As part of its commitment to the education of local students, Rohm and Haas Texas Inc. recently made a $5,000 donation to the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation.

Rohm and Haas’ manager of communications Beth Dombrowa said the donation is just a small part of the organization’s goals in supporting education.

“Foundations depend on donations from businesses and individuals to provide additional funding that supports the extraordinary efforts of educators and students,” said Dombrowa. “Rohm and Haas is a tremendous supporter of educational programs around the globe, and we recognized Pasadena ISD’s foundation as a giving opportunity that compliments our goals of helping to develop learning and leadership.”

The Pasadena ISD Education Foundation enhances the quality of the district’s educational services by providing funds for educational programs and activities, which either have not been funded or have been under-funded by the normal operating budget, allowing teachers to provide innovative instruction that increases student achievement and expands community involvement. Funds are donated to the foundation by the community and business leaders. To date, the foundation has awarded a total over $500,000 to teachers districtwide.

Pasadena ISD’s director of the education foundation Cindy Parmer said teacher and student dreams become realities because of the donations from organizations such as Rohm and Haas.

“The generosity of Rohm and Haas has impacted many Pasadena students directly by funding mini-grants to enhance their education,” said Parmer.

Dombrowa said she believes it’s important for the company to be involved in the local education system because today’s students are tomorrow’s business, civic and community leaders.

“In the not-so-distant future, students currently enrolled in Pasadena ISD will be responsible for making major decisions that will impact all of our lives,” she said. “It’s critical that we help provide them with the foundation they need to make solid choices.”

Rohm and Haas’ primary involvement in Pasadena ISD is through its annual calendar art contest. This is the company’s 21st year to hold the contest, and winning students, which Pasadena ISD has had many over the years, have their art featured in a calendar that is popular in the community. In past years, the competition has required that students enter artwork with a theme of “responsible care.” For this school year, Dombrowa said the theme of the contest was changed to “Chemistry: Imagine the Possibilities.”

“We want students to recognize the role chemistry and the chemical industry play in their every day lives,” she said. “Our primary interest in our efforts in the school system is to promote educational excellence in the areas of math, science and technology. However, we want all students, regardless of their chosen path, to have confidence in their own ability to drive change and improvement.”

Along with its annual calendar art contest, Rohm and Haas is also involved in a variety of employee volunteerism activities and giving initiatives supporting educational outreach programs, conservationism and a wide variety of health, human services and cultural organizations.

“Our employees have very generous spirits, and many of them donate their own time and money to local organizations that help to improve life every day life,” said Dombrowa.

Dombrowa said she thinks it’s important for students to have opportunities to interact with local organizations such as Rohm and Haas because everyone has a responsibility to help students succeed whenever possible.

“It’s beneficial for students to see and understand the opportunities they have to develop successful, rewarding careers,” she said. “In our case, it’s also important for students to understand the economic and social rewards of living close to industry. Companies located in their community are improving lives around the globe every day through innovative products and services.”