Councilman holding "Adopt a Classroom" supply drive  

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – As students prepare to go back to school a member of the Albany Common Council has a plan to help. He’s taken a different approach to school supply drives by focusing on providing students with non-traditional items.

Kipp Middle School, is one of three schools participating in Councilman Sergio Adams “Adopt a Classroom” supply drive.

Adams said he’s talked to teachers who say there’s a need for school supplies. In the past he’s held backpack giveaways and even helped students get their hair done. 

This year he’s partnered with Kipp Charter School, Green Tech Charter School and Delaware Community to help first and second year teachers because, Adams said, there’s a need.

“I personally would say I seen more of a need in our charter schools in terms of the demographic, in terms of families that are coming to those schools,” said Adams. “Public schools have the school board. They have a whole budget. They’re able to move resources and help out their schools. The charter schools are not there yet, that’s why doing this kind of work is very important.”

In addition to supplies like pens, pencils and notebooks he said they want to provide non-traditional items.

“We want to make sure we are motivating kids inside of the classroom and also rewarding them. So being able to offer the child, after getting good grades, a gift card to Ninja Lab, or movie tickets, or tickets to an Albany Firebirds game,” said Adams.

Olivia Owens is an 8th grade teacher at Kipp and her classroom is one you can sponsor. She said it’s important to have products on standby

“Maybe they didn’t get a chance to do their hair in the morning, or maybe they just didn’t get a chance for whatever reason. Just having those different things on standby to make our students feel more comfortable being in the classroom is something we want to be able to bring to our students,” said Owens. 

She said instilling confidence is important.

“And sometimes coming out of the pocket for the teacher can be a little bit stressful but being able to make sure that our students feel like they are comfortable being in the classroom  whether it’s having their hair done or just looking beautiful or feeling confident about themselves, we want to give them the opportunity to do that,” said Owens.

“I’m very much appreciative of everyone who has donated and taken the time to share the information and also very much thankful for our first and second your teachers, who are in these classrooms, educating our students and making sure that they are prepared for the school year,” said Adams. 

He said they’ll be collecting donations and seeking sponsors until the end of September. So far two dispensaries, Upstate Canna Co. and Capital District Wellness, as well as Johnnie’s on Broadway have sponsored classrooms. The common council has also donated items. 
Anyone interested in sponsoring a classroom can reach out to the councilman directly at 518-892-2112 or Sergio4Council@gmail.com.