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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