Pride in Public Schools

It was an honest question from an elementary school boy in Gardiner which spoke to a much bigger issue. Unfortunately, for many educators, they’re all too familiar with this kind of need. “I had one elementary school ask for hairbrushes this year. That was a fi rst,” said Lisa Foster who helps organize $ense For Kids in the MSAD 11 school district. The program, modeled after the one started by the Augusta Education Association, uses money donated by teachers and support staff through payroll contributions to buy items for students in need. "We take care of more and more kids every year. We’re trying to remind teachers and staff that there is a need and be conscious of it. We tend to go about our day—but we have to realize that kids are wearing shoes that are busting at the seams. We try and take care of any kind of need that would prevent them from learning," said Becky Waugh, Gardiner TA Treasurer. The Association collects about $1,600 over the course of the year. Members can donate the remaining cents from their paycheck, a set amount each pay period or a one-time donation. The Association then receives wish lists from individual schools based on what students in each area require. For some, that means school supplies, for others it’s so much more. At Laura E. “When I take what I’ve purchased from Richards Elementary School there is a full drawer of just socks and underwear. the school wish lists to each building I always hear ‘you don’t know how much Recently a student received free eyeglasses through $ense for Kids after a member noticed he had electrical tape over scotch tape just to keep his glasses together. When a student had no winter coat, a member asked the this helps us.’” - Lisa Foster, Gardiner TA Association if $ense for Kids money could help. “I ordered a coat from JC Penny and had it sent to the house and the child’s mother wrapped it up and gave it to him as a Christmas gift. She thanked me so many times,” said Waugh.

While the appreciation is welcomed, for the members in MSAD 11 it’s really about living up to their motto, “Helping our students live a happier school life...using a little $ense.” The program also donates additional funds to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club to pay for scholarships for summer programs.

Remembering To Help Others

Associations across the state also continue to work to help the communities in which they live and work. The Eastern Aroostook Education Association recently collected socks, mittens, hats and slippers for the Northern Maine Veterans Home in Caribou. The items were wrapped in bright paper, labeled and delivered by members the day before Veterans Day. Members, Ryan Drost, Vanda Madore, Elizabeth Long and several others organized this event for the second year in a row.

“This year we donated 74 items which was enough for each veteran to receive a personal gift,” said Vanda Madore, EAEA Vice President. “We do not do this for thanks or recognition, only out of gratitude,” added member Elizabeth Long.

The donation was especially personal for Ken Atcheson the Association’s treasurer. His father was a Veteran and passed away in July at the Veterans Home in Caribou.

“We as teachers recognize that those who have served our country deserve the support of a grateful nation and in doing this simple act we have tried to make their lives a little better. One of the greatest lessons that we can pass on to our students is the knowledge that we are responsible for all of those around us," said Atcheson.

It’s an ongoing lesson that clearly has no boundaries. Each veteran received a personal gift from Eastern Aroostook Education Association