About The School Tools Program

The School Tools program exists so that more children in our community will have an opportunity to learn and to succeed in school. Thousands of children in our local classrooms arrive each day without the basic tools they need for learning. Having school supplies is critically important to a child. Through the School Tools program, low-income school children receive these much needed supplies. School Tools is more than just pens, pencils and paper, it is the belief that with support and encouragement, all children can excel.

School Tools is an affiliate of the Kids In Need Foundation National Network of Teacher Resource Centers. To learn more about Kids In Need and its affiliates, click here.

The need

More than half of the children in our local public schools are enrolled in the free and reduced meal program at their school. If these children can’t afford lunch, it is very unlikely that they can afford the necessary supplies for school. For families struggling just to keep food on their tables, money for school supplies simply does not exist. As a result, many children in our community are going to school without the basic tools they need for learning.

Adding to the problem, school budgets in the Inland Empire are tight with no relief in sight. Recent surveys show that devoted teachers choose to spend between $500–$1000 of their own money to buy basic supplies including crayons and pencils rather than seeing their students go without.

How we work

School Tools provides teachers from low-income schools with a resource center where they can receive supplies for their students and classrooms at no charge. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, the School Tools Teacher Resource Center (TRC) is available to teachers from select schools in the Inland Empire United Way service area with more than 70% of its students enrolled in the federal free and reduced meal program. At the TRC, teachers are able to choose from a wide array of products including basic school supplies, fun incentive items, and arts and crafts supplies that encourage creativity. To supplement our work through the TRC, School Tools also supports local students and classrooms by conducting special distribution events held throughout the year.

The Supply Closet

In an effort to support additional students and classrooms in our community, the School Tools Supply Closet conducts special distribution events throughout the year. Pre-assembled supply kits consisting of a variety of new, surplus product are provided to teachers on an “invitation only” basis.

Click here to see past Supply Closet participating schools and organizations participating in our distribution events.
For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact our program coordinator.

Teaching Smart

A network designed to provide local teachers with resources beyond school supplies. The goal of the Teaching Smart network is to create a forum for teachers to express concerns, ask questions, connect with other teachers, and generate solutions. Components may include panel or group discussions, online forums, social events, mentoring relationships, speakers, presentations, and other resources. 

Click here to see past and upcoming Teaching Smart events and other events.
For more information about Teaching Smart, please contact our program coordinator.

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