School Specialty Partners with the College Football Playoff Foundation to Bring Vital 21st Century Classroom Enhancements to Schools Across the U.S.

GREENVILLE, Wis., Sept. 21, 2016 -- School Specialty, Inc. (OTCQB:SCOO) (“School Specialty”, “SSI” or “the Company”), a leading distributor of supplies, furniture and both curriculum and supplemental learning resources to the education, healthcare and other marketplaces, is pleased to announce its collaboration with the  College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation to launch the Extra Yard Classroom Makeover Project. Sponsored by SSI Guardian, a subsidiary of School Specialty, the project encourages teachers across the country to enter for a chance to win a fully-funded classroom makeover.

“We’re very excited to team-up with the CFP Foundation to support schools nationwide with the essential supplies, curriculum materials, furniture, and equipment to promote learning experiences that inspire all students for success in the 21^st century and to assist them in developing into the best leaders they can be,” stated Joseph M. Yorio, President and Chief Executive Officer of School Specialty. “Beyond the assortment of supplies and furniture, we will also be supporting schools with the advanced training and innovative security solutions required to keep our children safe, through our SSI Guardian subsidiary. The issue of emergency preparedness, awareness and safety in schools is a crucial one and we’re pleased to work with the CFP Foundation in bringing evidence-based security enhancements to classrooms. Our children deserve nothing less than the best to keep them safe while pursuing their educational endeavors in secure environments. The School Specialty team is truly honored to be part of this incredible initiative and look forward to building our partnership. Game on!”

Part of the Direct Provision of Resources initiative of the CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers, the program provides furniture, new technology, storage components and more for classrooms. Applications will be accepted through Friday, October 7, 2016, at www.cfp-foundation.org/classroom-makeover. Three winners will be chosen at random and announced once a week starting Monday, November 7, 2016, at Noon CT through the CFP Foundation website and social platforms.

Additional winners will be selected in coordination with the 2016 College Football Playoff Semifinals, as teachers from the greater Atlanta and Phoenix areas will be chosen through the online application process mentioned above. Subsequently, as part of the championship weekend, teachers attending the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit in Tampa, Florida, will be entered to win a classroom makeover. Three winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Summit on January 7, 2017, at the Tampa Convention Center.

The partnership with School Specialty and SSI Guardian will also include SSI Guardian Advanced Safety Education Training in schools throughout Tampa and Orlando, Florida. This one-of-a-kind advanced training prepares schools for a host of threats and is the only evidenced-based program with a continuing education unit award.

“We are honored to have the ability to provide this transformational program for classrooms across America,” said Britton Banowsky, Executive Director of the CFP Foundation. “We understand the challenges that schools and educators face when resources are limited and hope to help lighten the burden.”

The announcement comes in celebration of Extra Yard for Teachers Week, an eight-day period dedicated to recognizing educators throughout the country. Visit www.cfp-foundation.org for more information on the Extra Yard Classroom Makeover Project and Extra Yard for Teachers Week.

To join the social conversation, follow Extra Yard for Teachers on social media (Facebook:/ExtraYardforTeachers; Twitter/Instagram: @CFPExtraYard) and use the hashtags #CFPExtraYard and #ExtraYardWeek.

About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the charitable arm of the College Football Playoff and supports education and teachers across the country. The CFP Foundation creates multiple partnerships to execute its initiatives and support positive educational outcomes. The Foundation’s primary philanthropic initiative, Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT), elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering quality teachers through the development and implementation of programs in three key focus areas: direct provision of resources, teacher recognition, and professional development training.

About the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff matches the No. 1 seed vs. No. 4, and No. 2 vs. No. 3 in semifinal games that rotate annually among the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual and Fiesta Bowl. The 2016 semifinals will take place December 31, at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. The national championship game will be Monday, January 9, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

About School Specialty, Inc.
School Specialty is a leading distributor of innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to the education marketplace. The Company designs, develops, and provides educators with the latest and very best school supplies, furniture and both curriculum and supplemental learning resources. Working in collaboration with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential. Through its SSI Guardian subsidiary, the Company is also committed to school, healthcare and corporate workplace safety by offering the highest quality curriculum, training and safety and security products. Finally, through its SOAR Life Products brand, the Company offers thousands of products that sharpen cognitive skills and build physical and mental strength in fun and creative ways. From childhood through adulthood, they help individuals live life to the fullest – engaged, happy and well.  SOAR Life Products is a customized offering for hospitals, long-term care, therapeutic facilities, home care, surgery centers, day care centers, physician offices, and clinics. For more information about School Specialty, visit www.schoolspecialty.com.

@SchoolSpecialty
Connect with School Specialty on social media; search School Specialty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. For Ideas and resources, educational trends and inspiration for today’s educators – visit the Schoolyard blog.

Company Contacts:
Rich Harney
SVP, Marketing – School Specialty
Tel: 920-882-5713
Email: [email protected]

Gina Lehe
Senior Director of Communications & Brand Management – CFP Foundation
Tel: 469-262-5200 
Email: [email protected]

Media Contacts:
Glenn Wiener and Dionne Manchester
GW Communications (for School Specialty)
Tel: 212-786-6011 / 212-786-6068
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]