Author: sHq_LoGiNz

CHARLOTTE, N.C., August 25, 2025 /3BL/ – Starting in the 2025-26 school year, Washington State’s Hockinson School District (HSD) is partnering with Otus and Discovery Education to better track student learning and growth. This new collaboration will help educators make timely, data-informed decisions about what is working in the classroom so students can get the most out of instructional time.

Since its founding in 1870, HSD has focused on preparing all students for future success. Currently, the district’s talented team serves approximately 2,000 students in the district’s elementary, middle, and high schools. HSD’s educators and staff seek to inspire all students to live with strong core values and become competent, responsible learners by developing independent thinkers who can positively contribute to our changing world.

HSD selected the Otus platform because it provides teachers with past and current academic data from a host of sources, including insights from district-wide edtech solutions such as Mystery Science by Discovery Education, which is currently used in HSD classrooms. Using this data, HSD educators are able to set achievable goals for each student and support students more effectively by grouping students with similar needs for focused instruction.

As strong communication between families and schools plays a key role in student success, the HSD team sought a solution that would support the school-to-home connection. The Otus platform will make it easier for families to stay informed about their child’s learning by providing clear updates, easy-to-read progress reports, and visual tools that show how their child is growing over time.

This new collaboration also helps save HSD money by replacing several tools with one that centralizes assessment, grading, data analytics, and progress monitoring in one place. To secure a lower annual cost, the HSD team customized the service package to choose only the features that fit the needs of Hockinson students and staff. As Hockinson School District makes budget adjustments in response to Washington State’s funding shortfall, the district is focusing resources on student programs and academic achievement.

“Integrating Otus into our district solutions provides educators with the data they need in an easy-to-read format, enhancing their ability to support students effectively,” said Steve Marshall, Superintendent of Hockinson School District. “Additionally, Otus will help strengthen our connection with caregivers by keeping families informed of student progress. We are excited to have teachers begin to use this new resource as it will improve their ability visualize student progress in one place and quickly adjust instruction to improve outcomes in a thoughtful, cost-effective manner.”

HSD educators using Otus will receive dedicated professional development from Otus’ team of professional learning experts. Through these interactive professional development sessions, participants will learn best practices for integrating their new digital resources into instruction. Effective professional learning increases student engagement and supports the continued academic development of all students.

“This unique new collaboration with Otus is a powerful opportunity for Hockinson School District to combine high-quality learning solutions with real-time data analysis to best serve students and educators,” said Jessica Lasher, the Senior Educational Partnerships Manager at Discovery Education. “Discovery Education is proud to help Hockinson School District enhance district educators’ ability to interpret data and deliver life-long results for their community.”

To learn about how Otus and Discovery Education have collaborated to support student achievement, visit www.discoveryeducation.com/Solutions/Otus.

For more information about Otus, visit www.otus.com and stay connected to Otus on social media through X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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About Otus 
Otus, an award-winning edtech platform, empowers educators to maximize student performance with comprehensive solutions for K12 assessment, data, and insights. Committed to student achievement and educational equity, Otus combines student data with powerful tools that provide educators, administrators, and families with the insights they need to make a difference. Built by teachers for teachers, Otus creates efficiencies in data management, assessments, and progress monitoring to help educators focus on what matters most—student success. Today, Otus partners with school districts nationwide to create informed, data-driven learning environments. Learn more at Otus.com.

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contact 
Mike Peterson 
Otus 
Phone: 651-307-9251 
Email: mike.peterson@otus.com

Stephen Wakefield 
Discovery Education 
Phone: 202-316-6615 
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com

Key Points

• Galveston Bay refinery’s Green Belt has been recognized as Gold Certified by WHC Certification^®, powered by Tandem Global, for its growing network of conservation habitats.
• Employees have brought the Green Belt to life over the years by restoring wetlands, planting native trees and creating safe spaces for birds, pollinators and more.
• With support from Trees For Houston and other partners, the refinery keeps expanding its environmental efforts and making room for nature to thrive.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery (GBR) has earned national recognition for its employee-driven efforts to restore and protect natural spaces across its site.

The refinery’s Green Belt Nature Conservation Habitats were recently designated as Gold Certified by WHC Certification^®, powered by Tandem Global, one of the highest honors in corporate conservation. Only a small percentage of WHC Certification’s more than 600 global conservation programs receive this top-tier recognition.

“The Green Belt effort started with a simple idea to create spaces where people and wildlife could thrive side by side,” said Regina Cooper, Senior Training Specialist at the Galveston Bay refinery and co-lead of the Wildlife Habitat Team. “Earning gold status is validation of years of hands-on work and passion from employees who care deeply about this site and the environment around it.”

That same passion continues to fuel conservation work across the refinery. Over the years, a dedicated group of employee volunteers has rolled up their sleeves to restore wetlands, plant pollinator gardens, install bird nesting boxes and bat houses, and turn underused land into spaces where nature can thrive.

That work keeps growing through partnerships with organizations like Trees For Houston, a local nonprofit dedicated to planting, protecting and promoting trees. More than 150 native trees have been added to the refinery’s Cooper’s Landing over the past two years, led by the Wildlife Habitat Team.

Earlier this year, Barry Ward, executive director of Trees For Houston, said this about the partnership: “Partnering with organizations like Marathon Petroleum allows us to expand our reach and create sustainable green spaces where they are needed most,” he said. “These trees will provide long-term benefits, from improving air quality to creating a habitat for local wildlife for years to come.”

The planting events were made possible through a grant from Marathon Petroleum, with support from Trees For Houston staff who helped transport and position the trees. Volunteers from the refinery, along with contractors, community partners and students, have all taken part in the ongoing effort. The Wildlife Habitat Team hopes to continue building on this momentum by expanding green spaces and advancing sustainability efforts across the site.

“Congratulations to the entire GBR team for this well-deserved recognition and for turning this conservation effort into a golden achievement,” said Honor Sheard, Refining Environmental, Safety and Security Director at the Galveston Bay refinery. “This is the latest example of how our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and community collaboration continues to drive meaningful progress and lasting impact.”

Every few decades, the HVAC industry undergoes a shift that redefines how we heat and cool our homes and businesses in the United States. Now we’re in the midst of another major transition: the move away from R-410A refrigerant toward lower-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B.

This change is not optional—it’s mandated by U.S. regulations under the AIM Act, which required equipment manufacturers to transition to lower-impact refrigerants at the beginning of this year, while the transition contractors and consumers installing new units starts January 1, 2026.  While to some this may feel daunting, this moment is really an opportunity: to install more efficient systems, reduce carbon footprints, and deliver long-term value for homeowners.

At LG, we’ve been here before. We successfully guided our customers through the transition from R-22 (aka Freon) to R-410A, and over the past two years we’ve been leveraging that experience to make today’s shift to R-32 as smooth as possible. Our message is simple: with the right preparation and the right partner, this transition is manageable, safe and beneficial.

What Homeowners Should Know
For homeowners, the most important point is reassurance. The new so-called “A2L” refrigerants are described as “mildly flammable,” which can sound alarming. In reality, they are far closer in behavior to the non-flammable refrigerants we’ve used for decades than to some refrigerants like propane used on other countries. Safety standards for A2Ls have been rigorously updated, and new equipment is designed with leak detection sensors, automatic shut-off systems, and other safeguards.

From a performance perspective, these A2L refrigerants are more efficient than R-410A. For homeowners considering an upgrade, especially to air-source heat pumps, the transition represents an opportunity to adopt future-ready lower-GWP equipment that lowers energy bills while reducing environmental impact.

What Contractors Should Know
For contractors, the refrigerant transition is both a challenge and a growth opportunity. Training is critical—installers must be familiar with updated handling practices, new safety codes, and A2L-rated tools. The good news: as we explain to contractors at our LG HVAC Academies, the vast majority of procedures and tools remain the same. Best practices like leak detection and proper evacuation, always important, are now essential.

Contractors should also prepare for a split market. While LG has selected R-32 for our residential systems due to its efficiency and global alignment, some other manufacturers are adopting R-454B. That means vans may carry more cylinders than before. Proper labeling, organization, and attention to refrigerant type will be key.

Leadership Role
LG has chosen the R-32 refrigerant because of its strong global track record, efficiency advantages and streamlined serviceability as a single-component refrigerant. Our air-source heat pump portfolio is already leading this transition, giving homeowners high-performance solutions that also help achieve sustainability goals.

Our U.S. HVAC business represents a key element of LG Electronics’ global acceleration of B2B operations as a central component of its overall business portfolio innovation strategy. Next, we are preparing our Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems for the same evolution in 2027. VRF technology is rapidly expanding in commercial and multifamily applications, and LG is investing to ensure these solutions make the shift with minimal disruption and maximum customer benefit.

Looking Ahead
The refrigerant transition is about more than compliance—it’s about building a sustainable future. For homeowners, that means lower energy bills, comfort, and peace of mind. For contractors, it means new business opportunities and the chance to be trusted advisors during a once-in-a-generation change.

At LG, we’re embracing this transition with the same spirit of innovation, training and partnership that have defined us in the past. Together, we can make this transition not just manageable, but transformative.

August 25, 2025 /3BL/ – AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, today announced that 20 nonprofit organizations across the United States will receive grants $400,000 from the AEG Community Foundation. The grants, ranging from $15,000 to $25,000, will support programs focused on K-12 education, the arts, and health and wellness in the communities where AEG and its partners operate.

Several of this year’s grant recipients were nominated by AEG employees who have previously collaborated with or supported these organizations, highlighting their meaningful impact at the local level. Each nomination was carefully reviewed by the Foundation’s national executive board, which selected the final recipients based on their demonstrated commitment to building stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities.

“For 25 years AEG has invested in non-profit organizations that make a meaningful difference in underserved communities with a goal of helping these communities thrive,” said Martha Saucedo, Chief External Affairs Officer, AEG. “The grants being awarded today by the AEG Community Foundation will support the valuable work these nonprofits do every day to uplift and empower the people they serve.”

“We are profoundly grateful to the AEG Community Foundation for their generous $20,000 grant supporting our Hope Street Margolis Family Center After-School Program,” says Susan Shum, California Hospital Medical Center Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer and AEG grantee. “This isn’t just funding; it’s an investment in our Hope Street families, supporting their success, creative outlets and healthier futures. This grant will empower us to continue fostering vital math and English skills, ignite curiosity through science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), and provide holistic support, ensuring our children not only succeed in school but thrive in life. Together, with partners like AEG, we are building a stronger, more resilient community, one bright future at a time.”

The recipients of the AEG Community Foundation 2025 Grant Cycle include:

K-12 Education

• BOSS, Inc. (Long Beach, CA)
• Little Tokyo Service Center (Los Angeles, CA)
• All People Community Center (Los Angeles, CA)
• Boys & Girls Club of Carson (Carson, CA)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan (Ypsilanti, MI)
• California Science Center Foundation (Los Angeles, CA)
• City Year New York (New York, NY)
• California Hospital Medical Center Foundation (Los Angeles, CA)
• Central American Resource Center – CARECEN (Los Angeles, CA)

Arts

• Girls Write Nashville (Nashville, TN)
• Heart of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
• A Place Called Home (Los Angeles, CA)
• The Troy Andrews Foundation (New Orleans, LA)
• Inner-City Arts (Los Angeles, CA)
• Youth on Record (Denver, CO)
• Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation (Santa Barbara, CA)
• Alianza Coachella Valley (Coachella, CA)
• Angelica Center for Arts and Music (Los Angeles, CA)

Health and Wellness

• Olive Crest (Las Vegas, NV)
• YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)

“This support is about opening doors for young people and fueling the future of Colorado’s music scene. Our students at Youth on Record are the ones who will carry music and live events forward in Denver and beyond. AEG’s backing helps us connect them to real jobs and internships, and it gives them the shot they deserve to make that vision real.” – Jami Duffy, Youth on Record Executive Director & the UMS Co-Manager

“We are deeply grateful to AEG for investing in the future of our youth”, said BBBSSEM Director of Programs, Dr. Joselyn Mitchell-Parker. “This grant is more than funding; it is a statement that the brilliance, leadership, and potential of young people in Southeast Michigan is seen, valued, and worth cultivating. With AEG Community Foundation’s support, our Leadership Camp will continue to empower these students to step into their power, lead with intention, and imagine a world they are fully capable of shaping.”

“AEG was the first to believe in BOSS, and that belief has been transformative. Their early, and continued support hasn’t just open doors—its ignited a movement that’s empowering our boys to lead, achieve, and thrive.” BOSS, Inc. founder Everett GlennBOSS INC

FedEx teamed up with the World Vision Foundation of Thailand to help the Pa Deng community in Phetchaburi province. They donated and set up solar-powered water filtration systems to make sure people there have consistent access to clean water.

The community has had a tough time with its water supply due to power outages. Switching to solar power means they can count on a reliable water source for hygiene and sanitation. To make this happen, over 20 FedEx volunteers worked alongside community members to install solar panels and filtration systems, helping more than 1,900 people across four villages.

Sasathorn Phaspinyo, managing director of FedEx Thailand, said, “Water and electricity are crucial for every community’s well-being. At FedEx, we’re committed to offering solutions wherever they’re needed. Through this project, we aim to empower Pa Deng residents by improving their access to these essential resources. I’m so proud of our team who truly live our commitment to doing good and support our FedEx Cares initiatives.”

This year’s effort is another step in FedEx’s mission to support Thai communities. Last year, they donated and installed eco-friendly waste incinerators and biogas systems in Pa Deng to replace old waste disposal methods, like open-air burning and landfills, providing sustainable ways to handle organic waste while cutting down on toxic emissions.

With a global goal to become carbon-neutral by 2040, FedEx is working hard on environmental initiatives in both air and ground operations, including using electric vehicles, saving fuel, sourcing renewable energy, and offering sustainable packaging solutions.

The Pa Deng project is part of the FedEx Cares global community engagement program. If you want to learn more about what FedEx Cares is doing across Asia Pacific, check out our website!

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.