The continuing partnership with the Bucs and Glazers has positively impacted our students, families, and staff for years.

The partnership includes the adoption of 21 elementary schools, referred to as Buccaneers Academies. This year’s theme, Mind of a Champion, focused on reading, math, science, health, and wellness through monthly challenges.

• Students were challenged to read and log the minutes read. One classroom from each academy won a behind the scenes tour of One Buccaneer Place (One Buc Place).
• Students received a Buccaneer themed journal to encourage writing (9,546 journals).
• In collaboration with the National Football League (NFL) and the American Heart Association, participation in the Play 60 Challenge encouraged students to be active at least 60 minutes daily. The schools with the most minutes played won a grant for physical education equipment ($5,000 total).
• Academies received “Science and Math of Football” posters.
• Coach Lovie Smith shared a recorded message which provided students with test taking strategies.

In addition to the monthly challenges, contributions for the 2014/2015 school year included:

• All students receiving backpacks ($60,000 value) and staff were invited to a home game.
• In collaboration with United Way, players installed Learning Gardens at seven academies. (Plans are to install Learning Gardens at the remaining academies within the next two years).
• The annual NFL sponsored Hometown Huddle grant allowed students to direct a video requesting financial support for school improvement projects ($5,000 value).
• Bucs offensive line players provided Thanksgiving dinners to over 500 families.
• Game day for Kids allowed students the experience of a home game VIP package (included t-shirt, snacks, on-field experience with Co-President Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, and a keepsake photograph).
• Fourth grade students participated in a math focused tour of One Buc Place.
• Fifth grade students received a “Ticket to the Future”, entitling them to an interview for a job/internship after completion of two years of post-secondary education.