In 2018, Paoli High School began to offer basic personal hygiene products to students through the Essentials Project, including products such as deodorant and shampoo.

On average, 275 orders are made per year by an average of 60 to 70 kids. In 2018 alone, approximately 250 orders were made, and since then, over 300 more orders have been put into place from 80 students.

“Last year, we were on track to provide 300 to 350 things, but then we shut down,” said Essentials Project Coordinator Heather Nichols. 

The program has also gone through some minor changes. Now, students can submit a Google form to Nichols requesting for a particular item to be added to the assortment of products. New items needed because of coronavirus have also been introduced, like hand sanitizer and masks. 

“The two biggest things [changes] I would say though is that we let kids send in requests. Like, ‘Hey, I wish you’d carry blank,’ perfume or cologne. Those are more things we added to our list. We try to be responsive to the needs of the kids and what they want and to offer those things if we can,” said Nichols. 

Plans are still being made in the event of students going completely virtual. 

For more information or to receive items, go to http://phs.paoli.k12.in.us or email Nichols at [email protected].