Hancock Elementary to receive Target library makeover

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 “By reimagining school libraries and transforming outdated spaces into state-of-the-art learning centers, Target hopes to ignite a love of learning and put more children on the path to high school graduation.”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.

Angier Elementary Receives Target Library Makeover

Principal Gergurich talks to students about the new library.

In The News

News 8 KFMB-TV»

The Angier Elementary community, along with Target, The Heart of America Foundation, Mission Continues and more than 200 volunteers, unveiled the school's newly renovated library to Principal Andrew Gergurich, Supt. Bill Kowba and Assemblymember Toni Atkins, and Angier students, parents and staff.

This is the third year in a row that a San Diego Unified school has been selected to be part of the Target School Library Makeover program. Angier joins Miller Elementary (2010) and Kimbrough Elementary (2011) in receiving a renovated library that features 2,000 new books, eco-friendly design elements, new furniture, carpet and shelves, and technology upgrades such as a smart board, computers and iPads. Every Angier student received a set of seven books for their personal libraries.

“I am so grateful that for the third year in a row I’ve had the privilege and the honor to be at a Target Library Makeover unveiling,” Superintendent Bill Kowba said at the Nov. 9 ribbon cutting. “Target’s and Heart of America’s shared belief that every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential aligns perfectly with the goals of our district.”

As part of the library makeover, a Target Meals for Minds food pantry was launched, which will allow families to choose from a variety of staple foods and fresh produce to take home. The food pantry is made possible through a partnership with Feeding America San Diego.

“The new library and food pantry are amazing gifts for our school and our students,” said Principal Gergurich. “Thanks to Target and The Heart of America Foundation, our students have the resources they need to feel inspired and ready to learn when they walk through our school doors.”
For more information about the Target Library Makeover program, go to the Target website. For information about Angier Elementary, contact Principal Gergurich at agergurich@sandi.net.