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Press Releases
Scottsdale, Ariz. — Feb. 6, 2006 —When the winds of Hurricane Katrina died down in Bay St. Louis, Miss., a lone, but powerful symbol remained standing, tall and high above the destruction that was now the panoramic view as far as the eye could see. It was a flag — the United States flag that had flown on Main Street in Bay St. Louis not far from Second Street Elementary School. Although that and every school in the surrounding area was either destroyed or damaged beyond repair, the essential mission of public education carried on in Bay St. Louis, thanks in no small part to a group of employees from Scottsdale-based Pearson Digital Learning (PDL), a leading provider of digital curriculum solutions for K-12 schools nationwide. This past month Sandra Reed, a school principal from Bay St. Louis, was in Phoenix to present that very flag to the PDL leadership and employee volunteers as a gesture of appreciation for the unwavering support given in financial aid, education materials, supplies, time, and talent. "We were absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity of the Pearson Digital Learning employees," said Reed. "Contributions of every kind were so unselfishly made to re-establish our educational community. We will be forever grateful." As part of the volunteer effort, nearly 25 percent of Pearson Digital Learning's 450 employees donated their personal time to assist those devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Working in one-week shifts, the employees traveled to Mississippi and Texas to help students whose schools had been destroyed by the hurricane. "Tent schools" and the Pearson Digital Learning eBus — a customized school bus complete with computers and digital curriculum — served as interim learning centers. The employees’ time spent in the trenches helped give these courageous teachers, children and their families a chance at routine and normalcy. "This volunteer effort really took on a life of its own," said Bob Roliardi, president of Pearson Digital Learning. "I’m so proud of Pearson, and in particular our own employees, who took the time to make such a difference in the lives of the children, teachers and really their fellow citizens throughout the Gulf Coast region during their time of need." Pearson Digital Learning’s support of schools, teachers, and students in the Gulf will continue in 2006. Together with the Pearson Foundation, Pearson’s non-profit arm, PDL will provide professional development and support to schools in areas still recovering from last year’s hurricanes. The Pearson Foundation is also providing schools in Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana digital arts support that will give the area’s young people the opportunity to work together to create personal books and films, and to create curriculum-based digital presentations including that support and extend their classroom objectives. About Pearson Digital Learning At Pearson Digital Learning our mission is to provide innovative, research-based digital learning solutions that elevate the art and science of teaching, and inspire children to reach their greatest potential. Reaching more than 20 million students annually, our products include: the SuccessMaker® Enterprise and NovaNET® educational courseware; and the KnowledgeBox® digital learning system. Pearson Digital Learning is also the exclusive distributor for the Waterford Early Reading Program™ and Waterford Early Math & Science™, adaptive computer-based instruction developed by the Waterford Institute. Pearson Digital Learning is part of Pearson Education, the world's leading integrated education company, which in turn is part of Pearson (NYSE: PSO) the international media company. More information can be found at: http://www.PearsonDigital.com. About the Pearson Foundation The non-profit arm of Pearson, Pearson Foundation extends Pearson's worldwide commitment to education in partnership with nonprofit and public interest organizations. We work together with leading businesses and civic organizations to support students and teachers and to sponsor community-based education programs across the globe. More information can be found at www.pearsonfoundation.org.
Matt Murphy, Corporate Communications Manager  |
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Press Releases
