KANSAS CITY, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Big 12 Conference, in partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) initiative and Phillips 66, today revealed its transformation of the library at Noble Prentis Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas.
Through a $70,000 grant, Noble Prentis Elementary School, whose origin traces back to 1911 as a four-room, red brick schoolhouse, completely overhauled its library by almost quadrupling its size and modernizing the space with new technology. Noble Prentis, which is made up of students who speak 17 different languages in addition to English, will benefit in countless ways from a brand-new library that will provide an expansive, collaborative space for students and their parents to work with teachers to improve reading proficiency in the community.
“Kansas City is a vital hub for our Conference, and it is important that we give back to the community, especially through education,” said Big 12 Conference Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “Providing teachers with the best available resources such as a spacious, renovated library gives them the tools they need to help their students achieve academic success.”
Along with Heronville Elementary School in Oklahoma City, Noble Prentis is one of two schools to receive a “new” library from the Big 12 in 2019 through the EYFT Classroom Makeover project. Previously, the Big 12 and CFP Foundation partnered together to provide classroom makeovers at Berry Elementary in Arlington, Texas and St. Philip’s School and Community Center in Dallas, Texas.
“It’s an honor and we are very humbled to be the recipients of the library makeover,” said first-year Noble Prentis Principal Rhonda Gavel. “The kids here deserve to have this kind of resource, and I know it will be appreciated and used. We have never had the space to functionally do many of the things we’ve wanted to do, and it is important to have a space that is conducive to learning.”
The CFP Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the CFP, and its primary platform, EYFT, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development. The EYFT initiative infuses valuable supplies like furniture, technology, and storage components more directly into classrooms around the country.
“One of the best ways to impact children well before they reach college is to help empower their teachers, and that is what we’re doing with this program,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “We thank the Big 12 Conference and Phillips 66, for partnering with us to support and recognize teachers, who are the backbone of our educational system.”
The CFP Foundation utilizes multiple partnerships to execute its initiatives and support positive educational outcomes. Since its inception, it has supported 175,000 teachers, reached 5 million students and more than 25,000 schools have directly benefitted from its programs.
“The commitment from the Big 12 Conference to support our community beyond just partnering with us to host championship events is inspiring,” said Kathy Nelson, President and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission. “The legacy of forming a partnership with the Big 12 that gives back to the community is measurable and lasting.”
About the Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is comprised of 10 Universities - Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia. The Big 12 is an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics conference that encompasses five states with over 38 million people within its geographic footprint. In its 23rd year, the Conference has produced over 600 Academic All-America selections and claimed national championship team titles in 17 of its 23 sponsored sports. Its student-athletes and teams have combined for 650 individual NCAA titles and 59 team national championships. Nearly 5,000 student-athletes from across the United States and around the World compete annually under the Big 12 banner. For more information, visit Big12Sports.com and follow the Conference on Facebook and Twitter.
About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the College Football Playoff, supporting education across the country. The CFP Foundation’s primary cause platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development. The CFP Foundation utilizes multiple partnerships to execute its initiatives and support positive educational outcomes. To learn more, visit www.cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.
About The Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation
By promoting Kansas City sports locally and nationally, and by working behind the scenes to attract, retain and facilitate sports events and organizations here, the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation is helping our bi-state region realize the economic, social and community-building benefits of sports. As a privately-funded nonprofit, we are entirely dependent on your support. Since its beginning in 1966, the Sports Commission has worked to promote sports and recreation at every level. Since 1990, the organization has helped generate in excess of $750 million in estimated economic impact on the surrounding metropolitan area. The Sports Commission sponsors annual events including youth clinics, annual community and membership luncheons and community-sponsored athletic events.
About Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves nearly 23,000 students. With a Head Start program, preschool sites, 30 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and five high schools, the district serves a wonderfully diverse mixture of students. A remarkable 63 different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. To serve those students, the district employs more than 3,800 staff, including more than 1,600 teachers. The vision of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is to be one of the “Top 10 School Districts in the Nation.” Our goal is that "Each student will exit high school prepared for college and careers in a global society, and at every level, performance is on track and on time for success." To help our students achieve this goal, the district is implementing a district-wide initiative called Diploma+. Learn more at kcksps.org.
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