TOWSON, MD—The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., is hosting its annual drive to collect new school supplies for Baltimore County Public Schools’ students. Called Tools for School, the drive encourages the school system’s community members and business partners to collect or purchase supplies or make a monetary donation.

“One of the most stressful things for students and families is to start the new school year without the supplies they need – that’s what our drive strives to address,” said Deborah S. Phelps, the foundation’s executive director. “We invite companies, friends, neighbors, and community groups to help us make sure every student begins the school year fully equipped and on the right foot.”

“Contributing to the Tools for School school supply drive is such a simple yet powerful way for community members to show their support for our students,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “It’s so important that our students begin their school year with everything they need to ensure a successful and productive school year. Tools for School helps them to do that.”

Donations to the Tools for School drive will be used to stock the shelves at the foundation’s two locations of The Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore. The Exchangeree initiative, in partnership with Merritt Companies, offers BCPS teachers free access to the donated school supplies and classroom resources throughout the year. Teachers can visit an Exchangeree location, select needed supplies, and provide them to students in need at their schools.

According to the foundation, there are several ways community members and business partners can participate in Tools for School:

Hosting a School Supply Drive. The supplies most needed are:

• Book bags
• Binders (3 ring – ½”, 1”, 2”, and 2 ½”)
• Blunt safety scissors
• Cards (flashcards or regular playing cards)
• Colored pencils
• Composition books (college-ruled, wide-Ruled, or primary)
• Crayons (packs of 8 or 24)
• Dividers
• Dry erase markers, erasers, or spray
• Erasers (caps for pencils or wedge)
• Facial tissues
• Folders (with or without brads or pockets)
• Glue
• Glue sticks
• Grid paper
• Highlighters
• Markers, thin or thick (packs of 8 or 12)
• Mechanical pencils with lead
• Modeling clay
• Notebook paper (college-ruled or wide-ruled)
• Pencils (packs of 12)
• Pencil cases
• Pencil grips
• Pencil sharpeners
• Pens (pack of 12)
• Playdough
• Protractors
• Rulers
• Reward stickers
• Scissors
• Sketchbooks
• Sheet protectors
• Spiral notebook (college-ruled or wide-ruled)
• Sticky notes
• Watercolor set w/brush

Collected donations can be dropped off:

– Every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore in Partnership with Merritt Companies
6929 Golden Ring Road | Baltimore 21237

– Every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore in Partnership with Merritt Companies
2034 (F) Lord Baltimore Drive | Windsor Mill 21244

Shopping Online: The foundation has created shopping registries at Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Each vendor will ship the supplies purchased to BCPS. (Each vendor requires minimum purchase amounts for free shipping. Most vendors require membership.)

Making a monetary donation on the foundation’s website (via credit card or PayPal) or by sending a check made payable to The Education Foundation of BCPS to:

The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc.
105 W. Chesapeake Avenue | Suite B-1
Towson, Maryland 21204
ATTN: Cindy Whitcomb

Questions can be directed to The Education Foundation at [email protected] or 443-809-8962.