Buckhorn High School Technology!
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Right now you are probably asking yourself: "Why should I donate to this school's GoFundMe?" Well our question to you is: Why shouldn't you? Before you answer, please take 15 minutes of your time and read the following information, then decide whether you should or shouldn't donate. If it's important to you, you'll find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse. Regardless, the issue is very important to our faculty & staff, students, and community members. Read on to see how we continue to find a way, whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
Education spending has remained relatively flat in the aftermath of the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, which means education funding hasn't kept up with inflation. A study by National School Supply and Equipment (NSSEA) found that teachers are “the primary source of funding for classroom projects” and pay for 77 percent of classroom supplies. All this spending adds up to an estimated $1.6 BILLION a year nationwide (Shepard, 2014 ). The average teacher will spend anywhere from $400 to $1500 of his/her OWN money on classroom supplies (“Experts say,” 2014 ). Buckhorn teachers are no exception. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
This amount does not include the additional money that some teachers spend to buy the occasional breakfast, lunch, snack, or beverage, or a ticket to attend a school-sponsored fundraiser or event. Nor does it include when a teacher purchases a warm coat or new shoes for a child who is in need. Nor does it include the donations our teachers make each year to our Secret Santa program. It doesn’t include the money that some teachers spend for banquets, class or team cook-outs, special events, or transportation to and from a practice or a game. It doesn’t include the dollar amount spent on Buckhorn t-shirts (and every other type of clothing - from socks to pajamas to arm sleeves and flip-flops), candy bars, popcorn, wrapping paper, coupon books, magazines, advertisements, pizza cards, doughnut cards, Boston butts, turkeys, pastry braids, pecans, cookie dough, chocolate turtles, pancake breakfasts, Belk discount cards, scarves, blankets, seat warmers, car magnets, mums, holiday candy donations and anything else you can think of to sell, because trust me — not only do they sell it all, but our teachers buy it all too! They literally get nickeled and dimed (i.e., a coin drive was held to ensure we got every single spare penny the teachers may have had hidden in their desk drawer or under their car seat). One teacher even went, as he called it, “couch-diving,” so he could donate ALL his spare change to help us raise funds for the new (and very expensive) broadcasting program. Our teachers don’t do this because they really dislike spare change or because they really needed one more Buckhorn t-shirt (most already have 42 or more, not exaggerating) or because buying those four delicious chocolate turtles for only $9.99, was just too good of a bargain to pass up. And they for sure were not waiting in anticipation for the “arm sleeves” to go on sale so they could get their pair!! No, they do it willingly AND happily because they genuinely care about your children. They do it because they want to show your children that they support them in all that they do, both inside and outside the classroom. They do it because they know it WILL have a positive impact on your children’s academic success. They do it because they genuinely love your children. The BHS teachers do it because — they do whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
Furthermore, the amount stated above doesn't include the money that BHS teachers have to spend for the copies they make for their students’ handouts and assessments, AND the actual copy paper that is used to print those handouts and assessments. The average teacher has 75-90 students and school is in session for 180 days. If a teacher made just one copy per student each day, that would be 13,500 - 16,200 copies. That is more than 3 cases of paper (which is ~$81.00) and if we round copies charges up to a whole penny, then the total expense a teacher would incur for copies and paper alone would be ~$211.00 to ~$243.00 Thankfully, our principal has been paying the rental expenses for our copy machines, because those fees are right around $500.00/month. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
Let’s not forget about the professional development workshops attended. If the training is required then yes, our administration uses our state allocated money to pay for those mandatory sessions. However, when that is all said and done, there isn’t a whole lot of money left over. If there is something that a teacher wants to attend then he/she will more than likely have to pay for it out of pocket. Our administration will try their very best to accommodate all requests, but just like your momma used to tell you, “money does not grow on trees.” Thankfully there are a plethora of free webinars that many teachers attend on a regular basis. If a teacher can’t join the live session because of teaching or after school responsibilities, then other teachers who were able to participate, share what they learned or provide a link to the archived session. What a blessing these free sessions have been for our teachers, as well as for our students who are really the primary beneficiaries of continued learning and training by our teachers. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
To give you an even better perspective, let's look at last year's budget. The state allocated $310.00 per each teaching unit for classroom supplies (support personnel do not receive any funds for supplies). Using the lowest amount estimated for copies above, teachers would have roughly $100.00 left over. One professional development activity (registration, transportation, and lodging, if out of town) could easily consume (and exceed) the remaining funds. Even if a teacher chose to forgo professional training that required a fee, the very basic consumables that still needed to be purchased were significantly more than the funds they had remaining - printer ink, staples, tape, posters, file folders, labels, pencils, pens, highlighters, books for classroom libraries, sticky notes, whiteboard markers, whiteboard erasers, whiteboard cleaner, notecards, markers, colored pencils, notebook paper, colored paper, construction paper, glue, paint, new iPad apps, new audio books, new ebooks, batteries, special project supplies, scantrons, tissues, hand wipes, paper towels, disinfectant spray , etc... - not to mention the projector bulbs that many of the classrooms need but can’t afford at $200+ each , or the 32 Gateway E-2500S computers that are over ten years old and are operating on WindowsXP (yes, we said XP). But we have to keep them, because we can’t afford the one Lenovo desktop that computer services will allow us to purchase for $777.00 . When the computers do finally crash for good, our teachers are left with nothing, because computer services can no longer get the parts to repair them (see, they really are that old) and they will not replace them with a new computer, because they don’t have the funds either. Our principal has graciously purchased as many devices as he could possibly afford (really more than he could afford-he is paying off debts that were incurred before he even became principal). However, we still have several teachers who rely on their personal devices to instruct his/her students. Please understand that we are not complaining be any means, just illustrating further that our teachers are getting it done with the little funds and resources that they have to do it with. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
Many of you already know the achievements and accomplishments that BHS, a national Blue Ribbon School and a national Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School, has been recognized for this year, but for those of you who don’t know, here are just a few:
According to a national survey conducted by Kelton Research in 2010, 97% of teachers frequently dip into their own pockets to purchase necessary classroom supplies (Yousuf, 2010 ). In 2013, that number increased to a whopping 99.5% reported by NSSEA (Nagel, 2013 ). We can only imagine that in 2015, 100% of the nation’s teachers are now spending their own money for necessary classroom supplies. Buckhorn teachers are no exception. Have you ever seen the classrooms and hallways at BHS? If you have, then you’ve seen all of the decorations, the projects created by our students, the bulletin boards designed by our young leaders, the hall and door decorations crafted with just as much love as they were skill, inspirational posters, storage bins filled with tools and supplies to enhance lessons, reading areas - complete with area rugs, bean bag chairs, mood lighting and classroom libraries filled with books that have been carefully selected by each classroom teacher. These "lounge" areas are spaces coveted by our independent learners. You’ve seen the rooms that are adorned with colorful displays for our visual learners, and filled with captivating sounds that resonate throughout the rooms, inspiring our auditory learners. An even closer look, reveals carefully arranged collaborative learning stations that motivate our kinesthetic learners (students who learn best through movements, interactions, and guided discovery). Did you know: almost all of this was purchased with the personal funds of our teachers? You might say that all of that is not necessary, but did you know that studies have shown that the conditions for optimal learning include both physical and psychological elements? A flexible classroom layout is key, incorporating various types of furniture and arrangements to support both individual and group work. Psychologically speaking, our teachers use their classroom management techniques to support a safe and supportive learning environment. So just to reemphasize, at Buckhorn, we believe that all students can be academically successful, and therefore we strive to provide them THE best possible learning experience we can. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
As I write, I am reminded of a 'meme ' I saw the other day: "Teaching is the only profession I know where the employees steal supplies from home to take to work." Ha! This is so very true! Please understand we are not crying, “Whoa is me,” nor are we requesting handouts for unnecessary supplies and technology. We are seeking partnerships to invest in the academic success of our students, to do whatever it takes, together, for the benefit and success of every single student at Buckhorn High School. So, have we convinced you to join us in our efforts to make a difference in the educational experiences of our students, to enhance our efforts of preparing them to enter the world both college and career ready? Consider the words of Author and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, “If something is important to you, you’ll find a way. If it’s not important to you, then you’ll find an excuse.” The students at Buckhorn High School are important to us. We will continue to find a way, whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
If you have decided it is important to you, your investment will help us: replace the 32 (very old) GatewayXP computers with new Lenovo M83 SFFs ($777 each) • 25 NEC projector bulbs (264.95 each) • our ten year old laptops with 50 new Lenovo Thinkpad L540 full size laptops ($983 each) • purchase 10 HD multi-media projectors ($899 each) • 15 network printers ($429.99 each)
We also have a school Amazon Wish List if you would like to donate classroom supplies for our students to use next year. Click HERE to see what is needed.
If you would like to learn more about Buckhorn High School please visit:
Buckhorn High School Website
Buckhorn High School Facebook Page
The Blue & Gold (online newsletter)
Buckhorn High School Twitter Page
Buckhorn High School Instagram
Buckhorn High School Google+
Buckhorn High School YouTube
Thank you for taking the time to read our story, we appreciate your commitment to the academic success of our students. We believe that TOGETHER we will be empowered to conquer each obstacle head on - whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses. We hope you find a way.
Suzanne Sullins
Buckhorn High School Media Specialist
Education spending has remained relatively flat in the aftermath of the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, which means education funding hasn't kept up with inflation. A study by National School Supply and Equipment (NSSEA) found that teachers are “the primary source of funding for classroom projects” and pay for 77 percent of classroom supplies. All this spending adds up to an estimated $1.6 BILLION a year nationwide (Shepard, 2014 ). The average teacher will spend anywhere from $400 to $1500 of his/her OWN money on classroom supplies (“Experts say,” 2014 ). Buckhorn teachers are no exception. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
This amount does not include the additional money that some teachers spend to buy the occasional breakfast, lunch, snack, or beverage, or a ticket to attend a school-sponsored fundraiser or event. Nor does it include when a teacher purchases a warm coat or new shoes for a child who is in need. Nor does it include the donations our teachers make each year to our Secret Santa program. It doesn’t include the money that some teachers spend for banquets, class or team cook-outs, special events, or transportation to and from a practice or a game. It doesn’t include the dollar amount spent on Buckhorn t-shirts (and every other type of clothing - from socks to pajamas to arm sleeves and flip-flops), candy bars, popcorn, wrapping paper, coupon books, magazines, advertisements, pizza cards, doughnut cards, Boston butts, turkeys, pastry braids, pecans, cookie dough, chocolate turtles, pancake breakfasts, Belk discount cards, scarves, blankets, seat warmers, car magnets, mums, holiday candy donations and anything else you can think of to sell, because trust me — not only do they sell it all, but our teachers buy it all too! They literally get nickeled and dimed (i.e., a coin drive was held to ensure we got every single spare penny the teachers may have had hidden in their desk drawer or under their car seat). One teacher even went, as he called it, “couch-diving,” so he could donate ALL his spare change to help us raise funds for the new (and very expensive) broadcasting program. Our teachers don’t do this because they really dislike spare change or because they really needed one more Buckhorn t-shirt (most already have 42 or more, not exaggerating) or because buying those four delicious chocolate turtles for only $9.99, was just too good of a bargain to pass up. And they for sure were not waiting in anticipation for the “arm sleeves” to go on sale so they could get their pair!! No, they do it willingly AND happily because they genuinely care about your children. They do it because they want to show your children that they support them in all that they do, both inside and outside the classroom. They do it because they know it WILL have a positive impact on your children’s academic success. They do it because they genuinely love your children. The BHS teachers do it because — they do whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
Furthermore, the amount stated above doesn't include the money that BHS teachers have to spend for the copies they make for their students’ handouts and assessments, AND the actual copy paper that is used to print those handouts and assessments. The average teacher has 75-90 students and school is in session for 180 days. If a teacher made just one copy per student each day, that would be 13,500 - 16,200 copies. That is more than 3 cases of paper (which is ~$81.00) and if we round copies charges up to a whole penny, then the total expense a teacher would incur for copies and paper alone would be ~$211.00 to ~$243.00 Thankfully, our principal has been paying the rental expenses for our copy machines, because those fees are right around $500.00/month. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
Let’s not forget about the professional development workshops attended. If the training is required then yes, our administration uses our state allocated money to pay for those mandatory sessions. However, when that is all said and done, there isn’t a whole lot of money left over. If there is something that a teacher wants to attend then he/she will more than likely have to pay for it out of pocket. Our administration will try their very best to accommodate all requests, but just like your momma used to tell you, “money does not grow on trees.” Thankfully there are a plethora of free webinars that many teachers attend on a regular basis. If a teacher can’t join the live session because of teaching or after school responsibilities, then other teachers who were able to participate, share what they learned or provide a link to the archived session. What a blessing these free sessions have been for our teachers, as well as for our students who are really the primary beneficiaries of continued learning and training by our teachers. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
To give you an even better perspective, let's look at last year's budget. The state allocated $310.00 per each teaching unit for classroom supplies (support personnel do not receive any funds for supplies). Using the lowest amount estimated for copies above, teachers would have roughly $100.00 left over. One professional development activity (registration, transportation, and lodging, if out of town) could easily consume (and exceed) the remaining funds. Even if a teacher chose to forgo professional training that required a fee, the very basic consumables that still needed to be purchased were significantly more than the funds they had remaining - printer ink, staples, tape, posters, file folders, labels, pencils, pens, highlighters, books for classroom libraries, sticky notes, whiteboard markers, whiteboard erasers, whiteboard cleaner, notecards, markers, colored pencils, notebook paper, colored paper, construction paper, glue, paint, new iPad apps, new audio books, new ebooks, batteries, special project supplies, scantrons, tissues, hand wipes, paper towels, disinfectant spray , etc... - not to mention the projector bulbs that many of the classrooms need but can’t afford at $200+ each , or the 32 Gateway E-2500S computers that are over ten years old and are operating on WindowsXP (yes, we said XP). But we have to keep them, because we can’t afford the one Lenovo desktop that computer services will allow us to purchase for $777.00 . When the computers do finally crash for good, our teachers are left with nothing, because computer services can no longer get the parts to repair them (see, they really are that old) and they will not replace them with a new computer, because they don’t have the funds either. Our principal has graciously purchased as many devices as he could possibly afford (really more than he could afford-he is paying off debts that were incurred before he even became principal). However, we still have several teachers who rely on their personal devices to instruct his/her students. Please understand that we are not complaining be any means, just illustrating further that our teachers are getting it done with the little funds and resources that they have to do it with. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
Many of you already know the achievements and accomplishments that BHS, a national Blue Ribbon School and a national Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School, has been recognized for this year, but for those of you who don’t know, here are just a few:
Buckhorn has the highest graduation rate of all the high schools in Madison County • Buckhorn had more AP Scholars (81) than ALL of the other schools COMBINED (80) •In March 2015, Delta Theta Sigma Sorority held their awards ceremony and recognized a total of 453 students from all area high schools, and 205 (45%) of the students honored were from Buckhorn High School alone •For the second year in a row, the Madison County secondary teacher of the year was a BHS teacher, and both of those teachers (Dr. Matt Dean and Mrs. Jenny Massey) went on to win the regional teacher of year title, advancing to the Elite 8 • For the third year in a row, Buckhorn was identified by the Washington Post as one the most challenging high schools in the nation (the only high school in Madison County, one of only three North Alabama schools, nine total in Alabama) • Buckhorn has more national board certified teachers than any other school in Madison County (six - Mrs. Carrie Bates, Dr. Matt Dean, Mrs. Theresa Durboraw, Mrs. Connie Mask, Mrs. Jenny Massey, Mrs. Tracy Wilson) • Our Scholars’ Bowl team won the Madison County Tournament for the tenth year in a row and they went on to place in the final four in the National Academic Competition held in New Orleans just a few week ago • Just this week (6/1/15), ALL three of our Boys State delegates were ELECTED to one of the very few, prestigious elected offices (Sean Bengs-Mayor of Harbuck, Sam Akers-PSC Assoc. Comm Place 2, Sam Downard-Associate Justice Place 3). Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
According to a national survey conducted by Kelton Research in 2010, 97% of teachers frequently dip into their own pockets to purchase necessary classroom supplies (Yousuf, 2010 ). In 2013, that number increased to a whopping 99.5% reported by NSSEA (Nagel, 2013 ). We can only imagine that in 2015, 100% of the nation’s teachers are now spending their own money for necessary classroom supplies. Buckhorn teachers are no exception. Have you ever seen the classrooms and hallways at BHS? If you have, then you’ve seen all of the decorations, the projects created by our students, the bulletin boards designed by our young leaders, the hall and door decorations crafted with just as much love as they were skill, inspirational posters, storage bins filled with tools and supplies to enhance lessons, reading areas - complete with area rugs, bean bag chairs, mood lighting and classroom libraries filled with books that have been carefully selected by each classroom teacher. These "lounge" areas are spaces coveted by our independent learners. You’ve seen the rooms that are adorned with colorful displays for our visual learners, and filled with captivating sounds that resonate throughout the rooms, inspiring our auditory learners. An even closer look, reveals carefully arranged collaborative learning stations that motivate our kinesthetic learners (students who learn best through movements, interactions, and guided discovery). Did you know: almost all of this was purchased with the personal funds of our teachers? You might say that all of that is not necessary, but did you know that studies have shown that the conditions for optimal learning include both physical and psychological elements? A flexible classroom layout is key, incorporating various types of furniture and arrangements to support both individual and group work. Psychologically speaking, our teachers use their classroom management techniques to support a safe and supportive learning environment. So just to reemphasize, at Buckhorn, we believe that all students can be academically successful, and therefore we strive to provide them THE best possible learning experience we can. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
As I write, I am reminded of a 'meme ' I saw the other day: "Teaching is the only profession I know where the employees steal supplies from home to take to work." Ha! This is so very true! Please understand we are not crying, “Whoa is me,” nor are we requesting handouts for unnecessary supplies and technology. We are seeking partnerships to invest in the academic success of our students, to do whatever it takes, together, for the benefit and success of every single student at Buckhorn High School. So, have we convinced you to join us in our efforts to make a difference in the educational experiences of our students, to enhance our efforts of preparing them to enter the world both college and career ready? Consider the words of Author and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, “If something is important to you, you’ll find a way. If it’s not important to you, then you’ll find an excuse.” The students at Buckhorn High School are important to us. We will continue to find a way, whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses.
If you have decided it is important to you, your investment will help us: replace the 32 (very old) GatewayXP computers with new Lenovo M83 SFFs ($777 each) • 25 NEC projector bulbs (264.95 each) • our ten year old laptops with 50 new Lenovo Thinkpad L540 full size laptops ($983 each) • purchase 10 HD multi-media projectors ($899 each) • 15 network printers ($429.99 each)
We also have a school Amazon Wish List if you would like to donate classroom supplies for our students to use next year. Click HERE to see what is needed.
If you would like to learn more about Buckhorn High School please visit:
Buckhorn High School Website
Buckhorn High School Facebook Page
The Blue & Gold (online newsletter)
Buckhorn High School Twitter Page
Buckhorn High School Instagram
Buckhorn High School Google+
Buckhorn High School YouTube
Thank you for taking the time to read our story, we appreciate your commitment to the academic success of our students. We believe that TOGETHER we will be empowered to conquer each obstacle head on - whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no excuses. We hope you find a way.
Suzanne Sullins
Buckhorn High School Media Specialist
Organizer
Suzanne Sullins
Organizer
New Market, AL
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