Copyright 2009

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News

September 23, 2009 Wednesday

STATE AND REGIONAL NEWS

20090923-EW-Wal-Mart-rewards-Jim-Falls-School-teachers-0923

511 words

Alyssa Waters, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.

Sep. 23--JIM FALLS -- Heidi White, Jim Falls School principal, said tongue-in-cheek that the teachers she asked to come to school 15 minutes early Tuesday might have been a bit frustrated about the request.

The reason? They didn't know why White wanted them there before their scheduled starting time.

Kathy Haakana of Wal-Mart even joked that the teachers might think White was really cracking the whip.

The end result was much more pleasing.

All 10 of the teachers at the elementary school -- seven classroom teachers and three from the music, art and physical education departments -- received $100 gift cards from the Lake Hallie Wal-Mart.

Haakana, personnel director at the store, initially contacted White about giving gift cards to the teachers at the school. Haakana said she and store manager Nathan Knuth chose Jim Falls because the small school has exactly 10 teachers.

"I kind of wanted to make sure everyone got one," Haakana said. "And I wanted it to be a surprise."

The gift of money is part the Teacher Rewards Program run by the Wal-Mart Foundation. Through the program each local Wal-Mart or Sam's Club selects 10 local kindergarten through eighth-grade public school teachers to receive $100 gift cards.

The reward cards are meant to help offset teachers' out-of-pocket expenses for school supplies. The Eau Claire Wal-Mart will give its gift cards to Longfellow School. The teachers at that school have yet to be chosen.

"It's thanking you guys for what you do," Wal-Mart's Knuth said. "More and more parents aren't able to provide what they need, and that puts pressure on you."

Debbie Anderson, a third-grade teacher at the school, could hardly believe what she was hearing as Knuth sprung the news about the gift cards. She cheered and clapped from her seat.

"It's such a surprise," she said after receiving her card. "It's not every day you get $100 to spend (in the classroom.)"

Sharon Clemins, who teaches fifth grade, and Gail Nayes, who teachers fourth grade, said the money definitely will offset some of the money they spend out of their own pockets on their students.

"It's what teachers always do," Clemins said.

Said Nayes: "Every teacher spends out of their own pockets. A lot of times you buy rewards for the students."

Clemins said teachers form special bonds with their students throughout the year, and the teachers want to help the students in any way they can.

Anderson, Clemins and Nayes said they didn't know exactly what they would spend the money on just yet. They were going to put some careful thought into how the money would be used.

Waters can be reached at 833-9214, 800-236-7077 or alyssa.waters@ecpc.com

To see more of The Leader-Telegram or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.leadertelegram.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

September 23, 2009