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| Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City and Kohfeldt Elementary School are recognized for Sustained Excellence in Coast Guard Partnership in Education at a ceremony at the elementary school Wednesday. U.S. Coast Guard photo. | ||
TEXAS CITY, Texas — The Coast Guard honored a local Marine Safety Unit and Kohfeldt Elementary School Wednesday with the 2013 Sustained Excellence in Coast Guard Partnership in Education Award at the school in Texas City.
For four years volunteers from Marine Safety Unit Texas City have mentored, tutored, and guided more than 100 students; teaching them the Coast Guard core values while assisting them with math, science, and reading.
“Over the past four years Kohfeldt Elementary has had the privilege of being a partner in education with the Coast Guard unit from Galveston County,” said Donna Peterson, the principal of Kohfeldt Elementary School. “During these four years you have touched and enriched the lives of many students. We have seen growth both academically and emotionally from our students.”
With the support of MSU Texas City Partnership in Education volunteers, the school’s Texas Accountability Rating improved from “academically acceptable” to “recognized” and sustained the distinguished designation for the last three years.
Kohfeldt Elementary fourth grade students significantly improved their standardized test scores in reading and math and the school is now ranked second out of 40 schools in Galveston County. MSU Texas City unit members volunteered more than 450 hours annually to facilitate these noteworthy results.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Kohfeldt Elementary School,” said Cmdr. Ricardo Alonso, the commanding officer of MSU Texas City. “The crew has thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and it is a great opportunity to give back to the community that we live in.”
Each year the Coast Guard recognizes units, schools, military members and civilian personnel who made significant contributions to local communities through the service’s Partnership in Education program. The Coast Guard's Partnership in Education program was established in 1991 in accordance with The National and Community Service Act of 1990. Its purpose is to promote excellence in education, create opportunities to enhance students’ academic abilities and expose students to career opportunities within the Coast Guard.