Lauren Keller ’17 and Middle School Department Chair Robert Moore and his son Carter harvesting produce from Palmer Trinity School gardens
Palmer Trinity School’s (PTS) campus remains closed due to COVID-19, but it continues to operate through online learning. Not only has this new environment prompted Palmer Trinity teachers to implement alternative methods of teaching, it also has them finding new ways to continue fostering one of the school’s guiding principles, service.
“While at home, I reflected upon our purpose at this time - to serve. The question was how. One thing that we are really good at, via our Service Living Program, is providing tutoring services both on and off-campus at several local nonprofits,” stated Susi Cetta, Director of Student Activities and Service Living. “I put out a call for virtual tutors and in less than an hour heard from over 20 Upper School PTS students! I then reached out to three organizations, two shelters and one community-based program from which we can take referrals. Our students are amazing and truly show up when called upon.”
Kim Torres, Director of Branches with local young ones they serve
Ainsley Franklin, a PTS junior, has taken the lead in the school’s volunteer tutoring efforts. She sent out Google forms to her fellow students interested in tutoring to determine the subjects they were capable of tutoring in and organized training while they await referrals.
Volunteer distributing meals at Branches using social distancing
Having a long-standing relationship with Branches, a local nonprofit, PTS was contacted by the organization’s director who was in dire need of support. The 500 children and families Branches serves in Florida City, the southernmost city in Homestead, Florida, were in desperate need of food. Many of the families have limited resources and live in modest, crowded apartments and homes near the Branches Community Center. An already difficult circumstance was made worse with COVID-19 panic buying that left grocery store shelves bare.
Food Drive Poster
Palmer Trinity stepped in with fresh herbs and produce harvested from the school’s gardens, planted and tended to by its sixth and seventh grade middle school science classes, as well as donated food from the school’s cafeteria supply. The result was a van full of frozen meats, eggs, spaghetti sauce, snack foods, fruits, vegetables and other needed supplies.
PTS Coach Maple, Marlene and Chef Mauricio packing up the food donation van
Additionally, the school launched a food drive directed at people in the community who wanted to safely drop off mostly non-perishable food items to Branches. “In a small way we were able to help Branches at this critical time. We will also continue to answer the call to serve in the habit of heart and mind,” added Patrick Roberts, Head of School.
Susi Cetta, Ray Torres and Pastor Tony at Branches
Palmer Trinity School is committed to the guiding principle of Service Living for life and will continue to lead by example as it supports its neighbors during these challenging times.
About Palmer Trinity School:
Palmer Trinity School—a coeducational, Episcopal day school—is dedicated to promoting academic excellence that integrates knowledge, compassion, global citizenship, and social responsibility. Providing a supportive environment, Palmer Trinity School serves students from a broad range of socio-economic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds in grades 6-12. For more information about the school, visit www.palmertrinity.org. To follow Palmer Trinity School on Facebook, click here.
