Upper St. Clair Schools Raise Thousands For Hurricane Relief Efforts

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA - Through a myriad of different ways, the Upper St. Clair School District community is aiding disaster relief efforts after recent hurricanes ravaged Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Here's what's been happening:

• Boyce Middle School partnered with Liberty Middle School in Liberty, Texas, through #adoptTXclassroom. Students collected $1,311.25 through a recent coin drive, sponsored by the school’s PTO. The school’s two grade levels competed to see which who could raise the most money. Sixth grade narrowly defeated the fifth grade by $1.67.

Eagle Sweets, a mock company run by Boyce fifth graders, raised $300 by making and selling chocolate covered pretzels and Oreos during the school’s Open House. Proceeds benefited the school’s Adopt-A-Classroom efforts.

In addition, Boyce held a drive to collect school supplies and personal hygiene items – filling 18 boxes. Through donations, counselors were able to make purchases to fulfill Liberty Middle School’s request for sweatshirts, socks and belts for its students.

The Boyce PTO raised nearly $1,000 during its fall book fair to assist the #adoptTXclassroom effort and staff members made contributions to help with the shipping costs.

“It is truly amazing the support we received with this project,” said Amy Antonio, a school counselor. “I wish I could be at the school when they receive all of these supplies.”

• This week, Streams Elementary School students will write supportive letters to students at Wedgewood Elementary in Houston, Texas. The school will also be holding a coin drive throughout the week, which will benefit the Clear Creek Independent School District Cares Relief Fund, so that necessary supplies can be purchased for long-term recovery from hurricane damage.

“A group of caring, committed people can make a difference,” Streams principal Claire Miller said. “By connecting with students at Wedgewood Elementary School in the Clear Creek Independent School District outside of Houston, Texas, students at Streams are going to be able to provide financial and emotional support to the victims of Hurricane Harvey.”

In addition to Streams school-wide efforts, third grader Nathan Powell collected broken crayons to make candles to sell with proceeds benefitting those impacted by hurricanes Irma and Harvey and the earthquake in Mexico. His goal is to raise $1,000.

“Over the past weekends I’ve been thinking about making a difference to our world,” Nathan said. “I’ve also been thinking about all the broken crayons in my pencil box….so I’ve found a way to recycle them.”

A group of Streams fourth graders were so inspired by Nathan’s project that they volunteered their recess time to remove the paper off the broken crayons. Learn more about Nathan’s efforts at www.colormecandles.com.

• Baker Elementary has partnered with Braeburn Elementary School in Houston, Texas. Baker is collecting monetary donations as well as new and gently used books to help replace Braeburn’s library, which was destroyed in the recent hurricane. The PTA is also supporting the efforts through proceeds from its Scholastic Book Fair.

• The high school’s Best Buddies club raised more than $130 through basket raffles that included two football season passes from the athletics office, a free 2017-18 yearbook, student artwork, a copy of the school’s literary arts magazine, “Montage,” and other USC apparel from SHOP@USC. The group’s donation will benefit Portlight Strategies.

“Whenever Hurricane Harvey hit I felt very compelled to make some effort in helping the victims,” said senior and Best Buddies president Hannah Pribanic. “We chose to donate to Portlight Strategies because its cause aligns with our own. They facilitate a variety of projects involving people with disabilities, including post-disaster relief work.”

The high school cross country team and booster organization raised $100 through a home meet concession stand. The donation was made to the American Red Cross’ hurricane relief efforts.

• Fort Couch Middle School Student Rosemary Ramirez, who has extended family in Puerto Rico, designed and sold two T-shirts to raise funds to assist those affected by Hurricane Maria. As of Oct. 12, the effort had raised $3,700.

The Fort Couch PTSO hosted a fundraiser at the local Chipotle on Oct. 11. Fifty percent of the proceeds of sales that evening supported hurricane relief efforts selected by Fort Couch students.

• Eisenhower Elementary School sold more than 500 T-shirts – raising approximately $1,000 for the Brother’s Brother Foundation.