California Educator

September 09

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Dealing with classroom cuts: freebies and discounts can help When life gives her lemons, Vicki No- sanov-Goldman has her nutrition students make lemon meringue pies and lemon bars. When life gives her other items, she also finds a way to use them. For instance, when someone gave her shovels and fire pits, her social studies stu- dents cooked outdoor meals like slaves — which they happened to be studying. When the Girl Scouts donated rolls of fabric, No- sanov-Goldman started a sewing club where students made togas. And then there’s the squash — lots of squash — that someone gave her from a lo- cal garden. Students cut the squash into pieces to store in a donated freezer and will use it in the future to make squash bread. “I call myself the Princess of Begging with Dignity,” jokes Nosanov-Goldman, a nutrition and social studies teacher at Bret Harte Middle School and a San Jose Teach- ers Association member. “I grew up poor in Banning. I’m shameless. I have a great sense of humor about this. I’m a scrounger.” If a company is going out of business, she asks for computers, paper and office supplies that CEOs would rather donate than sell. At garage sales, she asks sellers to donate items for her “prize bucket” to re- ward good students. If a teacher retires, she is there to collect what’s left behind. She ap- plies for grants constantly and attends edu- cational conferences, where she stocks up on posters, pens and pencils. For fun, she browses “freecycling” on Yahoo and “free listings” on Craigslist. Among her most prized donations are computer monitors, turn-of-the-century needlepoint, Native American artwork, at- lases, a microwave oven, a refrigerator, three boxes of Tupperware and carts for schlep- ping things around. She also won, through Project Citizen, an all-expense-paid trip to Louisiana for her and eight students to at- tend the National Conference for State Leg- islatures. “I don’t mind asking for things. I don’t mind rejection. If people say no, they say no. But I say, ‘I’m a teacher, would you mind…?’ and they often say yes. When I get some- thing good, I’ll throw my lesson plan up in the air and use whatever I have for a teach- able moment.” In an ideal world, educators don’t beg for A variety of free supplies > www.freakyfreddies.com For free printables, worksheets, DVDs and subscriptions. > www.freecycle.org Find things people no longer want that may be invaluable to your class. > www.kidsinneed.net Distributes school supplies to low-income schools for free. > www.agiftforteaching.org Transfers surplus materials to teachers for free. handouts and scrounge for discounts and freebies. But when public schools don’t re- ceive the basics, teachers are left scrambling. Bargain hunting is time-consuming and may not always pay off. However, for those who love the thrill of the chase, it can be gratifying. The following are some bargain hunting strategies from CTA members. Barbara Elliott Sanders — Literacy coach at Sunnyslope Elementary School in San Diego and member of the Southwest Teachers Association LEFT: San Jose Teachers Association member Vicki Nosanov-Goldman talks about stretching classroom dollars at Bret Harte Middle School. 12 California Educator | SEPTEMBER 2009

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