Port Chester Middle School’s Beautification Club, made up of sixth, seventh and eighth graders, has focused its efforts on revamping some of the school's most overlooked spaces—its bathrooms.
The club, created by Special Education teacher Candace Calabrese, was born out of a desire to update the aging school building and reflect the vibrant energy of students and staff. Forming a Beautification Committee, Calabrese, in partnership with French teacher Rebecca Peters, stepped into the role of club advisor. "We wanted to make our school feel more like the great place that is," said Peters.
Last year, the club began its efforts by organizing photos on the first floor and preparing the space for a fresh coat of paint. With support from the school administration, the club’s vision continued to grow. When it came time to select a new project, the students quickly identified the bathrooms as a top priority.
“We couldn’t replace the toilets or add ventilation, but we could make the bathrooms more attractive,” Peters explained. The idea was simple—if students took pride in the space, they would be more likely to respect it. As one student put it, the goal was to “make the bathrooms less disgusting and make people stop being such slobs.”
The students took charge of every aspect of the bathroom beautification project. They brainstormed design ideas, proposed concepts, and voted on their favorites. The aim was to create a fresh and inviting space featuring positive messages. With paint and stencils in hand, they set to work, scrubbing walls and stalls to prepare the area. For two weeks, they spent hours after school crammed into the small bathroom, collaborating, laughing, and singing as they brought their vision to life.
“This was the first time some of them had painted or stenciled, and they loved it,” Peters said. Some students even expressed a desire for more art classes to unleash their creativity.
The impact of the project has been overwhelmingly positive. Students, teachers, and PTA parents alike are excited about the transformed bathroom. The effort has even inspired other student groups, including the Key Club, Student Council, and National Junior Honor Society, to take on similar projects. Plans are already in place to tackle more bathrooms, with each group designing unique themes for their spaces.
While the Beautification Committee is currently on hold as they wait for other school matters to be resolved, the mission to improve the middle school is far from over. “Our staff and students are working together to continue updating the school’s appearance,” said Peters. "We're making small changes, and we’re hDate Added: 3/4/2025 oping to find the time and resources to continue our mission of transforming Port Chester Middle School into a place that truly reflects the spirit of its community.”