TOOLS FOR LEARNING

How School Supplies Impact Student Success

School supplies are linked to the success of students and educators alike. Being prepared keeps children motivated and excited. Studies show that children having school supplies of their own can improve grades, creativity, attitude towards learning, behavior, peer relationships, and self-image. A single pack of pencils and paper could be the gateway to a bright, promising year.

Entire websites are dedicated to wish lists of teachers asking for support in the form of classroom supplies. This is what sparked the partnership between Oregon Freemasonry and KPTV on the Classroom of the Month effort. For the last three years, nominations (promoted across the television and digital network referring viewers to www.KPTV.com/classroom) have been received from local community members, sharing the names of educators they witness doing great things, going the extra mile, that deserve recognition and $1,000 in school supplies.

In that same time frame, over two dozen teachers have been recognized through Classroom of the Month, each presented with supplies directly from their class Amazon wish list. Every presentation is organized through the Grand Lodge and the Lodge nearest the school is invited to participate in walking the supplies in, opening them with the students, and engaging in a short interview with KPTV - providing a great opportunity to speak on Freemasonry and its care for education and youth. The educators are also interviewed, then the footage collected is presented as a segment airing on Good Day Oregon.

What stands out at each of these interactions is the teachers’ awe in being nominated, their humble acceptance of such a gift, and the students’ reaction to the gifted goods. Through this effort, we are helping narrow the school-supply gap experienced by many classrooms. Tune in to various KPTV media when Classroom of the Month starts again in September!