Montgomery County donates back-to-school supplies to Norristown Area School District
NORRISTOWN — School is back in session for thousands of children across Montgomery County, and a massive shipment of school supplies is being delivered to ensure kids have everything they need to succeed.
Montgomery County held a school supply drive earlier this month to help students in need. While students across the county benefited from the initiative, district officials decided to support the Norristown Area School District this year.
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Montgomery County Commissioners Chairwoman Jamila Winder and Vice Chairwoman Neil Makhija dropped off items at the Family Support Center on the Roosevelt campus of Norristown Area High School Wednesday afternoon.
“We are so grateful for their generosity,” said Christopher Dormer, superintendent of the Norristown Area School District. “The first week of school … is a very exciting time for students and families, and for me, it’s even more exciting when students are properly equipped to start school and have all the school supplies that will help them be successful. And for the school officials to support our school district by donating backpacks and school supplies to make sure every child has everything they need to start school is just a true blessing.”
The historically underfunded school district has nearly 8,000 students in 12 schools throughout Norristown and in East and West Norriton townships. About 139 filled backpacks and 2,261 school supplies were delivered, according to a Montgomery County spokesperson. He estimated that 365 Norristown Area School District students would benefit from the collection.
Dormer emphasized that this donation will have a direct impact on the children, as it will enable them to start the school year well.
“I think it’s just really motivating for the kids to know that I’ve got something completely new to support my learning process, and I think it helps them come to school every day excited about the new opportunities,” Dormer said.
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The 2024-25 school year began Monday for Norristown Area School District schools. There is a four-day weekend planned because of Labor Day, but Dormer stressed that this donation is critical for families who are still working to get notebooks, writing utensils, folders, binders and backpacks for their children.
“I think first and foremost it’s making sure every child comes to school every day well prepared so they can adapt their learning accordingly,” Dormer said. “The second aspect is really the mental and emotional aspect, just the good feeling that a new school year is starting… with brand new school materials.”
“And I think that just adds to that exciting feeling that there are people out there that want to take care of me, that the school is looking out for us, and I think when the kids start the year with a new box of crayons and a new backpack, they just go to school with a little more enthusiasm,” Dormer continued.
The county’s annual back-to-school fundraiser, which ran July 25 through Aug. 23, collected an estimated 10,000 items, according to a county spokesperson. The final tally is expected next week. This year’s numbers were higher than the reported donation of 7,000 items in 2023.
Additional donations from the school supply drive will be distributed to other families through the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Department. Back in Norristown, school district officials will distribute the supplies to students, and Dormer hopes it will bring a smile to their faces.
“There’s a lot of research that shows that when kids come (to school) excited, they learn much faster and more quickly,” Dormer said. “For me, that mental and emotional aspect of that development cannot be underestimated in its long-term impact on learning.”
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