Jeralan Kannady, Cedar Bayou Junior School principal, proudly poses with ExxonMobil Baytown “Partner of the Year” for 2022-2023.
By Kendall David, Executive Director of Community Engagement
Since 1987, Goose Creek CISD and the Baytown Chamber of Commerce have worked together to provide business partnerships for campuses. For 36 years, the P.I.E. program has paired businesses with Goose Creek CISD schools to plan monthly student activities, ranging from tutoring and mentoring programs to perfect attendance and academic incentives, field trips, and guest speakers. In addition, the businesses allow their employees to be volunteer tutors and mentors to countless children throughout the Greater Baytown Area.
The P.I.E. leadership team includes Rikki Wheeler, Baytown Chamber of Commerce Vice President and P.I.E. Liaison; Kendall David, Executive Director of Community Engagement for Goose Creek CISD and P.I.E. Liaison; Billy Combs, Baytown Chamber of Commerce Board Chair; and Tim Day, Baytown Chamber of Commerce Education Division Chair.
The annual P.I.E. recognition and scholarship luncheon was held in April at the Hilton Garden Inn. For the second year in a row, ExxonMobil and Cedar Bayou Junior School were named “Partner of the Year” for 2022-2023. They have been partners for 34 years. Their initiatives included a student recognition program called “The Golden Bear,” awarded to eighth-grade students who meet criteria for academic ability, success in school activities, community involvement, and behavior. Matt Musil, a sports anchor from KHOU, worked with ExxonMobil to select one male and female student to be featured on the KHOU social media platforms. In addition, ExxonMobil participated in the campus reality fair, an interactive event where students make real-world financial decisions regarding money management and personal finances. And lastly, Exxon has provided direct classroom impact by purchasing Vernier Force and Motion kits, STEM software, and a unique outdoor classroom setting resulting in substantial academic growth. ExxonMobil employees generously gave from their hearts and collected approximately $550 for needy families. The money was used to purchase gift cards to local grocery stores during the holiday season.
Lamar Elementary and Community Resource Credit Union were also awarded Partner of the Year runner-up. They have been partners for 28 years. This year, they provided a mural in the library and back-to-school supplies for over sixty students. Together, they were recognized as an “active recess campus.” Over ten team members volunteered on a Saturday to create a sensory path near the playground area. In addition, CRCU team members work with students through the Lunch Buddy Program to develop healthy attitudes about school and positive behavior. This partnership shows that businesses and schools can unite to impact our youth positively.
In addition, the Baytown Chamber of Commerce awarded six scholarships to Lee College totaling $12,000, $2,000 per student, were awarded to Fabian Estrada, Diana Medina, and Anu Varghese from G.C.M., Patricia Garcia and Zannat Rashid from RSS, and Mia Yado from R.E.L.
Thank you to our partners and the Baytown Chamber of Commerce, who come together to help Goose Creek CISD grow GIANTS!