FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Makinya Ward at 650.572.4339

 

San Mateo, California, November 22, 2011… When teachers gather first thing in the morning in their school lounge at Quartz Hill Elementary, they aren't much inspired by the fading color scheme and tired furnishings. But that's going to change soon because the school just won a $7500 makeover of the lounge from California Casualty.

The San Mateo based, nearly 100-year-old company provides auto and home insurance for educators and other public-service professionals. Recognizing the lifelong impact of teachers and noting the current financial strain on public schools, California Casualty created the School Lounge Makeover contest. Each quarter, one randomly drawn lucky winner will enjoy a major transformation of the one space teachers can go to rejuvenate and recharge.

Linda Lounder, kindergarten teacher at the Quartz Hill, CA school, submitted the winning entry.  Along with 89 other staff members, Lounder is elated. "A new lounge will make our jobs just a little easier," said Amy Young, second grade teacher who rallied fellow teachers to enter the contest.

Work will begin in January. Local design professionals and other contractors will update the current salmon and brown color scheme and then address other items on the staff's wish list.  Lounder said the room serves multiple functions – as a meeting place, a quiet, restorative space and also offering work stations to teacher aides – and the makeover will meet all of those needs.

California Casualty's School Lounge Makeover continues nationally through July 2012, with next drawings slated for late January, April and July next year. Winners of each random drawing will also receive the $7500 cash prize and assistance form local resources.

Any NEA (National Education Association) or CTA (California Teachers Association) member is eligible and can enter once to be included in each quarter's drawing until their school wins. All NEA and CTA members at the school may also enter, thus increasing their school chances of winning.

Complete rules and entry forms are at http://www.schoolloungemakeover.com.

Headquartered in San Mateo, California, with Service Centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas, California Casualty provides auto and home insurance products to educators, law enforcement, fire fighters and nurses in 44 states.