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!

Look What She Starr-ted! What holiday gift do you want this year? Share your reflections on the StarrPoints message board. Linda Starr, a former teacher and the mother of four children, has been an education writer for nearly two decades. Starr is the curriculum and technology editor for Education World. More StarrPoints

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? Youll find that theyre a lot easier to buy for than those distant cousins youve been fretting over -- and a lot more grateful!

For the ultimate holiday gift, visit Adopt a Classroom. This educators answer to the Nordstroms catalog will send your $500 donation directly to a classroom of your choice or to a needy classroom in your area. In return, youll receive letters, artwork, and e-mail from your adopted students throughout the school year. Its the gift that keeps on giving back!

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

If you still cant 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. Youre 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 cant 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!