Tools For Schools is a reusable resource center located in Alachua
County, Florida, providing new and gently used educational supplies to Alachua County
Public School teachers at no cost. Tools for Schools operates with disadvantaged
children in mind since many parents cannot afford the cost of a school lunch, let
alone the necessary school supplies. Tools for Schools hopes to alleviate some of
the economic pressure teachers are faced with every school year.
You can help! Every day, local businesses and households throw away countless items
which still have educational value to them. Overruns and no longer needed supplies
are just a few of the materials sent to the landfill instead of being reused. Imagine
those items in the hands of eager students! They become useful supplies to help
make math, science, and language arts concepts real.
Tools for Schools is a partnership of the Alachua County Board
of County Commissioners and the Alachua County Public Schools that offers a place
for teachers to shop for learning materials at no cost. Businesses and individuals
provide the materials, and teachers visit the store to select items for their students.
Who benefits from Tools for Schools?
All teachers are familiar with the costly burden of supplying school materials for
their classrooms every year.Tools for Schools lightens this burden by providing
an abundance of educational tools at no cost. Public school teachers from the Alachua
County School District have access to the center. Teachers can earn additional shopping
days by volunteering.
A lack of materials infringes upon a student's potential for learning and creativity.
Tools for Schools provides Alachua County's teacher with a greater variety of essential
materials, both traditional and non traditional, at no cost for their students.
Local businesses play an extremely valuable role in the community by becoming business
partners and donating to Tools for Schools. Not only will the business reduce their
amount of waste, but they will be providing free resources for educational use throughout
the community. The Alachua County Commission and the School Board of Alachua County
recognize these businesses as sponsors.
What once reflected negative images of alcohol and tobacco sales is now a positive
influence, benefiting local children and teachers. The old convenience store located
next to Williams Elementary School, near Lincoln Middle School, is now Tools for
Schools, a reusable resource center for teachers.
Every day, valuable items are thrown away while resources are unnecessarily used
to create new materials. By reusing materials, we are able to help our environment
by conserving our natural resources and extending the life of our landfills. Help
reduce waste, conserve resources and save money!