Nortek donates adjustable standing desks to Providence classrooms to improve learning, health

PROVIDENCE – Nortek Inc. recently donated 58 Ergotron LearnFit adjustable standing desks to classrooms at 360 High School and West Broadway Middle School in an effort to enhance health and learning.

Nortek President and CEO Michael J. Clarke visited the schools at a Feb. 11 event, joining with Gov. Gina M. Raimondo and Providence Schools Superintendent Christopher Maher to make the announcement.

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According to information from Nortek, the donation is part of a plan to transform classrooms into active learning environments where students stay more engaged.

The desks, according to Nortek, help reduce sedentary time in the classroom, leading to better health, better academic performance, more engaged students and an all-around better school experience.

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“Standing more throughout the day increases blood circulation, burns more calories and helps maintain muscle tone and insulin effectiveness. This means LearnFit can be an integral part of a school environment designed to improve health and academic outcomes,” the description on Nortek’s website reads.

The company, which manufactures home and office security solutions, and ventilation and air management products, said the desks result in more “collaborative and active classrooms” and help teachers maximize “valuable classroom floor space” to keep up with changing technologies.
Thirty adjustable desks were donated to 360 School and 28 were given to the middle school.

Clarke said the schools were chosen because both are close to the downtown Providence headquarters location.

“Our employees do a lot in the community and we’re eager to develop some partnerships with these schools for mentoring, job shadowing and other student-centered programs,” Clarke said.

“Our LearnFit desks allow students and teachers to create an atmosphere of collaboration and engagement that you can’t do with traditional desks,” he added.

Raimondo said she is grateful to Nortek for its generosity.

“A significant part of jump-starting our economy and creating opportunity for everyone is making sure our kids have access to the best education possible,” Raimondo said in a statement. “We know our kids can’t learn without the right tools, which is why the support of local businesses will be integral moving forward. Education is the ladder to the middle class, and here in Rhode Island we need to do everything possible to prepare our young students to compete in the 21st century economy.”

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