YEAR OF THE TEACHER DEDICATION AT XAVIER UNIVERSITY

YEAR OF THE TEACHER DEDICATION AT XAVIER UNIVERSITY: Local Businesses Partner with XU to Recognize Greater New Orleans Area School Teachers.

(NEW ORLEANS) - The 2008-09 School Year is being recognized as the "Year of the Teacher" in the Greater New Orleans Area. Xavier University of Louisiana and three local businesses have partnered to dedicate the next school year in honor of teachers.

"We're recognizing the extraordinary effort and dedication put forth by teachers of the Greater New Orleans Area," said Dr. Norman Francis, president of Xavier University, adding that "This is only a first step, and we will be announcing other initiatives in coming months."

"It's great to have an opportunity to publicly recognize our teachers for all the good work they're doing," said Dr. Judith Miranti, director of the Division of Education at Xavier.

The campaign is designed to show appreciation for K - 12 educators and to highlight the critical role they play in the development of a community.

"Being a teacher is the toughest job in America. Today, teachers are challenged, not only with providing education in the traditional sense, but also with building character and instilling values. It is time we show our appreciation", says Fred Parker, General Manager of New South Parking - one of three collaborating businesses behind the campaign. He is joined by Ronnie Slone, President of The Slone Group and Cliff Robinson, President of GNO Communications.

The awareness campaign kicks off this month with the installation of three new billboards around the metropolitan area, conveying a simple message: "Thank You, Teachers...The Wind Beneath Our Wings." The billboards are already installed along Interstate-10 eastbound near the French Quarter in New Orleans, also the Airport Service Road in Kenner, plus Airline Drive two blocks East of Causeway Boulevard.

Teachers, businesses and organizations are encouraged to log on to the website: www.YearoftheTeacher.com for information on how to join in this year's celebration. Teachers who log in will be entered in a drawing to win prizes.

Additional activities are planned and details will be available throughout the summer and fall and will be announced via the web site.



-more-



Year of the Teacher/ADD ONE



One of the first events scheduled is the Year of the Teacher Kick-off Dinner Reception at the Pontchartrain Center on April 23rd, 2008, from 6:30 - 9:30pm. Teachers of the Greater New Orleans area (inclusive of surrounding parishes) are invited to this free event. For more information log on to the web site, www.yearoftheteacher.com or call 504.471.0555.

This is the second time these three companies have come together to recognize education and educational institutions as key building blocks of a community. In November of 2006, New South Parking/EZ Parker, The Slone Group and GNO Communications united to provide a forum on the impact of higher education institutions on the recovery and growth of a community. Presidents and representatives of all of the local universities participated in a three-hour 'Higher Education as a Catalyst in Recovery (post Katrina) dialogue. At this event, held at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, LA, the universities were presented with the first "Building Blocks of a Community" award.



# # #