Pepperell Middle School has been awarded a $5,000 Toolbox for Education grant by Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation to help revitalize the school’s outdoor entrance and add a student outdoor dining area.

Pepperell Middle School is one of more than 585 schools or parent organizations to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for parent-initiated school improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education across the United States during the 2011-2012 school year.

Pepperell Middle School received the $5,000 funding in order to revitalize the breezeway area connecting the school to the old gym. Several picnic tables were purchased with the funding from Lowe’s and the tables were delivered and set in place by Lowe’s on Thursday. Teachers will be able to take their classes out for lunch or to conduct an occasional class outside at the new tables.  The school also used the funding to purchase benches and outside trash receptacles for the bus loading area in front of the school.

Lowe’s does not stipulate where the money must be spent, but Becky McCoy, principal at Pepperell Middle, felt the school should use the money to purchase the needed items locally at Lowe’s.  

“The is a tremendous addition to our school and our program here at Pepperell Middle so we felt that it was only right for us to complete the circle of community by working with the local Lowe’s to purchase the items we needed,” said McCoy.