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In this issue you’ll find the article “Get Ready To Streamline The Back-To-
School Paper Flood,” and artwork is a large part of that deluge! Here are
some ideas for how to organize and save your child’s masterpieces!
CREATE A CABLE
HANGING SYSTEM
Amy, mom of four, must have plenty of kids’
artwork to organize! She spotted a cable hanging
system in a Pottery Barn Kids catalog with a $40
price tag and decided she could duplicate it herself
for less. But the basic elements are picture hanging
wire and name badge clips. You can simply wrap
the ends of the wire around nails or screws, or
anything decorative – cabinet knobs, perhaps –
that can attach securely to your wall. Check out
Amy’s version for inspiration here: https://www.
positivelysplendid.com/pottery-barn-inspired-
cable-art-display-tutorial/
TURN ART INTO REALITY
If you’re extremely fond of one of
your child’s drawings, you can have it
turned into a custom stuffed animal,
hand-made to look just like the
drawing. The price is steep, but it’s
definitely a one-of-a-kind gift for
a special occasion. Check out the
details at: https://www.budsies.com
CLIPBOARD ART GALLERY
Jen, mom to two boys, over at Clean and Scentsible,
used dollar store clipboards, spray painted to match her
décor, to display favorite pieces of her kids’ artwork.
https://www.cleanandscentsible.com/kids-art-display/
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!
Rachelle at Tinker Lab recommends the app KEEPY
for saving and sharing your kids’ art. The basic app is
free with the option of signing up for an additional an-
nual fee, which includes unlimited uploads. She says
that one of the app’s
best features is that you
can have your child add a voice
recording to an image to describe their art — and, if you
share, your “fans” — like grandparents — can leave voice
memos back. Artwork can also be turned into photo albums
or objects. Check out Rachelle’s Keepy recommendations
and more ideas at https://tinkerlab.com/how-to-easily-save-
and-share-your-childs-art/
What’s New...
IN THE KIDBIZ
TEACHERS’ TOP NEEDS
FOR 2019
(Family Features) Teachers across
the country work hard to build vibrant,
energizing learning environments for
their students.As a result, teachers
spend more than $1 billion from their
own pockets each year on supplies.
However, parents and commu-
nity members can lend a hand. Be-
sides working directly with your child’s
teacher or school fundraisers, another
option is sharing your assistance with
a program like DonorsChoose.org,
which makes it easy for any individual
to address the inequity in schools, one
classroom at a time.
Last year alone, nearly 145,000
teachers had projects funded on the
site and over 255,000 classroom re-
quests were brought to life. These re-
quests reveal some of the key things
teachers across America need for suc-
cess:
Books & More Books • While
books may seem “old school,” teachers
know that a single book can change a
student’s life. Year after year, teachers
request books more than any other re-
source.
Flexible Seating & Classroom
Furniture • Many teachers credit flex-
ible seating with transforming the
classroom learning experience. Rather
than rigid desks, students choose from
comfy chairs, bouncy balls, bean bags
or wobble stools, all designed to let stu-
dents get those wiggles out so they can
better focus on their work.
Technology • Because of rapidly
evolving technology, 65% of children
now entering primary school will hold
jobs that don’t currently exist. Re-
sources like laptops and tablets help
students learn at their own pace and
practice 21st century skills like coding.
Back to the Basics • Many teach-
ers simply need basic supplies: paper,
pencils and tissues top the list. Another
popular request is “hygiene closets,”
which allow teachers to provide stu-
dents facing poverty with free toilet-
ries to take home such as deodorant,
toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well
as laundry supplies and clean under-
garments.
Learn more about how you can
make a difference for classrooms in
need at www.donorschoose.org.
September 2019 WNY Family 5