Green Magnet Academy celebrated a reimagined outdoor learning space for students with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The renovation was made possible by The Boyd Foundation.
The foundation donated $650,000 to rebuild and expand the outdoor area at Green Magnet Academy, where students and families were included in the redesign process. The gift was made in coordination with Knox Education Foundation and added several upgrades to the school’s existing 0.75-acre outdoor space, including:
- A play structure and swing sets
- A playing surface for full-court basketball and four-square
- A soccer area with two full-size goals
- Two side-by-side running lanes
- Outdoor musical instruments
- Large, colorful murals
- A shaded area and
- Seating options including benches and tables
“Believing in the importance of play during the school day, our family is thrilled to partner with Green Magnet to create a space for kids to run, imagine and learn,” said Randy Boyd, president and co-founder of The Boyd Foundation. “Cutting the ribbon will be one of the highlights of our year! We hope this play space allows Green Magnet students to nurture creativity and promote better health for years to come.”
“Knox County Schools is so thankful to have amazing community partners like The Boyd Foundation that are committed to our district’s mission,” said Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “The generous gift from The Boyd Foundation will allow the students at Green Magnet Academy to play in a safe environment, learn about healthy lifestyles and encourage creative play.”
“The GMA family is thrilled to have this outdoor space for our school, and we are grateful to the Boyd family for enriching our students’ lives with a beautiful space,” said Green Magnet principal Jessica Holman. “This area will benefit Green Magnet students for years to come.”
“Learning through play has a powerful impact on the health, wellness and resiliency of our students,” said Mike Taylor, CEO of the Knox Education Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Boyds and for their generous investment to make the outdoor learning space at Green Magnet possible.”
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