by SC Features Writer Reanna Haase
Of all the challenges that come with the back-to-school season, The Sanibel School is experiencing a unique struggle, one which is characterized by its barrier island location – the island’s least favorite pest, no-see-ums, seem to be attracted to the school’s car line.
“We have some fifth-grade students who are on the safety patrol, who help us in the morning unloading vehicles, and they didn’t want to do that job until they had some sort of no-see-um protection – understandably,” Principal Jennifer Lusk said.
To address this challenge, the school issued a call for relief, one which the Bank of the Islands responded to. BOTI generously offered to sponsor the purchase of two battery-operated high-speed fans, along with the batteries and chargers, which can be placed anywhere to increase airflow and help deter the pesky insects.
“Principal Lusk and Assistant Principal Gurgal do a great job of maintaining the standard of excellence islanders have come to expect at The Sanibel School,” Bank President Robbie Roepstorff said in a statement. “As the stickers on the fans make clear, we’re ‘Big Fans’ of The Sanibel School, and were happy to help!”
Another organization also heard the buzz about the school’s struggles to keep its students protected from the no-see-ums, particularly during the early morning hours. Linda Uhler, Chair of the Sanibel Public Library, offered to contribute two more of these ‘anti-no-see-um’ fans to the school’s collection.
“They were extremely quick in their response and support. We’re incredibly grateful because actually, as soon as they came in, we immediately charged the battery, and the very next day had the fans in play,” Lusk said. “We’ve actually seen a significant improvement, too.”
Along with the donation of bug repellent fans, which the school now has a total of five for the car line, the school has issued requests for some other, more non-traditional, back-to-school items.
“It started, ironically, with Kingfisher Realty reaching out asking if we needed any donations of school supplies,” Lusk said. “And I was like ‘Well, I have paper and we have pencils, but how do you feel about a chainsaw?’”
Lusk said that during Hurricane Ian, the school lost most of its landscaping equipment, which not only enhances the school’s aesthetics but also contributes to student safety.
So far, the school has received a chainsaw from Kingfisher Realty, an electric pole saw from the Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent group, and a weed wacker and edger from Sanibel Public Library Chair Linda Uhler, in addition to her donation of the two battery-operated fans.
“So literally in one week, we have been so loved on by our community,” Lusk said. “I am incredibly grateful to everybody who has reached out to try and make sure that our school is ready for the year.”
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