RESERVE – As part of its commitment to helping children succeed in school, Cargill is donating a total of $4,000 to Fifth Ward Elementary and St. James Parish Head Start program.

Cargill’s gift of $2,500 to Fifth Ward Elementary will go towards its student reward program, which encourages good behavior through a reward system. The program rewards students for exhibiting positive behavior both in and out of the classroom with gift certificates, t-shirts and activities.

“By motivating students to behave their best in the classroom, we’re limiting classroom interruptions, and as a result teachers are better able to educate the whole class,” said Stephanie Waters, principal at Fifth Ward Elementary. “We’re grateful for Cargill’s generous contribution towards this effort.”

The $1,500 that Cargill is donating to St. James Parish Head Start program will provide a three-in-one learning station for low-income preschoolers. The station features a writing desk on one side, and a combination reading and listening center on the other, as well as big story books.

“The Head Start program aims to give low-income kids the opportunity to grow and learn just like any other child,” said Dianne Brathwaite, Head Start supervisor for St. James Parish. “Thanks to Cargill’s gift, we can better prepare these preschoolers for the school environment they will face in kindergarten.”

“At Cargill we recognize that positive behavior and early educational resources are two ingredients in the recipe for academic success,” said Pat Gathman, manager of Cargill’s Grain and Oilseeds Supply Chain export facility in Reserve. “We’re thrilled to support these initiatives as a way of enriching the lives of students in our community.”