Curtin Intermediate School. SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

As the school year comes to a close, a group of teachers at the Andrew Curtin Intermediate School have taken extra steps to make sure the needs of the students are being met. This is done with the Curtin Closet.

“We feel that there are a large number of students who have clothing and hygiene needs that we can help with here at school,” said Jennifer Larson, a fifth grade learning support teacher.

Her thinking is that “when the basic needs are met, students feel regulated and … ready to learn.”

Larson estimated the closet has “already helped over 50 students find something that they need or a new outfit that they want. We have talked with students about hygiene and gotten them the basics.”

Not only has it helped the students, but it has helped families, including families experiencing disaster.

“We helped a mom and three kids provide basics just hours after they fled their home with nothing,” she said.

Larson said after she had the idea, she discussed it with the principal, David Michaels.

“With his support, I decided to write the grant,” she said.

She also credited Nenna Sheleman and Caylin Hartley, her co-teaching team at school. The three of them working together has helped them become good friends along the way. This friendship had extended to help the students of the school.

“We talked about writing the grant and what was needed. They help put things away in the closet [and] also the room organization was a group effort,” Larson said. “Basically every step, we have worked as a team.”

She then reached out to Greg Hayes from the district’s Education Foundation.

“He was very helpful in guiding me as to what to ask for and how to get started,” Larson said.

According to Hayes, the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation (WASDEF) has been in existence for 20 years and is the district’s nonprofit affiliate.

“It provides numerous program and classroom grants every year to support a range of enhancements to the district’s academic, cultural and athletic programs, as well as provide scholarships to graduating WAHS seniors,” Hayes said.

Hayes said the Curtin Closet is just one of many programs that the foundation has helped facilitate.

“The WASDEF has been able to help launch sports programs; fund new music curricula; support our visual arts programs; address food insecurity; fund many innovative classroom venture grants; fund mental health and suicide prevention initiatives; and fund capital projects, such as renovations to the high school stadium and fitness center,” Hayes said.

Because of the Curtin Closet program, Michaels “then gave us the space,” Larson said.

“We were awarded the grant, we used [it]…to buy racks, shelving, hangers and some basic clothing pieces,” she said.

She understands the needs of the students because she is a mother of four.

“I know how quickly kids go through clothing,” she said.

The clothes donations came from staff, and thanks to their generosity, the Closet now has items to fit nearly every size.

Larson said Curtin will have an “item of the month” each month. In February, over 150 chapsticks were collected from staff.

“We have collected hair care and chapsticks so far, the staff have been amazing. In May, my idea is to ‘choose a student for an outfit.’ We now have enough to get some kiddos a summer outfit,” she said.

To help raise money for some of these items, teachers and students have even sold lollipops for $1.

“Our administration decided the profits should go directly back into the closet. It’s been amazing to see the whole school working together for our students,” Larson said.

Larson said that the Curtin Closet is seeking donations of “new clothing (child small through adult XL), new socks (all sizes), new shoes (all sizes and seasons) or new hygiene items.”

Thanks to the donations, Curtin is able to operate this “all year now that we have it up and running.”

Larson said that the teachers are happy to help out.

“We are also operating under the ‘If you need something new and will appreciate it, come and see us!’ Everyone feels good about having something new,” she said.

This type of activity could inspire other schools in other districts.

“There is a closet at Williamsport Area Middle School and the Williamsport Area High School,” she said.

And, if other schools are interested, she would be happy to offer advice and suggestions to begin.

Hayes said the members of the foundation were happy to see the good the Curtin Closet is doing.

“It’s always rewarding to see the positive impact a foundation grant can have through the programs and projects it supports,” Hayes said.

He added, “We have seen and heard of many incredible success stories of program impact on schools and the difference they’ve made in students’ lives over the years, which make the work we do even more worthwhile and important.”

Larson said the collections will continue throughout the summer.

“We are only looking for brand new clothing or hygiene donations from the community and dropping off at the school is best as it will get to us,” Larson said.

Andrew Curtin Intermediate School is located at 85 Eldred St., Williamsport.