Making Memories

The groovy flier went out in September: “Turn your old t-shirts into memory pillows! Have old t-shirts you want to save but don’t wear anymore? Let the BHS Life Skills students turn your memories into keepsakes.” The orders from Brewster High School and beyond rolled in.

Students in Donna Schneider’s Practical Assessment Exploration Systems Life Skills class are now making the pillows. They sit at tables sewing small straight stitches around the t-shirts, which have been pre-cut by teachers and student mentors in the shape of a square. After sewing around the square, students fill the case with stuffing. A BHS Life Skills label is the finishing touch.

“We taught students how to sew last year, when we made tooth pillows for the pre-k classes,” explained Schneider. “It’s a great project because there are so many practical soft skills at play which can be used for future employment: fine motor skills, following directions, following patterns. These are foundational skills for job success.”

It seems clear that the sewing is therapeutic. The classroom is quiet, and the students are intently focused on the task at hand.

So far, the department has gotten over 60 orders for pillows, which will keep them busy for months. It takes each student about two class periods to complete one pillow. There are currently four students trained to sew and stuff pillows, but more students will be joining the group. There are five student mentors who help out in the classroom as well. 

Avery Dodones, a junior, helps out every other day.

“I really like this sewing project,” he said. “We are getting into a zone making the pillows.”

The proceeds of the pillow sales will go towards buying equipment for Unified Sports.

“There’s no end to the project,” explained Schneider. “We are even getting orders for baby presents–stuffed onesie pillows and graduation presents–stuffed college t-shirt pillows. We will try anything!”