Community Partners Help St. Bernard Parish Public Schools Start the School Year Strong

Community Partners Help St. Bernard Parish Public Schools Start the School Year Strong

Chalmette, LA – Students in the St. Bernard Parish Public School System are off to a great start this school year thanks to the generosity of several community partners. Recently, Chalmette Refining PBF Energy and United Way of Southeast Louisiana with WDSU provided donations of school supplies and backpacks to students at two elementary schools.

Chalmette Refining PBF Energy donated school supplies to Chalmette Elementary School. Elizabeth Ellison-Frost of Chalmette Refining, along with several of the company’s summer interns, recently delivered backpacks, pencils, crayons, markers, tissues, and other items from the school’s beginning-of-year supply list.

Ellison-Frost said she was impressed and proud of the interns’ efforts to organize and carry out the supply drive. “They took the initiative to organize and execute the supply drive themselves and were eager to help support our students and become more connected with the school community,” she said.

Chalmette Elementary Principal Kate McNab expressed her appreciation of Chalmette Refining’s generosity. “We are so thankful for Chalmette Refining’s continued support of our students and school family. These supplies will be put to great use and are greatly appreciated by our students, families, and teachers.”

United Way of Southeast Louisiana partnered with WDSU to host a backpack drive that provided school supplies and backpacks to students at Arabi Elementary School. Through the generosity of WDSU, United Way, and the community members who contributed to the drive, Arabi Elementary received supplies to help students begin the new school year prepared to learn.

Arabi Elementary Principal Andrea Woodward said she was surprised and grateful for the generosity shown by the community partners. “We were truly surprised and incredibly grateful for the generosity of WDSU and United Way,” Woodward said. “The amount of supplies delivered was quite large, and it will make a meaningful difference for our students and families. We are so thankful for their kindness and commitment to our school community.”

The generosity of community partners like Chalmette Refining PBF Energy, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, and WDSU is what helps to power learning in our schools every day, ensuring our students have the resources and support they need to thrive.