Back to School '24: Best of the Batch a devoted community, district partner

Founded by Steel Valley alum and former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and his wife Tasha, the Best of the Batch Foundation offers a wide range of programs and activities for the Steel Valley School District.

One of the primary programs offered by the Best of the Batch is its after-school and out-of-school time. From educational offerings like its homework club and its STEAM lab to fun activities in its gaming room or gymnasium, the Best of the Batch Foundation’s clubhouse on West Street in Munhall is open after school to serve local families. Students who are in the after-school program are provided food, as well. Registration for out-of-school time will open August 19 and programming will start the week of September 9.

Early on in the school year, the Batch Foundation will visit Barrett and Park Elementary Schools to deliver its BatchPacks for Kids. The backpacks are filled with school supplies to help students get the school year started right, and teachers receive special bags of supplies, as well. Tasha Batch said this year will be the 17th year of the BatchPacks program.

In the fall, the application process begins for college scholarships offered through the foundation. Several of the scholarships are available exclusively to seniors from Steel Valley High School. The Best of the Batch Foundation also brings programming to the schools throughout the school year. Last spring, it partnered with Bayer for Barrett and Park students to enjoy a joint STEM day complete with various experiments.

The foundation also runs an annual Turkey Drive every Thanksgiving with local first responders and emergency services, and it operates its celebrated Batch A Toys holiday toy drive every December.

Tasha Batch encouraged students and families to visit the foundation’s website and sign up for a free Clubhouse Membership. The link is on the top right of the home page. All of the programs are free. Once registered with a Clubhouse Membership, families will be able to register each child individually, allowing them to see what programs and resources are available to each specific child based on their age.

Scholarship information and applications are also available on the website, as well as through the high school guidance office.