Media Alert Williams Preparatory Hosts National Park Foundation First Bloom Program

Uplift Education

214-289-2596 (cell)

dcaston@uplifteducation.org
Media Alert
Williams Preparatory Hosts National Park Foundation First Bloom Program
DALLAS (April 10, 2008) Uplift Education's Williams Preparatory proudly hosts National Park Foundation Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush to kick off the spring First Bloom season with the school's 6th grade class. The students will participate in day-long First Bloom lessons and plant seeds from Texas natives - the Black-Eyed Susan, the Purple Coneflower, the Indian Blanket and the Bluebonnet.  Many of the seeds will be transplanted in a new, student-designed native plant garden at the school and some will be replanted in the First Bloom native plant gardens at LBJ National Historical Park in Austin, TX.
Launched in 2007 by the Foundation's Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush, First Bloom provides children who may have limited access to the outdoors with the opportunity to get their hands in the dirt and experience planting and gardening for the first time in their neighborhoods and our national parks. The program partners include the National Park Service, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and community organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs that serve children in local communities.

"We are honored to have the First Lady visit our wonderful school. Having someone so important and a former educator visit our campus has created an amazing buzz that is impossible to describe," said Mauricio Dominguez, Williams Preparatory's school director. "This visit is a great reward for our teachers and students who have been working very hard towards our mission."

Uplift Education is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit charter school management organization dedicated to operating public charter schools that provide quality education by raising and continually maintaining high expectations for students and staff. The mission of Uplift is to create and sustain schools of excellence that empower students to reach their highest potential and inspire a lifelong love of learning, achievement, service, and responsible citizenship. Uplift currently operates 5 college preparatory campuses serving over 2500 students across the Dallas metroplex: North Hills Preparatory in Irving, Peak Preparatory in East Dallas, Williams Preparatory in Northwest Dallas, Hampton Preparatory in Southwest Dallas, and Summit International in North Arlington For additional information, please visit www.uplifteducation.org.

Williams Preparatory is an Uplift public charter school which opened in July 2007. Williams Prep is focused on nurturing strong relationships between teachers, students and parents while maintaining the highest expectations. The school provides a curriculum with the highest academics that truly prepare students for college. To foster a professional learning environment, teachers and students are given time and tools to reflect and achieve academic and professional growth. For additional information, visit www.williamsprep.org.

The National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org<http://www.nationalparks.org/>) is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy ensuring funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our national parks. As the official non-profit partner of America's National Parks, the National Park Foundation does not receive federal appropriations for their support. The National Park Foundation serves to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness.  Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our nation remains vital and relevant.

Thursday, April 10

Williams Preparatory School

Dallas, TX

POOL COVERAGE FOR FIRST BLOOM ACTIVITY; OPEN PRESS FOR REMARKS

Pre-set for electronic media is 9:00 am

Final Call for all media is 10:15 am

First Bloom Activity Site

Lighting: Indoor/Outdoor lighting

Sound: Wild

Remark Site

Lighting: Indoor lighting

Sound: Multbox

8:45 pm           MRS. BUSH delivers remarks and accepts Methodist Health System’s 2008 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award

Hilton Anatole Hotel Grand Ballroom

2201 Stemmons Freeway

Dallas, TX

OPEN PRESS

Throw: 50 feet

Sound: Multbox 

Pre-Set for electronic media is 5:30 pm