School Supplies

In June 2009, my husband Sam and I slammed down the hatchback of our Honda CRV, the interior bulging with containers of Legos and books, school supplies and board games, and a box of shoes, a tin of Old Bay in the glove compartment. On the roof was a plastic carrier with as much clothing as we could stuff into it: the necessities of five soon-to-be expatriates. Everything else was in the basement of our Lutherville home, with a new family moving in at the end of the month. Our mission: to give our three children a taste of life in a foreign country, where the language, food, and culture would be vastly different from suburban Baltimore.

Carol G. Hjortsberg, former head of Grace Episcopal Day School and author of a history of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Annapolis, died March 27 from complications of diabetes at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. She was 69. "Carol was very accomplished and a brilliant intellect. She was completely and totally dedicated to the education of children and children in Episcopal schools," said Elizabeth I. Legenhausen, who retired last year after 25 years as head of St. James Academy in Monkton.

Employee volunteers from Booz Allen Hamilton's Aberdeen office recently delivered 70 backpacks filled with school supplies, in addition to several boxes of additional supplies, to support Edgewood Elementary School. For the second year, Edgewood Elementary School made its school supply list optional due to the economic environment. As nearly 70 percent of students at the school receive free or reduced-price meals, the school did not want to place more of a financial burden on families.

Former Maryland standout Moise Fokou was back in College Park today for a charity cooking event. Fokou, now a Tennessee Titans linebacker, was joined by Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson and local chefs at Comcast Center's Heritage Hall for a cooking demonstration that taught kids how to prepare healthy food. Fokou created the Root 53 Foundation last summer to help underprivileged youth by donating school supplies, holding events that promote education, football camps and more.

Earlier this summer, Dan and Heather Simons started adding up the cost of school supplies for their son, who is entering first grade. Glue stick, binder, crayons, lunch box — plus a backpack to carry everything — could easily run $20 to $30. "As my wife and I reviewed the list, we got into a conversation of how expensive it can be for families that have multiple children and don't have the money to buy" supplies, said Dan Simons, 40. ...

THE COMMUNITY'S response to Shepherd Staff's Kits for Kids program offers the thrill of Christmas in August.Children, church groups, communities, businesses and residents have raised money or donated items throughout the summer so people who can't afford the back-to-school basics can get what their children need.Yes, the county has written its own feel-good story. During a brief moment while you read this column, you'll be reminded that good people and good news are in the community.Take the Dietz family in Westminster as an example.

The Glen Burnie Improvement Association (GBIA) is sponsoring a drive to collect school supplies for needy children in Freetown and Meade Village in August.Members are asking for donations of pencils, paper, erasers and other supplies.People who wish to donate items should take them to the civic group's building on South Crain Highway near First Avenue.GBIA members voted this month to spend up to $150 on mailing notices to other associations, inviting them to join the drive.For more information, call the association at 766-6760.

DID YOU see this list?" my friend asked as she shoved at me a paper pungent with the scent of ditto fluid. "Do you want to ride over to Office Depot with me?"

I WAS a couple of months short of 9 years old when I was pronounced old enough to go on the bus by myself to "the stationery store next to Bohaks" to buy my own school supplies.Freedom! Honor! Responsibility! and a passing thought to what I might be able to squeeze into the $5 total that might not be a school supply.I truly loved the ritual restocking each fall. I remember the smell of new pencils and the challenge of a bottle of Scripto ink with its little lip-side well, and the dignified satisfaction of setting up a three-ring binder with index tabs for each course.

Programs that provide back-to-school supplies for the needy are looking for money and other donations.The Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services and the Board of Education has 200 low-income elementary school pupils still in need of backpacks and school supplies for the first day of school.Would-be donors are matched with pupils who need supplies. They then may deliver a book bag of whatever the children need to their schools by Aug. 30. School starts the next day. Cash donations also are accepted.

In June 2009, my husband Sam and I slammed down the hatchback of our Honda CRV, the interior bulging with containers of Legos and books, school supplies and board games, and a box of shoes, a tin of Old Bay in the glove compartment. On the roof was a plastic carrier with as much clothing as we could stuff into it: the necessities of five soon-to-be expatriates. Everything else was in the basement of our Lutherville home, with a new family moving in at the end of the month. Our mission: to give our three children a taste of life in a foreign country, where the language, food, and culture would be vastly different from suburban Baltimore.

In her 22 years at Johnston Square Elementary School, Janice Shelford has spent more than $15,000 of her own money at the Dollar Store and Staples for school supplies for her students. But as of Thursday, she and dozens of other teachers will be heading to a new supply store whose impact on their classrooms will be priceless - literally. Johnston Square served as the launch site of the Wish-List Depot, a nonprofit organization that set up a free store where the school's 24 teachers, and eventually 54 others from three neighboring schools, can stock up on classroom supplies at no cost to the schools or the teachers.

After reading about the wasteful public school spending in Baltimore City, is it any wonder that people are put off when they hear about increasing taxes for education because we aren't spending enough to educate the young ("City school officials play loose with credit," Aug. 26)? According to the Maryland Department of Education, the state's overall graduation rate is a little over 87 percent, but in Baltimore City it is still only about 71 percent. The state average spending per pupil was $14,224 but in Baltimore it was slightly higher, at $14,312.

Since opening its doors in 1952, Westowne Elementary School has seen plenty of first days. But while every first day of school is different, the one common theme for students, teachers, and staff at the school on Harlem Lane has been a feeling of excitement. Pat Vogel, who is beginning her 18th year as a teacher/administrator in the Baltimore County school system, felt the enthusiasm again when Westowne opened on Monday. "Parents are excited because it's their time to send their children back to us," said Vogel, Westowne's principal since 2006.

Earlier this summer, Dan and Heather Simons started adding up the cost of school supplies for their son, who is entering first grade. Glue stick, binder, crayons, lunch box — plus a backpack to carry everything — could easily run $20 to $30. "As my wife and I reviewed the list, we got into a conversation of how expensive it can be for families that have multiple children and don't have the money to buy" supplies, said Dan Simons, 40. ...

Now that August has arrived, I'm starting to get the kids ready for going back to school. I'm trying to get them to bed earlier. I'm nagging them to finish their summer reading assignments. And I have the 11-year-old practicing his multiplication and division. The kids are whining that I'm being too mean, but they don't know how easy they have it. I read a recent report from the National Retail Federation that says the average 13-to-17-year old will spend $36.48 on pens, papers, lunch boxes, etc. as they get ready for school.

"Prepare for Success," Howard County's backpack and school-supplies drive, is continuing through Tuesday. Drop-off boxes to collect backpacks and school supplies for Howard County children in need will be in county government office buildings, libraries, Columbia village centers, Columbia Association sites, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, British American Auto Care, the Body Factory, Play Wise Kids, Magellan Health Services, Champs...

Many people find the holiday season a time to share their blessings with the less fortunate. Local organizations and advocacy groups such as those below would put your gift to good use. Fish of Laurel/Elizabeth House helps needy neighbors in the greater Laurel area by providing dinners, groceries, referral services and, on a very limited basis, some financial help. Elizabeth House kitchen, 301-776-9296. Fish of Laurel groceries and financial help, 301-262-7106. Wish List: Donations of food (fresh meat, cheeses, fresh fruit and vegetables, dry or canned food)

Employee volunteers from Booz Allen Hamilton's Aberdeen office recently delivered 70 backpacks filled with school supplies, in addition to several boxes of additional supplies, to support Edgewood Elementary School. For the second year, Edgewood Elementary School made its school supply list optional due to the economic environment. As nearly 70 percent of students at the school receive free or reduced-price meals, the school did not want to place more of a financial burden on families.