News from the Education Foundation

Two APS elementary school libraries got makeovers recently thanks to a $35,000 donation by PNM and another $15,000 in cash and in-kind donations provided by an APS Education Foundation endowment and several Foundation partners.

Dolores Gonzales and Griegos elementary schools will unveil the updated libraries during Literacy Makeover celebrations on Friday, Aug. 31.

PNM and the APS Education Foundation came together earlier this year to initiate the literacy makeovers. Working in concert with administrators at both school as well as APS Capital Master Plan, Library Services and Maintenance and Operations, the Foundation began creating a tangible gift that would change the look of both libraries as well as enhance and update the services they offered.

The Foundation Board of Directors, through the Guhl Literacy Endowment, donated $5,000 to the makeovers. Other donors include New Mexico School Products, Contract Associates of New Mexico and Technology Integration Group.

"No two libraries are the same, so the donations took different forms," recalled Foundation Executive Director Phill Casaus. 

In the case of Dolores Gonzales, the partnership helped create an entirely new reading nook, cabinets and storage; a new Promethean electronic whiteboard; new tables; and an improved Spanish/English collection.

At Griegos, 30 iPads with a synchronization cart plus a new TV, rug and bean bag chair were donated in addition to new flooring and paint.

"The makeovers not only will enhance literacy, and hopefully, the love of reading and writing, but also make the spaces more community friendly, a key component in creating community-driven schools,” said Casaus.  

The celebrations will be held at 11 a.m. at Dolores Gonzales, 900 Atlantic Ave. SW; and 12:30 p.m. at Griegos Elementary, 404 San Isidro NW.

Guests will include Ron Darnell, PNM vice president and member of the APS Education Foundation Board of Directors; Diane Harrison Ogawa, executive director of the PNM Resources Foundation; Lorenzo Garcia, member of the APS Board of Education; Analee Maestas, member of the APS Board of Education; Phill Casaus, executive director of the APS Education Foundation; Raquel Reedy, APS associate superintendent for elementary education; Diane Kerschen, APS superintendent for elementary education; Lauren Joule, APS business partners manager; Lori Stuitt, principal at Dolores Gonzales ES; Deanne Smith, principal at Griegos ES; students and staff.

Casaus also acknowledged Pat Vincent-Collawn, chairman, president and CEO of PNM Resources, the parent company of PNM, and Diane Harrison Ogawa, executive director of the PNM Resources Foundation.

"Obviously our gratitude to PNM and all of our partners is almost beyond words," Casaus said. "What is encouraging to us is that this is truly a community effort, and one that can be replicated in real ways by other partners."