Teachers on summer vacation start lugging boxes of books and learning aids into their classrooms. They trim bulletin boards in bold colors and put up jazzy posters. They stock enough tissue to wipe roomfuls of noses, stash away stickers and lay in extra supplies for students who lose pencils, crayons, scissors and more.

They are spending more than their time.

A survey by the National School Supplies and Equipment Association shows teachers spend their own money - an average of $458 each year.

The Legislature in recent years has provided some help, but it's never enough.

Leslie Taylor, a first-grade teacher at Panguitch Elementary School, depends on parents for party refreshments, tissue and hand sanitizer.

For snacks, prizes, classroom decor and enrichment materials, she dips into her own wallet.

At schools where students have special needs, teachers carry extra burdens.

Cora Jckowski, principal at West Jordan's Majestic Elementary School, said that in addition to outlays for supplies, teachers at her school spend their own money on personal items for their students. Majestic serves "lots of needy children," including many who pass through a domestic violence shelter nearby.

"There are constant needs to supply new students that come into our building. That changes a traditional supply budget significantly."

So teachers often make up the difference.

Occasionally, they have help. This year, South Towne Center is offering assistance.

Shoppers at the Sandy mall can donate supplies to Majestic by stuffing them into the windows of a white school bus parked in the mall's center court.

Supplies worth $2,500 have already been placed on the bus by an office supply store, but few other donations have been made so far, said Natalie Watson, the mall's marketing manager. The promotion continues through August.

South Towne's other projects include VISA debit cards parents can purchase and give teachers to buy supplies. It also offers discounts to educators. In partnership with sponsors, South Towne is giving $22,000 to the Jordan School District to be divided according to receipts turned in by shoppers who specify the schools they want to receive the money.

Every little bit counts.

"It's not unusual for teachers to buy coats for students," Jckowski said. "If they see a need, they'll fill the need, " including giving lunch money to children who don't have it, as well as clothing and backpacks.

"All those things add up, and I think [teachers] would be a little startled if they saw how much," Jckowski said.

One such teacher is Shawna Funk, a 24-year veteran. She said the personal expense receipts she saves for tax purposes total $300 to $400.

Generous parents are the "lifeblood" of her classroom, Funk said, donating tissues, soap, snacks, pencils, markers and their own time. But businesses, service clubs and private benefactors are appreciated, too - such as the woman who gives gift cards for new shoes to the school for distribution to children who need them.

"I tell the kids, 'This is from the shoe fairy, not from me,' " Funk said.

Any time schools receive help, teachers appreciate it, she said.

At Majestic Elementary, students do, too, Jckowski added.

"They are not spoiled kids. They don't continually have excess. When they receive something especially for them, there is sincere gratitude. That's always a real heart-warmer for anyone."

Classroom supplies most requested by teachers

* Paper: Colored copy paper, graph paper, spiral notebooks, colored folders with prong fasteners, 3-by-5 ruled note cards, three-ring binders with vinyl front pocket, clipboards, white copy paper, colored construction paper, sticky note pads.

* Writing materials: Colored markers, watercolor paint sets, colored pencils, No. 2 pencils, boxes of crayons, colored highlighter pens, blue/black/red pens, dry-erase markers, transparency markers.

* Tools: Glue sticks, large pink erasers, safety scissors, calculators, dry-erase erasers, paper clips, staplers and staples, transparencies.

* Other: Boxes of tissue, blank compact discs, unscented wet wipes, paper towels, reward stickers, playground balls, card and board games, zip closure plastic bags (sandwich size and larger).

* Student needs: Check with your school to see if any students need backpacks, shoes, coats or clothing.

Ways to help

* Give a teacher a gift card from an office or school supply store, or a debit card such as the VISA Teacher Supply Closet card available at South Towne Center.

* Offer to buy supplemental books and materials chosen by the teacher.

* Sign up to volunteer in the classroom.

* To donate supplies to West Jordan's Majestic Elementary, drop off items in the white school bus parked in the center court at South Towne Center.

Sources: South Towne Center's Teachers Supply Closet program, Cora Jckowski, Shawna Funk