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.
![Students pose with hurricane relief donations]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1729775117/colonial/xeapbsc5orvqtnkt5cqr/MakingaDifferenceIBClub.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1729775117/colonial/xeapbsc5orvqtnkt5cqr/MakingaDifferenceIBClub.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1729775117/colonial/xeapbsc5orvqtnkt5cqr/MakingaDifferenceIBClub.png","width":800}])
In one weekend, students pulled together supplies to help victims of Hurricane Helene.
![Students hold up books they donated to Conshohocken Elementary]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727105353/colonial/xxkhpvjh3uqdjddefyg6/MakingaDifference-SpanishClub.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727105353/colonial/xxkhpvjh3uqdjddefyg6/MakingaDifference-SpanishClub.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727105353/colonial/xxkhpvjh3uqdjddefyg6/MakingaDifference-SpanishClub.png","width":800}])
Twelfth-graders Victoria Escobar-Martin and Natalie Lieberman have donated Hispanic-themed books to elementary school libraries.
![eight students covered in bright colored powder]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717189617/colonial/gjtvkogd7ikmbfi4wvle/PEColorRunThumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1717189617/colonial/gjtvkogd7ikmbfi4wvle/PEColorRunThumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1717189617/colonial/gjtvkogd7ikmbfi4wvle/PEColorRunThumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
Making A Difference: Plymouth Elementary students celebrate their achievements with annual Color Run
The school raised $14,000+ for pediatric blood cancer research through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
![girl holding up a pair of jeans]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1714742267/colonial/qyxmcbvgc2zy25snao0q/PWEthicalFashionThumbnail2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1714742267/colonial/qyxmcbvgc2zy25snao0q/PWEthicalFashionThumbnail2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1714742267/colonial/qyxmcbvgc2zy25snao0q/PWEthicalFashionThumbnail2.jpg","width":800}])
The event offers a sustainable alternative to traditional shopping while promoting community.
![Students holding up individual numbers of $42,576.53 raised at MiniTHON]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1714079041/colonial/mvx1spjl48agewciykrt/THON2024Thumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1714079041/colonial/mvx1spjl48agewciykrt/THON2024Thumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1714079041/colonial/mvx1spjl48agewciykrt/THON2024Thumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
Approximately 400 students spent the night at PWHS to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
![Denise Marks gives a student a Golden Ticket sticker]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1713539034/colonial/ihaflyyigp3w9vttckpt/CEMakingaDifference.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1713539034/colonial/ihaflyyigp3w9vttckpt/CEMakingaDifference.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1713539034/colonial/ihaflyyigp3w9vttckpt/CEMakingaDifference.png","width":800}])
Students collected over 500 pounds of plastic for recycling. The effort earned the school a Trex bench from the Kiwanis Club of Conshohocken.
![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.