Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) educator Jon Price is a firm believer in kindness, noting that he shares stories of people helping people daily with his students at Eleanor Skillen Elementary School 34.
Earlier this week, the assistant principal had the real-life example of empathy when players, cheerleaders, staff, and the team mascot Blue from the Indianapolis Colts took about 350 of his students on a shopping experience in the school gym as part of the “Uniform School Blitz.”
Working in tandem with the Colts’ representatives, students selected their outfits, provided by American Family Insurance, which also had members of the organization participate in the daylong event.
Each student picked out a short-sleeve and a long-sleeve polo shirt, pants, a belt, socks, and a toiletry kit. The program is designed to help eliminate appropriate school clothing as a barrier to students getting to and staying in school.
“We always talk to students about how important it is to be kind to others. The Colts and American Family Life were kind enough to show us support and kindness for several hours today (Sept. 14),” Price said. “To have the players and staff from the Colts here in our school has been tremendous for our students. This is a memory they’ll talk about for years.”
The event kicked off the Colts Community Tuesdays, which allows the organization to interact with area residents.
“The uniform blitz will allow these students to start the school year off on the right foot,” said Ashely Powell, the Colts’ director of community relations. “We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with IPS, and we look forward to seeing everyone during Community Tuesday events.”
Coming up next, the Indianapolis Colts, in association with the team’s partners, will construct a brand-new playground at IPS Sankofa School of Success at Arlington Woods 99. The courtyard will also be transformed and completely updated by a large number of volunteers that the Colts will bring out.
The current playground will be torn out next week. Old mulch will be removed, and new mulch put in, as well as asphalt recoating will be done next week.
The playground installation and unveiling are planned for Sept. 21.