Media Advisory: Business Honors OC Latino Achievement in Education

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Jun 1, 2011) -

WHAT:
Join Orange County Business Council (OCBC) and community partners at the third annual Latino Educational Attainment (LEA) Reception on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the Discovery Science Center, in honor of Orange County educators, administrators, and parents who have committed to furthering student achievement in their communities. LEA was founded by Orange County Business Council, United Way of Orange County, Orange County Register, and Orange County Department of Education. LEA is supported by a community-based coalition consisting of the Garden Grove Unified School District, KidWorks, Fullerton Collaborative, CREER, Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 4^th District PTA, and Orange County Business Council.

This year's reception will include a special presentation by Orange County Superintendent Bill Habermehl to the Garden Grove Unified School District, the first district in Orange County to successfully implemented LEA in 100% of its schools. With the support of the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Laura Schwalm, Parent Outreach Coordinator Teri Rocco has led the charge to provide all teachers and parents in the district with access to LEA instruction and materials.

The reception will also feature a presentation from Ruben and Armida Rodriguez, parents in the Garden Grove Unified School District who participated in LEA in 2006, who will provide a first-hand account of the impact LEA has had on their children's educational success.

Dr. Heather Huntley of the Simon Foundation for Education and Housing will share the history and successes of LEA and its impact on the Orange County community.

LEA provides parents with the tools and training needed to guide their children through the education system so they may become eligible for entrance into the university system, ensuring a highly skilled workforce for the future. Resources available to parents include the Ten EducationalCommandments for Parents, and The Developmental Assets, which have been distributed to more than 30,000 parents in Orange County. LEA is celebrating its sixth year serving 25 neighborhoods, 115 schools, and over 20,000 parents.

WHO:

• Bill Habermehl, Superintendent, Orange County Department of Education
• Richard Porras, Regional Vice President, AT&T, and OCBC Chair of Workforce Development
• Ruben and Armida Rodriguez
• Dr. Heather Huntley, Director of Partnerships and Development, Simon Foundation for Education and Housing

TIME/DATE:
Thursday, June 2, 2011
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Discovery Science Center
2500 North Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705

R.S.V.P.:
Media interested in attending the Latino Educational Attainment Reception should contact Katherine Reedy at kreedy@ocbc.org or 949.794.7221.

To register for the Latino Educational Attainment Reception, visit http://www.ocbc.org/events, or contact Leslie Dods at ldods@ocbc.org or 949.794-7241.

About OCBC:
Orange County Business Council is the leading voice of business in Orange County, California. OCBC represents and promotes the business community, working with government and academia, to enhance Orange County's economic development and prosperity in order to preserve a high quality of life. OCBC serves member and investor businesses with nearly 250,000 employees and 2,000,000 worldwide. In providing a proactive forum for business and supporting organizations, OCBC helps assure the financial growth of America's fifth largest county. For more information, visit www.ocbc.org