Indiana Professional Staff Organization coordinated donation of more than 450 backpacks and school supplies
06/16/2017

At the start of school, students across the state will benefit from free backpacks and school supplies courtesy of the Indiana Professional Staff Organization (PSO), a staff union of ISTA. In less than 30 minutes, ISTA members and Indiana PSO members stuffed a total of 456 backpacks with school supplies during the ISTA Summer Conference in Indianapolis.

“It was an awesome opportunity for all of us to come together – members, staff and management – to provide a great service that will benefit students across the state of Indiana,” said Sandy Steele, Indiana PSO President. “Through these efforts we were able to send backpacks stuffed with school supplies back to 37 school buildings. As a bonus, any leftover school supplies were donated to ISTA ReSupply.”

Working in assembly lines, 216 backpacks were packed with supplies and materials for secondary students and 240 backpacks for elementary students.

ISTA members attending the Summer Conference entered a drawing for the backpacks. Those chosen will return the backpacks to their schools and districts to distribute to students in need.

“My kids are going to be thrilled,” said Kris McGlaun, Teacher at Jackson Creek Middle School. “It’s great for the kids who don’t have access to a new backpack for the school year. I will also share with our social worker to make sure all the bags get used. It’s going to be great to see their faces.”

In 2015, nearly 50 percent of Hoosier students qualified to receive free and reduced lunches. ISTA members and the Indiana PSO see this need daily, and Indiana PSO donated the backpacks and school supplies to ensure all kids in every ZIP code are prepared to begin the school year ready to learn.