Throughout Colonial School District, students and staff find ways to make differences in our classrooms, schools and community.
Their acts help Colonial serve as a warm and welcoming place where children feel safe and comfortable while learning their academics -- as well as providing opportunities for students to learn how to contribute to the greater good.
![Brennan and Maya at a table with a volleyball]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1713537931/colonial/xf0jyccf2bquptphlrhy/MADSpikeAwayHungerthumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1713537931/colonial/xf0jyccf2bquptphlrhy/MADSpikeAwayHungerthumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1713537931/colonial/xf0jyccf2bquptphlrhy/MADSpikeAwayHungerthumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
Twenty-five teams vied for the title. The event was run by the International Baccalaureate Club.
![Bella measures Mr. Wachinko's beard]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1712693207/colonial/oq7rjnskl0cgujb8pzol/MakingadifferenceBellaandMrWforweb.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1712693207/colonial/oq7rjnskl0cgujb8pzol/MakingadifferenceBellaandMrWforweb.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1712693207/colonial/oq7rjnskl0cgujb8pzol/MakingadifferenceBellaandMrWforweb.png","width":800}])
Colonial Elementary School's Mr. Washinko was inspired by his student to shun shaving as part of the Beards for Bella fundraiser.
![Making a Difference: PW students' pickleball tournament raises $1,500 for Meals on Wheels]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1708545920/colonial/dwq87pprjdcmpydai7or/PicklesforthePeople.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1708545920/colonial/dwq87pprjdcmpydai7or/PicklesforthePeople.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1708545920/colonial/dwq87pprjdcmpydai7or/PicklesforthePeople.png","width":800}])
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School students in the IB Class of 2025 cohort organized and ran the February event.
![Leo Pluschke stands in front of open trunk showing food donations]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1708096754/colonial/z12jll1fg2lsfwhnclmd/LeoPluschke.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1708096754/colonial/z12jll1fg2lsfwhnclmd/LeoPluschke.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1708096754/colonial/z12jll1fg2lsfwhnclmd/LeoPluschke.png","width":800}])
Leo Pluschke donated the items as part of his 100-Day Project for Mrs. McMahon's class.
![two girls drawing posters]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1707512838/colonial/b6trrnuni8nns3oyoggm/CESCaresGivingTree.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1707512838/colonial/b6trrnuni8nns3oyoggm/CESCaresGivingTree.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1707512838/colonial/b6trrnuni8nns3oyoggm/CESCaresGivingTree.jpg","width":800}])
For February, the fifth graders made care bags and promotional materials to kick off the Meals-4-Kids food drive.
![Class of third graders posed in PJs]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1703271641/colonial/u730qh4bks96jdfxys8p/PEPajamaDayThumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1703271641/colonial/u730qh4bks96jdfxys8p/PEPajamaDayThumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1703271641/colonial/u730qh4bks96jdfxys8p/PEPajamaDayThumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
Plymouth Elementary raised $1,845 for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
![Four students with donated art supplies. One holding big box.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702501298/colonial/lsqtjw9wcg88udhaadax/NAHSLaurelHouseThumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1702501298/colonial/lsqtjw9wcg88udhaadax/NAHSLaurelHouseThumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702501298/colonial/lsqtjw9wcg88udhaadax/NAHSLaurelHouseThumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
Students collected art supplies to give domestic abuse victims a creative outlet.
![Students pose with giant check]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702067557/colonial/kbdfg8aioimhdfw0ny3n/MakingaDifferenceIBDonation.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1702067557/colonial/kbdfg8aioimhdfw0ny3n/MakingaDifferenceIBDonation.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702067557/colonial/kbdfg8aioimhdfw0ny3n/MakingaDifferenceIBDonation.png","width":800}])
The students, who are part of the International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP), raised the money through a volleyball tournament.
![Club officers holding wrapping paper rolls]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1701360921/colonial/gifdrgwwy9nxih7r0gm3/CMSNJHSWrappingPaperThumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1701360921/colonial/gifdrgwwy9nxih7r0gm3/CMSNJHSWrappingPaperThumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1701360921/colonial/gifdrgwwy9nxih7r0gm3/CMSNJHSWrappingPaperThumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
The NJHS set a goal of bringing in 250 items to help wrap presents collected for Colonial children in need.
![The DECA club posed with some holding giant crayons in front of the Cradles to Crayons backdrop]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1701095533/colonial/ob3qlmcuq360rvwyr4qz/PWDecaCradlestoCrayonsThumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1701095533/colonial/ob3qlmcuq360rvwyr4qz/PWDecaCradlestoCrayonsThumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1701095533/colonial/ob3qlmcuq360rvwyr4qz/PWDecaCradlestoCrayonsThumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
Read more about the DECA club's visit to Cradles to Crayons in this story by PWHS junior Bailey Kassis.
![Students principal and police officers including a dog with boxes]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1700599009/colonial/ismh1rqa8zaikzbcxiaf/WEServes.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1700599009/colonial/ismh1rqa8zaikzbcxiaf/WEServes.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1700599009/colonial/ismh1rqa8zaikzbcxiaf/WEServes.jpg","width":800}])
WES Serves has provided Thanksgiving food boxes to the community for 20+ years.
![Four children smiling at the camera while putting food into plastic bags]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699900626/colonial/z890qzq61jl3gq4v6ucu/RPFullyBellyThumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699900626/colonial/z890qzq61jl3gq4v6ucu/RPFullyBellyThumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699900626/colonial/z890qzq61jl3gq4v6ucu/RPFullyBellyThumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
The children made 600+ snack bags for The Giving Tree and Giant Food Stores' Eliminating Hunger Campaign.
![two girls making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699029888/colonial/pv6bicrme3ojl2yjsvvd/PEspiritteamthumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699029888/colonial/pv6bicrme3ojl2yjsvvd/PEspiritteamthumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1699029888/colonial/pv6bicrme3ojl2yjsvvd/PEspiritteamthumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
One morning each month, third graders arrive at school an hour early to do good things for other people.
![student gets color in her hair during the Color Run]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1686079414/colonial/vh75afu2ojj4m4zcufd4/MakingaDifferencePE.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1686079414/colonial/vh75afu2ojj4m4zcufd4/MakingaDifferencePE.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1686079414/colonial/vh75afu2ojj4m4zcufd4/MakingaDifferencePE.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1686079414/colonial/vh75afu2ojj4m4zcufd4/MakingaDifferencePE.png","width":1080}])
The school has raised over $125,000 for blood cancer awareness since starting the Color Run in 2015.
![PW lacrosse team cleans shoes at Cradles to Crayons]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1685551854/colonial/yex7vbnjshut3qeunoxj/lacrosseteam.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1685551854/colonial/yex7vbnjshut3qeunoxj/lacrosseteam.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1685551854/colonial/yex7vbnjshut3qeunoxj/lacrosseteam.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1685551854/colonial/yex7vbnjshut3qeunoxj/lacrosseteam.png","width":1080}])
Student athletes take time off the field to serve the community.