ALBANY, N.Y. Aug. 24, 2018 — Nothing says “back to school” like fresh school supplies and a new backpack. Thanks to a partnership between New York State United Teachers and WAMC Northeast Public Radio, 30 teachers — new members of the Albany Public School Teachers Association — will get a jumpstart on the school year with a free backpack and a supply of school materials for their students.
NYSUT, WAMC and APSTA leaders will distribute the backpacks and kits of basic supplies such as pencils, pens, dictionaries and calculators, to the educators during the Albany City School District’s new teacher orientation. Once school starts, the educators will distribute the backpacks and kit materials to needy students.
The distribution will take place Monday, Aug. 27, starting at 2 p.m., in the Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School auditorium, 100 Elbel Court in Albany. NYSUT Secretary Treasurer Philippe Abraham will be on hand. The media is invited to attend.
“Each year teachers spend, on average, nearly $480 out of pocket to purchase classroom school supplies for students,” said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta. “NYSUT is happy to help meet the needs of these students, and to relieve a bit of that burden for hard-working educators.”
“This is a wonderful initiative that we’re proud to offer to our members,” said Abraham.
“I can’t thank NYSUT and WAMC enough for helping our new teachers start their careers at Albany on a high note,” said Laura Franz, APSTA president. “I know the materials will be put to good use!”
NYSUT and WAMC donated 500 backpacks and supply kits as part of the station’s June fundraising drive. A WAMC pledge of $100 or more funded one kit for distribution in districts throughout the station’s 18-county listening area.
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.