10/26/16
How to get Something for
Nothing, well Almost!!!
A Presentation for ISCA on Monday,
November 7, 2016
By Donnette Kremke-Bastian,
Counselor at CBCSD
Donnette’s Background Information
Jack of all Trades and Master of None!!!
33 years in education-l  Taught in the classroom--8 years-K, 1, 2, 3,
5, 6 (notice no 4th)
l  Elementary School Counselor--8 years
l  Lead Teacher--3 years
l  Elementary Principal--3 years
l  Elementary TAG Teacher--11 years
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Current Position
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Longfellow Elementary Counselor--Council Bluffs Community
Schools--Year 6
Demographics of my School-550+ Students-K-5
100% Free Lunch--building on the school lunch federal grant-free breakfast and lunch for all
Highest percentage of special education in the district--currently
Lowest attendance rate--September 2016-statistics
21st Century Grant for Before and After School Programs
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If you have OCD--this is not for you!!!
My office is always a mess and cluttered!!!
I have supplies everywhere.
l  I have even found places to store things
around the building because my office is too
full.
l  Be creative!
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Hygiene Pantry--started in 2013
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Ask for donations from local community or churches
Ask principal for money
Have a hygiene pantry drive
As a last resort--by it yourself--I buy everything at Dollar Tree
Have only specific items--necessities--laundry soap, shampoo,
body wash/soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, deodorant
and brushes (if others donate other supplies, give them out until
they are gone….)
I give things out when any student asks--I tried letting them
come and get what they needed and they cleared me out in
one day!!!
My Basic Hygiene Choices
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Winter Wear Pantry--started 2014
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Ask local churches
Have $20 jeans weeks for teachers or raffles
Ask parents for contributions--just make sure to say clean, in
good repair, and working zippers for coats
See if your district has a fund for needy students--access that
money
What we offer--coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots and snow
pants for grades K-2
Make a letter to send home and have parents sign and return it
If you see a student or a teacher asks you--give it
One of my coat stashes….
Shoe Pantry--started 2015
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Ask Parents--make sure that you stipulate the shoes
need to be clean and in good shape. This is all I had
to do and we had so many that I took some to local
shelters and some to the Goodwill.
This pantry is somewhat different--we use it mostly in
house. If a teacher sees a student’s shoe is in bad
shape or too small, they send them to me. Also,
students self-refer. Obviously, if a parent asks, I try
to provide if we have anything available.
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My big shoe box...
Sensory Boxes--started 2015
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I got this idea here last year--we have so many students that
need breaks!!! I want them to take their break in the classroom,
so they are at least hearing instruction.
Look for grants, do Go Fund Me, Donor’s Choose or similar,
buy at Dollar Tree
Ask your principal for money--if he/she sees the need, it will be
funded
We have a foundation that gives grant to teachers of up to
$1000 a year. That is how I purchased my stuff--my principal
gave me money at the beginning of this year to restock things.
I will write a grant to finish getting these for all classrooms this
fall.
One of my 17 buckets--not fully
implemented-yet
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Food Pantry--just starting now...
Have a food drive at your school and give
prizes to the classes that bring the most food.
l  Ask local churches to have food drives for
your pantry.
l  Ask local grocery stores.
l  Get community partners.
l  Have not done a giveaway, yet!!! Plans are
for the second week in November.
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My messy pantry...
Picture of my morning club working on our
food pantry!!!
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Morning Clubs
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Research says involved students are more successful….
For several years, I volunteered my time before I was on
contract to run a before school club that focused on finishing
homework and some math or reading instruction.
Last year, my school got a 21st Century Learning Grant for
before and after school programs. Last year, I strictly ran a
physical fitness class before school.
This year, I get the best of both worlds!! I run 1.5 hour a day
program that includes three components--philanthropy,
academics-reading and math and physical activity.
After School Clubs
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Again--Research shows the more involved students
are in school the better they do in life…..
Over the years, I have volunteered time in after
school programs that usually focused on homework
or helping students in the areas of reading and math.
Again, we got the grant so I get to do “fun” things
with kids now--I teach them how to sew, twirl the
baton, play board and card games, and next quarter
I am starting a stress management club.
Picture of one of my clubs….
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This is my full service counseling...
If you ask, they may provide…
If you build it, they will come…
l  If you have it, they will utilize it!!!
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Questions….
Thank you for coming...
My [email protected]
Feel free to email me with questions….
l  My presentation and hand-outs are being
shared on the ISCA Conference site--I did
not want to kill trees needlessly :)
l  If you did not get a handout of resources,
please email me and I will get it shared with
you.
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