• by Melissa Meyers, AIU Communications Specialist •
Students at Sto-Rox Upper Elementary spent Tuesday afternoon with The Education Partnership. While some students are familiar with the non-profit’s work, others are learning about it for the first time. The Education Partnership works with schools, the community and teachers to make sure that classrooms and students have everything they need to succeed in school.
“We believe that every student, every classroom, every school in Southwestern Pennsylvania should have every single cool thing that it is possible to have, so that you can do whatever you want it is in your education.”
That is how Josh Whiteside, Executive Director of The Education Partnership, feels about being able to help not only Sto-Rox, but other schools across Southwestern, PA.
On Tuesday, Sto-Rox Upper Elementary took part in The Education Partnership’s “Adopt-a-School” program. This was all thanks to its sponsor, Reliable Structural Engineers LLC. Bob Mason with Reliable Structural Engineers LLC spoke to students about why he wanted to help donate school supplies and sponsor the school.
The assembly also included a bridge building game. In this game, there were three teams; one team could only use playdough to build a bridge, the second team could only use popsicle sticks and the third team could utilize both the popsicle sticks and playdough. During this game students were taught exactly how The Education Partnership works. It bridges together schools and the community in order to distribute school supplies.
RELATED: Sto-Rox Students Supplied by The Education Partnership, PNC Bank (2023)
“As a school alone, you have a limited set of resources. But when your community and the school come together, you’re able to build so fast and so strong that you might run out of room,” Whiteside said.
To close out the first assembly, which was held for fifth grade students, and to thank Bob Mason and Reliable Structural Engineers LLC, the fifth grade chorus sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” At the end of the second assembly, held for fourth and sixth grade students, the entire sixth grade sang “High Hopes” by Panic! At The Disco, followed by a performance from the fourth and sixth grade chorus, who also sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”
To close out the assembly, one-by-one students were handed bags filled with supplies including notebooks, glue, scissors and crayons; all the necessary supplies needed to help them be successful in school.