Makeover Surprise for Teachers at Brittany Woods

On their first day of spring break, instead of sleeping in and relaxing, a handful of University City students woke up early and went right back to school.

It was part of a volunteer effort to makeover the teachers' lounge and copy room at Brittany Woods Middle School. The students kicked off the surprise makeover on Monday, March 14, while the teachers were on break.

School Board member Rod Jennings told University City Patch that the makeover was paid for by a $5,000 grant that Deborah Morley, a U City school parent and PTO member secured from the home improvement chain, Lowe's. He said she decided the money should be used for the makeover at Brittany Woods.

"We came up with this idea...Why don't we surprise the teachers when they come back with a new lounge. New bathroom. New countertops and just kind of reconfigure everything and make it better looking and up to date," he said.

"I love to volunteer, and I had nothing else to do and I just wanted to do something," said Radazia Whittington, a 15-year-old high school sophomore, who was on painting duty.

"I like to give back," said high school senior Otis Howell, who was wielding a roller brush, but losing the battle to keep the paint from dripping on him. "Since, this is a school I actually attended it's a great opportunity to give back," he added.

"I wanted to help," said 13-year-old Jordan Jennings, an 8th grader at Brittany Woods Middle School, and the daughter of school board member Rod Jennings, whose contracting business donated its time and muscle power to help with the makeover.  He likened it to a "barn-raising, where everybody got together in the community and did something."

Jan Vieth, the parent of a 7th grader at Brittany Woods, said the makeover was a great way to boost teacher morale. "To show them that they are special," she  said.

When the makeover is complete University City Patch will bring you the photos.