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K-12 school supply drive starts today at La Mexicana store in Valu Plaza, Batavia

By Billie Owens

A school supply drive for K-12 students starts today at La Mexicana, Inc., a small grocery store located in the Valu Plaza, behind McDonald's in Batavia.

It is sponsored by La Mexicana, Inc., The KinderArt Klub, and Batavia resident Jill Hart, an agent of RealtyUSA.

Donations will be collected through Friday, Aug. 8, every day except Tuesdays. Regular store hours are noon to 6 p.m., closed Tuesdays, and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

After the drive is through, the supplies will be organized and a school supply store will be set up where parents can shop for free.

The shopping days are set for Wednesday, Aug. 27, through Thursday, Aug. 28, from 12 to 6 p.m. at La Mexicana, 4125 W. Main St.

If you have questions, please contact Danielle at 813-2891 or e-mail at <daniellerenea9@gmail.com>

Donations should be new or in "like new" condition. Here's is a list of supplies wanted, but donations need not be limited to them.

  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Colored pencils
  • Highlighters
  • Loose paper
  • Composition notebooks
  • Spiral notebooks
  • Pencils
  • Pencil sharpeners
  • Erasers
  • Blue or black ink pens
  • 1-inch binders
  • 2-inch binders
  • Dividers
  • Adhesive divider tabs
  • Pencil pouches
  • Backpacks
  • Locker organizers
  • Calculators
  • 3-ring hole punch (for binder items, paper, etc.)
  • Rulers
  • Liquid all-purpose glue
  • Glue sticks
  • Scissors
  • Individually packaged snacks
  • Kleenex packets
  • White Out Tape (no liquid)
  • Book covers
  • School assignment calendars / planners
Ed Hartgrove

No, Mary. I went to school in the 50's and 60's, and (most) of the items listed were the responsibility of the students to bring. But, I will say, I don't remember ever having to bring a 3-ring hole punch. :)

Jul 16, 2014, 8:01pm Permalink
Mardell Lamb

Backpacks weren't invented yet back in 1970 (& least not to my knowledge?) We had awesome metal lunch pails with the coolest shows on them (I had a "Laugh In" one.) The only thing I can recall bringing to school were my 64 ct, crayons (WITH a built in sharpener), oh the smell of new crayons.... Perhaps some Elmers glue and pencils. Seems like the teachers always had paper. What else did we need?

Do you remember the "Ditto" machines? My wonderful 6th grade teacher (Larry Sformo) made me in charge of making all those copies in purple ink. (Another wonderful smell! Oh, and let's not forget the rubber cement.) Ha.

Jul 16, 2014, 9:39pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

Backpacks (in general) have been around a long time. The term may have been coined in the early 20th Century by Americans, but carrying burdens strapped to one's back dates to prehistoric times. Ask any Scout about backpacks; they've been hauling camping gear with them for decades. Prior to being called "backpacks," most military personnel called them "rucksacks" a German portmanteau, "Ruck" and "Sac," literally: backsack. I will assume that Mardell's reference was to backpacks for carrying school materials- which actually came into use in the 1940s with a single-strap version that was slung over the shoulder. More popular with boys was lashing books with a strap or belt. For those who didn't want to carry books in their arms, book bags were common in the 1950s and 1960s. The current trend, using backpacks for school, seems to have emerged in the 1980s.

Jul 16, 2014, 10:42pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

You mean backpacks that our school board allowed the Principal to ban now. They cant use them for the school day.

"On Wednesday, Batavia School Board members approved a ban on students carrying backpacks to class. The move comes as a way to deter students from bringing illegal substances to school. The change will also remove the risk of tripping over backpacks in the hallway or lunch room. The ban will also help keep kids better organized. Students will still be allowed to bring backpacks to school, but will have to leave them in their locker during the school day. The board said students with heath or special education needs would need permission to carry backpacks around.
Parents will receive a letter about the change later this month."

http://www.whec.com/article/stories/s3494021.shtml

Jul 17, 2014, 5:56am Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Kyle - if the students are still allowed to bring their backpacks to school, how will this deter them from bringing illegal substances to school? It may make it harder to bring illegal substances to classes, lunch, etc., but the substances would still make it into the school. And what kinds of illegal substances are we talking about? Bigger than what they can fit in their pockets or purses?

Jul 17, 2014, 9:42am Permalink

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