Columbia Catholic school gets makeover for literacy

Glossy brown and white desktops and marble top cafeteria tables are offering a fresh perspective to learning for youngsters at St. Martin de Porres Catholic School.

And educators and supporters at Columbia learning institute are hoping the new decor will help the nearly 100 students more comfortably embrace literacy.

St. Martin de Porres officials and other community members gathered at the school Thursday to celebrate the opening of the new Reading for Excellence Center, which has received a makeover from Rooms to Go.

The company recently donated more than $40,000 in furniture for the school cafeteria and its Reading for Excellence classrooms created to place more focus on the importance of literacy. The hope is to provide another place and opportunity for students to enrich their minds.

“This is a joyous occasion,” said St. Martin de Porres principal, Sister Roberta Fulton. “We believe that when students are in a beautiful environment, it helps them to want to learn.”

Fulton said when she first learned the company wanted to make a donation, she was only expecting a few pieces of furniture. What she got instead were enough desks for several classrooms and all new cafeteria tables.

Columbia Rooms to Go Store manager David Judd said the donation is in keeping with the company’s commitment to literacy and other community endeavors.

“If this gives them an environment that they can learn and gain from, then we’re happy to provide that,” Judd said.

St. Martin de Porres Catholic School is a ministry of St. Martin de Porres parish. The school was established in 1936 and has maintained a tradition of providing a Christian educational environment for studetns ages 3 through sixth grade.

This story was originally published April 23, 2015 at 8:22 PM with the headline "Columbia Catholic school gets makeover for literacy."