Burnett Elementary receives new library from the Property Brothers

Burnett Elementary receives new library from the Property Brothers
Posted on 09/13/2019
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Students high-five the Property Brothers for remodeling the library at Burnett Elementary. 


By: Reesha Brown
PISD Communications

Burnett Elementary received a library makeover from the stars of the hit HGTV show ‘Property Brothers.’ The brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, unveiled Burnett’s new and improved library during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.

Jae Lee, principal of Burnett Elementary,  said, “Wow, there are so many others out there that want to give back." 

The school was selected from 15,000 applicants, including 150 Texas schools, nationwide for the library renovation. Sponsored by Heart of America, HarperCollins and Kohl’s, the renovation includes a collaborative learning theater, 700 new library books, a new check-in area and a Lego wall.

The brothers selected Burnett Elementary for showing “heart” during Hurricane Harvey and creating a safe space for students and their families whose homes were underwater.

“When everyone was devastated by Hurricane Harvey, your school opened the doors and Principal [Jae] Lee got in his kayak and went from house to house to make sure that everyone was okay,” said CEO of Heart of America, Jill Heath. “You don’t see that every day, so your school really is the heart and soul of this community. We wanted to honor you for making this such a special place. The ‘Brothers’ said, ‘Yes, we’re going to do it.’ And a year later, here we are.”

Volunteers from Heart of America, HarperCollins and Kohl’s rolled up their sleeves and spent the morning working on the renovation. After the library ribbon cutting unveiling, which officially marked the school’s new library opening, the Property Brothers, read their new book to the entire student body.

“From Jonathan and myself and our team, everybody here, it was a whole community coming together and it really warms our hearts. You guys are amazing. That’s why we wanted to do this makeover for you and everybody from HarperCollins and from Kohl’s and all the other amazing businesses that came together to help donate time and materials and assets, these are our future leaders. We want to make sure that they have a place that inspires them." said Drew.