Grasse Elementary School students and principal Casi Plourde display their school supplies. (Courtesy of David Thomas)
Four boxes containing supplies were dropped off at the school district.
The Pennridge School District recently partnered with Fres-co in Telford to help its Title 1 schools and give students and teachers needed supplies.
The district’s Department of Communications and Community Relations was contacted by Donna Schmick from Fres-co in September after her company sponsored a school supplies drive.
“Our committee picked the Pennridge School District because it is within our company’s community, and we want to show our support,” said Schmick. “Fres-co tries to help various organizations throughout our community with donations throughout the year. Our Employees Activity Committee held a school supply donation event for two weeks, asking our employees to donate items that will be donated to a local elementary school.”
Donna Schmick of Fres-co donates school supplies to Pennridge’s Title I schools. (Courtesy of David Thomas)
PACE students pack school supplies at Pennridge High School. (Courtesy of David Thomas)Four boxes containing supplies were dropped off at the school district. The office of Community Relations then reached out to Pennridge’s Title 1 schools, Guth, Grasse, and West Rockhill elementary schools. Title I is a 100% federally funded supplemental education program that provides financial assistance to local educational agencies to improve educational opportunities for educationally deprived children.
Because of the large amount of donated supplies and to ensure equal amounts for Pennridge schools, the district asked for sorting and boxing help from the Practical Academics and Community Education (PACE) program at Pennridge High School. This program brings together the high school’s life skills and autistic support students to provide cross-curricular practical academics, pre-employment, vocational, and independent living training.
The boxes were then delivered to all three elementary schools and enthusiastically received by the principals and some students.
“We are very thankful for the donations from Fresco. Our schoolwide goal this year is to implement W.I.N. Time (WHAT I NEED) for all students in kindergarten through 5th grade,” said Casi Plourde, principal of JM Grasse Elementary School. “During the W.I.N. Time, students will receive small group instruction that focuses on the specific goals of each student. The supplies donated to our Grasse students will be utilized during that time to ensure all students have equal access to supplies and the resources they need to be successful!”
West Rockhill Elementary students and principal Mia Dipaolo display their school supplies. (Courtesy of David Thomas)“We are so very grateful for them. Given that each teacher knows their own specific needs, we set up a table and allowed the teachers to ‘shop’ for items that they could use the most, and in no time at all the supplies were all claimed!” said Mia Dipaolo, principal of West Rockhill Elementary School. “It was like Christmas morning here at West Rockhill! We are so incredibly grateful for the generosity of our local community members.”
Guth Elementary students and principal Matt Smith display their school supplies. (Courtesy of David Thomas)“Guth is grateful for the donated school supplies,” said Matthew Smith, principal of Guth Elementary School. “The pencil boxes, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, highlighters, markers, and crayons are a perfect fit for the learning activities our students engage in each day. The supplies will help our students to express themselves and create as they learn.”
