Supply and demand

By: ELIZABETH WEST
Associate Editor

At a recent meeting for the teachers of Evangeline Parish, Lacye Soileau recalls being told, “Out of nearly 6,000 students in Evangeline Parish it is estimated that 90% of them are at poverty level.”
When preparing for a new school year the cost of school supplies can become an issue for some of these families.
With these statistics in mind, Soileau took it upon herself to purchase the necessary school supplies needed for each of her students for the 2015-16 school year. In-return each student will be better prepared to complete necessary assignments in the classroom.
Soileau, who began teaching history for ninth through 12th grade at Evangeline Central School last January, said, “I had 28 students in my class last year and out of that number not one had a notebook. Some students cannot afford school supplies and others are just embarrassed because they cannot afford the best brand.”
While it seems like a lot of money to spend when you are buying supplies for an entire class of students, Soileau plans out her purchases so that she can get the most for her money.
“Last weekend was a tax free weekend and teachers could also get an additional percent off of school supplies so I purchased notebooks, folders, pencils, and headphones for my class,” Soileau said.
Knowing the right time to shop for school supplies and where to shop, Soileau was able to purchase 137 notebooks, 110 folders, headphones and multiple boxes of colors, highlighters, pencils and pens for $200.00.
“At Dirt Cheap you can purchase good folders that will last students all year for 20 cents right now,” Soileau said. “That price is significantly lower than the $2.00 you would pay for one Five Star Put 2-Pocket Portfolio Folder at Walmart.
Soileau does plan on having the students chip in to help with what the supply cost. The teacher plans to ask each of her students to pay one dollar for the supplies they will receive for the year.  
Not every teacher has the means to provide each student with school supplies like Soileau has done for her students.
Even on limited budgets the teachers of Evangeline Parish still make an effort to purchase what they can for the students for the upcoming school year.
Pine Prairie teacher Dee Dee Murray said, “Teachers do not always have the money to buy supplies for all of the students but we will make sure and buy some things because we understand that some students just can’t afford any supplies.”