HOUSTON – Jan. 24, 2020 – The Spring ISD Education Foundation hosted district administrators and trustees along with community and business supporters from across the area during its annual Partner Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday morning at the Northgate Country Club.
“It’s an opportunity to express our appreciation to our business partners, the donors that help us do what we do, which is award scholarships and teacher grants,” said Marshall Elementary School namesake and Spring ISD Education Foundation board member Gloria Marshall. “Without the help of our donors, we would not be able to do what we do.”
Originally founded in 1992, the Spring ISD Education Foundation has worked for more than a quarter century to support the district and its students through both ongoing and special fundraising and outreach activities, including the group’s annual Tee Up for Education charity golf tournament. Monies raised by the foundation go on to fund student scholarships and teacher grants supporting innovative campus-based projects. Since its launch, the group’s annual Grant Express event has provided nearly $1.3 million to district teachers and campuses.
“For more than 25 years now, the Spring ISD Education Foundation has been working to support excellence in our schools and opportunities for our students,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Rodney E. Watson. “So much of what they do is about building and strengthening these wonderful partner relationships that connect our schools and students with the wider community they’re a part of, and we’re so grateful for all they do.”
Two special appreciation awards were given out during the event. One acknowledged donations made by Spring ISD employees, who have the option to support the foundation’s work on an ongoing basis through regular payroll deductions. The other honored last year’s largest corporate donor – and longstanding Spring ISD partner – Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott‚ LLP.
Among those representing Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott‚ LLP was Michael Darlow, a senior partner at the firm’s Houston office who has himself long been involved as a supporter of the Education Foundation.
“We’ve represented the district for 30 years, and we’ve been involved in the foundation pretty much from its inception,” said Darlow. “We got involved as a way to give back to the district. We try to participate in the communities that we work in, and so the foundation was a great opportunity to do that.”
Cadets from Spring Leadership Academy’s Leadership Officer Training Corps presented the U.S. and Texas flags and led attendees in the pledges to kick off the morning’s official program, while student musicians from Dekaney High School’s Wind Ensemble provided entertainment.
During the event, some of the past year’s most significant partnerships were also commemorated, with foundation members thanking and recognized individuals, groups and businesses whose contributions have supported the group’s mission and work.
Director of Transportation Jack Mann was invited to accept the recognition award for employee contributions. While more than 500 teachers and other staff members collectively donated over $42,000 last year, employees from the district’s transportation team alone donated more than any other department or individual campus in Spring ISD.
Additional partners and supporters recognized during the breakfast included:
- David Crawford
- PBK Architects
- VLK Architects
- Wells Fargo
- Huckabee
- Tarkett
- Stantec
- BBVA
- InvesTex Credit Union
- HCA Houston Healthcare
- Dr. Julie Hill
- Rhonda Newhouse
- Durotech
- AUTOARCH Architects
- Bruce Bentley
- Chick-fil-A
- Achieve3000
- Edgenuity