Atmos Awards $7,500 to Plano Family Literacy Summer Program
June 30, 2011
The Plano ISD Education Foundation received $7,500 this week from Atmos Energy for Plano Family Literacy’s summer program. Jeanne Hooker, manager of public affairs for Atmos Energy, was on hand at the center to read to families and present the $7,500 award.
Children attending the Plano Family Literacy Summer Program enjoyed story time this week with Jeanne Hooker of Atmos Energy.
“Atmos Energy is excited to invest in Plano Family Literacy’s summer program,” said Ms. Hooker. “Atmos Energy believes in improving the quality of life in the communities we serve, and this program allows us to support Collin County families in a significant way.”
Plano Family Literacy’s summer program provides continuity in learning for at-risk families that are unable to afford any type of organized program during the summer. The goal for this six-week summer program is to provide continued educational programming in a relaxed, fun and motivating environment.
Plano ISD Education Foundation's Monica Shortino, executive director, and Lisa Raskin, board president; Mark Allen, Plano ISD Student and Family Services executive directora; Jeanne Hooker, Atmos Energy; and Jane Lilliston, Plano Family Literacy Program coordinator.
“Because we believe the parent is the first teacher in a child’s life, we are committed to teaching parents how to learn with their children,” said Mark Allen, executive director of student and family services for Plano ISD. “Our summer program will be designed around that concept. Families will have fun while learning life skills and participating in group activities.”
Funds made available through Atmos Energy are used to staff the summer program, provide classroom supplies for teachers to develop education centers, provide materials for participants to use during classroom time and fund two field trips.
Plano ISD Education Foundation President Lisa Raskin said, “This program will support thirty families this summer and we are privileged to partner with Atmos Energy partnering to fund this vital program.”
About Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, is the country’s largest natural-gas-only distributor, serving about 3.2 million natural gas distribution customers in more than 1,600 communities in 12 states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy also provides natural gas marketing and procurement services to industrial, commercial and municipal customers primarily in the Midwest and Southeast and manages company-owned natural gas pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Atmos Energy is a Fortune 500 company. For more information, visit www.atmosenergy.com.
About The Plano ISD Family Literacy
The Plano Family Literacy Program is a support program through Plano ISD’s student and family services department. It works in conjunction with the district and other community partners. The Plano Family Literacy Program is housed at the Allan K. and Carolyn H. Bird Education Center at 1300 19th Street in Plano and coordinated by Jane Lilliston. For more information contact 469.752.2253.
About The Plano ISD Education Foundation
The Plano ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with the mission to help all students in Plano public schools achieve their full potential by providing financial support to educators and academic programs. The Plano ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors comprises business and community leaders who work to maintain excellence in Plano schools. The Foundation provides grants to educators, programs that support academic enrichment to Plano ISD students, emergency assistance for teachers and staff members in crisis, as well as programs aimed at recruiting and retaining quality teachers. To learn more about the Plano ISD Education Foundation, contact Executive Director Monica Shortino at (469) 752-8091 or visit the Plano ISD Education Foundation website.
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