Hey fatwallet users; this morning while I was out hunting for the deals; I remembered that OfficeMax, Office Depot & Staples all have a bunch of school items ranging in price from .01 to .25; coming from an area that doesn't have the best funding for public schools I decided I would spend a few bucks and help make sure that kids have the supplies they need for when they head back to school. This is where you guys (and gals) all come in. During your treks this week take a few minutes out of your day and make up a cheap care package and donate it to your local school district. I'll even do the homework for everyone:
Staples: Pencil Case - $.50 (Limit 4) ½ or 1" Binders - $.25 (Limit 8) Dixon #2 Pencils (10 Pack) - Instant Freebie (Limit 2) 12 IN Translucent Ruler - Instant Freebie (Limit 2)
EDIT: OfficeDepot removed as deal was only through Wednesday
If you can only hit one of these stores every little bit will help; however, if you are adventurous and want to go all out FW style you can put together a great care package for a student who is headed back to school.
For reference, here is a care package which I put together; this package can be created for only $2 --
Ok, Ok, I know it's not necessarily the normal type of post we see in hot deals; but even though you don't directly benefit by the savings can't we give back once and awhile?
As a poor teacher who has a few more nice things thanks to fatwallet, I appreciate you taking the time to give something back to our severely underfunded schools. I'll have to get in on some of these deals for my own classroom. Green for you!
you can also get 5 of the 70 sheet notebooks at target for 50cents (they are sold as one unit)... Not bad when donating to needy back to school children.
These cheap school supplies are great for school supply drives, but if you are feeling extra generous, these school supply drives also have a strong need for things you don't see on the front page of the ads, such as binders, clipboards, and backpacks. Happy donating!
Turaco said: As a poor teacher who has a few more nice things thanks to fatwallet, I appreciate you taking the time to give something back to our severely underfunded schools. I'll have to get in on some of these deals for my own classroom. Green for you!
As a teacher, the item limits do not apply at Staples. Its worth looking into as I'm pretty sure it's company policy but I know through my sister [the teacher] with credentials you are allowed 25 of each item. This also applies to freebies as well; so walk away with 250 pencils & 25 rulers just for walking in the door without spending any money.
Try your work's supply closet. Empty it out and drop it off at school. Everybody wins, you don't have to spend money and the school gets free supplies. And in most cases the supplies at work are much better than those cheap ones in the school supplies aisles.
Of course there might be a problem if you are asked to take a lie detector test.
JohnnyVo
New Member
posted: Aug. 17, 2008 @ 2:08p
My Staples also allows 25 of each item for teachers (NJ)
Try electing people who budget money for schools. Also, schools are terribly inefficient. They can cut a lot of fat from those places and run like a real business and probably have a surplus.
RBA said: Try your work's supply closet. Empty it out and drop it off at school. Everybody wins, you don't have to spend money and the school gets free supplies. And in most cases the supplies at work are much better than those cheap ones in the school supplies aisles.
Of course there might be a problem if you are asked to take a lie detector test.
I don't know about you but my job is worth more than $2
RBA said: Try your work's supply closet. Empty it out and drop it off at school. Everybody wins, you don't have to spend money and the school gets free supplies. And in most cases the supplies at work are much better than those cheap ones in the school supplies aisles.
Of course there might be a problem if you are asked to take a lie detector test.
Obviously your a product of a public school system.
qube said: Try electing people who budget money for schools. Also, schools are terribly inefficient. They can cut a lot of fat from those places and run like a real business and probably have a surplus.
Good idea...maybe you should run for office, or offer your professional fat-cutting services to the schools.
TheDawn said: I wish this stuff could be ordered online.. any idea if that is possible?
No, That was the first thing I checked this morning; it seems the cheap items are only available in your local store and are marked while supplies last.
RBA said: Try your work's supply closet. Empty it out and drop it off at school. Everybody wins, you don't have to spend money and the school gets free supplies. And in most cases the supplies at work are much better than those cheap ones in the school supplies aisles.
Of course there might be a problem if you are asked to take a lie detector test.
Funny. The video I watched specifically said theft of a pencil wasn't going to be asked on my exam.
musix4me
Happy Member
posted: Aug. 17, 2008 @ 3:58p
qube said: Try electing people who budget money for schools. Also, schools are terribly inefficient. They can cut a lot of fat from those places and run like a real business and probably have a surplus.
I would like to know when you last stepped foot on a campus. I'm a veteran teacher and I assure you that schools are running about as lean as you can. Rooms aren't vacuumed every night; we fund raise for many things that you would never agree to fund raise for in a business world. Wake up because you're speaking from the hip and don't know what you are talking about!
musix4me said: qube said: Try electing people who budget money for schools. Also, schools are terribly inefficient. They can cut a lot of fat from those places and run like a real business and probably have a surplus.
I would like to know when you last stepped foot on a campus. I'm a veteran teacher and I assure you that schools are running about as lean as you can. Rooms aren't vacuumed every night; we fund raise for many things that you would never agree to fund raise for in a business world. Wake up because you're speaking from the hip and don't know what you are talking about!
I'm afraid you're talking more about the end result of the problem than refusting the original post. There is no doubt schools are "running lean" -- but that is because they are poorly run and lack proper budgeting. There was an article a few years back in the NY Times comparing the operating costs of a school per child in a public school versus a private elementary school -- $7,000+ for the public school versus $2,000+ for the private school. That is the inefficiency being talked about.
Turaco said: As a poor teacher who has a few more nice things thanks to fatwallet, I appreciate you taking the time to give something back to our severely underfunded schools. I'll have to get in on some of these deals for my own classroom. Green for you! arkleseizure said: Good thinking OP! billybabe3883 said: Fantastic Idea OP
astro26 said: you can also get 5 of the 70 sheet notebooks at target for 50cents (they are sold as one unit)... Not bad when donating to needy back to school children.
At Target I've picked up a few dozen of the 70 sheet spiral notebooks for 10 cents each (not sold in bundles). There were several different brands across the shelves, but every single 70 count spiral notebook I grabbed rung up for $.10.
queenangie
Member
posted: Aug. 17, 2008 @ 6:20p
Even white paper for photocopying is appreciated by the box or the ream.
Doesn't CVS have a deal on it right now?
Right after Christmas, the schools run out of the white photocopying paper and turn the used sheets over and print on the unused backside!
High 5's for everybody donating to their local schools!
btw, for Office Depot you can contribute CashBack rewards to school of your choice. just tell cashier school name or OD school reward number.
that way your rewards go to your district.
link Forgot to use your school's ID number when making a purchase? Past purchases made within the current quarter can still be entered for credit! To give 5% of your qualifying school supply purchases back to your school in the form of merchandise credits Simply bring your receipt and your school's 5% Back to Schools ID number to your local Office Depot location and ask a store associate to apply your purchase to the school of your choice!
For Online/Phone Purchases: Click here to simply complete our short form using your school's contact information or 5% Back to Schools ID number and the order number that was provided for you online or over the phone at checkout.
musix4me said: I would like to know when you last stepped foot on a campus. I'm a veteran teacher and I assure you that schools are running about as lean as you can. Rooms aren't vacuumed every night; we fund raise for many things that you would never agree to fund raise for in a business world. Wake up because you're speaking from the hip and don't know what you are talking about! Stated perfectly below... magic168 said: I'm afraid you're talking more about the end result of the problem than refusting the original post. There is no doubt schools are "running lean" -- but that is because they are poorly run and lack proper budgeting. There was an article a few years back in the NY Times comparing the operating costs of a school per child in a public school versus a private elementary school -- $7,000+ for the public school versus $2,000+ for the private school. That is the inefficiency being talked about. Bingo. I went to a private school and have worked in the public sector. There's a reason private schools are raking in cash and public schools need bake sales to make ends meet. Donating 25 cents at Staples isn't going to help. There's also a reason Staples can donate just about whatever they want to schools, they're an actual business. If public schools had to answer to shareholders (and as parents, they should be!) they would be anarchy. BNPoolHustler8 said: Good idea...maybe you should run for office, or offer your professional fat-cutting services to the schools. Are you kidding? It's a bloody GREAT idea. As stated, I have worked in the public sector, know all about the inefficiencies and could probably cut 50% of the jobs at some of these schools.
I also know all about your sarcasm and your thread crapping abilities. Move along, nothing to see here...stalker. When elected, I'll see what I can do about helping out with special education for you.
Schools getting ANYTHING from me, GOOD LUCK: The superintendent of Keansburg schools, one of the so-called "Abbott" districts that receives millions of dollars in special state aid, is to receive a severance package worth almost $750,000 when she steps down next month, documents posted on the school district's website show.
The payments to Superintendent Barbara Trzeszkowski, 60, come on top of the standard retirement pay of about $120,000 a year she has earned over a 38-year career in the northern Monmouth County district.
The severance deal includes $184,586 for 235.5 unused sick days and 20 vacation days, and another $556,290 bonus that is equal to her monthly salary multiplied by the number of years she has worked in Keansburg.
"This is the poster child of everything that is bad about Abbott funding," said Assemblyman Joseph Malone (R-Burlington) a critic of the state Supreme Court rulings in the Abbott v. Burke lawsuit, which require the state to send more than $4.3 billion in aid to the state's 31 poorest districts each year. "No one deserves that kind of buyout. It's obscene. It's sickening."
It may also be short-lived.
State Education Commissioner Lucille Davy plans to review the severance deal to see if it is valid, said spokeswoman Kathryn Forsyth.
"There is concern," Forsyth said. "We are obtaining a copy of the setlement in question to review it to see what, if anything, can be done."
Trzeszkowski did not return a call seeking comment today.
qube said: I went to a private school and have worked in the public sector. There's a reason private schools are raking in cash and public schools need bake sales to make ends meet. My kids have gone to private schools for years and I teach in public schools and I have to say, there were a lot more fundraisers in private schools! Just my observation...
Kingofthenet said: Schools getting ANYTHING from me, GOOD LUCK: The superintendent of Keansburg schools, one of the so-called "Abbott" districts that receives millions of dollars in special state aid, is to receive a severance package worth almost $750,000 when she steps down next month, documents posted on the school district's website show.
The payments to Superintendent Barbara Trzeszkowski, 60, come on top of the standard retirement pay of about $120,000 a year she has earned over a 38-year career in the northern Monmouth County district.
The severance deal includes $184,586 for 235.5 unused sick days and 20 vacation days, and another $556,290 bonus that is equal to her monthly salary multiplied by the number of years she has worked in Keansburg.
"This is the poster child of everything that is bad about Abbott funding," said Assemblyman Joseph Malone (R-Burlington) a critic of the state Supreme Court rulings in the Abbott v. Burke lawsuit, which require the state to send more than $4.3 billion in aid to the state's 31 poorest districts each year. "No one deserves that kind of buyout. It's obscene. It's sickening."
It may also be short-lived.
State Education Commissioner Lucille Davy plans to review the severance deal to see if it is valid, said spokeswoman Kathryn Forsyth.
"There is concern," Forsyth said. "We are obtaining a copy of the setlement in question to review it to see what, if anything, can be done."
Trzeszkowski did not return a call seeking comment today.
So what's your point? Your donations go straight to the student who need our help, not some superintendent who can purchase more than just a couple #2 pencils. We don't need people threadcrapping on this wonderful idea from the OP... it's like posting in one of the dozen Dell deals this week that "I'm not buying a Dell, I'm getting a Mac".... who here cares what you do (or won't do in this case)?
I have NOTHING against helping kids, but you are mistaken if you think the Public School system is underfunded. The salaries of tenured teachers and the ABUSE by the Teachers Lobbies takes the "Money" right out of the the kids mouths. I feel for the Catholic Schools who manage to do a Far Better job with 1/4 the money, yet they are closing down because no one wants to pay the reasonable tuition.
Kingofthenet said: I have NOTHING against helping kids, but you are mistaken if you think the Public School system is underfunded. The salaries of tenured teachers and the ABUSE by the Teachers Lobbies takes the "Money" right out of the the kids mouths. I feel for the Catholic Schools who manage to do a Far Better job with 1/4 the money, yet they are closing down because no one wants to pay the reasonable tuition.
Maybe that's the case in NJ but I can tell you in Texas teachers are still underpaid and get no financial support from the schools.
My wife is a primary teacher and we have to go out this week and spend a few hundred dollars on supplies that the school will not supply (filler paper, pencils, construction paper, pencil cases, etc).
My big complaint is that these stores put such low limits on the number of each item you can buy. We need 75 packs of filler paper, 20 packages of pencils, 22 pencil boxes, etc). We always go anyway and ask if teachers can buy more but over the last 6 years we haven't found any employees that make an exception.
qube said: Are you kidding? It's a bloody GREAT idea. As stated, I have worked in the public sector, know all about the inefficiencies and could probably cut 50% of the jobs at some of these schools.
Again, maybe that's true in your state but in Texas the schools are very lean. Besides the teachers the only staff is 1 principal, 1 VP, 1 secretary, 1 nurse, 2 cafeteria personnel, and 2 janitors.
I cannot speak to how the administration buildings are ran and I do suspect that there is a lot of wastage there; however, this thread is for helping children and teachers who have no control over how management controls budget.
I don't believe ANYONE,(That includes people who are on public assistance) can't afford to outfit thier kids with BASIC supplies like rulers and pens/pencils, pads etc. How much are we talking about $10 MAX per kid if that? If you won't/can't spend that on your child the STATE should take them away for neglect.
Again, vote for someone who makes education funding a priority. I live in California and Arnold just slashed 4.8 BILLION from the budgets. I have family and friends in the private and public school systems. The ones on the public side have been there for years and know that it could run a lot leaner and budget cuts lead to any entity running more efficient. I work with companies that have to make better use of less resources and schools are no different.
Those who are teachers, I applaud you. I wouldn't put up with the crap you put up with for the pay you get. Just keep those receipts for the supplies you buy, they are tax deductible!
momgoingbroke said: qube said: I went to a private school and have worked in the public sector. There's a reason private schools are raking in cash and public schools need bake sales to make ends meet. My kids have gone to private schools for years and I teach in public schools and I have to say, there were a lot more fundraisers in private schools! Just my observation...
My toddler goes to a private school and they are constantly sending us requests for $20 here, $20 there. The reason they run so lean is because they are constantly dipping into the pockets of the parents for every little thing!
jidteach
Broke Member
posted: Aug. 17, 2008 @ 10:47p
qube said: Those who are teachers, I applaud you. I wouldn't put up with the crap you put up with for the pay you get. Just keep those receipts for the supplies you buy, they are tax deductible!Only up to a max of $250/year.
zeddgara said: Obviously your a product of a public school system.
I'm a product of 100% public school system, all the way through earning my M.D. There's absolutely nothing wrong with getting educated through public schools and if anything, you're better off because of it. Now funding for schools is a different issue and needs to be severely fixed. Illinois, my state, ranks 49th out of the 50 US states in education funding.
mizer1 said: I don't have a Staples, Office Max, Office Depot near by so hit up Walgreens instead with a $5 RR coupon:
.39 each, Limit 3 and requires Walgreens coupon: - Filler paper Penway 130 to 150 Sheets, College or Wide Ruled - Paper Mate 10 pack mechanical pencils or WriteBros Pens - No. 2 Yellow Pencils- 10 pack Penway - Eraser Set 7 pack Penway - Sharpie Permanent Marker, assorted colors - Invisible tape
.39 each, No Coupon required, no limit stated in ad: Paper Mate: 6 pack Mirado Classic or 8 pack Black Warrier No. 2 pencils Corner Office 10 pack sheet protectors Penway deluxe compass, protractor, pencil sharpener or pencil/crayon sharpener Penway 12pk colored pencils, 24 pack crayons, 8 pk jumbo crayons, 3ct glue sticks, 1ct jumbo glue stick, all purpose glue OR 12 inch metal ruler
8/$1 (12.5 cents ea) 2 pocket folders penway assorted colors, limit 8 with Walgreens coupon .25 - Penway highlighters assorted colors, limit 8 with Walgreens coupon .50 - clear pencil case, no limit, no coupon req'd .99 Penway kids markers, 10 pack classic or 8 pack washable
Good on you for posting this. I have been going to the office supply stores and doing this too for the last few weeks.
Don't forget folks, if you itemize your taxes, you can deduct the regular store price (not the price you paid) on your tax return. Be sure and get a receipt from the school that you donate to.
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