US Department of Education Commends Texas Group for School Partnerships Twenty-Five Year Commitment to Students also Celebrated

Groups and individuals ranging from television stations to school principals were honored by a Texas-based non-profit organization for their outstanding contributions to the progress of education and commended for their efforts by the United States Department of Education.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) February 18, 2005 -- Groups and individuals ranging from radio stations to senior citizens were honored by a Texas-based non-profit organization for their outstanding contributions to the progress of education and commended for their efforts by the United States Department of Education. The Texas Association of Partners in Education (TAPE) formally presented the awards at their annual conference in Dallas at the InterContinental Hotel held February 9-11th.

"When schools develop partnerships with parents and the community they set the stage for positive educational experiences for children. Effective partnerships are built on mutual respect, reciprocal communication and common goals. Research tells us that the more involved parents are in a child's life, whether that is on a social or academic level, the more likely the child will achieve success," Dr. Gaye Lang, the acting secretary's regional representative for the United States Department of Education, said on behalf of the mission of the Texas Association of Partners in Education.

The statewide organization also celebrated 25 years of existence at the conference in addition to giving awards.

The Washington Mutual Partners in Education Awards are such an

important honor and event at our 2005 State Conference. Texas Partners is so pleased to be able to honor the 29 award winners from across the state of Texas. They are truly inspiring!" said Pat Rosenberg, chair of the Texas Association of Partners in Education.

Conference highlights included three-hour workshops on topics such as parent involvement and leadership, after-school programs, business and community partnerships, and helping meet the needs of at risk youth in schools.

The conference details have been posted at www.tape.org as well as the following award announcement:

Intergenerational Volunteer

Recognizes a senior citizen that assists schools, teachers and/or students in a manner that positively impacts student success. One recipient selected from Large, Medium, Small District.

Large District

- Earl Heinemann Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Clarence and Lois McLemore Fort Bend ISD

Harold Timmins Houston ISD

Medium District

- Vanna Ingram Denton ISD

Robert Steen Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Tom Castro Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

Alma Villegas Irving ISD

Small District

- Patricia Lane Texarkana ISD

Outstanding Adult Volunteer

Recognizes an adult from a business, community or parent group that assists teachers and students. One recipient selected from Large, Medium, Small District

Outstanding Adult Volunteer

Large District

- Robert Blount, Jr Northside ISD

Toni Crawford Fort Bend ISD

Cathy Neben Houston ISD

Medium District

- Nancy Coplen Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Maria Boone Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

Donnie Josefy Irving ISD

Small District

- Phillip P Smith Pine Tree ISD

Yvonne Perry Bastrop ISD

Brenda Dickson Texarkana ISD

Outstanding Large Business Partnership

Recognizes a business (large and small) that works directly with schools, teachers, or students. One recipient selected from Large, Medium, Small Business.

Large District

- Fluor Corporation Fort Bend ISD

Terry Steele, IBM Greater Dallas Chamber

Jeannette Siegel, JCPenney Greater Dallas Chamber

Medium District

- Providence Healthcare Network Waco ISD

Gamestop.com Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

EDS/Junior Achievement Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

VHA, Inc Irving ISD

Outstanding Medium Business Partnership

Large District

- Houston Rockets Houston ISD

Medium District

- James Wood Auto Park Denton ISD

Target Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Outstanding Small Business Partnership

Large District

- Nick Hernandez, Texas Road House Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Thos S Byrne Contractors Fort Worth ISD

Medium District

- Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Irving ISD

Wells Fargo Denton ISD

Mac's Steaks and Seafood Restaurant Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Hoffbrau Steaks Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

Huckabee University Mansfield ISD

Small District

- Minton's Sportsplex Texarkana ISD

Domino's Pizza Bastrop ISD

Phillip P Smith Insurance Agency, Phillip P Smith Pine Tree ISD

Kelly Fiori, Fiori's Taekwondo Texarkana ISD

Recognizes a business (large and small) that works directly with schools, teachers, or students. One recipient selected from Large, Medium, Small Business.

- Large Business (More than 500 employees)

- Medium Business (150 -- 500 employees)

- Small Business (150 employees or less)

Outstanding Community Partnership

Large District

- Mexican Institute of Greater Houston Inc Houston ISD

Dow Promise Fort Bend ISD

Medium District

- First United Methodist Church Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

Denton County Denton ISD

Junior Achievement Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

DeVry University Irving ISD

Ollie Mae Moen Discovery Center Waco ISD

Small District

- Forever Friends Pine Tree ISD

Recognizes an educational partnership involving a non-profit or service organization, an agency or governmental body or community group that has demonstrated a positive impact on student achievement or family involvement in education. One recipient selected from Large, Medium, Small District.

Outstanding Community Partnership

Large District

- Mexican Institute of Greater Houston Inc Houston ISD

Dow Promise Fort Bend ISD

Medium District

- First United Methodist Church Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

Denton County Denton ISD

Junior Achievement Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

DeVry University Irving ISD

Ollie Mae Moen Discovery Center Waco ISD

Small District

- Forever Friends Pine Tree ISD

Cedar Creek MS PALS Bastrop ISD

Laura Hixon, Girl Scouts Texarkana ISD

Cedar Creek MS PALS Bastrop ISD

Laura Hixon, Girl Scouts Texarkana ISD

Recognizes a media outlet (local or national news print/television) that provides constant and positive information to the public, which heightens awareness about events, and/or programs that occur within your local school district. One recipient selected from Large, Medium, Small District.

Outstanding Media Award

Large District

- KUHF 88.7 FM Houston Public Radio Houston ISD

Medium District

- Denton Record Chronicle Denton ISD

Mike Lewis Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Irving Morning News Irving ISD

Small District

- Eagle's Eye Bastrop ISD

Tiger Vision Texarkana ISD

Recognizes a parent group or program that promotes the active involvement of parents for the betterment of the school or district in a manner that positively impacts student achievement. One recipient selected from Large, Medium, Small District.

Outstanding Parent Involvement Partnership

Large District

- Dads' Club at Glover Elementary School Fort Bend ISD

Roberts Elementary PTO Houston ISD

Medium District

- Volunteer Advisory Board Denton ISD

Colleyville Heritage High School PTSA Volunteers Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Small District

- VIPS (Volunteers in Public Schools) Texarkana ISD

Recognizes a school district employee or business representative who continuously works to support effective business or community partnership programs for his or her campus or within the district. One recipient selected from Large, Medium, Small District

Outstanding Partnership Liaison

Large District

- Jeff Hodges ExxonMobil Fort Bend ISD

Maxine Bratton Northside ISD

Medium District

- Jody Lee HEB Waco ISD

Aurora Jackson Denton ISD

Kathie Blanchette Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Joe Robbins Irving ISD

Small District

- JoAnne Rice Texarkana ISD

Recognizes a young person (kindergarten through college) who serves a s a mentor, tutor, or role model for other students. One recipient selected from Large, Medium, Small District

Outstanding Youth Volunteer

Large District (2 winners)

- Noor Nabulsi Fort Bend ISD

- Steven Wesolowski Houston ISD

medium District

- Lauren Paynter Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

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