Ms. Dent, social worker at STEM Middle at Baldwin Road, knew that our students need to have basic needs met to have a successful day at school. She also knows that, as a STEM school, those needs might look a little different from a neighborhood school.
“Ms. Dent has gone above and beyond as a valuable resource not only to our students, but their parents and the community,” said Mrs. India Wilson, principal. “She connects us with community partners to ensure the critical needs of our students are met, and these partnerships have a meaningful impact on our school.”
For example, AEP partners with STEM Middle at Baldwin Road to provide speakers for career day, provide teacher grants, and more. In addition, AEP has committed to donating school supplies for the building for the 2025-26 school year. “STEM school supplies might look different than your typical markers, notepads, and scissors,” explained Mrs. Wilson. “AEP is also donating supplies for our maker spaces, like lumber and glue guns.”
Additional partners in the building include I Know I Can/Gear Up Ohio, where Ms. Belcher (Gear Up Middle School Advisor) has formed relationships with students and taken them on college visits to prepare them for life beyond high school.
The Reynoldsburg Community Church has also been a key partner for STEM Middle at Baldwin Road. In addition to helping the Student Council fill holiday food baskets, volunteers worked with Ms. Dent to clear and paint a storage space, which now serves as the new student school store. “I wanted to focus on meeting the needs of our students, rather than cutesy items, you’ll find coats, snacks, hygiene products, school supplies and more.”
Volunteers from the Reynoldsburg Community Church turned a storage closet into a purple-and-gold space where students can get free items. “We were able to source donations from our community partners, and we put a system in place that will honor confidentiality,” said Ms. Dent.
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony where partners were recognized and the orchestra performed, Ms. Dent also unveiled the store's name. “We’re hoping the Wilson PBIS Resource Room will have a meaningful impact and allow our kids to grow,” said Ms. Dent.