Teachers present the $50 gift cards provided by Walmart of Warsaw.

Walmart announced yesterday that the recipient of this year’s Walmart School of the Year is Jefferson Elementary.

Students, teachers, administration and Walmart personnel packed into the Jefferson Elementary gym to listen to the names of the 20 teachers who would receive $50 gift cards from the store. These gift cards will be used to purchase items for classrooms.

In addition to supplying the school with $1,000 in gift cards, Walmart also donated a large supply of supplies to the school’s teacher lounge. These supplies included bulletin board supplies, highlighters, totes and other supplies that can be used by both teachers and students in the classroom.

In addition to gift cards, Walmart also supplied schools supplies for teacher’s to utilize.

According to Brock Heyneman, Warsaw Walmart store manager, the school was chosen for the annual award after a vote by the Warsaw branch store associates.

“It is a huge honor for anyone in the public and the associates at Walmart to see what we are doing here as valuable. This donation is going to enhance what we do here at Jefferson,” stated Jefferson Principal David Robertson.

“This is a good thing for our community,” stated Heyneman. “Teachers are so vital to our community and this is a great way for Walmart to give back.”

Other Walmart associates that helped with presenting the awards were Deb Ponko, community coordinator; Shelly Alber, personnel manager; and Bob Avery, shift manager.