Why Poney Up and Pay When You Can Surf?

Being one who is basically lazy, I am always on a quest for shortcuts. I also like to have money for my shopping madness days. I had to spend a lot of my own money in the classroom for many years. The NYC DOE in it's usual stupidity, decided that teachers no longer had to be given paper for students tests, compositions etc. The NYC DOE felt that the "Teacher's Choice" money, which was intended to help teachers provide extra materials for their students which previously had to be bought out of the teachers pocket, would be used instead for basic classroom supplies. So much for UFT intervention- there was none. This hard won contract item was not challenged or supported by UFT leadership, as usual.

Long gone are the days I remember so fondly as`a child...

There was nothing like the first day of school! When you were assigned to your new seat, you were given a clean shiny new ruler, 2 crisply sharpened #2 pencils, a brand new box of crayons, scissors, and 1 pack each of colored circles and squares. Oh, what rapture. Nothing ever compared to that thrilling first day of school.

Alas, nothing lasts forever. There are always dumbocrats trying to make a name for their political life, who find others, who are always paid less, to foot the bill for their responsibilities. This year, in my old school, each teacher was given 1- ONE!- pack of paper. Teachers Choice money goes for EVERYTHING else. So now with that big hefty cost of living increase, (loud laugh) NYC teachers can also personally provide their students with the paper to take their tests and write compositions on!

Not surprisingly, teachers are always seeking out resources of free information and materials, often having to shell out their own hard earned money (not said lightly!) I forgot about an old favorite of mine: The Federal Citizen Information Center- FCIC - Home Page

I remember the cute little television commercials for it, "in Pueblo Colorado", where we were told how to write or call up for a free catalog. I loved that catalog! There is also currently a TV commercial with a funny fellow who wears a "Riddler" costume, urging us to buy his book on FREE information. Nothing against him but I say, Why Poney Up and Pay When You Can Surf For FREE?

Today, you can surf right up to The Federal Citizen Information Center and browse their catalog online:

"For over 30 years, the Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) has been a trusted one-stop source for answers to questions about consumer problems and government services. Consumers can get the information they need in three ways: by calling toll-free 1 (800) FED-INFO, through printed publications, or through information posted on FCIC’s family of websites":

www.firstgov.gov
www.pueblo.gsa.gov
www.kids.gov
www.consumeraction.gov

Saddle up that mouse and start surfing! Again I say, Why poney up and pay when you can surf for FREE?