best part, it's free to participate. Their website provides educators with a virtual classroom to help them better work NaNoWriMo into the classroom. They also have a NEO lending program for classes that are unable to access the internet for the duration of NaNoWriMo. The NEO they lend out is basically a kid friendly laptop/word proccessor that the kids in the class can use to type up their stories on. They also offer ways for kids to participate without using computers.
They also provide forums for teachers to communicate with one another about NaNoWriMo and workbooks for students to use to help them write their novels.
How does this relate to any of us??? Well it's free! It's a free curriculum for teachers who are strapted for cash and can't always afford some of the newer writing courses out there. It's also a great way to encourage kids to write and learn helpful organizational skills. No time in the classroom? Why not start it as an after school program? They also offer free novel proof copies to kids that reach their word count goals.
As for the rest of us who aren't teachers? Why not offer to help organize getting together pens and paper for the children to write on? Volunteering to help encourage the kids to keep writing, or coming in and helping add up word counts for the kids after they are done writing. Maybe if you have an old typewriter or word proccesor lending it out to the class so the teacher can help them type up their work? How 'bout even just bringing this to the attention of the teachers at your local schools?
There are so many ways this can be applied to benefit schools and kids it's unbelievable.
Now, unfortunetly, I know the deadline for signing up to participate is a little more than 7 days away. And the deadline for applying for the NEO's is well past. However, NaNoWriMo is a yearly event that takes place every November. Go sign up, check it out. See if it's something that you, the teacher, could see working in your classroom. Parents your kids can sign up independantly of a classroom. Why not both you and your child sign up for it this year and see how it goes. Give it a test run. Then next year already be ahead of the game and be ready in September to see about talking to the teachers at the school and seeing if it would be something they are interested in.
In today's economy where classrooms sometimes are working with books and tools that are in desperate need of updating, and when funds are not there to do it with, this provides a new and innovative way to help encourage young writers. And helps give kids a fresh new way to learn.
So I encourage all of you reading this to go check it out!
Again here are the links for NaNoWriMo's young Writers Program and NaNoWriMo itself.

What does your school need?

2010-10-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

So remember the "Our School Needs... " Contest I told you about in the What does your school need post on October 12th? The one from Bing? Well they've extended the submission date to tomorrow, AND they've extended the time you have to rate the entries to the 26th! Did your school enter? Make sure you go and vote for them! Not sure? Go check! Can't find your school, then find one you like and vote! I'm sure you can find a school that you think deserves to win!
Remember the finalists are announced on October 29th, and then the voting begins to choose a winner. The last day to vote is November 5th and the winners will be announced November 9th! Go vote now!
You will need to create an account with site to vote, it takes a second and you have to confirm your email. But really, it's not that much to do to help out a school in need. You don't have to give any money, and you don't even have to leave the house. In the time it took me to write this I confirmed my email and rated my pick. So what are you waiting for? Everyone always says the want to help!

GO,GO,GO!!!

Fund-raiser!

2010-10-15T23:01:00.000-07:00

O.k. I've got another one for you! This one unfortunetly does not allow you to purchase online. So if you are interested in purchasing any of the candles and are in the Banning or Beaumont, California area please email me. That way I can put you in touch with one of the group who is selling these candles. This fundraiser is for the San Gorgonio Middle School Theater Group. They actually started it a week early because they need the funds to purchase costumes for their Dickens Festival in December. They will be preforming "A Christmas Carol"

There are 15 different scents and each one is $10. The only thing over $10 is the Jar Candle Topper and Base which is $18. It also says the burn time on the candles is 50hrs.
The scents are:
Holiday Home
Mandarin Mulberry
Baked Apple Pie
Warm Cinnamon Pumpkin
Cinnamon Sticks
Tango Mango
Hot Cinnamon Rolls
Vanilla Cream
Butter Cream Cookies
Cucumber Melon
Mint Chocolate
Christmas Holly
Crisp Cotton Breeze
Angel's Touch
Gardenia

Coke Rewards

2010-10-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Here's one for those of you who collect the codes from coke products. You probably already know about it, but just in case you don't, and for those of you who don't collect them. My Coke Rewards lets you donate your My Coke Rewards points to various schools. It's quick and painless. Just click on the spend you points button and down on the left hand side is a link that says donate to your school. Then just find a school. You can do so by entering your zip code or the state you live in. Then up pops a list of the schools in the area you've requested. Then just scroll through until you find the school you want to donate to.
If you're school's not registered let them know about My Coke Rewards. There's even a link for you to send the information to someone at the school who could register.

You can donate as little as 1 reward point. No minimums are always a good thing. You can also look at your schools wish list or the full school rewards catalog. While the cheapest item starts out at 72 points and then jumps to 420 for the next item. This is no reason to not donate, even if all you have to donate is 1pt. Pts. like box tops do add up. Anyway the minimum you recieve for a code is 3pts anyway. So if all you are collecting the points for is to donate to a school you are already going to be donating more than just one.
Also until November 30th, for every 5pt donation that a school recieves they will also recieve a sweepstakes entry to win $25000 to spend on a new playground for the school. Even if you're not into turning in codes to get stuff online, how hard would it be to save the caps from two coke products and sign up for just the next two months? Sign on get 6 points and then donate those 6 points to a school. You don't even have to go to the school you are going to donate to. Don't know a school? Just enter your zip code, or your state and then pick one randomly. I'm sure they will appreciate it. Just follow the link to go to My Coke Rewards to find out more!

http://www.mycokerewards.com/home.do

What does your school need?

2010-10-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

I just found this contest this morning. If you know of any school that could use this money please feel free to let them know about it.

Ok the contest:

Bing will award a quarter-million dollars, divided among four schools—$50,000 to three first-prize winners, and one $100,000 grand prize

Who can enter and what you need to do:
Any student or teacher from a K-12 school can enter. While students under 18 are encouraged to create the entry, a parent, legal guardian or a teacher must submit it.

Students can work in groups, classes, or even school-wide to write an essay and take pictures finishing the sentence "Our School Needs: ___________." To enter:

Write an essay (500 to 800 words)
Take pictures (3 to 5 photos)
Film a video (not required, but fun! Maximum of 3 minutes in length)

Schools will be broken out into 3 categories, K-6, 7-9 and 10-12. The top-voted entry in each category will be awarded a first prize of $50,000. The entry that receives the largest number of overall votes during the voting phase will receive the grand prize of $100,000.

The last day to enter is October 22nd!!!!!

For a more complete description of the contest and contest rules go to:

Bing: Our School Needs

Boxtops, Campbell's Soup Labels, and Tabs...

2010-10-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, most people know about Box Tops for education, some have heard of Campbell’s Soup labels for education, and while pretty much everyone has seen a soda can, and therefore seen a soda can tab, not everyone knows that a fair amount of schools collect them. Here's the kicker, the soda can tabs don't benefit the school. They actually go to the Ronald McDonald House. The school doesn't benefit from collecting them at all. I found that out today when I went to Sundance Elementary School to ask about how these programs help the schools. Isn't that mind blowing, that even when teachers have to buy classroom supplies out of their own pockets, and kids lose their favorite after school programs for lack of funding, they are still willing to help out another group of kids out there. I think that is probably a very important lesson that the kids at that school are learning, wouldn't you agree?
Now what do schools get from box tops and soup labels? A lot. Box tops if you look have a little monetary designation on them for .10 cents. No, ten cents isn’t A TON of money but labels add up. Also unlike fundraisers, were only a portion of the money brought in goes to the school, with box tops; the school gets the entire amount. As for the soup labels, the school gets points for the labels collected. Then these points can be used to purchase items for the school from a catalog that Labels for Education offers.
Now I'm not saying that if you don't purchase items with box tops or what not that you should automatically run right out there and start. If you can afford to great! But I understand that there are some of us, myself included, who sometimes have to go with an off brand to make ends meet. But if you look in your pantry or food cabinet, I bet there is probably a good chance that something in it at some point in the year has one of these two items on it. How hard would it be that when you decide to use said item. (I would say food item, but I have found box tops on non-food items as well) How hard would it be to just rip off that box top, or soup label, and put it aside? Maybe in an old tin, or a shoe box, or a junk drawer even. Then once a year just take whatever you happen to have gathered together and drop them off at your local school. Even if you aren't sure that they accept them, honestly the probably do, and even if they don't they will know somewhere that does. Really it's quite painless and it requires very little of your actual time. Now on the soup labels there is no expiration date that I have noticed. However on the box tops there usually is one, fortunately they usually are good for a few years. For example one I am looking at right now doesn't expire until June 1, 2013. So even if you only turn them in maybe once a year the expiration date shouldn't be an issue.
If you feel even more into it why not get your neighbors involved? Have them collect box tops and labels as well and every few months you can get together, see how many you have and take them in. Maybe even take turns. If you don't know of a school that uses them in the area maybe they will.
Very little time, very little effort, and honestly why not send them in if you've got them? Especially if you regularly purchase items with them on them.
And while you're at it why don't you throw some tabs in there too. :)

*****In answer to a question I've been asked recently-yes they do have expiration dates on them. The ones I've seen usually expire in approximaitly 2 years. and they have a specific month and date, as well as year.******

Fund-raiser!

2010-10-09T20:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know not everyone can afford to purchase from fundraisers and thats ok. But not everyone is broke. There are two main problems with fundraisers theses days. The first is that kids can no longer go door to door. I know this if for the safety of the children so I support that, but it greatly limits the amount of people that are actually exposed to the fundraisers. The second is that the prices have gotten flat out ridiculous on some of the fundraisers. Now the later problem I can do nothing about. However the former problem I CAN help with. Fortunetly most fundraisers have realized that students no longer have a large pool of potential clients to pull from. So they have set up web sites that out of state family members and online friends can go to and order from. The items bought are credited to the the school in the students name, and then are shipped directly to the person who bought them. Whoever thought up this idea may I just say thank you. To my followers if you know of a fundraiser please feel free to leave a comment on a post or email me at aimeelavalle@gmail.com . I will gladly post you're fundraiser information and hopefully it will help bring in more funds for the school you are raising money for.
That being said here is my first official fund raiser I am going to do that for. This particular fundraiser will benefit Three Rings Ranch Elementary School in Beaumont, California. The name of the fundraiser is Kids are First. I have personally been able to look over this fundraiser (it is for my friends daughter) and it is a good one. There are lots of items to choose from and they have decent prices starting at $6. Also on the order form if a person just wants to make a donation they can. I am not sure if this is possible if you order online, but it is definitly a bonus. After all the whole point is to raise funds for a school. That doesn't necessarily mean that the person who is ordering something actually wants what they are ordering.
The fundraiser is running from October 8th, 2010-October 22, 2010. So be sure to check it out!
. You can shop online at:

http://www.westcoastfundraising.com/store/brochures.php?sID=thr7588

The school receives profit from the sale and the student will receive prize credits. Enter the student ID below to begin.

Thank you for your support.

If the link above does not work, please use the following link and enter the student ID: http://www.westcoastfundraising.com/store/index.php

60 potholders in 60 days....

2010-10-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, no more soap box. Not unless something REALLY insane happens. (say more science classes having to raise funds for class for example :) )

Ok, anyway. I am going to chronicle in this post my newest volunteering adventure. Making potholders!!!! OOOOOO...don't all get all excited all at once. lol

So anyway, the girls are having a winter dickens festival in December. I will be posting a time, date, location spot as soon as I get it. Right now the only thing I know about that for sure is that it is on the 3rd and 4th of December and that it will be at the San Gorgonio Middle School. As part of the festival they will be having booths to sell items to raise money for the different clubs at the school. Well of course my youngest daughter hit me up to make cupcakes. (that will be a different post all together) and then both of them hit me up about learning to crochet. Apparently some of the booths will contain home made craft items.

Well, unfortunately for me, no one thought to lock me in the house the next day, or to due anything sane like take away my car keys. So what did I do, oh I had already agreed to make cupcakes, but there is always something more I could do between now and December...right? Long story a little bit shorter, after talking to the teacher I now find myself making potholders to donate for sale to one of the booths. I gave myself a personal goal of 60 potholders to be made before the 1st of December. Which is approximately one a day for the next 60 days. Considering that I can make potholders anytime, anywhere, and that it isn't exactly a physically demanding process this is actually an obtainable goal. So everyday I will be adding to this post, and putting up pictures of the potholder(s) I have made for that day. Feel free to point out which ones are your favorites, or you favorite design or color combination. Remember I am trying to finish this well before my actual finish date. I do have other things that I have to take care of. So also feel free to pass on any helpful hints or your own tale of volunteering adventure, or misadventure, to help me pass the time.

these are the ones I made before the 7th.

10/7/10

10/8/10

10/9/10

10/09/10---One more down!!! :) O.K. I'm really not sure on the color of this pair. It's BRIGHT yellow, but i guess it looks good. Also finally got a container to store all the finished potholders in so today was definitely a productive day. Let me know what ya'll think. Don't forget to check out the questions at the top of the page and post some answers.

10/10/10---None today. : ( I started a pair and almost finished it. But between burning my arm on the frying pan while making quesadillas, food shopping, and getting a nail in my tire. Just didn't get a chance to finish them. Oh well, means I'll have to make two pairs tomorrow. : (

10/11/10

10/11/10---Got one pair finished today. I really like this pair. Honestly they are my favorite pair so far. I don't think the picture does them any justice, since you can't really see the gray edges or center. The problem is that while the gray yarn is really pretty and really soft it is really hard to work with! My hands are so sore just from doing the edges! Didn't get the second pair done, but I will catch up. :)

10/12/10

10/12/10---One more down!

10/13/10

10/13/10---I think this pair is really pretty too. Its actually a dark green color.

10/14/10

10/14/10---Trying to make each pair a little different. I like the way the picture turned out on this one! You can actually see the blue in the center!

10/15/10

10/15/10---Finally finished this pair. Same pretty and really soft grey yarn from before. Still really hard to work with! But they are so soft and pretty!!!!

Aren't they pretty!

I also would like to thank Molly Roman for donating more yarn to the cause! Thank you! Thank you! Gotta go gotta get up early for a band review tomorrow. See I don't just sit in bed all day and knit all the time. :)

10/16/10---Oh yah! Got two pairs done today! And the band placed 4th! Awesome! Plus more yarn!!
So any color combos you guys would like to see? Let me know. To any Lakers fans out there, today's pairs are both bright yellow and purple! Hope ya like 'em!

10/16/10

Thanks again Molly!

10/17/10---So yesterday after posting got hit with a migraine. Blech. Woke up this morning and it was still hanging around somewhere in the vicinity behind my eyes. Double blech. So decided to stay in bed 'til around 11. When it finally decided to go away. Didn't get to start on any potholders at that point. Normally I try to get them started and finished early in the day. Nope, not today, when I finally did drag myself outta bed, realized I had planned to meet with a friend of mine to work on invitations for a shower that we are planing for a mutual friend. So spent the first 2 awake hours of my day helping to write out invitations. Then realized we possibly needed more, and had to run to the store to buy more, thank goodness there we went then, there were only 2 packets of the invitations I had bought left. That was just the beginning. Still had to come home and do normal everyday things like clean the house, make dinner, and have a life in general. So didn't actually get started on these 'til after 7. By the time I started was to mentally exhausted to pick new colors, so just stuck with the ones I used yesterday. The one is the front side, the other in the picture show the back. Hope to actually get a chance tomorrow to get up the post I've wanted to write regarding donating old clothes that can be used for costumes for plays, etc. Fingers crossed. :)

10/17/10

10/18/10

10/18/10---Got away from the purple today, but still couldn't escape the yellow. :)

10/20/10---BLECH! Somebody gave me the flu! And when I find out who I'm giving it back! Spent yesterday hiding in bed. Most of the time asleep! Convinced myself to go out at one point to pick my daughter up from school, then came back home and hid in bed! Still sick today, but at least I could function!
Hopefully will be back to normal tomorrow.

10/20/10

(still out of it, couldn't find the picture of today's potholders, after a good 5 mins realized that I had never transferred it from the camera.)

10/21/10---So still trying to use up that purple! :) But it's just in the center of this pair. For some reason the purple comes out blue in the pictures. Between cleaning the house and baking the cake, and then cleaning up the mess from the cake! Barely got this pair done. Not sure if I'll get any done tomorrow. It's my baby's birthday. But somehow one of my Dr. appointments got rescheduled for the morning, and this is one of those Dr's were the wait is notoriously long. So maybe I'll be able to finish something then. Here's to positive thinking! Hope you all have a wonderful Friday if I don't get a chance to sign on tomorrow!

10/21/10

10/22/10

10/22/10---So I got to finish these while at the Dr's. Can I call it or what? Decided to try some of the new yarn that was so kindly brought over by Molly Roman! This one was soft and sooo pretty. Caught more than the other purple yarn I was using, but not as much as that grey one did. If you get the chance to pick up the new people, the one from 10/25/10, be sure to flip to page 60. Very revealing look at some of our schools are faring these days....Very revealing, and disturbing. Even more reason to help out in any way you can.

10/23/10---Got 2 done today!!! Not sure how, but I did! Be sure to go and rate your favorite school at Bing's "Our school needs..." contest! (Can you tell I finally started to figure out how to add links to my posts. :) lol)

10/23/10

10/24/10

10/24/10---Trying to use as much of one color before moving on to the next. I really like this color, except the more I look at it the more orange it looks! lol Don't forget to go vote for your favorite school program at The Clorox "Power a Bright Future Contest". Remember voting ends the 1st of November, but you can vote every day, and you get to play for a chance to win something too!

10/25/10---2 more done today!!! Woohoo! Don't forget to go vote in the Clorox "Power a Bright Future" Contest and the Bing "Our School Needs..." Contest.

10/25/10

10/26/10---One more down. 32 more to go. Almost 1/2 way there! Did you vote yet today? Don't worry if you haven't there's still time!
Just click the links below! :)
Bing "Our School Needs..." Contest
"Power a Bright Future" Contest

10/27/10---One more pair! Don't forget to vote for the programs you think should win first place. So who's ready for Halloween? What are you dressing up as?

10/27/10

10/30/10---OMG! Two whole days and I didn't post anything about my potholders! Sorry bout that. So Thursday was crazy. Got some amazing things done in the morning. Not potholder things, but important non the less. then was wiped out by the time I got home. Spent the rest of the evening hiding in bed, only ventured out to make dinner. Friday, well Friday was a completely different thing altogether. Started the black and white pair in the pic. But never got a chance to finish them. Ever have one of those days? Yeah Friday was one of those days! So today, while I was still recovering from Friday, I made it a point to get these two pairs done. Especially since tomorrow is Halloween. Plus I have an appointment in the morning, which I will tell you all about next Monday. Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

10/30/10

***OMG! Just realized that I am FINALLY past the half way point!!!! YAY!!!!***

11/1/10

11/1/10---So I knew I was right about yesterday. Halloween was great! But sooo busy and crazy! Today was even busier, was gone all day and didn't get home 'til late! Will have my first Spotlight up tomorrow. Be sure to check it out!

11/3/10

11/4/10---O.K. so this first one I shoulda put up yesterday. But everything got so crazy it just didn't get up. So don't forget to go vote in Bing's Our "School Needs..." Contest! Voting ends on November 7th that's 3 days away. Remember everyday that you vote you receive a $3 gift code for donorschoose.org. This means that you can donate $3 to the school program of your choice on that site. It takes approximately 10mins if you aren't registered with Bing yet. Really not that long. So go vote, go now! And don't assume it's too late in the day to get a code. I voted the other night at 8pm and I still got one.

11/4/10

11/6/10---So I actually started these Friday and would have had them up yesterday, but unfortunately I got sick after my daughter's band review. So they were finished today. Did everyone remember to vote in the Bing "Our School Needs Contest"? Did you get a code for Donorschoose.org?

11/7/10

11/9/10

11/9/10---So for the better part of today I thought to myself, "Gosh I got nothing done on Tuesday" and "Where did Tuesday go anyway?". Sometime in the mid afternoon I realized that it wasn't Wednesday and somehow I still didn't accomplish much today. So I'm sure I'll spend the better part of tomorrow wondering why I didn't get more done today. :)

11/15/10---Sorry haven't been feeling well for the past few days. But I'm starting to feel a bit better and wanted to get the pics of my latest pot holders up. Less than 20 to go! I will have the dates for the Dickens festival up within the next week. :)

11/12/10

11/13/10

11/14/10

11/20/10---So this past week has been absolutely horrible. As you might have already guessed from my lack of posts. I hope to have a post up later today about Fresh & Easy and their shop for schools program. Currantly they are giving $1 for every $20 that is spent in their store to local schools. If you live in Yucaipa, Ca, you have probably already heard of this since their schools are participating in this program. Also I hope to have up a new spotlight as of this Monday so be sure to be on the look out for it! Here are the potholders I was able to finish in the past for days. To finish on time I will need to make 13 more within the next 10 days. Feel free to offer any encouragement, between migraines, the holidays, and life in general I am fighting an uphill battle. But I am determined to get it done!!!! :) I will also have more news on the Dickens Festival which will be taking place at San Gorgonio Middle School in early December.

11/16/10

11/17/10

11/18/10 and 11/19/10

11/30/10---OMG!OMG!OMG! I'm finally done!!!! YAY!!!!
K, soooo sorry, that I haven't posted for 10 days! Between Thanksgiving, and then getting the flu, I was pretty much trapped in my bed 'til this morning! But I got them all done!!! Yay!!! If anyone is interested in getting a pair, the San Gorgonio Middle School will be selling them at their Dickens Festival. On December the 3rd from 6pm-8pm and on December the 4th from noon til 6pm.

Right now the currant tally is 60/60 so only 0 more to go!!! YAY!!!

Why I started this....

2010-10-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

So when my daughters were little, I really didn't have time to participate a lot in their schools. I did the expected treats for their birthdays, and attempted to make it to school programs etc. As they got older work unfortunetly began to eat up more and more of my time, so even thinking about volunteering became a joke. Then I got sick. No more work for me, and tons of free time. As I reaquainted myself with my daughters lives outside of the house one thing became glaringly obvious. Their schools were severely under funded. I had known this on some level for a while, I used to take my mother-in-law to buy supplies for her class room. But when my oldest daughter told me that they were only allowing a certain number of kids into the color guard because thats how many uniforms they had, that shocked me. Then she brings home a paper saying that to raise funds for science class the class will be selling energy efficient light bulbs. Not a fund raiser for the school in general, but to raise money for the science class! I mean has that what school these days has come to? That, in part, is what started me on my own personal crusade to see more people (not just parents) get involved in schools. The other part is that I spend a lot of my time feeling bored and useless, and this gives me something to do that makes me feel useful. So if I seem a little taller it's not cause my ankles have deflated enought for me to wear my stilettos, it's cause I'm standing on my own personal soap box.

I know not all schools have fallen this far in the currant economy. Some schools, and the school systems they are in, don't have massive lay offs simply because they can't afford the teachers. But that doesn't mean that the teachers that work there don't appreciate community involvement. So those of you who's school systems don't stink feel free to participate too.

In my posts I am going to focus on ways people can help, or have helped. Maybe it will help you with your own ideas on how you can help, or get involved.
Participation doesn't mean you have to give your blood, sweat and tears. Sometimes it is as easy as clicking a button and becoming a fan of a site to get them to donate. Office Max just did a promotion on facebook, were for every fan they got they donated $1 to help a class room in need. Now clicking like on thier page isn't a lot of effort. And you can always just hide thier posts from that point on. A minimum of 2 clicks just to donate a $1. Then 2 more if you don't want the posts on your facebook feed. How hard is that?
So I wanna hear from you guys, post what the most recent thing you have done to help out a school, it can be any school, and it can be anything, becoming a fan, helping a class, buying an item from a fund raiser, anything.

2010-10-07T18:10:00.000-07:00

I started this blog to help encourage people to help out at their local schools. Not just parents, but everyone. Students shouldn't have to raise money just to keep the after school art program. Teachers shouldnt have to stock their own classrooms with money from their own pockets. But unfortunetly they do. Hopefully this blog will help everyone in the community to come up with ideas of how they can help. Whether it is by simply taking five seconds to like a company on facebook that promises to donate for every fan it gets, by promising yourself you are going to buy atleast one item from the fundraiser, or getting more hands on and actively donating your skills or time to a program or classroom at school. I was originally going to limit this blog to only within the area where I live. However, school funding problems aren't just limited to my area, and so I am opening it to everyone, everywhere.