Two Pasadena Unified Schools Unveil Library Makeovers, Funded by the College Football Playoff Foundation

The Pasadena Unified School District will unveil new school library makeovers at two of its middle schools on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The newly made-over libraries at Octavia E. Butler Magnet and Eliot Arts Magnet feature updated furniture, new technology, and more space for students to learn and collaborate. The libraries also include soft, colorful seating in reading areas and creative spaces.

The Octavia E. Butler school library will be unveiled at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, and the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy will be unveiled at 10:35 a.m. on Wednesday, according to school officials.

The makeovers were funded by the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, with support from the Tournament of Roses and the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF).

“We are delighted to partner with the CFP Foundation to update the libraries at two of PUSD middle schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald. “The updated media centers will elevate the learning experience for students for years to come.”

The CFP Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports education and community programs. The foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants to support educational programs in communities across the country.

The Tournament of Roses produces the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. The organization has a long history of supporting education in Pasadena and the surrounding area.

The Pasadena Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports public education in Pasadena. The foundation provides grants to support educational programs and initiatives in the city’s schools.

The libraries serve as the information hub at the schools, where students can read and check out books and use computers. Faculty, staff, and parents/caregivers will also benefit from the updated libraries because meetings are often held there, Pasadena Unified said.

“We are honored to partner with the Tournament of Roses and the Pasadena Educational Foundation in support of resources and technology for teachers in Pasadena,” said Britton Banowsky Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Foundation. “We know that revitalizing these spaces for a better teaching environment will make a significant difference in student achievement outcomes for years to come.”

The makeovers were designed and manufactured by CFP Foundation partner School Specialty, Inc. “School Specialty is proud to partner with both CFP Foundation and PUSD,” said Dr. Sue Ann Highland, Ph.D., National Education Strategist at School Specialty. “Innovative spaces are one of the keys for student well-being and success. We strive to connect the instructional intent of the spaces with the tools teachers need to achieve this goal. We cannot wait to see what students and teachers can achieve in this space!”

The unveiling of the new media centers is an extension of a longstanding partnership between the College Football Playoff Foundation, Pasadena Tournament of Roses and Pasadena Educational Foundation. Over the span of several years, the collaboration has allowed for the Pasadena Educational Foundation to award much-needed grants to PUSD educators in support of projects benefiting thousands of local students.

“At the Tournament, we recognize and celebrate creative collaboration amongst changemakers to address the communities’ most pressing issues,” said Tournament President Alex Aghajanian. “PUSD is dedicated to developing students into becoming technologically literate problem solvers, logical thinkers, and innovators. They have continued to adapt, and found creative ways to engage the community and they deserve support from community partners more than ever.”