High Cost of Back to school

Today I was watching the news at the pharmacy waiting for a script to be filled and they had a short segment about school supplies, and the cost. I looked up to try and find the segement from today, but did not. I instead found something better. This articl is from our local news station WKYT. This was aired July 29.  Also they did an interview from a teacher here at the elementary in the town I live in.

View the Video HERE



From the WKYT website:
Berea, KY (WKYT)- We are smack dab in the middle of summer, yet school is right around the corner and for many parents that means finding a way to pay for all those school supplies. WKYT's Amber Philpott went in search of why it costs so much and found one teacher who says she does her homework for parents to try and save them some money.

Summer break is winding down for Brandy Beardsley, not only is she a fifth grade teacher at Silver Creek Elementary in Berea she is also one of those moms who knows the high cost of back to school shopping.

"I just bought backpacks recently and backpacks alone were almost $17 a piece and I buy for two right now," said Brandy Beardsley.

Its no secret that the lists of required items for students returning to the classroom have grown and with it so too has the cost.

"So I have two going to school this year, right there is $40 and then add in another $40 or so and that's over a $100 just in supplies and that doesn't count clothes, shoes or lunch."
The blame for all of these long lists, dwindling school budgets.
"Administration wants us to have what we need for our students
but the money is just not there."

Many times Beardsley says she spends right out of her own pocket, one year she spent $500 of her own money.

Beardsley says she does try to be mindful of other parents pocketbooks as well.

"At the end of the year we sit down as a fifth grade team and very specifically we say what do we not use or what do we have left over? We don't want to ask for anything we do need."

In Fayette County we gathered lists from each grade and took them to the store and did a price check.
We found that most lists had roughly twenty items and cost on average about $40. The one grade that seemed to require the most was fourth grade coming in at nearly $50 for the general list.
If parents were to add in the wish list items, things not required, but items for the entire class they could easily spend nearly $100.

So how do parents begin to save?

Deborah Morris is the Fru Gal and she says now is the time to buy!

Morris says if parents do a little homework before they shop it can go a long way.

"I went on to Facebook today and got a coupon for Bics, $1.50 off of two with all the sales today this will get you pens for free," said Deborah Morris.

She also suggests:
stocking up on items now, so you won't have to spend later in the school year
shopping where you earn rewards points on future purchases
ask if stores match competitor's prices

"The sales are unbelievable right now, you go in and get pencils for a penny," said Morris.
To a teacher and parent like Brandy Beardsley that's worth doing some homework, if it means saving at home and in the classroom.

Beardsley wants parents to know that if a list says three boxes of crayons per child, she will hold two back for each student so when they run out she can space it out for the year.
I know many of you have your own tips to save, and many of you have shared them with us on our Facebook page. Below are just a few of those tips. If you would like to let us know how you save just leave a comment below.

Turn in old ink cartridges at Office Depot, you can get $2 and use that toward supplies.
Use Facebook to find coupons
Buy a good quality backpack and try using it for several years in a row

Wound Care Cost of a 39 year old female.

The cost of care for a person or child is a lot, and for families affected by EB this is why we want to our part to help families who have children in school so they can use their money on wound care so they do not have to sacrifice care.


Theses two pictures are from a 39 year old female with RDEB, Inversa.

The closet is photo is a  month supply and about $2,500 a month JUST for those supplies. That doesn't include over the counter items that insurance doesn't cover for which would be about another $100-150 a month.

layout is one dressing change which takes about 30-60 min NOT including shower.

 

 

One month supply

 

One Dressing Change



Monday Week 1 Update 8/5/13

    We have a flowing of amount of support from everyone, and lots of you are asking how you can do your part. We are currently accepting any type of donation by either financial donations that you can add to our PayPal account by clicking on the donation button on the right side of the page. We are also accepting supply donations that can be sent to us. We will humbly accept any type of supply but right now we would like pencil boxes and holders of different types, backpacks ( either mesh or clear as some schools have a regulation) and lunchboxes. We currently need financial donations to help cover shipping cost, and so we can purchase large envelopes so we can get things packaged here in our office instead of at the post office. Also we would like to rent a P.O. box so we can place it on our cards and I do not have to give out my personal address. Nevertheless, We accept anything and every little bit helps. Today we had a donation of a pencil holder that is going to make a little boy very happy, that is it is about. If you donating one item, one dollar, or 100 items or 100 dollars, any donation is what is going to keep Chloe's Mission alive and going. I will try to have a better "wish list" set up on the blog and also and inventory update. I work tomorrow till 2:30 so it will be tomorrow evening. Thank you everyone!

8-3-13 Shopping trip.

     Today Chloe's Mission purchased $42.01 from Vistia Print to order business cards and postcards to help spread the word. We are will to share the business cards upon request with a donation.
    We also got more stock of school supplies that was $128. Stocking up on items such as loose leaf paper, notebooks, binders, folders, crayons, erasers, scissors, markers, colored pencils and pens. 
     We are welcoming more donations because even though theses items will always be around, this is the only time we can get note books for .17 cents, folders for .15 cents, loose leaf paper for .48 cents and crayola crayons for .50 cents a box. We also need funds for shipping items in the few weeks to come.
     We currently have four families in need. and have raised a life time amount of donations of $180.00.

     We will have an updated inventory list posted in a few hours once things get organized and counted

Chloe's Mission

    

mis·sion

[mish-uhn] 

noun
 

1. a group or committee of persons sent to a foreign country to conduct negotiations, establish relations, provide scientific and technical assistance, or the like.

 

2. the business with which such a group is charged.

 

3.any important task or duty that is assigned, allotted, or self-imposed.

 

4.an important goal or purpose that is accompanied by strong conviction; a calling or vocation.

 

5.a sending or being sent for some duty or purpose.

     First I would like to start thanking everyone who has helped me so much already! The Lord laid it on my heart to help an EB child with their school supplies, and now I am starting a small charity to help multiple EB children who are in a need at the beginning of the school year.

      My dream is have enough donated support and funds to be able to provide children with basic school supplies as well as children who may need backpacks and lunchboxes. Once a stock pile is created I want to expand to helping more then just EB children, I would love to help children who are effected by both physical and mental illnesses. 

     Today is our launching day and please to say we already have three donations and one family to help! If you are in need of help, or know of a family who could use this blessing please email us at 

chloes_mission@yahoo.com

 August 1 2013 

I'm going to do this, going to help! Chloe taught me about this, Chloe would have me to do this and expect it out of me, to do this in her name, in her honor, to be her voice. Chloe selflessly gave to others in her little infant body. She gave away love, inspiration, encouragement, determination, and a look in her eyes made your world seem so small and hers so big. She never cried, with everything she handled, with all the pain, she could still look at you and let you know she was fighting and gong strong. Even when she was in my arms about to go to heaven, she still did her best to give me a smile to let me know she was okay. To show us she was happy, happy to go to heaven. I want to be more Chloe.... But most of all, I want to be more like JESUS! 


 Thank you for your time!
-Megan Jones 

 

Sorry about some of the blurry pictures.