The PPG Industries Foundation has donated $10,000 to the Palmdale School District in California for the Palmdale Aerospace Academy charter school. Here, Deb Noe, HR manager at PPG Industries' (NYSE:PPG) aerospace manufacturing facility in nearby Mojave, Calif., presents the check to Palmdale School District Board President James C. Ledford, who is also mayor of the City of Palmdale.
PALMDALE, Calif., May 30, 2013 – The PPG Industries Foundation donated $10,000 to the Palmdale School District in California for the new Palmdale Aerospace Academy charter school. The grant was made on behalf of PPG Industries' (NYSE: PPG) aerospace business, which operates a facility in nearby Mojave, Calif.
"We greatly appreciate PPG's support of our new school, which emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM) skills through the lens of aerospace," said Laura Herman, headmaster, Palmdale Aerospace Academy. "The goal of this school is to prepare students for college and 21st-century careers that are aligned with workforce needs in the local area and beyond, so it's very valuable to form partnerships with local industry employers such as PPG."
The grant helped fund Palmdale Aerospace Academy's startup costs for labs and academic materials. The school brings academic concepts to life through a core curriculum with an aerospace theme as well as specialized elective classes, internships at the secondary level, clubs, guest speakers, presentations and other enrichment activities all stemming from local aerospace industry partnerships.
The school opened in August 2012 to seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade students. Herman said a grade level is to be added to the school each year until it includes all grades, K through 12.
"PPG is strongly committed to supporting the communities where its employees work and live, especially through educational initiatives that encourage students to pursue technology-related studies and careers," said David Morris, PPG general manager and vice president, Americas, aerospace. "Because of its unique curriculum, supporting the Palmdale Aerospace Academy is key to PPG's aerospace business. The school's students will be integral to the future of our industry, and the unique programming the school provides shows the value of industry's collaboration with academia and the community."
Established in 1951, the PPG Industries Foundation demonstrates the values of PPG Industries by enhancing the quality of life in communities where the company has a presence. Interests of the foundation, in order of priority, are education, human services, culture and arts, and civic and community affairs. PPG also supports charitable causes by encouraging employees' volunteerism and board service with nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.ppgfoundation.com.
About the Palmdale Aerospace Academy
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy charter school is a joint venture between the City of Palmdale, the AERO Institute and the Palmdale School District. Inspired by the accomplishments of Palmdale's aerospace heritage, the academy is a project-based learning environment within a STEM-centric professional learning community. For more information, visit www.tpaa.org/index.php.
PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.(TM)
PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the world's leading coatings and specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. Sales in 2012 were $15.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.
