FROM STAFF REPORTS

If you have a child in the Shelby County School System, you probably heard about the system’s Coupons for Classrooms campaign last week. But you may not know how big of an impact those books can have in classrooms across the county.
The Coupons for Classrooms campaign is one of the largest fundraisers for the Shelby County Education Foundation, which works every year to support teachers in the Shelby County School System.
The fundraising campaign began on Jan. 29, and will run through Feb. 18. During the campaign, students will be selling the coupon books for $20 apiece, and the books will easily pay for themselves.
This year’s book contains coupons from companies such as Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Golden Flake, The Fresh Market, Milo’s and Momma Goldberg’s, just to name a few. While saving money with dozens of local companies and eateries, you will also be directly giving back to our local classrooms.
Last year, the campaign raised more than $146,000 – About $120,000 to benefit Shelby County Schools and $34,000 to help fund the Education Foundation’s teacher mini-grant program – despite facing significant challenges related to the January 2014 snowstorm.
At the end of each school year, the County School System holds a reception to recognize the top-selling students, teachers and coordinators, and rewards them with prizes such as gift cards, iPad Minis and tickets to Six Flags and local concerts.
Last year, teachers from nearly every Shelby County school received mini-grants to fund everything from mock crime scene investigation programs to iPad-focused reading programs.
If you’ve never thought about taking part in the program before, consider doing so this year by getting in contact with your nearest Shelby County school.
There are few better investments than the ones we make in our children.