Many school districts across the Capital Region on Tuesday welcomed students back into their classrooms for the first time since March. In Glens Falls, students returned to not only their classrooms, but also to bags full of school supplies provided by the district.

“Going school shopping with my son last year, I kind of had an epiphany,” said Glens Falls Assistant Superintendent for Business Bobby Yusko. “Like every other parent, I'm going through the list of items and I'd say, ‘I'm actually in a unique situation where I can effect change, take that experience, and be able to do something at my district.’ ”

What You Need To Know

  • Glens Falls schools welcomed in-person and hybrid learners back to their classrooms on Tuesday; virtual learners start next week

  • All students are receiving bags filled with notebooks, pens, pencils and more for the school year

  • The district’s assistant superintendent says not only was it a safe way to make sure families had everything they needed, but it also helped take the burden off families who are experiencing tough times during the pandemic

Yusko says with the district's approval, they were able to budget for and purchase bulk school supplies like notebooks, pens, pencils and more for every student this fall — including those learning 100 percent virtually.

“It's less than the prices mom and dad would be paying at a retail shop, so that was something I thought could really benefit the whole community, and not to mention, I think it's really a bit more equitable as well,” Yusko said. “Because now that the school is purchasing these supplies and materials that we would have to have on hand anyway ... those families who might not be able to have the economic means to go make those purchases, they don't have to worry about it.”

Yusko says he feels being able to do this for families during the pandemic couldn't have come at a better time.

“Some districts could look at the economic situation we're in and say, it might not be the wisest decision to then purchase school supply lists for all the students and rather than send home a list to the parents, but we have to take into consideration ... the potential economic situation of our families,” Yusko said. “We have the ability to buy these things and we also can just click some buttons with our ordering system ... parents would have to go to stores, so even safety-wise this was a better route to go.”

And parents agree.

“It was great; it was one less thing that we had to do to get ready for school, and I think it's been a difficult year for a lot of families, so I think it was just a great gesture on the district's part,” said Erika Schielke, the parent of a first grader.

Jonathan Bunker, a parent of two boys at Kensington Road Elementary School, says his wife had already shopped for supplies, and they were shocked the district was able to provide them for the kids.

“We did have everything on hand already, so if it hadn't happened, certainly, I know it's obviously a safety concern, just making sure the kids aren't bringing things in and out of the building unnecessarily, so we were thrilled to hear about it,” Bunker said.

As for getting this accomplished during 20 percent cuts in state aid, Yusko says it was all just a matter of planning. He says he brought the idea to the board and to the district, and they were fully supportive of it back in the spring, making sure they could accomplish getting supplies to the kids.