PETERSBURG — Students were treated to a visit from the Philadelphia Eagles mascot and a couple of cheerleaders, who swooped down on schools in Upper Township for a visit April 10.
Through a teacher-versus-teacher kickball game, dress-down days, a coin drive and other initiatives, the district raised more than $10,000 for the Eagles Autism Foundation, topping its goal of $7,500 by more than 33 percent.
“It’s a celebration to have with the kids to commemorate our district meeting and really surpassing the fundraising goal,” said Superintendent Allison Pessolano, sporting a Jalen Hurts jersey with a Super Bowl patch. “It’s a great cause. We have lots of kids and families that are impacted by autism in our district and area.”
Pessolano said Primary School teacher Krista Iannone made a connection with Makayla Brant, peer-to-peer fundraising coordinator for the foundation.
“Krista really is the one who brought it to the school and through working with the foundation has created a lot of the events that we had,” Pessolano said, noting the school is the first partner in the SWOOP’s School Program.
She said the fundraising was a group effort.
“Really it was a lot of donations from our district and larger school community,” Pessolano said.
SWOOP, along with Brant and cheerleaders Jenny McCabe and Erin Nipps, held two pep rallies, the first at Upper Township Middle School and second at Upper Township Primary School, where Elementary School students joined them.
“Even though we are South Jersey, most of us are Eagles fans,” Pessolano said, adding that the district’s colors are green and white as well.
According to a presentation by Brant, the Eagles Autism Foundation is dedicated to creating a more inclusive environment to suit the needs of all individuals.
She shared that her brother Eli was diagnosed with autism at 16 months old. He received at-home support and started school at age 3 with one-to-one care to complete tasks. He has difficulty handling emotions and communicating.
Eli is non-verbal and uses a talker to communicate and needs headphones in crowded places to reduce loud noises. He participates in all-abilities clinics, learning life skills such as laundry, dishes and grocery shopping.
Iannone said she also has family connections with autism and was a frequent participant in Eagles Autism Foundation events in Sea Isle City.
She said she had an idea to show students how to raise awareness and money for a great cause, and reached out to the foundation’s director to try to bring an event to the school district.
“I connected with Makayla and got things rolling,” she said. “It all came together and it was awesome.”
In addition to the fundraising, Iannone said McMahon Insurance came through with a last-minute donation of pom-poms used at both schools — but with a more profound effect on the younger students — “which really added to the experience.”
“It wouldn’t have been possible without them,” she said.
Iannone said SWOOP has several outfits and was wearing headphones to show solidarity with autistic children who must do the same.
“They were able to connect and see SWOOP also had headphones on. All the teachers were like, ‘This is why we are doing this.’”
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
Additional photos courtesy of Allison Pesolano
