For many students and families, buying hygiene products can be a big financial struggle.
Pattonville High School Counseling Secretary Tanya Hadley won a grant that will provide struggling students and families in the district with hygiene products.
“What I decided to do with the grant money is, I’m going to create a go-to place for students and families in need of maybe a toothbrush or, you know, different kinds of products,” Hadley said.
The grant is through the Missouri Retired Teacher Association (MRTA).
“You can apply to receive funds to basically help your students at different types of programs, educational programs, etc,” Hadley said.
Hadley applied for the grant at the end of the 22-23 school year and then found out in August of the 23-24 that she was given the grant.
”It was actually pretty quick. The process was that I filled out a form. I had to basically do a description of my idea of the program. So probably it took about three to four months from the time that I wrote the grant to the time that I found out we were approved for the grant,” Hadley said.
“The grant is called ‘Pirate Connect’, and it’s just a way for a school to help give back to our students in the community by giving them toiletries and products to help them like towels or pencils or deodorant, things like that, that if they’re struggling financially stuff that they need to be able to, like succeed the most in school.”
Junior Sarah Pruitt, is collaborating with Hadley to create a logo. Pruitt is the president of the National Art Honor Society and is using her artistic ability and love of drawing to give back to the school.
“It’s been great working with Ms. Hadley. I love her so much. She’s been such a help. So kind helping me figure out what exactly to do for it and just being a major support through the whole thing,” Pruitt said.
Hadley and the counseling department are very excited to have this new program.
“I’m working on it now,” Hadley said. “So hopefully by the end of November, I’m gonna have a lot of the products and I’ll set up an area, the private area for any students who are in need, they can come see me and I’m just really excited to help you guys.”
“I decided to create a student focused ‘free store’ called ‘Pirate Connect,’ to CONNECT students in need of toiletries, products for wellness, and health related items they can use. Many times students may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to ask for help when in need, for example, a student may not have any money for soap, deodorant, or even simple school supplies due to low income, being unhoused or displaced or even through natural disaster situations.” Hadley said. “Pattonville’s Guidance Counseling Department would LOVE to be a point of contact in the school to help our students with these types of challenges and provide FREE care items.
