Panther Valley Elementary School has received a $45,000 grant to upgrade its faculty room.

The home improvement chain Lowe’s announced on Monday that it selected the school for a grant to help improve the teachers lounge.

“They show up every day and give it their all. It’s one of the best ways I can think of to acknowledge everything they do for the community,” said Robert Palazzo, principal of Panther Valley Elementary School.

The grant will help fund new heating and air conditioning, lighting, flooring and more. The current HVAC system in the space doesn’t work, and the only furniture are old pieces from classrooms.

Funding a project like the faculty room wouldn’t be possible without a grant, because of the other funding needs in the school district, Palazzo said. But it was recognized that the teachers deserved a more comfortable place to eat, grade papers and have a minute to themselves.

The elementary teachers spend nearly the entire day with their students, and breaks in the lounge make sure they are ready to meet their needs.

Superintendent David McAndrew Jr. said the improvements will make the space better for a hardworking group of teachers.

“They’re hard workers. It’s going to be a nice place for them to have a cup of coffee before they start their day, enjoy their lunch, and be able to collaborate with their colleagues,” he said.

In addition to providing funding for the work, Lowe’s will also have some of its employees volunteer their labor to complete the project.

The school district hopes to have the work done around the beginning of the school year. On the heels of the pandemic, they hope it will be a boost for the faculty members.

“This is something that’s going to re-energize them and get us going for the upcoming school year,” Palazzo said.