This fall, students entering Woodward Elementary School ofDeKalb County may do a double take.

Georgia United Credit Union has selected the Atlanta-basedschool as the lucky recipient of its School Crashers Makeoverprogram.

The School Crashers program provides local schools theopportunity to apply for a facility makeover. With an eye onbringing communities together to support local schools and theirschool systems, any public, private or parochial school in Georgiawas eligible to submit a 250 word statement why their school shouldreceive a makeover.

While it was difficult to choose just one winner from so manydeserving applicants, Woodward's need for a better first impressionwith a fresh coat of paint and landscaping at the entrance stoodout among the hundreds of nominations from schools across thestate.

On hand for the announcement were Donna Lowry, educationreporter from 11 Alive, along with DeKalb County School DistrictSuperintendent Michael Thurmond, Woodward Principal Melanie Pearch,and Georgia United CEO Debbie Smith.

Woodward Elementary School has 1,030 students and 100faculty/staff members. Plans are underway to complete theschool makeover project over a weekend in mid-July, just in timefor the start of a new school year in August.

There will be opportunities for community members, educators,parents and students to join Georgia United staffers during theSchool Crash event. In addition, runner-up schools will receivemini-grants for their own improvement projects later thissummer.

This marks the second year the $1 billion credit union based inDuluth, Ga. has sponsored School Crashers.