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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 1, 2005
Number: nr 05-01
Contact: Nan Powers Varoga, 713-658-1881 (o), 713-729-1639 (c)
nvaroga@houstonaplus.org

HOUSTON A+ CHALLENGE RECEIVES $83,000 IN DONATIONS

The Houston A+ Challenge has received five grants to support its work providing teachers, principals and school leaders with training, support and technical assistance to meet the different learning needs of each student.

The grants are:

• The MD Anderson Foundation donated $50,000 to support all six Houston A+ Challenge initiatives.

• Jenard and Gail Gross Fund of the Greater Houston Community Foundation contributed $25,000 for the Jenard M. Gross Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District .

• Enbridge Energy contributed $4,000 for five teacher externs in the Houston A+ Challenge Teacher Externship program. The externs explore ways to connect the classroom to the modern workplace in week-long externships with local businesses.

• The Friedman Foundation donated $1,500 to support Houston A+ Challenge initiatives.

• The Heimbinder Family Foundation donated $500 to support Houston A+ Challenge initiatives.

“These donors make it possible for us to work with teachers, administrators and other educators to create customized learning environments so that students and educators each learn the knowledge and skills needed in the 21st century,” said Michele Pola, Ed.D., executive director of Houston A+ Challenge.

For more information on Houston A+ Challenge initiatives, visit www.houstonaplus.org. Houston A+ is an independent, public-private education organization.