The Socorro Independent School District brought together local business partners and school liaisons during its 11th Annual Partners in Education Orientation & Expo on Sept. 16 to create a network aimed at bolstering the educational experience of its students. According to Socorro ISD, the expo featured 39 business partners who engaged in discussions about resources and services they could offer to SISD campuses, signaling a continued tradition of community involvement in education.
Maya Kirtley, SISD’s public relations specialist and PIE coordinator, emphasized the value of the event, stating, "The PIE Expo is a one-stop shop for building meaningful connections," as per Socorro ISD. This enthusiasm for collaboration was echoed by Aurora Guerrero, the parent liaison at Horizon Heights Elementary School, who explained her ongoing partnership with Peter Piper Pizza as part of the tradition for family nights. Guerrero told Socorro ISD, "We have a tradition of having ours first and last family night of the year with Peter Piper Pizza... And families already know that at the beginning of the year, we're all going to meet there."
Throughout the years, the PIE program has seen successful relationships between Socorro ISD and local businesses, which have directly impacted students' educational journeys. This is not only about creating fundraising opportunities but also fostering a sense of community involvement and recognition of academic excellence. For instance, Union Draft House's marketing coordinator, Celeste Carrillo, shared with Socorro ISD how their restaurant has supported schools through fundraiser nights, contributing 15% of sales back to the participating institutions and rewarding students with gift cards for notable achievements.
