ROCHESTER — Superintendent Kyle Repucci is pleased to announce the Rochester Public Schools received six pallets of disposable face masks last week, which will be shared within the community.
In all, the district received 126,000 disposable masks from the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Raymond. The total value of the donation is $45,000 and the masks were picked up by district staff on Friday, April 2. The masks will be used by students and staff who may arrive at school without a mask or face covering, which is required as part of the district’s reopening plan.
Spaulding High School Deputy Principal Margaret Callahan applied for the donation after learning about the program from SHS science teacher Kara Strohecker. The masks were picked up and delivered by facilities employee Bruce Wheeler.
“Thank you to Kara Strohecker and her family for letting us know about this incredible opportunity,” Callahan said. “We are proud to have such thoughtful staff who have worked tirelessly over the last year to ensure that we all have the resources we need to learn safely during the pandemic.”
“It was a great experience working with Operations Manager Debra Radigan to pick up these masks and to be able to deliver them to others in the community,” Director of Facilities Dave Totty said. “Support like this is invaluable when it comes to protecting the health and safety of our community.”
The Rochester School District has, in turn, donated a portion of the masks to other community organizations and departments, including the City of Rochester Police and Fire Departments, the Strafford County offices, the Strafford County YMCA, other local private schools and neighboring communities such as Barrington.
“We are grateful for this support and to be able to share this resource with our community,” Superintendent Repucci said. “Moments like this show that working together can have a positive impact on preventing any further spread of COVID-19 and helping us all remain safe during the pandemic.”
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