It’s hard to focus on a math problem when you’re worried about a hole in your clothing, a forgotten snack, or a missing essential. At Oak Street Elementary, teachers realized that for many students, the biggest barriers to learning weren’t academic, they were personal.
Thanks to an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation and two teachers, Andrea Douglas and Hallie Rausch, who have a heart for meeting student needs beyond the classroom, Oak Street Elementary launched the “Care Closet.” It’s a simple concept with a profound impact. The closet is stocked with essentials such as socks, shoes, hair ties, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and snacks to name a few.
Before this grant, a student might have to call home or even leave school for the day due to a clothing mishap. Now, a quick, private visit to the Care Closet gets them back to their desk ready to continue learning in minutes.
“A child who feels secure and comfortable is a child who is ready to learn,” the teachers shared. “This is just the beginning!” By meeting these basic needs with dignity and compassion, Oak Street isn’t just giving out supplies, they are gifting students the confidence to enter the classroom ready to succeed.
Oak Street Elementary and the GEF are incredibly grateful for the continued support from the community and benefactors who recognize that sometimes, the best way to support a student's mind is to first care for their basic well-being.