When children are removed from their homes because of safety concerns, it often happens suddenly. Many leave with nothing that belongs to them: no clothes, no toiletries, no favorite book. This month, students and teachers on Team 8-Blue at Shaler Area Middle School are working to make those first hours a little easier.
From November 9 through November 20, the team is holding a donation drive for the Foster Love Project, a Pittsburgh nonprofit that supports foster children and families in crisis. Students are collecting new items to fill “Go-Bags,” duffel bags or backpacks stocked with essentials and personal belongings. The Foster Love Project provides the bags to CYF, foster care agencies, and foster families so that a child arriving in care has something of their own.
Each homeroom has been assigned an age group and is working to assemble complete bags. Students collect donations each morning during homeroom, and a little friendly competition is keeping things lively: the first homeroom to complete a bag and the homeroom that collects the most items overall will each earn a donut breakfast.
The project began with a challenge from Principal Dr. Shannon Howard, who asked the middle school’s teams to find meaningful ways to strengthen connections with students, staff, and the community. At SAMS, a team is a group of teachers from different core subjects who share the same students, creating a smaller learning community within the larger school. Teams participate in advisory, time set aside during the school day for building relationships, leadership, and character.
Team 8-Blue chose to use part of its advisory time for service. Teacher Jennifer Birch, who has worked with the Foster Love Project in the past, suggested the organization, and the team quickly agreed it was a worthy cause. Students will pack the finished bags on December 4, and the team plans to take on two more service projects later this school year.
“This is a great example of how our teams are bringing the purpose of middle school teaming and advisory to life,” said Dr. Howard.
Community members are welcome to help. Individual items and completed bags are both appreciated, and all donations should be new with tags. Donations can be dropped off in the Shaler Area Middle School main office. A list of required bag contents and recommended books is available at fosterloveproject.org. Questions can be directed to Mrs. Tracey Lafayette or Mrs. Jennifer Birch.