How a washer and dryer are benefiting Tulsa’s Marshall Elementary School

Marshall Elementary’s in-school laundry service is improving attendance, boosting confidence and meeting basic needs for students and families.

A Clean Start to the School Year

What started as a simple idea to help families without access to laundry machines is now a confidence-boosting initiative that’s making waves at Marshall Elementary School.

Since launching a laundry program at the beginning of the school year, staff say they’ve noticed students showing up more often — and walking in with a sense of pride.

How the Program Works

Thanks to a partnership with Teach for America and an appliance donation from Whirlpool, Marshall Elementary now houses a working washer and dryer on campus. Families can sign up for a laundry day, drop off their clothes, and school staff takes it from there — washing, drying and folding everything before it’s sent home with students.

Principal Amy Asberry said the effort fills a critical gap for families who may temporarily lack access to laundry services, "one way that it's really benefitted students is when the family for maybe a short amount of time does not have access to laundry services, so it allows students to have clean clothes to wear to school."

The Impact on Students

“Clean clothes give students confidence,” Asberry said. “When they’re confident at school, they perform better, they feel better.”

Staff say the shift is visible. Improved attendance and increased engagement are two major indicators that the program is doing more than just providing clean clothes — it’s supporting students emotionally and academically.

Expanding Help Beyond Laundry

Currently, seven families are officially enrolled in the program, but others use the service on an as-needed basis. The school also offers an on-site clothing closet filled with clean clothes for any student who needs them.

It has items like coats, jackets, uniforms and toiletries. The clothing closet also accepts donations for those who are looking to get rid of similar items.

Looking Ahead

Asberry said the laundry program will continue next school year. With growing interest and tangible results, Marshall Elementary is setting an example of how small efforts can make a big difference in the daily lives of students.