Two Coppell businesses recognized for support of public schools
Two Coppell businesses are the recipients of the 2017 Employers for Education Excellence award.
Earning the gold-level award are Las Colinas Federal Credit Union and The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), a market infrastructure provider for the global financial services industry.
“These businesses, like so many others across the state, provide valuable support to our Texas public schools. Through the businesses’ commitment of time and resources, they provide practical assistance that helps to build strong schools and communities,” said Donna Bahorich, chair of the State Board of Education.
Las Colinas Federal Credit Union
Throughout its history, the Las Colinas Federal Credit Union has made education a top priority. It gives employees time off to attend school conferences and activities and, since 2004, has had a formal volunteer program with the Coppell Independent School District. It initially began this partnership by creating the Valley Ranch Elementary Star Savers Bank. The credit union put together new account information packets and fourth-grade students began applying for jobs at the Star Savers Bank. They were hired for jobs such as the manager, teller, bookkeeper and security. This new bank opened for business on Oct. 1, 2004 and began opening savings accounts for students.
The LCFCU Student Run Branch Program has expanded to five elementary schools. Along with Valley Ranch, it is now in Austin, Mockingbird, Pinkerton and Lee elementaries. The bank is open before school twice a month. An adult credit union employee is on hand to help the junior bankers. More than 1,000 students have saved about $400,000 since the inception of this childhood financial literacy program. LCFCU also sponsors The Star Saver Education Foundation, which has awarded 12 scholarships, totaling $11,000, and holds financial literacy events.
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC)
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a market infrastructure provider for the global financial services industry, also partners with Coppell ISD on multiple efforts. The company provides paid time off for employees who participate in volunteer activities and offers an annual workplace giving and matching gift program. The company has focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) projects in the schools. It has partnered for two years with Town Center Elementary School, providing professionals to speak at a Career Day about coding utilizing technology in the classrooms. DTCC sponsored a “Women in STEM Careers” seminar as part of the Tech Titan partnership. Its employees have also served as reviewers for the capstone presentations of New Tech High School’s senior projects.
During a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) partnership with the Coppell Education Foundation, DTCC developed a stock market simulation curriculum and assisted with a summer camp for 100 seventh- and eighth-grade students.
There were no EEE awards given this year in the silver and bronze categories.
Created by the Texas Legislature in 2007, the EEE award honors Texas employers that encourage and support staff participation and volunteerism in the public schools.
A business that earns this award is recognized as an Employer for Education Excellence and receives a plaque to commemorate their support of public schools.