APPLETON, Wis., Oct. 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Milwaukee Brewers and School Specialty (Nasdaq:SCHS) are teaming up to help students build positive character.
The Brewers and School Specialty's Premier(tm) product line, which includes customized student agendas, planners and workbooks, have combined to bring a character development initiative to Wisconsin schools. The initiative is built on the Brewers' successful community outreach program -- S.C.O.R.E. -- launched last year.
"We're proud to be associated with School Specialty and its Premier product line," said Rick Schlesinger, Brewers Executive Vice President -- Business Operations. "Premier products have been an education staple for almost 25 years and were the industry's original student planners and school agendas. School Specialty has a solid reputation for developing quality educational products with messages that speak directly to students."
The Brewers S.C.O.R.E. program is aimed at helping educators assist students in understanding the importance of staying in school and encouraging them to be active community members and positive role models. The initiative began with Brewers players visiting Milwaukee-area elementary schools to discuss character concepts with students and has since grown in both popularity and demand. The key message of the program revolves around the importance of the facets of the S.C.O.R.E. acronym: School, Community, Opportunities, Role Models and Excellence.
"We wanted to take our S.C.O.R.E. program to the next level," said Schlesinger. "Our goal in partnering with School Specialty was simple: to use the company's wide customer network to reach more schools with the S.C.O.R.E. message and to enhance the educational content of that message."
"We've worked with the Brewers to develop a 24-page 'S.C.O.R.E. with Character' agenda supplement," said Mike Mayfield, Regional Sales Manager for the Premier product line. "The supplement is supported by teacher and parent resources. It starts with the Brewers core message and includes classroom, home and community activities built around 15 key character traits. The entire effort is targeted at positively impacting student behavior and student character development."
Mayfield said that the 24-page agenda supplement was first offered to schools this fall. To help drive student interest in the program, the Brewers will donate a family four-pack of game tickets to participating schools to be used as a student reward. Students will also be encouraged to participate in an essay-writing competition on good character. A number of top students will be recognized at a Brewers regular season game next summer. In addition, participating schools will be included in a drawing, with the winning schools receiving a visit by members of the Brewers team and organization to speak about S.C.O.R.E.
"Our goal in designing the program with the Brewers," said Mayfield, "was to add a measure of innovation to its delivery as a way to better engage students and to help schools further their character-building programs."
About School Specialty
School Specialty is a leading education company based in Appleton, WI, providing innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to help educators engage and inspire students of all ages and abilities to learn. The company designs, develops, and provides PreK-12 educators with the latest and very best curriculum, supplemental learning resources, and school supplies. Working with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help educators, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential.
For more information about School Specialty, visit www.schoolspecialty.com.