Grandville — Amid the hustle, bustle and general stress that typically accompanies back-to-school preparations, there was one thing Central Elementary families didn’t have to worry about: buying school supplies.
That’s because this year, Central’s PTC parent group bought the supplies for every single one of the school’s approximately 215 students. From pencils to markers, headphones to sanitary wipes, notebooks to snacks, all of it was waiting on each student’s desk as they returned to classrooms last week.
“We were looking to do more, and we really wanted to help the most people as possible, as opposed to maybe just a few families,” said Nick Brock, president of the PTC.
At Central, that acronym stands for “Parents for Teachers and Central;” Brock said it’s emblematic of how the group approaches everything it does.
“One of our big missions is to make sure that we put the funds that we have right back into the school. When the idea (of buying school supplies) came up, we saw we had enough money in our account (and) it was kind of a no-brainer,” he said. “Really, it’s a gift from our community — our parents and local businesses and everybody who has helped to support our fundraisers.”
Brock said the PTC has been able to bring in more money for Central — approximately $15,000 in the past two years — since switching to one main fundraiser, a walkathon, rather than several small fundraisers throughout the school year. Thanks to bargain-hunting from school secretary Sarah Masko over the summer, they purchased all student supplies for Central’s 12 classrooms at a total cost of around $6,000.
“Buying school supplies takes time, takes money; it’s just one more thing parents are asked to do,” said Brock, who has a third-grader at Central. “At the (back-to-school) open houses, with the supplies all laid out there, I could see their appreciation and how it was kind of a relief, an expedited way to get ready for the school year. … We were more than happy to wipe that cost away from families in the building.”
‘It helped a lot’
Parent Rachel Lamas echoed that relief. Her family has four school-aged children in Grandville schools, including three at Central, in a one-income household.
“When they sent everybody an email saying we didn’t have to buy any school supplies, I just thought that was awesome — it helped a lot for our situation,” Lamas said. “It was a big burden that was taken care of.”
She described their regular school-supply-buying process as “crazy and last minute.” And, with four kids to buy for, things add up quickly.
“Supplies for my daughter (in middle school) were between $40 and $50, and I’m a bargain shopper, but it’s still hard to find that many good deals,” she said. “To know that we didn’t have to worry about the boys (at Central), that they were all taken care of, I was so appreciative.”
‘We were more than happy to wipe that cost away from families in the building.’
— Central Elementary PTC President Nick Brock
For Principal Mike Gelmi, the PTC’s purchase was a great way to “level the playing field” for Central’s students.
“We’re a Title 1 building, meaning we have a fairly high percentage that qualifies for free and reduced (meals), so probably a fair amount of families where bills are tight,” he said. “Kindergarten kids probably don’t notice (school supplies), but by the time you get to third or fourth grade, those things become important. The less that they worry about their social standing, comparing what they bought to what someone else has, the better for our kids.”
Knowing that every student has the supplies they need will also help Central teachers, Gelmi said. In the past, he’s seen teachers spend their own money to make sure a student has everything they need.
“Children are expensive. Costs aren’t going down, and it’s great that a public school doesn’t have to put this burden on our families,” the principal said. “This is really a win for our school.”
Dreaming Big
Provided funds are available, Brock said the PTC wants to make school supplies an annual purchase for the families of Central. This is in addition to other items the PTC currently pays for, including field trips and yearbooks for every student.
He said the group is “dreaming big for what a PTC can do,” and hopes their work can similarly inspire other parent groups.
It’s already making a difference: Two of Lamas’ sons said they were excited to get to class on the first day and see all their new goodies. Carlos, in fourth grade, said he’s most looking forward to using his headphones and the mouse for his Chromebook, while second-grader Giovanni said he’ll probably use his crayons, pencils and erasers the most this year.
“It’s good that people who can’t afford it, they can get something for their kids,” said Carlos about the PTC’s gift.
His mom agreed.
“It made my heart feel special that all the kids here get the same opportunities, the same supplies,” Lamas said. “No child has to feel left out and nobody is missing anything. I just think it’s wonderful; (the PTC) didn’t have to do this, but now everybody is benefiting from it.”
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