It takes a village, and I would hope someone would do it for my family.
And it’s the right thing to do. –Beckie Bradford, 1st grade teacher
When teachers from Barstow Elementary School learned that some of their students were absent from school because of the living conditions in their rental homes, the teachers quickly took action. They visited the neighborhood, and—after seeing that many of the homes had no heat or water—returned with food, heaters, and blankets. Calvert County officials Evan Slaughenhoupt, County Commissioner, and Terry Shannon, County Administrator, joined the teachers to provide assistance. Numerous Calvert County organizations and individuals provided money, time, and resources to provide temporary shelter for the families and their pets. With community support, many of the families have since found new homes.
According to Donna House, principal since the school opened in 2008, Barstow Elementary has a long-standing belief in community involvement. Ms. House said, “Even before opening its doors, the Barstow Elementary staff has been committed to ‘supporting and respecting the needs of the whole child,’ as indicated in the school vision statement. The staff obviously works hard to ensure that each student’s academic needs are met; however, the staff goes beyond that. A few years ago, a clothing closet was established for donations of gently used child and adult clothing. The items are available to any member of our community in need of clothing, and the closet is open all year long! This year, we successfully held our 3rd annual Christmas Boutique, where over 140 children of 50 families were provided holiday gifts, mostly new toys, from a huge assortment. Both the closet and the boutique are totally supported through generous donations from our staff and community. In January 2013, Trinity United Methodist Church began the backpack program. Each Friday, including the summer when school is not in session, the church provides 37 Barstow students with backpacks containing supplies for healthy and nutritious weekend meals. The outpouring of love and support over the last few weeks is another example of the passion that the Barstow staff and community have for supporting our students and their families. I am honored to be part of such a caring staff who continuously go above and beyond to help meet the needs for our precious students.”
The Barstow teachers would like to express their gratitude for the many people who helped their school community. First grade teacher Michelle Mason said, “Our Calvert County citizens were our heroes. They may not have come with capes and boots, but they indeed came with superpowers of love and support. These heroes were ordinary people in our community who helped and supported others in their time of need….a real super hero! Gratitude and thanks, Calvert County citizens!”
And it’s the right thing to do. –Beckie Bradford, 1st grade teacher
When teachers from Barstow Elementary School learned that some of their students were absent from school because of the living conditions in their rental homes, the teachers quickly took action. They visited the neighborhood, and—after seeing that many of the homes had no heat or water—returned with food, heaters, and blankets. Calvert County officials Evan Slaughenhoupt, County Commissioner, and Terry Shannon, County Administrator, joined the teachers to provide assistance. Numerous Calvert County organizations and individuals provided money, time, and resources to provide temporary shelter for the families and their pets. With community support, many of the families have since found new homes.
According to Donna House, principal since the school opened in 2008, Barstow Elementary has a long-standing belief in community involvement. Ms. House said, “Even before opening its doors, the Barstow Elementary staff has been committed to ‘supporting and respecting the needs of the whole child,’ as indicated in the school vision statement. The staff obviously works hard to ensure that each student’s academic needs are met; however, the staff goes beyond that. A few years ago, a clothing closet was established for donations of gently used child and adult clothing. The items are available to any member of our community in need of clothing, and the closet is open all year long! This year, we successfully held our 3rd annual Christmas Boutique, where over 140 children of 50 families were provided holiday gifts, mostly new toys, from a huge assortment. Both the closet and the boutique are totally supported through generous donations from our staff and community. In January 2013, Trinity United Methodist Church began the backpack program. Each Friday, including the summer when school is not in session, the church provides 37 Barstow students with backpacks containing supplies for healthy and nutritious weekend meals. The outpouring of love and support over the last few weeks is another example of the passion that the Barstow staff and community have for supporting our students and their families. I am honored to be part of such a caring staff who continuously go above and beyond to help meet the needs for our precious students.”
The Barstow teachers would like to express their gratitude for the many people who helped their school community. First grade teacher Michelle Mason said, “Our Calvert County citizens were our heroes. They may not have come with capes and boots, but they indeed came with superpowers of love and support. These heroes were ordinary people in our community who helped and supported others in their time of need….a real super hero! Gratitude and thanks, Calvert County citizens!”