School Specialty Honored as one of “America’s Healthiest Companies” with Well Workplace Gold Award from the Wellness Council of America

GREENVILLE, Wis., Sept. 15, 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 that the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), through its local chapter Wellness Council of Wisconsin, has recognized the Company with the esteemed 2016 Well Workplace Gold Award.

School Specialty Wellness Logo

The Well Workplace Gold Award recognizes an organization for its long-term commitment to the health and well-being of their employees. As stated by WELCOA President Ryan Picarella, “Good companies know that their employees are their most valuable asset. Great companies adopt policies that support employees’ efforts to reduce health risks and are audacious about motivating them through bold strategies, programs, and tactics.”    

The award will be the second Gold Certification that School Specialty has received from WELCOA, a notable achievement in light of the thorough application process and numerous high-level benchmarks that an organization must undergo to qualify. Specifically, the Well Workplace Awards program is driven by a rigorous set of criteria outlined in WELCOA’s seven benchmarks and is presented to companies that demonstrate successful, comprehensive worksite wellness initiatives with concrete results.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the Wellness Council of America as a Gold Well Workplace and national leader in corporate health. We believe this award demonstrates School Specialty’s unparalleled commitment to supporting employees – our most valuable asset – in taking charge to improve and maintain their overall health and wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional, and occupational),” said Laura Vartanian, Senior Vice President, Human Resources. “Wellness is a key pillar of School Specialty – in our recruiting initiatives, in our vision for organizational success and the knowledge and tools provided. This accolade is a special testament to the vision and leadership of our CEO, Joe Yorio, and instrumental work of our Wellness Committees in promoting a “culture of health” throughout the School Specialty organization. We look forward to celebrating this honor as part of an elite group of “America’s Healthiest Companies”.”

“School Specialty worked hard to successfully meet the standards set by the Well Workplace process. It is our pleasure to recognize them as the newest Wisconsin employer to achieve Well Workplace status,” commented Wellness Council of Wisconsin’s Executive Director, Jessica Raddemann. 

Since its inception in 1991, over 1,000 organizations, ranging from educational institutions to non-profit and profit sectors have joined the list of “America’s Healthiest Companies” by receiving the Well Workplace Award.

About the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA)/Wellness Council of Wisconsin
The Wellness Council of Wisconsin was founded in 1985 by nine employers from the Wisconsin business community. With more than 6,000 member organizations located throughout North America, WELCOA is highly recognized and regarded for their innovative and result-oriented approach to worksite wellness. 

For more information, please visit www.welcoa.org.

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.

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Company Contact:                                                     
Laura Vartanian                                                                        
School Specialty – SVP, Human Resources                                          
Tel: 920-243-5234                                           
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]