Whenever something comes up at school that we want to do, the first question is "how are we going to pay for this?"  It is the big question for every thing we do.

There are so many things we want to do and need to do, but the funding just isn't there.  And I understand that money doesn't always solve every problem, but California has seriously underfunded schools and kids with very high needs.  And trying to get money out of the state of California is like trying to get money out of a rock - California doesn't have the money.  This is a huge issue and I am not sure what the solution is.  

Until a solution is at hand, though, there are things that need to be paid for.  As I said earlier, we need a new easel.  The easel I have in the classroom is very old and falls down.  I really want a new one.  The one that I want, that will serve us well, is more than I can afford personally.  I just don't have extra money to make this purchase for my class.  We will have PTA funds, but those will be used for a student field trip.  And the supplies budget is $100 for the entire year (yes, this is for ALL the construction paper, notebook paper, pencils, pens, whatever else my classroom needs), which is not nearly enough for the easel. 

So I looked for a solution.  I am not sure I found one, but I am trying.  An old friend (someone I went to high school with) who teaches in Southern California, told me about donorschoose.org, which is a site where teachers submit proposals and people fund them.  I submitted my project, and have donations (although all the donations so far have come from people I know).  

So what happens when something else falls apart?

(if you want to help fund my easel, just click on the Easel Does It link over in the links box - and thanks!)