Dear Santa:
A Holiday Wish List
For Schools

Over a year, U.S. teachers will spend more than $1 billion of their own money on classroom supplies. Even so, many schools, especially the neediest urban schools, continue to suffer from a lack of the basic supplies and enriching supplementary materials their students need. Keep those schools -- and their students and teachers -- in mind this year as you complete your holiday shopping!

According to a study conducted by Quality Education Data (QED), each year teachers in the United States spend more than $1 billion of their own money on classroom supplies. In fact, the study found, only 40 percent of the money spent on classroom supplies in this country is provided by school districts; 60 percent of those supplies are purchased by individual teachers for their own classrooms.

What do teachers spend their hard-earned money on? Responding to an Eisenhower National Clearinghouse Poll, 26 percent of teachers said they spent money on such supplemental materials as videos, software, learning kits, and activity books; 25 percent bought basic needs such as pencils, paper, bandages, facial tissue, and food for hungry children; 22 percent purchased art supplies or science materials; 21 percent bought trade books to enrich their lessons and classroom activities.

On average, the QED study found, K-8 teachers spend more than $500 a year each on school supplies; new teachers spend about $700 a year. Even so, many schools, especially the neediest urban schools, continue to suffer from a lack of basic supplies and enriching supplementary materials that could greatly enhance the educational experience of their students.

Why not keep those schools -- and their students and teachers -- in mind this year as you complete your holiday shopping? You€'ll find that they€'re a lot easier to buy for than those distant cousins you€'ve been fretting over -- and a lot more grateful!

For the ultimate holiday gift, visit Adopt a Classroom. This educator€'s answer to the Nordstrom€'s catalog will send your $500 donation directly to a classroom of your choice or to a needy classroom in your area. In return, you€'ll receive letters, artwork, and e-mail from your adopted students throughout the school year. It’s the gift that keeps on giving back!

DonorsChoose is another site that allows interested individuals to easily contribute any amount -- from $1 to $1 million -- to education in their community. On DonorsChoose, public school teachers from across the United States post classroom project requests ranging from "pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class." Potential donors browse requests and give whatever they can to the project(s) they're interested in. When the project's funding needs are fulfilled, DonorsChoose sends the supplies to the classroom, Who says there's no money for extras in today's schools?

If you're specifically interested in providing kids with up-to-date classroom technology, Digital Wish is the place to shop. At this Web site,teachers create wish lists of technology products for their classroom. Donors then connect with their favorite schools and grant classroom wishes through online cash or product donations. You can make every day Cyber Monday in your favorite classroom.

Looking for a slightly less expensive gift idea? Schools always need books -- lots and lots of books. If you€'re unsure of which books to buy, ask your favorite school to register its needs at Amazon.com's Wish List.

If you still can't find the right gift for the school on your list, why not help Santa out by taking a peek at the teachers€' wish list below. You€'re sure to find something there in your price range and your gift to a school, unlike that Christmas tie you bought Cousin Charlie, is tax deductible!

  musical instruments (new or used) digital clocks board games Legos arts and craft supplies music cds or tapes puppets sports equipment stationery, postcards, and stamps pillows and bean bag chairs dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias frequent flyer miles for college visits math manipulatives small toys or bags of candy for prizes and rewards hair clips, barrettes, and scrunchies chess and checker sets tissues and wet wipes mouse pads science and social studies videos magnetic white boards toilet articles maps, globes, atlases art and movie posters calculators batteries bookcases and storage cabinets calligraphy pens and ink box fans cleaning supplies dry erase markers keyboard covers carpet squares wooden puzzles laminators and laminating supplies hats, mittens, and scarves food scales digital cameras stamp pads and stickers transparencies car seats for preschool busses

If you can't afford to buy a gift this year, volunteer! Schools need tutors, career speakers, technology trainers, Webmasters, office helpers, pen pals, mentors, and more. And the gift of yourself is the best gift of all!