Shady Brook Elementary School has created a special room to hold the overwhelming supply of donations it has received from community partners. Midway United Methodist Church and First Wesleyan Church have donated crayons, markers, notebook paper, journals, rulers and scissors.
Dr. Rachel Zaionz, principal of Shady Brook, says the resources have made a big difference for Shady Brook’s students and teachers. “Thanks to the generosity of the community we are able to provide students with school supplies throughout the year. These donations protect some of our state money we would have normally spent on supplies, so we can spend money on tutor support or technology,” confirmed Zaionz. “We are so fortunate to have such a caring community like Kannapolis. It isn’t just the partnership that helps us fill this cabinet, we also get donations from neighbors and other parents who buy supplies when they are on sale and drop them off to the school.”
Midway United Methodist Church has been in partnership for six years and First Wesleyan Church has partnered with Shady Brook for three years. In addition to donating classroom supplies, the churches also provide tutors and volunteers to Shady Brook. The partnerships all support our teachers throughout the year with cards, cookies and other small gifts of appreciation.