CU Donates to Local School's Book Initiative

January 7, 2011

UNITED EDUCATORS CREDIT UNION DONATES TO LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S BOOK INITIATIVE FOR AT-RISK READERS

Eden Prairie, Minn. – United Educators Credit Union has donated $500 to Normandale Hills Elementary School's At-Risk Readers Program. The funds will provide books for their lowest performing students to improve their reading proficiency. In total, the program has raised $1000 with a matching donation from the school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

The Normandale Hills At-Risk Readers initiative is part of the school's Response to Intervention (RTL) program, which strives for all students to achieve grade level expectations in reading, math and behaviors. Students will now be given a copy of the in class reading material to help continue their learning at home. Over 400 books will be made available to the lowest performing students.

Del Danielson, credit union President and CEO; Andrew Vollmuth, Normandale Hills Elementary School Principal; Arlene Bush, Bloomington School Board Member; Abby Bushlack, Eden Prairie Branch Supervisor; Terry Weber, credit union Membership Development Director.

"I'm thrilled United Educators Credit Union was able to continue our support of Normandale Hills Elementary school and their program to help develop the reading skills of underperforming students, said Abby Bushlack, Eden Prairie Branch Supervisor. "As a weekly tutor at the school, I'm excited that I will have the opportunity to watch the kids expand on their reading abilities to be successful in the future."

UECU and Normandale Hills Elementary School have been business/school partners since 2002, through the Prepare Bloomington program. The mission of the program is to enhance the quality of education in the Bloomington schools and the quality of the work force for businesses by establishing and maintaining high-caliber and creative partnerships between schools and businesses. To date, partnership highlights include a monthly Credit Union Day held every third Thursday of the month, credit union staff tutors, credit union volunteers assisting with school book fairs and carnivals, classroom speakers, joint fundraisers, and celebration activities for National Credit Union Youth Week and National Teacher and School Staff Appreciation Week.

United Educators was established in 1957 to meet the financial needs of school staff members and their families throughout Minnesota, and is the only statewide credit union exclusively serving the education community. United Educators Credit Union offers a full line of financial services, and currently operates branch locations in Apple Valley, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie and Woodbury.