Each school year, Kroger selects a theme for its school grant program, Earning Plus Learning. This year, the theme was "Active! Mind, Body, Community." Schools may submit entries that include scrapbooks, photos, videos, essays or any other form that would show how they promote the theme.

Under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Kippert, first grade teacher, Blandford Elementary School has been the recipient of grants totaling $4,000. In 2010-11, Blandford was awarded the grand prize of $2,500 for its submission in the "Going Green" theme.  This year, Dr. Kippert’s submission was awarded the honorable mention prize of $1,500. She catalogued the ways Blandford students were staying active academically, physically and within our community. 

On April 11, Annette Hinman, area human resources director for Kroger, presented Dr. Kippert and Principal Karen Durkin with the $1,500 grant and a gift basket of healthy choice option snacks.