‘Tis the season to give .....
and that’s exactly what Continental Airlines is doing for hundreds of
Houston, Texas students. Weekly Reader today announced that Continental
Airlines has continued its philanthropic ways by purchasing Weekly Reader
magazines for students at the Henry F. MacGregor Elementary School, for
the entire 2004-05 school year. The students began receiving their magazines in September, and will
continue to receive them until June. The year-long donation is part of a
partnership, formed earlier in 2004, between Continental Airlines and
Weekly Reader.

“Our students are so motivated and inspired by the Weekly Reader
magazines,” said Dr. Patricia Allen, literacy coordinator at MacGregor
Elementary. “Words cannot express our gratitude to Continental for
equipping our students with these tools for success.”

Weekly Reader and Continental Airlines have also pledged additional
support to Houston-area schools. Besides providing the airline with a
discount on the magazines, Weekly Reader editors will join Continental
employees for classroom visits. And this month, Continental Airlines also
donated a shipment of Weekly Reader books and other reading materials.

“This is a wonderful program for the students,” said Emily Swenson,
President of Weekly Reader. “Not only do the children receive reading
materials but the teachers also receive valuable teaching tools. I commend
Continental Airlines for dedicating their time and resources.”

For the past century, Weekly Reader magazines have helped educate millions
of children. A recent study conducted by Dr. Richard Fairley, a former
Title 1 Director for the U.S. Department of Education, found that all
Weekly Reader magazines align to the five key areas of literacy set forth
by the National Reading Panel. Fairley cited Weekly Reader’s
age-appropriate vocabulary and reading levels and high-interest content in
the study.

“As Houston’s hometown carrier, Continental Airlines is proud to support
the adopt-a-school program and its educational initiatives in conjunction
with Weekly Reader,” said Susan Hirsch, Continental’s director of
community affairs and corporate events. “We believe this program will help
enrich the quality of life for Houston’s children.”

Continental Airlines has also been on board with Weekly Reader and has
sponsored several educational trips for students who have won national
contests. Weekly Reader editors have also been able to travel courtesy of
Continental Airlines to conduct interviews which will help to educate
millions of children.
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