Canton Elementary STEM Academy Opens Up the Care Closet

Parent-teacher conferences at Canton Elementary School STEM Academy will soon offer more than just a student's academic progress report.

The school is opening a "Care Closet," which will be stocked with new and gently used clothing and shoes, along with toiletries. 

"The big thing is pairing," said Canton Elementary School STEM Academy principal Beth Long. "We want to help parents meet their basic life needs and give them training and resources to support their students' academic learning."

Although a similar program has been in place for some time at the school, the Care Closet is taking the school's commitment to its students to a new level.

Long credits Monique Johnson, a teacher at the school, and the school's PTA as the driving forces behind the new initiative. Another key person in the system is Parent Facilitator Gloria Davila, who is described as the "point person" for checking with students and families to discover needs.

"I'm very excited about it," Long said. "Other district schools work to help families meet their basic needs, but not on this scale. It's unique, but it's not."

The business community has also rallied around the cause. Long credits Chick-Fil-A as a strong supporter of the initiative, and credited the local Rotary Club for its efforts to make the Care Closet a reality.

"The partnership the schools in the district enjoy with the business community is unparalleled," Long said.

As part of this partnership, Chick-Fil-A is offering customers who come into their Canton locations a free chicken biscuit or chicken sandwich if they come with certain toiletries for the Care Closet.

Items that will earn some free chicken include:

• A large bottle of shampoo and conditioner
• A two pack of men's and women's deodorant
• A large tube of toothpaste
• A two-pack of toothbrushes
• A four-pack of toilet paper