For Immediate Release
Contact: Makinya Ward, 650-572-4339
mward@calcas.com

 

 

 

San Mateo, California, May 22, 2013. . . The lounge at Sunnydale Elementary in Lancaster, CA was so unattractive and dysfunctional, many staff members never used it. That’s all changed thanks to a California Casualty “School Lounge Makeover” completed this month. Sixth grade teacher Kendra Bowles entered and won the contest.

Now the staff have an inviting, usable space for meetings, meals or just quiet time to rejuvenate or plan a class lesson. Sunnydale’s lounge got a thorough cleaning, massive de-cluttering and the following updates: fresh coat of soothing pale aqua paint; new sink, faucet and countertop; new refrigerator, microwave and Keurig coffee maker; refinished cabinetry; glass marker boards and traditional bulletin boards; upholstered conversational seating and eight new upholstered chairs to go around two new tables; and two bright orange and teal patterned rugs. Potted orchids add warmth and life to the rejuvenated space.

EON Office coordinated the transformation, which was planned and executed by account manager Marc Canady and designer Katie Ludwig.

Prior to the makeover, Bowles confessed to avoiding the room. “It’s not very appealing. I eat lunch in my classroom because I don’t want to go in there.” So there was plenty of excited chatter and squeals of delight when she and her colleagues finally got to see their “new” lounge on May 14^th. On hand to greet staff and Sunnydale Principal Dr. Fabio Robles were California Casualty’s Dan Barclay, CTA Accounts Manager, Jeff Myers, Senior Field Marketing Manager and Araceli Romero, Field Marketing Manager. 

“We’re thrilled to be able to support educators in this way,” Barclay said. “They work so hard to help students achieve, they deserve a special place to relax and recharge.”

Sunnydale is home to nearly 700 students and has a diverse student body, with almost 80 percent of students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Recognizing the lifelong impact of teachers and the current financial strain on public schools, California Casualty created the School Lounge Makeover contest in 2011.  Twice each year, one randomly drawn winner receives a major transformation of the primary space at his or her school that teachers can go to rejuvenate and recharge.

Any NEA (National Education Association), CTA (California Teachers Association) or AEA (Arizona Education Association) member is eligible to enter the contest. All members at the school may also enter, thus increasing their school’s chances of winning. Complete rules and entry forms are at http://schoolloungemakeover.com/.

Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with Service Centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas, California Casualty is a 99-year-old company providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement, fire fighters and nurses in 44 states.  Learn more at www.calcas.com.