Community Corner - Schwenn Sponsors Accelerated Reader

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

<<5/16/2011>>

CONTACT:

Ms. Jennifer Schwenneker

Director of Marketing

407.895.7550

SCHWENN SERVICES MOTIVATES ROSEMONT STUDENTS TO READ

CONTRACTOR’S SPONSORSHIP ACCELERATES

READING SCORE PERCENTAGES TO MOST IMPROVED IN DISTRICT

 

Orlando, FL (<<5/16/2011>>): Schwenn Services, www.schwennservices.com “the super sub of Central Florida,” specializing in commercial mechanical and electrical contracting, recently sponsored the Accelerated Reader Program for Rosemont Elementary School, a title one school located in Orlando, FL that has been struggling with FCAT scores being below grade level in reading. As a result of the program, reading score percentages significantly increased this year, up 13% in fourth grade and up 4% in fifth grade, contributing to Rosemont being recognized as the most improved school in the Orange County Public School District.

The Accelerated Reader Program was part of the intervention work spearheaded by Patty L. Harrelson, who took over as principal last fall when Rosemont faced the crisis of being three points from an “F” with some fifth-graders who couldn’t read.

“The stakes were high when we got involved and the statistics were alarming,” says Jeff Schwenneker, President of Schwenn Services.

According to a study from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who can’t read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out than their peers. The very lowest performers are six times more likely. Also, struggling charter schools could be forced to close if they earn a grade of “F” from the state for two years in a row.

“As a member of this community, we couldn’t allow this literacy trend to continue when major improvements were within reach,” says Schwenneker.

Harrelson said that positive feedback is incredible motivation for kids who rarely get it. Therefore, Schwenn enthusiastically got involved when called upon and donated incentives, including T-shirts that said “Rosemont Eagles Accelerated Reader 100-point club, considered “the most coveted prize” for participants.

The program’s success was recently featured by the Orlando Sentinel in an article headlined by “Orange School’s Turnaround Shows How it’s Done,” http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/views/os-mike-thomas-rosemont-test-scores-020110611,0,7660753.column?page=1

Schwenn is a strong advocate of encouraging companies in the Central Florida community to step up too, to donate time, services and funding. For example, companies can help Rosemont to increase their school letter grade by sponsoring a “Fuel My School” program. Rosemont is currently seeking partners for student uniforms and corporation-sponsored incentives for perfect attendance.

“We were impressed by how motivated these kids were to learn how to read,” says Schwenneker. “It was a privilege to sponsor this important program, as reading comprehension can make or break the course of anybody’s life.”

About Rosemont Elementary School

Rosemont Elementary, located in Orlando, FL is one of 140 elementary schools in Orange County Public School District, www.ocps.com serving over 850 students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten through 5th grade.

Orange schools represent the region’s largest district and have many high-poverty, diverse schools with low scores. Rosemont Elementary is a title one school with 93% of its student population receiving free or reduced breakfast/lunch.

Rosemont is making great strides to move the needle forward on its Test Rating scores. Calculated by education.com, the score provides an overview of a school’s test performance for a given year, by comparing the school’s state standardized test results to those of other schools in the same state. For Florida, the Test Rating is calculated using a school’s 2010 FCAT results for all subjects tested.

For more information on how you can contribute to the Rosemont Elementary fun-raiser programs and wish list visit: http://www.fuelmyschool.com/grant-a-wish/listings/details.php?shoolid=887

About Schwenn Services

Schwenn Services (formerly Schwenn Mechanical) is the “super sub” of Central Florida providing mechanical and electrical services for a variety of commercial clients.

Building owners, developers, property managers, general contractors and construction management firms throughout the US continually rely on the experts at Schwenn to provide personalized service, on-time delivery and outstanding quality work. They have never missed a deadline.

Unlike other subcontractors, Schwenn thrives on short schedule, high intensity design/build projects and right-sizing jobs in distress.

Often called upon to provide aesthetically-pleasing solutions built to specification, the company’s portfolio encompasses a wide variety of industry success stories, namely with banks, hospitals and health care, industrial, government office buildings, computer IT and clean room facilities, schools, law firms, places of worship, movie theatres, restaurants and high-rise condominium complexes.

Owned and operated since 2003 by two generations of the Schwenneker family, the company is headquartered in Orlando, FL.

For more information on who to contact for new construction or a renovation consultation, please call 407-895-7550 visit: www.schwennservices.com

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