Once again, Delta and The Delta Air Lines Foundation have shown their commitment to supporting Atlanta Public Schools and its journey to becoming a high-performing school district, through a $300,000 contribution made recently to bolster reading at two APS schools near Delta’s headquarters and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – Dobbs Elementary School and Hutchinson Elementary School.
The contribution was made by Delta employees and matched by The Delta Airlines Foundation and is part of an ongoing commitment from Delta and The Delta Air Lines Foundation. Last year Delta employees contributed $350,000, also matched by The Delta Air Lines Foundation. Additionally, Delta Air Lines has pledged $500,000 to APS over a five-year partnership.
The $300,000 gift from employees was announced on July 24, during a luncheon to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the five-year partnership between Delta and APS. It is designed to help the District improve the quality of education and literacy for the next generation of Delta employees and customers in the local area. The gift will fund four, full-time literacy instructors — two at each school — to augment their efforts to improve student literacy rates, which will lead to higher graduation rates and, in turn, better economic prospects for the students at Dobbs and Hutchinson.
Delta employees who served as APS Reading Buddies during the 2017-2018 school year were honored at the event, held inside the Boeing 747 exhibit at the Delta Flight Museum. The partnership has already made a big impact on the lives of the students at Dobbs and Hutchinson.
Hutchinson first grader Sophia Gutierrez spoke at the luncheon wearing the glasses provided by a Delta funded Vision Screening program. She thanked her Delta Reading Buddy Heather Johnson from Cargo Marketing, for helping her learn to read and for spending time with her.
Also during the luncheon, Delta President Glen Hauenstein presented the $300,000 check to APS Superintendent Dr. Carstarphen and the two school principals — Dobbs Principal Dr. Charnita West and Hutchinson Principal Dr. Shaunta Broadway.
“Our partnership with APS began one year ago at a rally in the Delta Flight Museum, and we are truly proud of the way Delta employees have given of themselves to help the students of Dobbs and Hutchinson Elementary,” Hauenstein said. “These schools are in our backyard and we need to ensure that we take care of these students who could one day be our customers and employees.”
“On behalf of Atlanta Public Schools, I want every Delta Air Lines employee to know how meaningful their gifts of time and treasure are in making a positive impact on our students at Dobbs and Hutchinson Elementary Schools, leading them to achieve choice-filled lives they deserve,” Dr. Carstarphen said.
“Giving back to the communities where we live, work and serve is core to our culture at Delta, and investing in education is a key part of that effort, Hauenstein said. “Together Delta and APS are making a difference. ”
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