This January, the Georgia Bulldogs won the College Football Playoff National Championship, but they weren’t the only big winners in Indianapolis. School Specialty, in partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation (CFP Foundation) and the Indianapolis Host Committee, helped deliver innovative media centers at three deserving schools between September 2021 and January 2022.
The donation is part of the Extra Yard Makeover Project, an annual tradition of giving where School Specialty and the CFP Foundation team up to create dynamic learning environments within schools in the area where the National Championship game is being played. The foundation chooses deserving schools that will benefit from the makeovers, and School Specialty works with them to design modern spaces that support active and engaging learning.
This partnership has already provided over 20 makeovers in 6 cities. These Indianapolis schools are the latest schools to receive exciting transformations.
Victory College Prep, September Makeover
This public K-12 charter school on Indianapolis’ southeast side, received a media center with the latest solutions to fuel student success. New equipment for the media center included iPads and other tablets, virtual reality headsets, books, a projector, a 75-inch TV monitor and a Bluetooth speaking system.
School Specialty designed the dynamic learning environment and donated high-quality, flexible furniture including makerspace tables, height adjustable tables and chairs, soft seating, and mobile bookcases.
Garden City Elementary, November Makeover
This PreK- Grade 6 school needed a space to engage students in hands-on, STEAM-based learning activities. Supplies donated for this makeover included circuit starters, engineering kits and prototyping materials, as well as popular art supplies such as Play-Doh and Kinetic Sand.
Phalen Leadership, January Championship Week Makeover
This tuition-free charter school for grades 7-12 takes pride in ensuring scholars thrive as leaders at home, in their communities. To help them achieve their mission, this media center makeover included new books, new technology and a dynamic learning environment design filled with updated furniture.
Three deserving schools. One important purpose.
“With these makeovers, teachers have a tremendous tool right at their fingertips” says Sue-Anne Highland, PhD, National Education Strategist at School Specialty. “From PreK through High School, our goal is to be a trusted partner, a resource, and a solution source for the tools that teachers need.”
All three of these Indianapolis school initiatives are examples of how School Specialty furthers this goal and fulfills its mission of “Transforming more than classrooms.” Students and educators are delighted with these makeovers and already benefitting from the educational value they offer.
In addition to the school makeovers, School Specialty supported educators at the annual CFP Foundation Teacher Summit in Indianapolis. School Specialty sponsored a Teacher Lounge, creating a comfortable space for teachers to relax and recharge during the event. Twenty lucky teacher attendees won School Specialty merchandise certificates ranging from $50 to $500. School Specialty also provided over 300 goody bags for summit attendees as well as over 100 Goody Bags donated to Teachers Treasures.
