Building a New Foundation
December 28, 2006
By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer
Students at the New Foundations Charter School in Torresdale remain a few years away from undertaking home-improvement projects like installing cabinets and mounting shelves. But they got an early start on Dec. 19, when employees from a Home Depot in South Philadelphia came out to help them rebuild their school store.
The 8-foot-square space houses school supplies like copybooks and writing implements and spirit items such as T-shirts and water bottles. Operated by the student council, the store opens during the first and last 15 minutes of the school day.
Manning the tiny post gets pretty busy, said Nick Cruz, student council vice president.
"We actually use it a lot. We’ll be able to fit more supplies," said the eighth-grader. At the behest of parent volunteer Karen Cox, whose son D.J. attends seventh grade at the school, Home Depot decided to help New Foundations through its grant program. The initiative helps build playgrounds, refurbish affordable housing units, safeguard community spaces and accomplish other projects.
"Home Depot is so community-oriented, so we look for ways to give back," said Pauline Taylor, general manager of the store at 22nd Street and Oregon Avenue.
For New Foundations, located at 8001 Torresdale Ave., Home Depot donated pre-made cabinets and shelving and a Dutch door — one split in half to allow the top to stay open — and sent eight volunteers to install them. A display case with Plexiglas windows will show off New Foundations items. One employee even painted a mural of the school’s mascot, a bulldog, on the back wall.
"They got a lot done," said principal Paul Stadelberger that day.
Home Depot completed most of the project before the school closed for Christmas break. Student council members even got a say in the design process, picking from several drawings of their future store.
"We decided which one to choose. It actually looks really nice," said Ryan Wildsmith, student council president. The Dutch door serves as an added bonus, because it will help keep students from walking into the store and rummaging through items. Previously, the store workers laid down duct tape to establish a line between them and their customers.
Math teacher Jim Schmidt, a faculty adviser for the student council along with science teacher Michael Sandhaus, expects students to learn more business skills in running the new store.
"They’ll learn supply and demand, inventory, bookkeeping," he said. Advisers also hope to get students on real cash registers.
The Home Depot project follows plans for other improvements at the school. New Foundations plans to start constructing a three-story addition with classrooms, offices, a media center and a science lab sometime in the spring. Officials hope to finish the project next fall.
Until then, students in the new school store will make sure it’s business as usual.
"It’s something exciting for them, (and it) will give them a good sense of school pride," Schmidt said. ••
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com
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December 28, 2006
By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer
Students at the New Foundations Charter School in Torresdale remain a few years away from undertaking home-improvement projects like installing cabinets and mounting shelves. But they got an early start on Dec. 19, when employees from a Home Depot in South Philadelphia came out to help them rebuild their school store.
The 8-foot-square space houses school supplies like copybooks and writing implements and spirit items such as T-shirts and water bottles. Operated by the student council, the store opens during the first and last 15 minutes of the school day.
Manning the tiny post gets pretty busy, said Nick Cruz, student council vice president.
"We actually use it a lot. We’ll be able to fit more supplies," said the eighth-grader. At the behest of parent volunteer Karen Cox, whose son D.J. attends seventh grade at the school, Home Depot decided to help New Foundations through its grant program. The initiative helps build playgrounds, refurbish affordable housing units, safeguard community spaces and accomplish other projects.
"Home Depot is so community-oriented, so we look for ways to give back," said Pauline Taylor, general manager of the store at 22nd Street and Oregon Avenue.
For New Foundations, located at 8001 Torresdale Ave., Home Depot donated pre-made cabinets and shelving and a Dutch door — one split in half to allow the top to stay open — and sent eight volunteers to install them. A display case with Plexiglas windows will show off New Foundations items. One employee even painted a mural of the school’s mascot, a bulldog, on the back wall.
"They got a lot done," said principal Paul Stadelberger that day.
Home Depot completed most of the project before the school closed for Christmas break. Student council members even got a say in the design process, picking from several drawings of their future store.
"We decided which one to choose. It actually looks really nice," said Ryan Wildsmith, student council president. The Dutch door serves as an added bonus, because it will help keep students from walking into the store and rummaging through items. Previously, the store workers laid down duct tape to establish a line between them and their customers.
Math teacher Jim Schmidt, a faculty adviser for the student council along with science teacher Michael Sandhaus, expects students to learn more business skills in running the new store.
"They’ll learn supply and demand, inventory, bookkeeping," he said. Advisers also hope to get students on real cash registers.
The Home Depot project follows plans for other improvements at the school. New Foundations plans to start constructing a three-story addition with classrooms, offices, a media center and a science lab sometime in the spring. Officials hope to finish the project next fall.
Until then, students in the new school store will make sure it’s business as usual.
"It’s something exciting for them, (and it) will give them a good sense of school pride," Schmidt said. ••
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com
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