We are a reusable resource center providing new and gently used educational supplies to Alachua County Public School teachers at no cost.
Tools for Schools
Tools for Schools operates with disadvantaged children in mind since many parents cannot afford the cost of a school lunch, let alone the necessary school supplies. Tools for Schools hopes to alleviate some of the economic pressure teachers are faced with every school year.
You can help! Every day, local businesses and households throw away countless items which still have educational value to them. Overruns and no longer needed supplies are just a few of the materials sent to the landfill instead of being reused. Imagine those items in the hands of eager students! They become useful supplies to help make math, science, and language arts concepts real.
Tools for Schools is a partnership of the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners and the Alachua County Public Schools that offers a place for teachers to shop for learning materials at no cost. Businesses and individuals provide the materials, and teachers visit the store to select items for their students.
Who benefits from Tools for Schools?
Teachers
All teachers are familiar with the costly burden of supplying school materials for their classrooms every year.Tools for Schools lightens this burden by providing an abundance of educational tools at no cost. Public school teachers from the Alachua County School District have access to the center. Teachers can earn additional shopping days by volunteering.
Students
A lack of materials infringes upon a student's potential for learning and creativity. Tools for Schools provides Alachua County's teacher with a greater variety of essential materials, both traditional and non traditional, at no cost for their students.
Businesses
Local businesses play an extremely valuable role in the community by becoming business partners and donating to Tools for Schools. Not only will the business reduce their amount of waste, but they will be providing free resources for educational use throughout the community. The Alachua County Commission and the School Board of Alachua County recognize these businesses as sponsors.
Community
What once reflected negative images of alcohol and tobacco sales is now a positive influence, benefiting local children and teachers. The old convenience store located next to Williams Elementary School, near Lincoln Middle School, is now Tools for Schools, a reusable resource center for teachers.
Environment
Every day, valuable items are thrown away while resources are unnecessarily used to create new materials. By reusing materials, we are able to help our environment by conserving our natural resources and extending the life of our landfills. Help reduce waste, conserve resources and save money!
Finding a common bond between children, teachers, businesses and citizens is challenging. Tools for Schools assists the community by providing students and teachers with the supplies needed for success. We help the environment by avoiding disposal of reusable items and conserving resources. Each year, in Alachua County, we throw away more than 160,000 tons of garbage. Sixty-five percent of this refuse comes from the commercial sector of our community and many of these items can, and should, be reused.
Tools for Schools aims to educate the community in recognizing the value of these materials and getting them into Alachua County classrooms. Our staff can help businesses and individuals recognize the beneficial portion of the waste stream. Please contact us and for guidelines and advice on how you can help.
Tools for Schools is part of a national network of reusable resource centers. As a member of the Reusable Resources Association, Inc., our staff has received training to establish and maintain our center. We offer workshops for teachers on how to use the materials for educational purposes. Teachers work with items from Tools for Schools to invoke productive learning experiences including hand-eye coordination, math applications, problem solving, as well as creative expression.
This is a basic list of items we have requested from donors. Just because we do not list it does not mean we may not have it. Just because it is listed does not guarantee that we have the item.
The items we have at the main location and on the mobile unit vary from day to day. Below is a suggested donation list to give donors an idea of what teachers may need.
Types of Materials Needed:
• non-traditional learning tools
• production overruns
• interestingly shaped trims
• obsolete inventory/logo items
• factory seconds or rejects
• clean, colorful punch outs
• packing products
Office Products
• staplers
• software (old versions)
• hole punches
• 3-ring binders
• in/out trays
• cassette tapes
• copy holders
• CD R's
• envelopes
• vertical files
• file folders
• paper clips
• 2-pocket folders
• rubber bands
• glue
• tabbed dividers
• ink pads/stamps
• note pads
• markers
• sheet protectors
• mouse pads
• envelopes
• paper (all kinds)
• labels
• pencils
• dry erase markers
• pens
• fax paper
• rulers
• scissors
• paste/glue sticks
• Bulletin/Dry-Erase boards
Paper Supplies
• copy paper
• peel & stick vinyl
• computer paper
• wrapping paper
• note pads
• rolls of newsprint
• art paper
• construction paper
• matte board
• end cuts
• contact paper
• stationery
• note cards
• envelopes
Science & Math Materials
• magnifying lenses
• calculators
• plant seeds
• flasks/test tubes
• small animal cages/aquariums
• geometric figures
• rock and mineral collections
• science magazines
• shell collections
• usable batteries
• rulers
• copper wire
• microscopes
• magnets
• small countable items
Arts & Crafts
• bric-a-brac
• frames
• chalk
• carpet squares
• clay
• buttons
• crayons
• fabric scraps
• paint brushes
• mylar/contact paper
• paste
• nails
• plaster of paris
• pie tins
• popsicle sticks
• shoe strings
• sand paper
• elastic
• string
• toothpicks
• tempra paint
• wallpaper
• yarn
• books
• straws
• baskets
• forks
• thread
• spools
• self-sealing bags
• beads
• telephone wire (colored strands)
Reviews, get directions and information Tools for Schools.
