Georgia O’Keeffe ES Celebrates $100,000 Target Grant

The school plans to use the money for a STEM and outdoor classroom.

March 5, 2012

Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary is the only school in New Mexico to receive a $100,000 grant from Target Corp. to purchase much-needed resources and improve learning environments. Georgia O’Keeffe will use the money to create a STEM classroom where students can use high-tech, interactive tools to learn about science, technology, engineering and math. The money also will go toward the creation of an outdoor classroom for gardens using the school’s green school water recycling system.

The school hosted a celebration to thank Target last week. Superintendent Winston Brooks, School Board member Dr. David Peercy and representatives from Target joined Georgia O’Keeffe Principal Lucinda Sanchez, students, staff and families during the after-school celebration that culminated with students planting flowers and vegetables in their new garden.

The garden, which is part of the outdoor classroom paid for by the grant, also was supported by the APS Education Foundation’s Seeds of Learning program, which awarded a grant to third grade teacher and Garden Club sponsor Bill Sadler.

Target awarded a total of $5 million to 48 schools and two school districts nationwide after viewers of the Ellen DeGeneres Show submitted the names of schools along with compelling stories explaining why they felt their school needed the money.

Georgia O’Keeffe was nominated for the grant by parent Christiana Hudson, whose son George is a kindergartener at the school. Hudson said she filled out the online nomination form on the Ellen DeGeneres website because she values education, especially hands-on learning that helps children become more connected with their environment.

Superintendent Brooks congratulated the students, staff and community at Georgia O’Keeffe, which he described as full of energy and life.

“I am a proponent of public/private partnerships. When local businesses help local schools, everyone benefits – especially our kids. One of Albuquerque Public Schools' most supportive business partners is Target. They support the APS Education Foundation and programs like A is for Art! They recently renovated an entire library at Valle Vista Elementary, providing 2,000 new books for the library and seven new books for each student. And here we are again, thanking Target for supporting our students and our schools.”