Schools are really struggling with costs in today’s political climate of budget cutting. As a former teacher and current school governor, I am aware first hand just how pushed our schools are for resources. Primary schools typically require more craft and creative resources to plan their activities that enhance the learning of our children so giving the school the opportunity to create projects from your waste materials and things you are just going to throw away anyway is such a big help!
How can I recycle things at home for school?
Our children benefit from making, exploring and trying things out for themselves, in short, they learn by doing. There are also after school clubs that need additional resourcing. As parents, we can help our local schools by giving them materials and household items that we no longer need. They may not be able to take everything but it is certainly worth an ask.
When it comes to keeping clutter out of our homes many of us just throw things out. Many items you throw out can often be donated to your child’s school to help them provide educational opportunities for your child and the rest of the kids in the school. These simple items are useful to your child’s school and perfect for throwing into a box ready to take into the classroom.
Toilet paper and paper towel rolls are used for so many school projects for kids. Donating these to your child’s school allows teachers more opportunities to take advantage of crafts and activities in their classroom.
Recycling containers for school including baby food and pasta jars are also a big help. Glass jars of all sizes can be used for storage. Small glass jars like baby food jars are great for teachers to turn into snow globes with the students.
Large T-shirts that you no longer need can make great art smock for your child’s art class helping keep kids clean while they learn.
Clearing out bins and baskets around the house? When we change up our organising systems we often have plenty of bins to get rid of. Instead of throwing these donate them to your child’s school. One of the teachers will be more than happy to put them to use in the classroom.
Recycle your books. The next time you are clearing out books from your home, drop them off at the local school to help stock the school library. Books are the biggest tool for teaching children and with funding cuts are often low on the list.
Call your child’s school and ask if they have a clothing donation bin. These are great for donating food, clothing, and toiletries you no longer need and will go to help provide children with the things they need so they can focus on learning.
Any pieces of old school uniforms that still has life left in it can be given to the school and used as spares as required by the school.
Toys that your child has outgrown may be useful in KS1 for younger children. Toy kitchens, cars and so on may be useful for the classroom or after school groups. Even larger items like scooters are appreciated for the playground.
Wool can be used for many art projects so any leftovers can benefit the children in the classroom.
Many schools also have breakfast clubs or after school clubs that working parents use. Old board games are ideal to donate to your school as they can be used by the children attending these clubs.
Have a look around your home as there are probably many other recyclable things that your local school can benefit from before you throw it out.
