Dr. Joseph Cerna, principal of Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, presents the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence award for Outstanding Community Partnership K12 to Col. Alicia M. Masson, commander of U.S. Army Environmental Command, during a ceremony held at Fort Sam Houston on Sept. 8.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dr. Joseph Cerna, principal of Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, presents the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence award for Outstanding Community Partnership K12 to Col. Alicia M. Masson, commander of U.S. Army Environmental Command, during a ceremony held at Fort Sam Houston on Sept. 8. (Photo Credit: Troy Darr) VIEW ORIGINAL
Members of the Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, Fort Sam Houston Independent School District and U.S. Army Environmental Command came together to celebrate receiving the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence award for Outstanding Community Partnership K12.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of the Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, Fort Sam Houston Independent School District and U.S. Army Environmental Command came together to celebrate receiving the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence award for Outstanding Community Partnership K12. (Photo Credit: Troy Darr) VIEW ORIGINAL

SAN ANTONIO – Fort Sam Houston Elementary School employees and school board members of the Fort Sam Houston Independent School District visited U.S. Army Environmental Command headquarters to recognize the unit for its support to the elementary school for the 2020-2021 school year.

The U.S. Army Environmental Command earned the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence award for Outstanding Community Partnership K12 for their support to military children through their partnership with the elementary school.

“We feel lucky to have the support of our community for our school. Some organizations, like the U.S. Army Environmental Command, go out of their way to find ways to engage the children,” said Dr. Joseph Cerna, principal of FSHES.

That command’s partnership began in 2011 as part of the Adopt-a-School program. The nomination highlighted the latest event, a nature walk, held on May 6.

“Activities like these give our scientists the opportunity to share with students their knowledge of the environmental sciences and a genuine love of lifelong discovery,” said USAEC Commander Col. Alicia M. Masson.

At the Fort Sam Houston’s Salado Creek Park, USAEC employees hosted seven hands-on learning stations about geology, archaeology, entomology, recycling, and wildlife difference and similarities, such as skins and skulls and horns and antlers. More than 130 students rotated through the stations to hear Army employees share about their field of work and passion.

The Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award™ recognizes successful partnerships and projects that ultimately benefit military-connected children. Beginning in 2004, the Lt. Gen. H. G. “Pete” Taylor awards have been an opportunity to recognize individual and community partnerships formed between military installations and school districts that serve military-connected children. Winners reflect Lt. Gen. Taylor’s belief that “goodness starts at the local level.”