2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8272  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISDEDUCATIONFOUNDATION.ORG
For immediate release:
Media contact: Lesley Range-Stanton, Plano Independent School District, 469.752.8094
Plano ISD mobile classroom beneficiary of $16,550 gift from
Ericsson to Plano ISD Education Foundation
(PLANO, TX, Sept. 6, 2011) The Plano ISD Education Foundation is pleased to welcome
Ericsson’s investment in Plano ISD’s mobile learning lab. Unveiled in April 2010, the specialty
vehicle offers parent courses in computer literacy, finance, career exploration, English and
more. It also helps parents connect to community resources and provides an opportunity for
parents to utilize the district’s Parent Portal and other online tools. Services that are currently
available to families through central office, the Bird Special Programs Center and at school
campuses are being taken into neighborhoods through the mobile learning lab to allow families
even greater access to these much needed resources.
Plano ISD recently unveiled Ericsson’s logo on the mobile learning lab at Meadows Elementary
School, as services were offered to families participating in the district’s free summer lunch
program housed at the school.
“Today, we’re celebrating teamwork at its best,” said Mark Allen, executive director for
student and family services. “From the student and family services department, to technology,
curriculum and transportation services, and now with the help of our first corporate partner,
this project has been a true collaboration throughout the district and community.”
Monica Shortino, Plano ISD Education Foundation executive director, announced that,
“Ericsson is the first private donor for this successful school district program. The company’s
$16,550 donation will help provide much needed services for more community members. The
learning lab gives parents the skills they need to better help their children with homework,
plus it has fostered stronger bonds between parents and the schools.”
Ericsson’s Bruce Gustafson, Head of Brand & Internal Communications said that the company
implements a comprehensive local sponsorship program focused on fostering communication
between people. “Ericsson strongly believes in supporting initiatives that positively impact the
communities where our employees live and work. With 4,500 employees in Plano and
Richardson, we are proud to partner with the Plano ISD on an innovative program like the
mobile learning lab,” said Mr. Gustafson. “Ericsson’s vision is to utilize technology to make
communication affordable and accessible for all. As we move toward a future where everyone
2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8272  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISDEDUCATIONFOUNDATION.ORG
and everything is connected, programs such as the mobile learning lab are a critical tool for
communities across the country.”
Plano ISD’s Mark Allen explained, “the motto, ‘When we look at a student…we see a family,’
appears on the exterior artwork design of the mobile classroom and is taken to heart every day
by the student and family services department staff members. With the addition of this mobile
computer lab program last school year, the district has increased its efforts to educate the
whole child, which includes the student and family.”
The bus is outfitted with thirteen computer stations for parent use. Campus faculty and staff
accompany the bus into neighborhoods to establish relationships with parents. “These
relationships serve as pathways to bring parents into the school building and to become
involved partners in their child’s education,” said Mr. Allen. “Our ultimate objective is to
positively impact student achievement through community outreach to families.”
The district has established the program and partnerships at Hickey, Jackson, McCall, Dooley
and Sigler Elementary Schools. Initial target communities included Spring Creek, Cottonwood
and Parker mobile home communities, along with The Oaks of Collin Creek Apartments and
McCallum Apartments.
“The whole idea behind this program is to reach out to our elementary school families and
provide services that are needed and useful, while building a relationship with our families,”
said Devyn Gober, community outreach specialist. “Because at the end of the day, the schools
and parents both want the same thing…success for our children.”
About Plano Independent School District
The Plano Independent School District (Plano ISD) – http://www.pisd.edu/ – endeavors to
foster the highest level of student learning. The mission of Plano ISD is to provide an excellent
education for all students. Plano ISD is located 20 miles north of Dallas, Texas and serves the
residents of approximately 100 square miles in southwest Collin County, including 66 square
miles in the city of Plano, northern portions of the cities of Dallas and Richardson and parts of
the cities of Allen, Parker and Murphy. Plano ISD employs 7,000 faculty and staff members who
serve more than 55,000 students in 70 schools and 11 service facilities. Participating in Plano
ISD schools enables students to adapt to new learning opportunities throughout their lives,
collaborate with, and contribute to, the global community and to be creative and disciplined
in their thinking.
2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8272  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISDEDUCATIONFOUNDATION.ORG
About The Plano ISD Education Foundation
The Plano ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with the mission to
help all students in Plano public schools achieve their full potential by providing financial
support to educators and academic programs. The Plano ISD Education Foundation Board of
Directors comprises business and community leaders who work to maintain excellence in Plano
schools. The Foundation provides grants to educators, programs that support academic
enrichment to Plano ISD students, emergency assistance for teachers and staff members in
crisis, as well as programs aimed at recruiting and retaining quality teachers. To learn more
about the Plano ISD Education Foundation, contact Executive Director Monica Shortino at (469)
752-8091 or visit the Plano ISD Education Foundation website at
www.pisdeducationfoundation.org.
About Ericsson
Ericsson is a world-leading provider of telecommunications equipment and related services to
mobile and fixed network operators globally. Over 1,000 networks in more than 180 countries
utilize the Ericsson network equipment, and 40 percent of all mobile calls are made through
its systems. Ericsson is one of the few companies worldwide that can offer end-to-end
solutions for all major mobile communication standards. To learn more, visit
www.ericsson.com.
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