Lindenhurst Woman Pleads With Community For Classroom Supplies

LINDENHURST, NY — A Lindenhurst woman is asking her community for help, to ensure young minds receive a quality education.

Audra Balewski-Parisi, who teaches 3-K at PS 272 Curtis Estabrook in Brooklyn, recently created an online fundraiser on website Donors Choose, to raise $468 for supplies for her students.

“It's a school where the children receive free breakfast and free lunch because of their socio-economic status,” she said.

A teacher at PS 272 for 22 years, Balewski-Parisi told Patch that many of its students don’t have access to basic needs.

“Some of these children come from broken homes, are homeless or live in shelters,” she said. “Some of them actually live in the projects behind school. So it can be rough.”

Last year the school started its first ever 3-K program, which provides a full-day, high-quality early childhood education for three-year-olds.

Balewski-Parisi said she was asked to teach one out of three 3-K classes.

"I absolutely love it," she said.

While she feels the program is a great step for students’ education, the school cannot afford supplies.

“ The budget, of course, isn't as great as it's been, even before the pandemic things were just tight,” she said.

Balewski-Parisi said she has used her own money to buy items for her classroom. But after a certain time, it was no longer feasible.

“I can't do it all, especially with my own family and bills,” she said. “I wish I had a bottomless pocket, but it's rough.”

The money in the fundraiser will go toward supplies and toys that help students’ sensory and motor skills.

The list of supplies, which can be found on her fundraising page, include colored markers, paint, drawing pads, paint trays, and a viewscope.

Balewski-Parisi, who grew up in Massapequa, told Patch that Donors Choose is a licensed and recognized grant funding program for teachers, and they handle all of the donations.

“They do all the purchasing once the projects get approved, and then the company ships it to the classroom,” she said.

For two decades, Balewski-Parisi has commuted from Long Island to Brooklyn. She told Patch that every mile is worth it in order to teach her students. And hopefully, through the fundraiser, her community on Long Island will think so, too.

“It's really all about the children, it's being part of a family and feeling you're included,” she said. “It's seeing the smiles on the children's faces. And seeing you make that difference.”

To donate to Balewski-Parisi's fundraiser, click here.