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Pinnacle Charter School Receives $5,000 Sharing the Dream Grant to Promote Global Awareness

                                                For Immediate Release

February 3, 2012

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Todd Salansky

(716) 481-0906

Pinnacle Charter School Receives $5,000 Sharing the Dream Grant to Promote Global Awareness

BUFFALO, NY-- Pinnacle Charter School in Buffalo, NY, is the recipient of a 2011 Sharing the Dream grant from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Foundation and the MetLife Foundation.  The $5,000 grant is designed to assist principals in building closer, stronger relationships between schools and communities.  Mrs. Linda Marszalek is among 25 elementary and middle school principals from across the nation that have each been awarded the grant to strengthen parent and community engagement and to create opportunities for students to gain the global perspective necessary for success in the 21st century.  Ms. Sharon Rochelle, Pinnacle's Family Services Coordinator, will work closely with the community to implement the grant.

"We'd like to thank NAESP and the MetLife Foundation for this grant.  At Pinnacle, we are committed to educating and empowering our students with experiences that build their awareness of diversity in all senses of the word," said Marszalek.  "The Sharing the Dream grant will enable us to provide and fund enriching opportunities for our students to connect with each other and the larger community, which will give them the foundational perspective and skills they need to succeed now and in the future."

"Sharing the Dream grants encourage the innovative development of learning communities that is the hallmark of effective principal leadership," said NAESP Foundation CEO Ernest J. Mannino.  "We are excited to be able to directly impact the important work that principals do to enhance communication and build capacity within school communities."

This year's grant-winning principals were carefully selected for the distinctive, but practical, programs they proposed to improve communications within their communities, resulting in the development of globally oriented schools and international learning communities that have no boundaries.  Recipient schools represent rural, urban, small, and large elementary and middle schools.  Awards were based on need, the creativity of the plan, and the commitment of the school to program evaluation. 

"We are pleased to join with NAESP in encouraging school leaders committed to engaging their communities and in supporting collaboration to increase student knowledge of the world," said Dennis White, president and CEO of the MetLife Foundation.

With this grant, Pinnacle will strive to involve its students in transformative, multidisciplinary learning situations and service learning projects that will make them better citizens of their communities and of the world.

To view the complete list of 2011 Sharing the Dream grant recipients, visit http://www.naesp.org/2011-12-sharing-dream-grant.

About National Association of Elementary Principals:
Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) serves elementary and middle school principals in the United States, Canada, and overseas. NAESP leads in the advocacy and support for elementary and middle-level principals and other education leaders in their commitment to all children. The NAESP Foundation, founded in 1982, is the charitable arm of NAESP and is dedicated to securing and stewarding private gifts and grants that benefit the National Association of Elementary School Principals. www.naesp.org

About Pinnacle Charter School:
Located in downtown Buffalo,Pinnacle Charter School facts are as follows:

• 20 to 1 student to teacher ratio
• 4 to 1 student to pc laptop ratio
• Extended hours with many after school programs
• Trained teachers who are certified in multiple subjects
• Foreign language program
• Full Indoor Gym and outdoor track-- both facilities are on site
• Art & Music Programs
• Technology lab
• After school programs including- Green Options Buffalo-Recycle a Bike, Music Technology Engineering Program, Instrumental Music Lessons, CEPA Writing with Light, BWI Health Promotions- Be Fit for Kids, Buffalo Soccer Club, Squeaky Wheel Film Making, Muhammad School of Music- Violin Instruction, Dance Camp-Creative Dance Instruction and multiple athletic programs including soccer, basketball, bowling, track & field and baseball

Conveniently located and perfect for parents working in downtown Buffalo.

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