Jennifer Hyde, social worker

“The Exchangeree is amazing. I am social worker, and I don’t have a budget to spend on extras. For example, I have been able to find composition notebooks that student use for reflection journaling and dry erase supplies I use in social skills groups with students. Whenever there is a student in need of supplies, teachers or administrators will ask me if I have any items… The Exchangeree allows me to keep extra supplies for students in need. The backpacks are ALWAYS needed. And on this most recent visit, I was able to pick up two new winter coats that have already been given to students in need! And personally, I now have a well-equipped and organized desk thanks to the free desk accessories.”

Cody Leavitt, social emotional learning classroom teacher

“This program is extremely beneficial to me because the students I work with are not always able to bring in their own school supplies. My visit to the Exchangeree saved me from spending more of my own money to provide students with the basic school supplies we need every day. It is also wonderful to be able to supply them with new backpacks, hats, and gloves when theirs are old and worn out. What a wonderful program!”

Dawn Williams, paraeducator, event organizer

“Having The Exchangeree host our school for events like ‘An Evening at the Hub’ is so beneficial. We get to go as a staff, mingle, and get wonderful supplies, books, and even coats and toiletries for our students who need them. The absolute best thing is that it is open to all members of the staff who work at BCPS schools: teachers, office professionals, paraeducators, etc. I always end up coming back to school with way more than I expected. Even books for our classrooms! We are all so lucky to have this resource.”

There are multiple opportunities to use the centers. If you are interested in additional information about the foundation’s Exchangerees or discussing scheduling options to host a collaborative learning session, please contact the foundation’s staff: Executive Director Debbie Phelps, dphelps@bcps.org; Associate Director Laura Lemon, llemon2@bcps.org; or Administrative/Fiscal Assistant Cindy Whitcomb, cwhitcomb@bpcs.org.

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