Cook-Wissahickon Receives Kiln from the Hamels Foundation

Before the recent round of school budget cuts and staff layoffs Rebacca Poyourow and Cook-Wissahickon art teacher Christina Kimmel wrote a grant proposal for the Hamels Foundation. 

That's Cole Hamels, starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.

The grant was for art supplies, specifically. a new kiln.

“It was sort of a pie-in-the-sky request,” Poyourow said.  “We applied for it before the budget announcement.  You know, ‘why do we need a kiln if we have no paper?’”

Still, the Hamels Foundation came through, and the school has the funds to purchase a new kiln and art supplies.

“We’re glad to have it,” Poyourow said.  “We have a great art teacher who is amazing.”

Since arriving at Cook-Wissahickon, Kimmel has started a lot of school events to get kids and parents interested in the arts program.

“There was a pumpkin carving event,” Poyourow said.  “We also had a recycled art festival.”

Poyourow added, “The kids really love all of it, and she’s made a huge difference.”

Poyourow said that she’s happy to have the kiln, but there are other things the school needs, like the aforementioned paper.

“We need to start working on other stuff,” Poyourow said.  “The silver lining in all of this is that there’s a strong school community here.”

“I think we’ll put our heads down a push through,” Poyourow said.