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The teacher store Feed the children 22365 Elkhart East blvd The teacher store Feed the children 22365 Elkhart East blvd. Elkhart, IN 2019-20 School Year

The Teacher Store at our Elkhart location will have some changes in 2019-20. In an effort to align all of our Teacher Stores within Feed the Children, we will not have any “pre-shopping” days this year. Additionally our hours are changing to 2:30 – 5:00 pm. You will need to arrive no later than 4:45 pm to be able to get in to shop for that day. (doors close at 4:45 pm). 2019-20

Pre-Approved school districts We currently have 48 “approved” school districts participating in our “free” Teacher Store. As you talk about this wonderful resource to teachers from other non participating districts, please keep the following in mind.

Not all districts are eligible Not all districts are eligible. We consider schools with the greatest needs first. There is specific criteria we follow to determine eligibility. There is a waiting list currently in place with multiple, eligible districts showing interest in our program. All requests for a new district’s consideration must come directly from the Superintendent of the district. In doing so, it gives us more assurance that this is a program the entire district is interested in and not just one individual teacher. We have greater participation from the teachers when the request comes directly from the Superintendent and is supported by the entire district.

Encourage other teachers within your district to shop We would prefer to see an increase in the number of teachers that shop from the pre-approved districts before we consider bringing on additional districts. If no teachers from a pre-approved district shop and take advantage of this ‘free’ resource, the district becomes inactive and we look at new districts from our waiting list to fill their spot. It is extremely important to encourage fellow teachers to come and shop at the store.

You must be a certified “teacher” with a current teaching license and be under contract as a “teacher” to be eligible for this program. Administrators, support staff, student teachers, and non-certified staff are not eligible. You have to be in a teaching position within your district. We are happy to receive special requests from Social Workers and Counselors that we will try to accommodate. They would not be able to shop in the store, but we will try to make other arrangements to get them needed items for special circumstances. Who is eligible to shop

Verification of TEACHERS’ ELIGIBILITY At the beginning of each school year, approved districts are required to provide an updated list of their current teachers. Additionally we require updates as teachers are hired or leave the district to ensure we have accurate information. If a teacher is hired after we receive their district’s list, they need to contact their HR Dept. to request being added to our list. If a teacher is not on the list provided to us, they will not be able to shop until they can be verified by their HR Dept.

How it works Eligible teachers from the pre- approved districts can shop one day per month throughout the school year. They can choose which Tuesday or Thursday they want to shop. They could shop on the last day of one month and come back the first day of the next month. Remember you can only shop one day per month. Teachers must sign in with their name and school when they arrive at check-in and show their school ID. We hope to be switching to a computerized check-in in the near future to speed up this process. Teacher eligibility is verified on the computer. Teachers receive a weight slip that they take with them and turn in when they check-out. Teachers fill out slips with the date, full name; first and last (no abbreviations), and their school district. Currently we give out two (2 )shopping bags that must be used to shop with. Teachers should not bring their own bags. One bag is for “supplies” and the other bag is for “books”. There are items that don’t fit in the bag and are okay to keep separate outside the bag. These items would include boxes of binders, books, and other large items such as trays, paper cutters, copy paper, boxes of envelopes etc. Teachers can only take one (1) bag of supplies.

………….at check in We have many teachers ask how can they give back for all that we do for their students……the answer is simple – come alongside of us and support our programs. Either through donations or volunteering. Bring you students to help out for a few hours or get a few co-workers or family members together for a day of service. Any monetary donations you give are greatly appreciated and they go a long way in helping our programs support kids in need.

TRACKING THE DONATIONS TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT We keep track of our donations by weight. We weigh supplies separate from books since they have different values. These items need to be kept separate while teachers shop so they don’t have to separate them once they arrive at check out. Once at check-out the weights will be put on the weight slips by a staff member as each item is weighed. ALL ITEMS MUST BE WEIGHED BEFORE LEAVING. At the end of each month, information collected on the weight slips is sent to the school district to reflect the amount that was donated to that district. It is then sent on to the School Board.

supplies Because the items we receive are donated, we never know exactly what we will have for the store. Items can change every month depending on what comes in to our location.

Books, books, and more books Books are unlimited, and vary from K-12 to adult levels. We always try to review the content of the books but we feel it is best left up to you as educators to know what is appropriate content for your students.

HERE ARE just A FEW OF THE ITEMS YOU MIGHT FIND IN THE STORE

Opening day for the teacher store for the 2019-20 school year is September 10, 2019 2:30 – 5:00 pm the doors will close at 4:45 pm We expect a large turnout on the very first day and will close promptly at 4:45 pm. We ask that on the first day you please just get the items you need to get started and move through as quickly as possible so everyone can get through. We apologize in advance if you don’t get in to shop. Get a copy of the calendar at feedthechildren.org under the Indiana Teacher Store.

If you see me in the store please say hi and introduce yourself If you see me in the store please say hi and introduce yourself. I have overseen the Teacher Store at our Elkhart location since 2012. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding our store. My email address is Darlene.Anderson@feedthechildren.org I hope to see you in September and look forward to working with all of you again. Darlene Anderson Wilson, Teacher Store & Volunteer Engagement Supervisor