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Molino Park, Other Local Schools Use Facebook In Race For $500,000

North Escambia schools are using the power of Facebook for an competitive edge in a race for a half million in free money.

Kohl’s Department Stores will give $500,000 to each of 20 schools this year, for a total of $10 million,  in recognition of the company’s 10th anniversary of its Kohl’s Cares philanthropic program that supports children’s health and education. During the contest, Kohl’s Facebook fans, currently more than one million strong, can vote for public or private schools that serve K-12 students by visiting www.facebook.com/kohls.

“Our school could use the money in so many ways to support our children,” said Pamala Maraman-Barnes about Molino Park Elementary School.

“If Molino Park wins, we would like to put in a walking/running track and buy a web based Accelerated Reading program for the students,” said Rebecca Hatch, a fifth grade teacher at Molino Park. “What a great way to help them learn and encourage reading.”

” I would love to see a track out there,” said Brandie Ratcliff. She said Molino Park currently has a jogging club that meets after school once a week to encourage physical fitness.

While every school in the North Escambia area is eligible to participate, parents and supporters of Molino Park Elementary School have organized a Facebook drive to garner votes for the school. As of late Tuesday night, Molino Park had received over 1,115 votes — far more than any other local school.

“Our theater definitely needs to be bigger. It isn’t even big enough to hold the student body,” said Megan Carroll, a Northview teacher, in her Kohl’s Care idea posting. “There are so many things that Northview could use this money for.” Carroll also suggested that a year-round computer lab would serve the students well. Northview’s ideas had 125 votes as of Tuesday night.

Here’s a look at the other North Escambia schools, listing their half million dollar idea and the number of votes received by Tuesday night:

• Bratt Elementary – 25 votes, no ideas listed
• Byrneville Elementary — 15 votes. Ideas include expanding the library and computer lab improvements.
• Ernest Ward Middle School — 123 votes, no ideas listed.
• Flomaton High School — 0 votes, no ideas listed.
• Jay High School — 26 votes, no ideas listed.
• Jay Elementary — 15 votes, no ideas listed.
• Tate High School — 232 votes. Ideas include  new library computers, upgrade ROC equipment,  support for academic groups and clubs
• Jim Allen Elementary — 144 votes. Ideas include library improvements and more books.
• Ransom Middle School — 189 votes. Ideas include funding for the school’s chorus and band.

“At Kohl’s we are excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Kohl’s Cares philanthropic program by giving back to the communities that we serve. As kids and parents think about the new school year, we want everyone to dream big about how half a million dollars could impact their favorite school,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “We believe that when communities thrive so does business. We feel so strongly about this program and the positive affect it could have that we have made it the cornerstone of the company’s Back-to-School campaign.”

Kohl’s Facebook fans can submit their ideas for what the school could do with half a million dollars. A winning school must have a least one submission about how the funds might be used. Fans can also vote up to 20 times for their favorite elementary, middle or high schools during this time, with a maximum of five votes for any individual school. The top 20 vote-getting schools, that meet contest criteria as outlined in the official rules and have school officials provide information on how the school will use the money to support educational programs or initiatives, will win $500,000 each. Winning schools will be announced in late September.

To vote for your favorite school(s), visit www.facebook.com/kohls.

Pictured top: Molino Park Elementary School Principal Alice Woodward presents an award to Ashliegh Ratcliff last year. Pictured inset: Molino Park parent and volunteer Brandie Ratcliff with Camren McLemore. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.