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Paper the driving force behind Antelope Union High School District
As schools across the nation struggle with tightening budgets, the Yuma Sun staff sat down with area school districts to find out what Yumans could do to help out. This story is one in a series called “All I want for Christmas.”
Paper is one of the most important items any school district needs in order to operate. Without it, teachers cannot print materials to pass out to students, and the staff cannot continue normal operations in the office.
Paper is now especially important to the Antelope Union High School District because of their recent adoption of the “Beyond Textbooks” instructional program.
“Antelope's biggest need currently is copy/printer paper,” said Rommie Herndon, Antelope Union High School District Secretary.
“Beginning with the current school year, the district moved into a program called Beyond Textbooks, so we have been using larger amounts of paper than previous years.”
Beyond Textbooks was created by the Vail School District, which services an area to the southeast of Tucson. The learning initiative is now used by 67 districts and charter schools in Arizona, including Antelope.
The program offers teachers online resources including a collection of digital curriculum materials, support materials and other digital resources. However, the teachers must print out the materials to distribute to students, and that requires a large amount of paper.
“The driving force for materials for the students is no longer hard-bound textbooks,” Herndon said. “Teachers use other sources for class material. This might include other textbooks, magazines and Internet sources. Copies are made for all students in the given classes.”
On any given day “the school might go through as many as 10 reams of paper,” Herndon continued. “We are a small district, so that may not seem like (much) compared to other schools.”
Herndon was careful to note Antelope is not currently facing a paper shortage.
“The school recently ordered three pallets. However, with continuing budget cuts, there will eventually be somewhat of a shortage and additional expense.”
To ensure the school has the paper it needs to provide students with the course work they need in the future, Antelope Union High School District is currently accepting donations of copy and printer paper.
“There is no specific type of paper needed,” Herndon said. “Just plain copy paper.”
The paper can be donated at the school office, 9168 S. Avenue 36E, during regular business hours. For more information, call the school office at 785-3344.
Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.
