The Shaler Area District Parent Council, in partnership with the district, is launching a new initiative in the 2019-2020 school year to help teachers be more prepared for an emergency situation. 

The District Parent Council, which includes representative parent-teacher organization members from each building, organized the Go Bucket project to provide classrooms with an emergency kit.

The Go Buckets are five-gallon buckets that include items that can be used in an emergency or extended lockdown situation such as flashlights, first-aid kits, duct tape, rope, a space blanket and whistle. The buckets serve as a container for the supplies and doubles as a stool or an emergency lavatory when fitted with a plastic trash bag, toilet paper, and a shower curtain for privacy.

“We are excited for the opportunity to put these Go Buckets in every classroom to give teachers and students additional resources to use in an emergency, but we also hope that the teachers never, ever have to use them,” said Heather McGregor, DPC president.

The DPC’s initial efforts collected enough items to assemble 29 completed Go Buckets. The program’s launch will outfit each classroom in Marzolf Primary School with a Go Bucket. 

“In addition to the safety measures put in place and the training our staff and students receive, the Go Buckets will provide teachers with one more tool in their toolbox in an emergency situation,” said Superintendent Sean Aiken. 

The District Parent Council is looking to expand the program so that every classroom in Shaler Area has a Go Bucket. The group has set a goal to complete enough buckets for every classroom in the high school by the end of the 2019-2020 school year. They are looking for community support through donations of five-gallon buckets with lids, and gift cards to Amazon or the Dollar Tree.

For more information or to make a donation, contact [email protected].