Update: Clara's Closet is in its 3rd Year, now being continued into the 2024-25 School Year.
Clara’s Closet began as the 2022-23 Newport Rotary major project. It provides Newport Elementary School teachers with teacher and classroom supplies which may not be provided by the school system. More importantly, it sends a clear message to our school teachers and staff that they are valued and supported by their local civic and business communities! 
The project is named in memory of Clara Wall, “Miss Clara”, a career third-grade teacher at Newport Elementary (1960s-1980s) whose husband, son and daughter-in-law are all Newport Rotarians.
Clara’s Closet is located in the NES teacher resource room and has been available from the Fall 2022 semester to present.
Periodic teacher surveys are used to target the appropriate supplies.
School supplies are being evaluated and refreshed for both semesters.
Clara's Closet is funded by Newport Rotary, The Newport Halloween Hootenanny, GO NEWPORT, INC. and the Wall Family.
Previous funding of the project has included a grant from The Rotary Foundation and donations from private donors.
2 comments:
Dear Newport Rotary Members,
Although this thank you may be a bit late, please know it is double portioned with gratitude. At the beginning of the school year you supplied our staff with school supplies through your Clara’s Closet program. On the practical side I would like to personally thank you, you saved me about $200 coming out of my own pocket. What a sweet and practical gift you gave us, thank you.
On a personal note, please tell Clara’s family that they inspired me to do the same type of gift to the school my own father taught at for thirty years in Ohio. He has passed away now going on 20 years but we still get letters of remembrance from his former students. When I called my mom about your thoughtfulness, my sisters and I thought this would be a fantastic idea to give back to a community that blessed our family tremendously.
In a world where genuine people seem to be a diamond in the rough. Please know how truly thankful I am to your organization. May this be a year where God’s favor and prosperity are displayed through you and your families.
Warmest Regards,
Rachel E. Hampton
Newport Elementary School Teacher
Thank you for Clara’s closet at NES. It has been a great resource for a number of supplies I’ve needed in my STEM/maker space classroom. I serve the entire school body, over 700 children, and with donations like yours I am able to provide materials that will inspire their creativity. Thank you,
Deanna Windham
Wonder Workshop Coordinator
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