Supporting Our Schools
Norfolk Southern has committed more than $1.1 million directly to the East Palestine School System and more than $1.4 million in total support services to education in East Palestine. This includes $300,000 to directly support the district’s academics, athletics, and extra-curricular activities as well as $750,000 to support community engagement efforts. These contributions are in addition to requested reimbursements such as track and parking lot repairs.
SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Replaced mulch at East Palestine Elementary School playground area
NS replaced aging mulch with a new, safer rubber mulch and funded a new drainage system to help keep the East Palestine Elementary School playground accessible for more months out of the school year.
Donated large outside yard games to East Palestine Elementary School
NS donated large outside yard games—including Connect 4, Jenga, and sports equipment—along with a utility wagon.
Donated book vending machines to East Palestine Elementary and Middle School
NS partnered with the East Palestine PTO to donate two book vending machines filled with free books to the East Palestine Elementary and Middle School.
Added bike rack at East Palestine Middle School
NS purchased an additional bike rack for East Palestine Middle School to provide more storage for students’ bicycles.
Organized therapy bunnies to visit all classrooms at East Palestine Elementary School
NS coordinated therapy bunnies to visit more than 300 students and teachers at East Palestine Elementary School.
Recognized teachers with lunches and gift cards during Teacher Appreciation Week
NS catered lunches for the entire East Palestine School District staff and distributed gift cards for each teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Delivered donuts to each student in East Palestine Elementary and Middle School
NS purchased donuts from a local bakery and delivered donuts to each student in East Palestine Elementary and Middle School to kick off summer break.
EVENTS & SCHOOL SPIRIT
Provided water bottles and ice cream vouchers to East Palestine students
NS designed and purchased 1,100 custom-printed reusable water bottles with the East Palestine logo, each with a free ice cream voucher attached, for the PTO to pass out to students in the district.
Sponsored “Oldies Night” to support East Palestine High School Band’s Disney trip
NS sponsored the “Oldies Night” fundraiser for the East Palestine High School band, contributed $2.2K, and provided promotional materials to support their traditional Disney trip.
Provided free prom flowers for all 2023 prom attendees
NS partnered with a local flower shop to provide vouchers for free flower bouquets to all 2023 East Palestine prom attendees.
Covered lost fundraiser proceeds and prom costs
NS donated approximately $9,000 to East Palestine High School to replace funds lost when the annual sweetheart fundraiser was canceled to cover the cost of prom expenses.
Covered East Palestine High School Lion King performance
NS covered the cost of admission for the East Palestine High School’s Lion King performance, allowing the public to attend for free.
Participated in the 2024 Back to School Bash
NS participated in the 2024 Back to School Bash by distributing East Palestine Bulldog-branded bags filled with school supplies, hosting a prize wheel, and raffling off Amazon tablets to students.
Provided Amazon Kindles to support East Palestine Elementary School Literacy Night
NS provided 10 Amazon Kindles to the East Palestine Elementary School Literacy Night fundraiser to help increase the amount raised.
ATHLETIC SUPPORT
Rented a coach bus to take the high school boys’ basketball team to their final game
NS rented a coach bus, provided snacks and drinks, and celebrated with pizza to help transport the East Palestine High School boys’ basketball team and their families to their final game in Perry.
Covered one-year printing expenses of athletic programs for all high school sports
NS covered all expenses to print the East Palestine High School athletic sports programs for a full school year, including both fall and spring events.
Donated training equipment to the East Palestine High School tennis team
NS donated new training equipment, including tennis balls, storage containers, an automated tennis ball machine, specialty training devices, and custom embroidered hats to the East Palestine High School tennis team.
Matched fundraiser proceeds and donated raffle baskets to support East Palestine High School boys’ baseball team
NS donated three raffle baskets and matched all proceeds from the East Palestine High School boys’ baseball team’s 2023 spring breakfast fundraiser, contributing $9.2K to support the upcoming season.
FIELD TRIPS
Organized bus transportation for third grade field trip to Carnegie Science Center
NS organized and funded bus transportation for East Palestine third-grade students to attend a field trip to the Carnegie Science Center.
Provided bus transportation for PBIS student trip to Cedar Point
NS organized and funded bus transportation for students in the PBIS program—a positive behavioral program—to attend a field trip to Cedar Point in 2023.
Funded expenses for grade 3-6 boys and girls’ basketball teams to attend Mel Blount Youth Leadership Initiative
NS funded transportation, food, and other expenses for approximately 70 students and 15 coaches to attend the Mel Blount Youth Leadership Initiative.
Organized bus transportation for senior trip to the Gateway Clipper
NS funded bus transportation for 80 students and staff to attend the senior trip to Gateway Clipper in Pittsburgh, PA.
Sponsored Pittsburgh Pirates game trip for baseball and softball teams
NS provided four buses and covered the cost of tickets for the East Palestine baseball and softball teams to attend a Pittsburgh Pirates game.
Funded band camp costs for East Palestine High School students
NS covered the cost for lodging and food for all East Palestine High School band members to participate in a band camp at a nearby college in preparation for the marching season.