Since 1996, Box Tops for Education has provided more
than $100 million in cash to schools. Research
about parental involvement in education shows that:

Students with parents involved in their schooling are more
likely to attend school regularly while earning higher grades
and test scores. Schools can earn up to $60,000 per year, up to $20 ,000
respectively from the Clip, Shop and Charge program components, to
spend on anything they choose. Grant applicants communicated how they would use a $2,000
grant in their school to establish a program or enhance an existing
program that encourages parental involvement in an innovative and
creative way. The Parental Involvement in Education Grant program is not
a retroactive program that recognizes past examples of parental
involvement in education, but instead encourages new and innovative
ways to increase parent's participation in schools.
Participants will join a learning community of teachers and artists
working to discover how to create engaging lessons and environments that meet
the diverse learning needs of all students.

supplemental policymakers

"Every parent wants their child to have a better quality of life
than they themselves had.(2)

In a survey, 90% of new teachers agreed that involving parents
in their children's education is a priority at their school,
but only 25% described their experience working with parents
as "very satisfying." When asked to choose the biggest
challenge they face, 31% of them cited involving parents and
communicating with them as their top choice.

Washington (Seattle) - Brighton Elementary School - Parent Cultural
Breakfasts - Each of the six major minority groups of the school will
host one breakfast per year for children, parents and staff to
showcase their cultural background.
VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by
Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with
disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts.

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Box Tops is awarding the grants in time for
schools to plan for how to engage parents in their children's
education next year.
The PIE Grant program is a component of General Mills ' Box Tops
for Education program, whose mission is to provide schools across the
country with easy , every day ways to earn cash for a K-8 school of
their choice.L. Individuals
who are already invested in the arts, learners with disabilities, and those
who seek to deepen their knowledge are also encouraged to attend.

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(1)

Because of positive involvement of parents and teachers,
schools where teachers reported high levels of outreach to
parents had test scores that grew at a rate of 40% higher than
in schools that reported low levels of outreach to parents.) - A multi -faceted program designed to
guide English speaking and non-English speaking families through
absenteeism , tardiness, homework difficulties, school functions and
PTA involvement.

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Through its
support of the PIE Grant program, General Mills encourages parents and
teachers to work together in a positive manner to enhance family
participation in students' education and overall well-being," said
Jeff Peterson, Director, Box Tops for Education, General Mills. Education is the key to success and parents
are educators' greatest allies," said Joseph Dulin, President,
National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID).(3)

As evidence of the importance of parental involvement in
student achievement mounts, states have enacted legislation
designed to increase parental involvement in the education
process.
Box Tops for Education is open to any accredited public, private,
or parochial schools for grades K-8 in the United States that have a
501(c)(3 ) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt designation and to any United States
military schools, for grades K-8, worldwide ., November 3-6, 2005.

apples4theteacher parental

Texas (Richardson) - Aldridge Elementary - Everyday Language Made
Simple (ELMS) - English speaking parents volunteer to teach
non-English speaking parents and their children language skills.
VSA arts Institute registration options, including early registration
discounts, are available online, visit http://www.

parental policymakers

(4)

The ten Box Tops 2005 PIE Grant-winning schools were selected
based on the applicant's ability to outline an established need for a
creative and innovative parental involvement program in the school.
Children also receive technology-based training to learn life skills. Therefore, NAAPID is making a concerted effort
to get more parents involved in this win/win endeavor that will only
be of benefit to all stake holders .

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schooling textbooks

"We applaud
General Mills for helping to reduce the achievement gap by
distributing their signature PIE Grants, which will help increase
parental involvement and subsequently improve the likelihood of a
child's academic as well as future success. 73% of new
teachers said too many parents treat schools and teachers as
adversaries.
Following are the 2005 PIE Grant Winners and a summary of their
programs:

California (Los Angeles) - Community Magnet School - Caring Adults
Teaching Children How (CATCH) - Parent volunteers tutor K-5 children
performing below their grade level in language, arts and mathematics.

Illinois (Palatine) - Lake Louise Elementary - Parents Partner to
Unify Lake Louise (P.L.
The NAAPID call to action will take place in local school districts ,
at neighborhood schools, and at colleges and universities throughout
the nation.

Resources for anyone involved with teaching, learning, and related educational issues at the elementary and secondary level, including parents, students, teachers, advocates, and administrators.

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With more than 17 states having parental
involvement in education policies, Box Tops understands this issue is
one that is of increasing importance to Americans.

Florida (Port Charlotte) - Meadow Park Elementary School - Family Math
Nights - Four themed nights for parents and children to come together
to learn math in fun and creative ways. Most
schools designate a program coordinator to develop ways to encourage
students, parents, school staff and community members to clip Box Tops
from participating products and bring them to school.

trusted homeschoolers

"Box Tops for Education remains committed to providing America's
schools with funds needed to support school improvements.

New York (Springville) - Preschool Learning Center, League for the
Handicapped, Inc. 132K - The Conselyea School - Community
Cares - Once a month, parents, guardians, faculty and community
members are invited into the school to share their talent, interest or
area of expertise with the students.

South Carolina (Kershaw) - Eastside Academy - Step to the Future -
Workshops with guest speakers for parents on how to better relate to
their children and joint field trips for children and parents.
After the collected Box Tops are sent in to General Mills, the
school receives a check, equivalent to 10 cents for every Box Top
redeemed. It is expected that this national
observation will open up dialogue among teachers, parents, and
students, which will lead to a more conducive learning environment for
African - American students from kindergarten through college. The VSA arts Institute features
core sessions , guest speakers, panel presentations, hands-on workshops, an
open art studio facilitated by master artists, daily reflective-study groups
to develop professional action plans, and private consultation with faculty.

pathfinders apples4theteacher

Business Editors/Education Editors

MINNEAPOLIS----

Ten schools to receive (PIE(SM)) Grants to establish or enhance a
school program that increases parental involvement in education in an
innovative and creative way

General Mills' Box Tops for Education(TM) program today announced
the recipients of its signature Parental Involvement in Education
(PIE(SM)) Grant program.U.)

15 states encourage, urge, expect or direct employers to
enable parents to attend school activities such as
parent/teacher conferences: Alabama, California, Colorado ,
Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West
Virginia

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preponderance policymakers

The PIE Grants are one
additional way, Box Tops exhibits its commitment to ensuring that all
children have access to a quality education .

extracurricular toolbox

outcomes parental

General Mills' Box Tops for Education Builds on $100 Million Cash to America's Schools with Parental Involvement In Education -PIE- Grant Program

S. The program further encourages parents' involvement
in their child's educational endeavors.
NAAPID's call to action is designed to address the serious
achievement gap facing African American students, who continue to lag
behind other ethnic and minority groups.

schooling graduation

"
General Mills knows that parental involvement in education is an
important and timely issue affecting American families today.

About Box Tops for Education

The Box Tops for Education program began in 1996, as more and more
schools struggled to make ends meet.com.

proficient confront

- Parent Support Group for parents of children with
autism - Parents meet ten times per year to discuss similar problems
and hear from experts on how to best help their children. Discounts for Early Registrants

WASHINGTON, APRIL 29 -- VSA arts today announced that it is
now accepting online registrations for its upcoming VSA arts Institute,
"Building Skills for the Inclusive Classroom," which will be held July 31-
August 3, 2005 at The Crossings in Austin, Texas. "I
encourage anyone who is serious about including and reaching all learners to
attend this vital program.

gifted parental

Oregon (Ione) - Ione Community School - High Flyers - Parent
volunteers work in fun and creative ways with K-5 children on math and
reading.

Teachers Urged to Attend VSA arts Institute: Building Skills for the Inclusive Classroom

"The goal of the VSA arts Institute is to enhance and strengthen the
ability of practitioners to integrate the arts in education and meet the needs
of people with disabilities," said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts.

gifted textbooks

Thousands of schools have used the
money from Box Tops for Education to purchase items such as computers
and computer software, library books, art supplies, and playground
equipment. With the many failures of
African- American students in our schools, colleges and universities,
something must be done to retain and support them through to
successful graduation. The focus of
this Arts Institute is on music and visual arts. For more detailed
information visit http://www.

graduation homeschoolers

Research also shows that the more that parents
are involved in the educational lives of their children, the greater
their academic success. NAAPID is the second Monday in
February annually throughout the nation -- during Black History Month.

(1),(2) NCES The Condition of Education 2004

(3) Source: The 2004 MetLife Survey of the American Teacher, TIME,
February 21, 2005

(4) Education Commission of the States

17 states direct all districts, boards of education or schools
to implement parental involvement policies: Arizona, Arkansas,
California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas, Utah, Virginia

17 states have grant or award programs to encourage or
recognize schools or districts operating programs involving
parents in their child's education: Arkansas, California,
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana,
Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Sough
Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia (Mississippi operates
an award program that recognizes parents who become involved
in school improvement efforts.thecrossingsaustin.

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About NAAPID

NAAPID is a national call to action to get parents, particularly
those of children of African American descent , more involved in their
children's educational lives.

parental classrooms

Florida (Gainesville) - Howard Bishop Middle School - Teen Champions
Club - A student club that meets regularly for field trips, special
lunches and activities and engages parents for monthly dinners and
daily home activities.

About Box Tops Parental Involvement In Education (PIE(SM)) Grant
Program

The Box Tops Parental Involvement in Education Grant Program is an
extension of General Mills highly successful Box Tops for Education
loyalty program.
Ten (10) $2,000 grants were distributed to schools- across the
country.vsarts. A network of VSA arts' affiliates --
nationwide and in more than 60 countries -- serve more than 5 million people.

pathfinders toolbox

Nearly all states have some form of parental
involvement laws.

New York (Brooklyn) - P. Each year, all enrolled schools
receive a complete program kit (written in English and Spanish) to
help them build their own comprehensive fundraising campaign .
The grassroots program underscores Box Tops' commitment to helping
parents develop unique and simple ways to be involved in their child's
education.
The next VSA arts Institute will be held the Cummer Museum in
Jacksonville, Fla.

classrooms preponderance

The program is also
available to accredited home school associations, K-8, in the United
States that ha e a 501 (c)(3) or 509 (a)(1) tax-exempt designation and
have 15 or more students.
Participating products include General Mills cereals, some Betty
Crocker products and Betty Crocker fruit snacks, Yoplait Yogurt
Multi-Packs, Yoplait Go-Gurt, some General Mills snack products, and
General Mills food service products."
The VSA arts Institute is four-days of intensive professional development
facilitated by top arts in education leaders and designed for educators,
teaching artists, arts administrators, and leaders in education . Today as a
leader in arts-based teaching and learning, VSA arts' programs support key
national education goals: literacy and school readiness, teacher training, and
parental involvement in education .

A preponderance of sites concern Kindergarten through 12th grade education in the United States.

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Institute
attendees also will receive special room rates at The Crossings, which is a
progressive learning center, meeting place and wellness spa.