Have Supplies Will Travel

by Laura Breen Galante

Tools 4 Seminole Schools is hitting the road. The teacher resource store in Sanford recently added a mobile supply  unit that is making monthly visits to high-needs schools throughout Seminole County.

Created by the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, Tools 4 Seminole Schools has collected and distributed more than $20.3 million in supplies to classrooms since opening in 2010. 

Teachers can shop at the store for free, gathering items to ensure their students have the tools they need to be successful in school. For some educators, however, a trip to the brick-and-mortar store at 1780 West Airport Boulevard can be a long drive.

“Depending on where their school is located in the county, it can be difficult for them to come over to the store,” says Jean Vansmith, the Foundation’s executive director. “For several years, we’ve had teachers asking if we could open a second location or have a mobile store.”

Rolling Out Support

With the arrival of the mobile unit, that wish has been granted. Thanks to a $75,000 legislative appropriation sponsored by Senator Jason Brodeur and Representative David Smith, the Foundation purchased and outfitted a high-roof cargo van to be used as the mobile store.

The van made its inaugural trip in June to Altamonte Elementary School. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, students participating in summer learning programs received free books and teachers were gifted with classroom supplies.

Tools 4 Seminole Schools is funded through the Foundation and supported by grants, corporate giving, individual donations, and school supply drives. The store’s shelves are filled with much more than pencils, crayons, and notebooks. It is also stocked with tissues, hand sanitizer, personal hygiene items, socks, shorts, shirts, and even underwear.

“Not only do the kids have the supplies they need for the classroom,” says Jean, “but they can come to school feeling confident.”

It is estimated that teachers often spend about $500 of their own money on classroom materials and school supplies each year, and the store helps alleviate that burden. Now, the mobile unit can help do the same thing. Last academic year alone, Tools 4 Seminole Schools distributed $2 million in goods.

Nikki Ortiz-Tatarka, a teacher at Lawton Chiles Middle School, visits the Sanford store frequently. Backpacks are among the items she often picks up. 

“Not every student is able to come to school with all of the materials they need, but every student deserves to have those materials, making Tools 4 Seminole Schools a vital resource,” says Nikki. “As a theater teacher, my tech students were able to build underwater coral reef sets for our production of The Little Mermaid using [faux] flowers and plants provided by the store.”

Beth Rodney, an art teacher at Jackson Heights Middle School, also shops there often. 

“Tools 4 Seminole Schools has been an invaluable partner in supporting my classroom and ensuring that my students have access to the resources they need to succeed,” says Beth. “This allows students to explore creativity.”

On the Road Again  

The mobile supply store began visiting Seminole schools on a regular basis in August, starting with those that have a higher free and reduced lunch population. The Foundation is working with principals to schedule visits as well as stock supplies specific to each school’s needs. 

“We wanted something that didn’t require a commercial driver’s license to drive,” says Jean, “but we chose the high roof because we want our staff to be able to stand up inside of it while shopping.”

The cargo van is even outfitted with rolling bins that can be removed and set up so teachers can shop both inside and outside the vehicle.

Nikki and Beth are both excited that Tools 4 Seminole Schools is taking its shopping experience on the road.

“This new opportunity will make these valuable resources even more accessible to educators and the students they serve,” says Beth.

Nikki agrees, adding, “Making sure those supplies get into the hands of our students is the most important thing.”

The mobile supply store is just one way the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools is helping support the district’s students and teachers. 

To learn more, visit FoundationSCPS.org/tools4seminoleschools.