Southwood Elementary School in the Pine Bluff School District recently received nearly $9,000 from Simmons First Bank to launch a new program, called “Game Changer.”
Using the “language and coach techniques of basketball,” Game Changer is designed to improve the school’s overall culture. It includes redirecting negative behaviors though leadership development, enhancing student academic performance, teacher coaching and parental involvement, a spokesman said in a news release.
“The program is the brain child of former NBA great Sidney Moncrief,” the spokesman said. “Coach Moncrief and his team have made three trips to Pine Bluff laying the foundation for the program. Four more site visits are scheduled for the remainder of this school term. Coach Moncrief says, we want to work with clients that want to make a difference. We sense that here at Southwood.”
Southwood Principal Alfred Carroll said the school’s leadership team is excited to have the Moncrief One Team on campus.
“We are applying a full court press in hopes of moving our school to the very top of our game,” Carroll said.
Pat Anderson of Simmons Bank presented the check to the school.
“The bank was glad to be of service to the students in our community,” he said in the news release.