Monday, April 29, 2013

Hancock Elementary to receive Target library makeover

Library grand opening at Kimbrough elementary
Grand opening at Kimbrough Elementary in 2011.
Hancock Elementary in Murphy Canyon is scheduled to be the latest San Diego Unified school to receive a makeover from Target School Library Makeover Program.

The school, which primarily serves the Santo Terrace/Murphy Canyon neighborhood of housing for U.S. military dependents. Other schools to receive Target library makeovers in San Diego Unified include Angier, Kimbrough and Miller elementary schools.

"We once again appreciate the generosity of Target Corp. and the Heart of America Foundation," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "I have attended the grand openings of these libraries and can tell you the children are so excited about the great books and wonderful improvements."

To transform the school library, Target partners with The Heart of America Foundation and enlist the pro bono work of the Target design and construction teams. Additionally, Target relies on its team-member volunteers at local stores and across the country to help breathe new life into the libraries.

Each school will have the option to receive a Target Meals for Minds food pantry. In partnership with Feeding America affiliates, Target Meals for Minds food pantries will provide students and their families with more than 22 pounds of fresh produce and staple foods each month.

“The Target School Library Makeover program is part of our commitment to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015,” said Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. “By reimagining school libraries and transforming outdated spaces into state-of-the-art learning centers, Target hopes to ignite a love of learning and put more children on the path to high school graduation.”

Through initiatives like the Target School Library Makeover program, Target is helping more children reach academic milestones such as reading proficiently by the end of third grade. By the end of 2013, Target expects to have completed 175 school library makeovers and impacted more than 93,000 students through the program.