Will the Stars Align? PETA Offers to Help Pay for Middle School East Planetarium—in Exchange for Some Ad Space
For Immediate Release:
January 23, 2026
Contact:
Hannah Nelson 202-483-7382
On January 27, the Boyertown Area School District (BASD) Board is scheduled to vote on whether to spend up to $500,000 to restore and reimagine the Middle School East planetarium—and PETA wants to help. In a letter sent to board president Anthony D. Panarello this afternoon, PETA is offering to contribute toward the cost if the Board agrees to display PETA’s “Be a Star for Animals” artwork on lockers, bulletin boards, and other spaces throughout the district’s schools to remind students to set a stellar example by being kind to all living beings.
Research shows that fostering empathy early in life helps young people grow into kinder adults, and when children are taught to care for those who are vulnerable, they’re more likely to extend that same understanding to their peers. TeachKind, PETA’s humane education division, works with thousands of educators nationwide to bring compassion into curricula.
“From rats to cows to BASD students, all animals are individuals with thoughts, feelings, and unique personalities,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is eager to help BASD foster a more compassionate world by encouraging students to practice kindness toward all who share this planet.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness and free Vegan Starter Kits for anyone thinking of making the switch. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Panarello follows.
January 23, 2026
Anthony D. Panarello
President
Boyertown Area School District Board
Dear Mr. Panarello:
Greetings! I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 10.4 million members and supporters globally, including more than 252,000 in Pennsylvania—and TeachKind, PETA’s humane education division, which works with thousands of educators nationwide to bring compassion into curricula. Ahead of the vote scheduled for January 27, we would like to offer to contribute something toward the cost of restoring the Middle School East planetarium if the Board will agree to display the artwork (below) on lockers, bulletin boards, and other spaces throughout the district’s schools to remind students to be kind to everyone, human and nonhuman alike.
Gravity may pull us down, but compassion lifts us up—and this is an anti-bullying message that applies to students’ regard for each other as well as for other species. Research shows that fostering empathy early in life helps young people grow into kinder adults. When children are taught to care for those who are vulnerable, they are more likely to extend that same understanding to their peers. At a time when schools across the country are grappling with violence, messages that promote respect have never been more important.
Like students (who learn in biology classes that they, too, are animals), all of us—including mice, frogs, cats, and cows—are individuals with our own emotions, likes, dislikes, fears, and ways of moving through the world. By encouraging students to show kindness to others, regardless of how they look or sound, we can create a more compassionate, welcoming world for everyone. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Faith Rutherford
Senior Manager of TeachKind
PETA
