Adirondack Academy recently received a $500 award from Stewart’s Shops for support of the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.
The funds awarded by Stewart’s Shops will allow Adirondack Academy to purchase items for the school store. Students earn PBIS points throughout the school year for exhibiting good behavior and for positive academic referrals. They can then redeem their earned points at the school store for food items, beverages, snacks, gift cards and more.
Adirondack Academy was specifically designed to help students who have encountered obstacles in the regular school setting. The alternative education program emphasizes small class sizes and close relationships with teachers, staff and administrators in order to build a sense of community.
The award was part of the 2022-2023 Stewart’s Holiday Match program. From Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Day, Stewart’s customers donated over $1 million to the program. Each individual donation was then matched penny for penny by Stewart’s Shops. More than $2 million was allocated this year to non-profit organizations impacting children across 32 counties in upstate New York and southern Vermont where Stewart’s Shops are located.
“Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Campaign received a record number of requests this year, driving home the fact that the need in our local communities is great. We are honored that year over year, our customers continue to choose to contribute. By allowing us to double their gift, we are able to create real, positive, local change for so many organizations benefiting children. Charity harnesses the power of community and we are so fortunate to have such generous customers in our communities,” according to the Stewart’s Shops website.
Maureen Jones, a special education teacher with Adirondack Academy, says that Stewart’s is often the place that a lot of Adirondack Academy students go to for groceries, snacks, and ice cream. “It’s (Stewart’s) a convenient stop for a lot of our students as many of them don’t have a car. The kids just love Stewart’s! We’re incredibly grateful to have their support.”
The Stewart’s Holiday Match program has now allocated more than $36 million since the program’s inception in 1986.
Stewart’s Shops Manager Brittany DuRose presents a $500 Holiday Match check to students and staff from Adirondack Academy. The funds will be used to support the school’s PBIS program.
