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Tag: makeover

  • 100 Learning Spaces Transformed, $5 Million Invested: School Specialty and College Football Playoff Foundation Celebrate Impact Across Schools Nationwide

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    New media center at North Dade Middle School marks milestone in initiative revitalizing learning environments to benefit the entire learning community

    GREENVILLE, WI– November 21, 2025 – School Specialty and the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation today announced the completion of a media center makeover at North Dade Middle School, marking the 100th learning space transformed in collaboration with the Extra Yard Makeover initiative. As a part of their nationwide effort to enhance learning environments for students and educators alike, the two organizations have now invested over $5 million into reinvigorating classrooms across the country.

    Miami will host the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship in January, and as part of its legacy work in the community, the CFP Foundation has committed to delivering more than 30 Extra Yard Makeovers alongside School Specialty to revitalize innovation spaces across schools in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. With this latest round of makeovers, the CFP Foundation will have helped enrich learning environments in every Miami-Dade middle school.

    “Changing our middle school libraries into modern learning spaces has had a tremendous impact on engagement and learning outcomes,” said Dr. Jose L. Dotres, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. “In addition to renovation, the transformation is an investment in our teachers, our students and our future. These new innovative spaces support hands-on learning for students of today and tomorrow, so they can develop greater curiosity for learning and lifelong skills.”

    These makeovers transform static spaces into flourishing learning environments, providing upgrades like flexible furniture, technology, supplies and even fresh paint or murals. Each school receives the School Specialty proprietary Projects by DesignⓇ experience, which includes comprehensive consultations to determine the type of space that best supports students, educators and the broader school community. Past rooms made over include STEM labs, broadcast classrooms, libraries, media centers, makerspace rooms, teachers lounges, wellness spaces, sensory rooms, multi-purpose rooms, an esports room and a mariachi room.

    “The transformation of our media center is truly invaluable to our students and staff,” said Nicole Fama, Executive Director at Phalen Leadership Academies, which received a makeover in 2024. “We are profoundly grateful to the College Football Playoff Foundation and School Specialty for this investment. Before the media center, we lacked a space that truly fostered community. Now, everything happens here—from senior breakfasts and college athlete signing days to family game nights and teacher appreciation events. It has become the heart of our community, a space we didn’t realize we needed until it was here.”

    These makeovers serve to benefit both students and teachers, allowing schools to improve their offerings, inspire innovation and modern learning, and directly counter some of the top issues in education today.

    “Addressing teacher burnout and maximizing student engagement starts with the physical environment,” said Jeremy Westbrooks, Director of Strategic Account Development at School Specialty. “The physical classroom is an educator’s primary tool, and by modernizing these spaces, the CFP Foundation and School Specialty are delivering a critical resource that empowers teachers to stay focused on their students’ growth and long-term success.”

    “We’re proud to work alongside School Specialty to bring these meaningful makeover projects to life,” said Britton Banowsky, Executive Director College Football Playoff Foundation. “Their expertise in the design of the spaces and incredible generosity make it possible for us to turn vision into impact for teachers and students.”

    In addition to the CFP Foundation and School Specialty, these makeovers have been supported over the years by Bowl Games, Conference partners, Sponsors and host committees of each College Football Playoff National Championship. To date, makeovers have taken place in 18 states across 58 counties.

    To learn more about the College Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard Makeover initiative, click here.

    To learn more about School Specialty, click here.

    About School Specialty, LLC 

    With a 60-year legacy, School Specialty is a leading provider of comprehensive learning environment solutions for the infant-K12 education marketplace in the U.S. and Canada. This includes essential classroom supplies, furniture and design services, educational technology, sensory spaces featuring Snoezelen, science curriculum, learning resources, professional development, and more. School Specialty believes every student can flourish in an environment where they are engaged and inspired to learn and grow. In support of this vision to transform more than classrooms, the company applies its unmatched team of education strategists and designs, manufactures, and distributes a broad assortment of name-brand and proprietary products. For more information, go to SchoolSpecialty.com.

    About the College Football Playoff Foundation

    The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and non-profits to support educators and improve student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education by elevating the teaching profession. The CFP Foundation inspires and empowers educators by focusing its work in four areas: recognition, resources, recruitment and retention, and professional development. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.

    Media Contact
    Jon Kannenberg
    SchoolSpecialty@finnpartners.com

    eSchool News Staff
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  • 17-year-old organizes ‘Hairs to You’ makeover event to help Sacramento women reenter the workforce

    17-year-old organizes ‘Hairs to You’ makeover event to help Sacramento women reenter the workforce

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    Confidence starts on the inside but is displayed through our appearance. Highlighting that was the goal of the “Hairs to You” event at DryBar in Sacramento on Thursday.A group from Women’s Empowerment were selected to get free makeovers as a way to help them transition back into the workforce. London Hoffart, 17, created the “Hairs to You” event to give back and boost the confidence of eight women.”I’ve had bad days and honestly, going to get my hair done makes me feel like 100% better sometimes. Coupled with the crisis and homelessness in Sacramento especially, I wanted to put those two together and make something out of it,” Hoffart said.”A complete makeover from head to toe. We got makeup, clothes, shoes. We were treated fabulous,” said Angelique Duran.Duran joined Women’s Empowerment after losing two loved ones and falling on hard times.”I was staying at a shelter and, within a matter of six weeks, got a job. Landed a job for $80,000. I work as a paralegal at a law firm. I was able to get my house,” Duran said.The nine-week program prepared Duran and other women to reenter the workforce.”I had resumé work, I had interviewed services, I had everything. I had support when I didn’t have anything,” said Iesha Simms, from Women’s Empowerment.Starting a new job can be intimidating if you don’t have the tools or pumps for success. That’s why The Closet Trading Co. decided to help by offering style tips and donating clothing-“They’re just super excited to get this fresh start, find some items. Everyone deserves to look and feel good no matter what situation you are in,” said Gabby, from The Closet Trading Co. WEAVE, a nonprofit for domestic violence and crisis survivors, also donated clothing”We’re very fortunate that we could supply the clothes at this event, mostly business attire as well as some fun things that we can also add as well in multiple sizes as well as shoes and accessories,” said Alyssa Saunders, from WEAVE.Celebrating accomplishments and confidence, all with the compassion of a 17-year-old senior-to-be.”You walk out confident. You feel good about yourself with your hair, your makeup, everything done. I believe women can do great things with that. I believe every woman can be their best with that,” Hoffart said.

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    Confidence starts on the inside but is displayed through our appearance.

    Highlighting that was the goal of the “Hairs to You” event at DryBar in Sacramento on Thursday.

    A group from Women’s Empowerment were selected to get free makeovers as a way to help them transition back into the workforce.

    London Hoffart, 17, created the “Hairs to You” event to give back and boost the confidence of eight women.

    “I’ve had bad days and honestly, going to get my hair done makes me feel like 100% better sometimes. Coupled with the crisis and homelessness in Sacramento especially, I wanted to put those two together and make something out of it,” Hoffart said.

    “A complete makeover from head to toe. We got makeup, clothes, shoes. We were treated fabulous,” said Angelique Duran.

    Duran joined Women’s Empowerment after losing two loved ones and falling on hard times.

    “I was staying at a shelter and, within a matter of six weeks, got a job. Landed a job for $80,000. I work as a paralegal at a law firm. I was able to get my house,” Duran said.

    The nine-week program prepared Duran and other women to reenter the workforce.

    “I had resumé work, I had interviewed services, I had everything. I had support when I didn’t have anything,” said Iesha Simms, from Women’s Empowerment.

    Starting a new job can be intimidating if you don’t have the tools or pumps for success. That’s why The Closet Trading Co. decided to help by offering style tips and donating clothing-

    “They’re just super excited to get this fresh start, find some items. Everyone deserves to look and feel good no matter what situation you are in,” said Gabby, from The Closet Trading Co.

    WEAVE, a nonprofit for domestic violence and crisis survivors, also donated clothing

    “We’re very fortunate that we could supply the clothes at this event, mostly business attire as well as some fun things that we can also add as well in multiple sizes as well as shoes and accessories,” said Alyssa Saunders, from WEAVE.

    Celebrating accomplishments and confidence, all with the compassion of a 17-year-old senior-to-be.

    “You walk out confident. You feel good about yourself with your hair, your makeup, everything done. I believe women can do great things with that. I believe every woman can be their best with that,” Hoffart said.

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Airstream Makeover for the Pups!

    Austin Pets Alive! | Airstream Makeover for the Pups!

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    Sep 03, 2021

    These happy pups got to break in our newly renovated Airstream!

    The Airstream is a safe haven for our dogs and is designed to give them a nice AC break and a comfy couch to relax on when they need a little break from the shelter. It’s especially useful in the summer months, with a pool perfect for keeping everyone cool!

    The Airstream is near and dear to a lot of hearts at APA! because of its history. Back in the day, you could find the Airstream filled with adoptable pets parked on South Congress before we had our brick and mortar building at Town Lake Animal Center. The Airstream is also where our Neonatal Kitten Nursery began. It’s hard to imagine the program fitting in a space as small as the Airstream, but in true APA! fashion, we made it work! We’ve done a lot of growing since then and our Neonatal program now has a sterile building of its own. The Airstream has stayed with us throughout the years parked at our Town Lake Shelter and has always provided a much-needed AC break to our pups, as well as a home-like setting for them to decompress. It’s seen a lot of wear and tear over the many months it has been used by our pups, so when we were approached by Lincoln Ventures about giving the Airstream a makeover, we couldn’t have been more excited.

    Lincoln Ventures felt compelled to do this project for many reasons. “We as a company have a huge passion for dogs so what better way to best use our skills than to develop a better environment for the deserving dogs at APA! We knew we had the relationships with amazing vendors in town to help us pull off the makeover and our passion for design would really shine in this endeavor. We wanted to embrace the classic nature of the Airstream and create a destination on the APA! grounds that was cheerful and a departure from the somewhat stressful surroundings. A bit of a stay-cation for the pooches! The Palm Springs vibe seemed like the perfect direction with its nostalgia and playful roots in both design and travel culture.

    Renovating this space for our dogs was no small project, and we had a lot of help and support from the following companies: Led by Lincoln Ventures and TBG teaming with Blue Sky Design and Build, US Lumber Brokers, Clean Scapes, Clay Imports, and Forever Lawn. These companies donated their time, talent, labor, and materials to improve the lives of the dogs in our shelter and we couldn’t be more grateful. They refreshed the interior of the Airstream trailer and even added an outdoor relaxing space, complete with a patio deck. A huge thank you to them all!

    When asked what they hope the makeover will offer the people and pets of APA!, Krista from Lincoln Ventures explained that their “hope is that this indoor/outdoor retreat allows the volunteers to introduce the dogs to a safe place to escape the chaos of the shelter life and start dipping a toe into what life will be like when they land their forever home.” The Airstream gives our shelter dogs the opportunity to receive some “in-home” training before they reach their foster or forever home. Krista also hopes that “seeing these resilient animals in beautiful spaces may resonate with families looking to adopt. Not everyone can handle seeing photos of a dog in a cage, but by seeing them in a space that looks like home, they may be able to visualize adopting and incorporating these dogs into their lives.”

    Our staff and volunteers couldn’t be more excited to break in our new Airstream space with every pup this fall. The dogs of APA! are ready for a pool party! Check out the photos of our dogs living the good life in their new space while they await their forever homes!

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