Newcastle has experienced significant growth in the last several years.
In fact, an announcement was made by a city councilman at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Morning Mingle function this month that the population of Newcastle is now 15,000. New businesses and housing developments bring new people. This year alone more than 100 students have been added to the middle school’s enrollment.
The community has plans in place to add classrooms to absorb this growth, however there are many basic needs above brick and mortar that must be met for students to be and do their best.
To help meet these needs, a Community Closet with personal needs was created.
“Middle school can be a very difficult stage of life. These children are becoming more self-aware, they are experiencing peer-pressure due to body image and are going through rapid physical changes in their body,” said a spokesperson from Norman Regional Health Foundation (NRHF).
“Poor hygiene affects selfesteem, which in turn can impact learning.”
Many of the Newcastle educators have been supplying students with basic toiletries from their personal funds. This year, a parent teacher organization (PTO) was started at the middle school to help relieve many of the pressures the educators are facing.
The first request to the PTO from administrators and teachers was to establish a community closet that could help provide students with clothing, food and basic hygiene products that they do not have access to at home.
Two middle school parents with ties to the NRHF approached the non-profit organization to seek financial support to open this community closet through a grant. NRHF’s board agreed that good hygiene is one of the basic principles of preventative healthcare.
“Maintaining good personal hygiene reduces the risk of illness, builds confidence, and contributes to overall mental and physical health and wellness,” the spokesperson said. “Keeping students in the classroom is the ultimate goal of the community closet.
“This age is a critical stage of development. We want to do our part to help students build a strong self-image, combat bullying and relieve the financial burden on the teachers and counselors,” said Foundation board member Dr. Lawrence Carter. “When the committee reviewed the grant request for toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, socks, underwear, and feminine hygiene products; it was very easy to tie this to our mission of health and wellness in the communities Norman Regional serves.”
There are two Norman Regional clinics that serve the community of Newcastle. Growing communities have growing needs, and for now, according to the spokesperson, this is one way the Norman Regional Health Foundation can help.
Melissa Crain with Contemporary Family Dentistry in Newcastle did not hesitate to say yes when asked if their dental clinic would like to partner with NRHF to supply items for the first community closet at the middle school.
Their office enthusiastically provided toothpaste and toothbrushes. According to middle school counselor Toni Kammerlocher, these are some of the most frequently requested items.
The NPS staff and students were excited to see the stacks of donated products.
“It is so hard to put into words the impact these small items will have for our students,” said Ms. Kammerlocher. “Middle school can be a very hard time, but this small act of kindness will help set our students up for success!”
Norman Regional Foundation grants are awarded biannually by the awards and grants committee. This committee is composed of Norman Regional Foundation staff and board members.
For more information regarding the Norman Regional Health Foundation, visit www.NRHFoundation.org or call at 405-307-1077.
