Teachers gather supplies donated in 9 School Tools drive

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9's School Tools drive was a huge success this year, and because of the community’s generosity, thousands of students will start the school year prepared.

Anchor Erica Bryant talks about how one Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher can now be sure her students are ready for class on Monday.

Classroom Central provides free school supplies for local teachers to give to their students. Many teachers have been shopping this week for students whose families can't afford these items.

Supplies from the School Tools drive goes to Classroom Central.

“We actually have 100,000 kids in our service area that need the basic supplies to equip them to be prepared and successful in school,” Karen Calder with Classroom Central said.

Garinger High School teacher Christiana Kim picked up supplies her students will need on Monday.

Pencils, notebook paper, all sorts of items her students will need -- but possibly not have -- Monday morning.

"They're going to love that so much," she said.
 
The students in her chemistry class would not have those supplies otherwise.
 
"My students' parents want them to be successful and want to give them all the opportunities that anybody else has," Kim said. "They just aren't able to."

Garinger is a Title I school, meaning many of its students are from low-income homes.
 
"They're going to have the paper and the pencils and things that they need," Kim said. "I've tried to do my best to create a classroom of equal-learning opportunity regardless of the hardships they may have."

Everyone at Channel 9 thanks those who donated to this year’s School Tools collection.

Cox Media Group