Washington Delivers Supplies to Stricken Queens School
Washington Primary School students feel great about their role in helping Rockwood Park School-P.S. 207 in Howard Beach, Queens get back on its feet after Hurricane Sandy caused extensive flooding throughout the building, including knocking out the structure's heating system and causing a massive oil spill.
Washington's participation in the initiative came through Schools Adopting Schools, which matches schools willing to help with those who are in desperate need. Rockwood has an enrollment of 800 students in pre-K through eighth grade. Washington adopted the pre-K-second grade level. Schools in New Hampshire (third through fifth) and Illinois (sixth through eighth) helped Rockwood's other grade levels.
"Our school didn't suffer any damage," said Debbie Quiles, a Washington School kindergarten teacher who coordinating the initiative. "We thought it would be a great experience for our students if they had an opportunity to help other students who were forced to leave their building until it could be repaired."
Rockwood Park's basement was flooded, causing pipes to become detached and leading to a large oil spill. The school's heating system was ruined and the smell of heating oil permeated the entire three story structure. The school was closed and classes were moved to a pair of nearby school buildings.
Ms. Quiles worked with Rockwood third grade teacher Stephanie Hanley, who compiled a list of needed items after consulting with the Queens schools' faculty. The items collected by Washington students included composition notebooks, bottles of glue, glue sticks, safety scissors, crayons, washable markers, dry erase markers and erasers, pencils, pocket folders, construction paper, Post It notes, paper towels, tissues, Ziploc bags (gallon and sandwich size), baby wipes and disinfecting wipes.
Washington students brought the items to school each day and donated them through their classroom teachers with the full support of Principal Marsha Neville. The goods were then brought to Ms. Quiles' room and organized by her kindergarten students. They were recently delivered to Rockwood Park School by Huntington School District buildings and grounds department staff members.
"We hope the efforts of our students have helped make the transition of Rockwood students back into their building a little bit smoother and more enjoyable," Ms. Quiles said. "Mrs. Hanley couldn't believe how much we collected. Rockwood's students and staff were overwhelmed by the generosity of our students."