Thunder Helps Positive Tomorrows Expand Its Mission with New Classroom
The students at Positive Tomorrows received a special surprise that was months in the making on Thursday afternoon. The Thunder and the school unveiled a new classroom complete with breathtaking visuals, vibrant furnishings and team colors. The day marked a game-changing milestone for expanding the reach of the only elementary school in Oklahoma specifically for homeless children.
By Jimmy Do | okcthunder.com
When fourth- and fifth-grade students at Positive Tomorrows set foot inside their new Thunder-themed classroom on Thursday, their eyes first met a spectacular mural depicting a downtown OKC cityscape splashed with a sunset and emblazoned with the Thunder shield logo. The transformed cafeteria drew a ripple of oohs and ahhs as the children, eyes popping and mouths agape, took in the transformation of what was once their usual lunch spot.
Building on a long-standing community partnership between the Thunder and Positive Tomorrows, the wheels for Thursday’s classroom dedication were set in motion when Kevin Durant made a surprise visit to the school in December, presenting a $35,000 gift through the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation to build a commercial-grade kitchen and new cafeteria for the school.
In addition to the benefits of the gift itself, the donation took on more significance in allowing the Thunder Cares Foundation and the NBA Cares Legacy Project program to expand the classroom resources for the school in its unique role of educating a specific student population—the homeless.
In a domino effect, the old cafeteria became a new classroom. The new classroom has paved the way for Positive Tomorrows to add pre-K students using the space that had been designated for the fourth- and fifth-graders.
All told, the school will be adding 16 students for the upcoming 2016-17 school year, representing a near 30-percent jump in enrollment for the school.
“We are so grateful for our relationship with the Oklahoma City Thunder,” said Susan Agel, president and principal at Positive Tomorrows. “Everything from Rumble’s first visit on the Book Bus, to visits from Enes Kanter and Kevin Durant, has been reminders that our community is standing with students who often feel forgotten."
“Kevin’s gift, coupled with this new classroom, will expand our reach and change the lives of 16 students every day. These two projects show us that the Thunder is a strong team both on and off the court,” she added.
Christine Berney, vice president of Community Relations for the Thunder, said, “The Thunder has had a long-standing relationship with Positive Tomorrows, in part because what they do is so unique and so needed for Oklahoma City families."
“They do incredibly special things for kids who are very much in need of a safe and happy place to spend their days. We are extremely proud to furnish some new spaces that will let these kids know that the Thunder cares about them and is invested in their success.”
In awe, the students walked into the new classroom for the first time. The Oklahoma City Thunder teamed up with Positive Tomorrows to give students a special surprise: a new, Thunder-themed classroom for fourth and fifth grades. The Thunder Cares Foundation and the school dedicated the space on Thursday afternoon.
The new classroom, which had previously served as the school’s cafeteria, has been redone with new furnishings, paint, artwork, books and other items supplied by the Thunder Cares Foundation and the NBA Cares Legacy Project initiative.
Because of a $35,000 donation in December from the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation, the school now has a commercial-grade kitchen and new cafeteria, which allowed the conversion of the old cafeteria into a larger classroom for fourth and fifth grades. The previous classroom for those grade levels will enable Positive Tomorrows to add a pre-K class; the Thunder Cares Foundation is also furnishing that classroom.
When the 2016-17 school year starts, Positive Tomorrows will be able to serve 16 more homeless children, expanding its capacity by nearly 30 percent.
“We are so grateful for our relationship with the Oklahoma City Thunder,” said Susan Agel, president and principal at Positive Tomorrows. “Everything from Rumble’s first visit on the Book Bus, to visits from Enes Kanter and Kevin Durant, has been reminders that our community is standing with students who often feel forgotten."
Watch: Thunder, Positive Tomorrows Unveil New Classroom