Annual Report 201 1–201 2 The University of Texas Elementary School
Contents Letter from the Executive Director................................ 1 Letter from the Vice President........................................2 Brick-and-Mortar Dream Come True.............................3 Powering the Possible ......................................................4 Gender and Map Demographics.....................................5 Project-Based Learning....................................................6 Expenses and Revenue.....................................................7 Teacher of the Year............................................................9 Volunteer Spotlight...........................................................9 Stars of Texas Winners....................................................10 Donor List...........................................................................11 Management Board.........................................................14 Development Council......................................................14 Community Partners....................................................... 15 Frequently Asked Questions..........................................16
top photo: Bill Zapalac of Zapalac/Reed reviews construction plans with Executive Director Melissa Chavez and Little Longhorns. above photo: Layton Wilson, consultant, and Milton Hime, Studio 8 Architects, were also instrumental in completing the building project.
Letter from the Executive Director Dear UT Elementary School family, The 2011-12 school year was all about projects— construction projects, project-based learning and collaborative partner and community projects. Together, we are building the future! After seven long years of planning, UT Elementary School finally completed the first phase of its new building. We feel it is much more than just walls, floors and ceilings. Thanks to the blood, sweat and tears of so many, the new building demonstrates the permanence of our pledge to improve public education for all students. Its completion could not have happened without our founders, Development Council members, capital campaign investors, UT administrators, parents and community. We hope you will come visit and see what we have built together. As the students watched construction from their classroom windows, exciting projects were happening inside the classrooms as well. Project-based learning is instrumental to teaching the Social and Emotional Learning skills that we know are critical for our students to succeed in the 21st century. We are transforming the range of measures in student achievement to include not only literacy, math and science, but also critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. As we instruct our students in those skills, we are also modeling the skills for them. This year presented an amazing breakthrough in formalizing our collaboration with Austin ISD and other local highperforming charter schools. While we have always worked closely with these entities to share best practices, the Austin District-Charter Compact was signed this year. In a time of dwindling government funding for public education, strategy and efficiencies are crucial. The compact fosters sharing of knowledge and resources. Through these partnerships, we hope to continue to both teach and learn about best educational practices. Thanks to you all for making these efforts possible–we hope you will join us in taking pride in the achievements included in this report.
Melissa M. Chavez Executive Director and Principal 1
Letter from the Vice President UT Elementary School is certainly not the only university-based charter school in the nation, but we’re proud to say it is one of the best. Under the direction of Executive Director and Principal Melissa Chavez, UT Elementary has continued to break ground with innovative, resultsdriven programming that paves the way to academic success for East Austin students. And, we are pleased to report the school is also breaking ground for the second phase of its new permanent facility. The permanent facility sends a clear message that the university is committed to students in East Austin—whether they attend UT Elementary or neighboring schools that benefit from our charter school’s partnership and shared best practices. Neither the school’s stellar programming nor the new facility would be possible without our community partners and supporters, a few of whom you will read about in this annual report. We are eternally grateful for their dedication to both the school and the families it serves. We look forward to even greater successes as UT Elementary continues to provide the perfect educational home for our Little Longhorns.
Dr. Gregory J. Vincent Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement, W.K. Kellogg Professor in Community College Leadership, Professor of Law 2
UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
A Brick-and-Mortar Dream Come True Those familiar with UT Elementary School know the cheerily painted portables have been well loved. But the buildings were in need of repair and the space was inefficient to meet the needs of a demonstration school. For nine years, those who worked and learned at UT Elementary dreamed of a permanent facility. This past spring, the first phase of that dream became a reality. And what a dream of a building it is! Designed by Studio 8 Architects, the new building houses the administrative offices, gymnasium, cafeteria, library, faculty lounge and classroom space for University of Texas at Austin College of Education professors. “You know the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ that’s what it took to get this building constructed,” said executive director and principal Melissa Chavez. “So many people put in so much of their time, talent and resources to make this happen. It is a tribute to how much people care about this school and completely and truly believe it is important.” While the university contributed initial funding, most of the money for a new facility had to be raised. For the capital campaign committee, fundraising was a labor of love, reflecting the committee’s passion for the mission and the transformative power of the school, said committee chair Pat Oles. “We are all in this UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
because we have complete confidence in Melissa and her excellent team of teachers and administrators,” he said. Oles explained that over the past seven years, the school’s Development Council whittled the cost down from an estimated $25 million to $13 million. “We were able to do that with the great work of Sandy Gottesman and Layton Wilson along with the general contracting firm of Bill Zapalac,” he said. “It also would not have happened without the critical leadership of President Bill Powers, Dr. Greg Vincent, Dr. Pat Clubb and Dr. Ed Sharpe.” “There was a feeling among teachers because of the portables that the university would not commit to UT Elementary School permanently,” said Chavez. “One of the teachers told me after seeing the building, ‘Now we’ll be here forever, UT really wants the school to succeed.’ That is at the heart of the new facility’s true value. It means the teachers’ work matters, that what we do at this school matters.” When students got to tour the new building in late May, their oohs, ahhs and surprised expressions revealed their excitement. One student exclaimed, “Ms. Chavez, it’s like a high school!” “No,” she replied. “It is like a real school.”
“One of the teachers told me after seeing the building, ‘Now
we’ll be here forever, UT really wants the school to succeed.”
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Powering the Possible with Confidence and Enthusiasm A grant from Dell led to school-wide enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at UT Elementary. Through Dell’s Powering the Possible program students are given information and communication technology skills that power life-long learning. Though many think of STEM programs as curriculum for upper grades, Assistant Principal Kelly Mullin explained the need for a focus on STEM activities in elementary school. “Quality STEM programming is a catalyst for transforming learning. Students learn to think about challenges, address problems, develop solutions and communicate at the global level,” she said. The Dell grant enabled UT Elementary to hire Michael Adams and Janice Friesen to teach technology during the 2011-12 school year. The lessons included basic information technology (IT) skills, blogging, digital storytelling, robotics, Apps for Good and Scratch—a Google application using simple programming language.
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The STEM teachers also led afterschool programming in conjunction with the UT Austin College of Engineering and Austin Children’s Museum. In the afterschool sessions, Dell’s Lego® Mindstorm® kits engaged students in surprising ways. Adams explained, “Some of the students with reading difficulties seemed to excel due to the fact that the instructions were all pictorial—they could follow along as they went. This brought around a great bit of confidence in those students.” “The kids really loved robotics,” said Friesen. “There was a lot of begging to be included in the robotics group. Knowing how to make them [the Lego® robots] move the ways that you want them to is really fulfilling for students.” Friesen noted an even more significant outcome of the STEM program. “The types of questions the kids asked changed, which means that how they are thinking changed also,” she said. “They became more logical and curious.” Mullin also noted, “Students that have been reluctant to write have become avid writers because of digital storytelling. That’s really exciting. Students have really blossomed as far as their communication
UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
UT Elementary School Demographics
68% Hispanic
18% African American
13% White
1% Asian
52% Male | 48% Female
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skills and have become highly motivated not only to accomplish their own goals but to work with others.” With an eye to the future, the two teachers developed a STEM curriculum that incorporates the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for technology, science and math with emphasis on problem solving, communication, creative thinking and service learning. The new curriculum will be implemented in the 2012-13 school year as all classes, Pre-K–5, will receive technology instruction two to three times a week from a new full-time STEM teacher. “Our kids got really excited about the blogging and sharing with others what they had learned at school whether it was social studies or social emotional learning or Apps for Good they created,” said Mullin. “Next year, the full-time STEM teacher will collaborate with the wellness teacher, chef, fitness teacher and multicultural arts teacher to look at how students can use technology to share ideas, educate others, advocate for their communities and take part in philanthropy projects.”
78721
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“The types of questions the kids asked changed, which means that how they are thinking changed also.”
AD
UTES
Students science project on display.
UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
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Raising Independent Thinkers! UT Elementary First-Graders Become Independent Thinkers Through Project-Based Learning At the end of the school year, firstgrade students at UT Elementary continued to stay busy. Teamed up in pairs or working in small groups, they intently read, wrote, discussed and created. The topics were of their choosing and ranged from bullfrogs and honeybees to the life of Michelle Obama. Their classrooms were part of a continuing study led by Dr. Jennifer Adair, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Texas at Austin. In a three-year research project funded by the Foundation for Child Development, Adair is trying to understand how children in early grades respond academically and socially to increased agency in the classroom.
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Through the support of their teachers, Natacha Jones and Molly Kelly, these students have been given more opportunities for project-based learning that enables them to problem solve, make decisions, experiment, think critically and help each other learn. “It is by nature student driven, not teacher driven,” said Kelly, a veteran teacher and former curriculum supervisor with Austin Independent School District. “They have more control over what and how they learn.” She and Jones were quick to point out that they still teach a curriculum according to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the state standards for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Jones explained, “We still have lessons on rocks and minerals in science, but those lessons spark student questions that allow them to go further than what is inside
UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
the curriculum. As teachers, we must find balance between whole group instruction and the project-based learning freedom.” “On their own, the students in these two classrooms have become more curious—they go beyond what they are asked to do in almost every case,” said Adair. Project-based learning has correlated with fewer behavioral referrals than in years past and has encouraged students to form relationships that might not develop in a traditional classroom. Kelly explained, “Conventional thinking says don’t put a high-performing student with low-performing child because the high performer would get frustrated. But with project-based learning, the high and low performers gravitated together and boys and girls gravitated together. Relationships formed around subject matter—two students who wouldn’t normally be friends might both love volcanoes.” “They are independent thinkers now,” said Jones. “We have many resources in the classrooms; the kids don’t have to ask us about topics, but see themselves as little researchers, little scientists. They get excited about things and make connections with the real world. It is good to see a six- or seven-year-old take control of their own learning.”
2011–2012 Expenses*
83% Salaries and Benefits 8% Maintenance and Operations 5% Instructional Supplies 4% School Programs
2011–2012 Revenue
“It is by nature student driven, not teacher driven. They have more control over what and how they learn.”
71% State 5% Federal 3% University 21% Private Funding *Full audited financial statements available online at www.tea.state.tx.us
UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
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Mary Ledbetter
Sharing Innovative Instruction for Young Learners Ask anyone who knows Mary Ledbetter what makes her a great teacher and you’ll hear about her innovative, cross-disciplinary lesson plans, dedication to sharing best practices and love for the students. Ledbetter, the fifth-grade social studies and language arts teacher, has taught for twenty-two years, five of which have been at UT Elementary. This past year she carried the message of the school’s best practices in urban education far and wide, from Tyler, Texas, to Washington D.C. In doing so, Ledbetter won the admiration of her peers who voted her UT Elementary’s 2011-12 Teacher of the Year. In Tyler, she conducted professional development training for forty-five educators. In Washington, she gave two presentations at the National Council of the Social Studies Annual Conference. The Council named
Ledbetter Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Mary Ledbetter teacher of the year and published an article that examined her lessons on the Occupy Wall Street movement in the March/April 2012 issue of Social Studies and the Young Learner. And as part of South by Southwest here in Austin, she conducted a workshop at SXSW.edu in March. “It’s rewarding to share my experiences and ideas with other teachers,” Ledbetter explained. Ledbetter is passionate about connecting the students to social issues worldwide. For the third year, she and the fifth-graders have fundraised for H2O for Life. This year students raised $1,500 to fund a school sanitation project in Guatemala. In a recent blog she wrote, “As always, the kids are the stars and I’m the director of their learning.” “I am honored to be recognized by my peers,” Ledbetter said. “Our school community and the support we give one another are two of the things that set us apart.”
Volunteer Spotlight
UT Nutrition Majors Enrich the WellNest Program Since spring 2011, nutrition majors from The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Human Ecology have been volunteering as teachers in UT Elementary’s after-school WellNest program. They’ve taught Lil’ Longhorns not only to garden, harvest, and prepare produce they’ve grown, but to love eating healthy food. According to Samina Qureshi, who graduated with a BS in Nutrition last December, the experience was UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
mutually beneficial. Lil’ Longhorns grew through their interactions with students and faculty from “the big UT,” and the university students were affected by the enthusiasm of their young learners. “I am very grateful for having the opportunity to work with UT Elementary School’s WellNest program. I know I made an impact on the students that were in the program,” Qureshi said. “Their excitement to learn more about different vegetables and fruits was inspiring as many of them hadn’t eaten some vegetables and fruits I thought were fairly common. This experience has allowed me to take what I learned in my classes to the real world.” 9
Stars of Texas
Penny Burck, Ed Sharpe and Layton Wilson Passion for education. Service to community. These two attributes shine forth from UT Elementary School’s 2011-12 Stars of Texas honorees. Mrs. Penny Burck, Dr. Ed Sharpe and Mr. Layton Wilson were presented Stars of Texas awards during this year’s fifthgrade graduation celebration. Penny Burck: If you want something done, ask a busy person As chair of the Annual Giving Committee and a member of the school’s Development Council, Burck has worked tirelessly to help raise funds for the programs that make UT Elementary stand out. She has served on the school’s management board for the last three years and, along with her husband, former UT System Chancellor Dan Burck, is a member of the Visualize Graduation Society. She is not only a steadfast UT Elementary volunteer, but also serves on the Dolph Briscoe Center of American History advisory board and the Seton Hospital development board. Burck said, “I am honored and privileged to be a part of the school’s efforts to ensure that more East Austin children have the quality education needed to go on to college.”
community and education. He played a major role in building the university’s relationship with neighborhoods in East Austin in the 1980s and has served on many local and national boards—most with an educational focus. Said his wife Molly Sharpe, “He has always been motivated by seeing peoples’ lives improve.”
Layton Wilson: Making a difference in the lives of children To Layton Wilson and his wife Ann, health care and education are intricately connected. Both have worked on issues in the Austin area, making a difference in the lives of many children. Layton Wilson has served as a volunteer coach for several youth sports teams and gets a thrill when some of those athletes, now grown, come up to him and call him “Coach.” He was a major force in getting the new UT Elementary building constructed. Executive Director Melissa Chavez, said, “He has worked twenty-four hours a day to see this project through.” As if one school construction project isn’t enough, he is involved with the KIPP Austin Charter School building project too.
Stars of
Texas Award
Ed Sharpe: His influence has touched us all
The Stars of Texas Award
Carrying on a family tradition of dedication to public schools, Dr. Ed Sharpe has been a guiding force since UT Elementary was established nine years ago. From instructional best practices to the construction of a new facility, his vision and high standards are visible throughout the campus. In Sharpe’s long career at The University of Texas at Austin, he has focused on the importance of connecting
is given to individuals who strongly support the mission of UT Elementary School and whose gifts of time and resources have significantly enhanced the school’s programmatic efforts and goals.
2011– 2012 UT Elementary Donors Contributions received September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012 Visualize Graduation Society The Visualize Graduation Society is a multi-year giving society for those who have pledged to invest at least $1,000 per year of unrestricted funds for a period of five years or more. Our Visualize Graduation Society members play a critical role in our ability to fulfill our mission, and are invited to join our fifth-grade graduation ceremony each year. Jennifer and Sam Adair Anonymous Laura and Steve Beuerlein Brook Anne Broesche Mack and Sally Brown Diane Pedrotty Bryant Buena Vista Foundation Penny and Dan Burck Norma V. Cantu UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
Ruy and Dionne Carrasco Rick Chambers Preston and Robiaun Charles Melissa Chavez and Charles Soto Graciela and Francisco Cigarroa Mike Golden Lisa and Sandy Gottesman Vaughn Gross Ted and Margaret Henken Randy and Julia Baker Howry Amy and Kevin Imes Suzon and Bill Kemp Family Michael and Jeanne Klein Laura Merritt and J. P. Kloninger Fritz and Mary Korth Bill and Lou Ann Lasher Christine Mattsson and John McHale Kris and Bryce Miller Mithoff Family Charitable Foundation
Karen Nelson Howard and Amy Nirken Pat and Julie Oles Tess and Greg Peters Jane Quentan Piper Lisa and Randy Ramirez Don and Gina Reese Paul and Virginia Resta John C. Schweitzer James and Mallory Shaddix Dan Sharp and Maura Brady Molly and Ed Sharpe Susie and Chris Shields The Stahl Family Foundation Katie Starley Studio 8 Architects Gregory J. Vincent Barbara Wallace Joe Bill Watkins Harriet Youngblood 11
Friends of the Little Longhorns Individuals Darryl and Katie Adams Brigit Alexander Erin and Boone Almanza Cassandra L. Alvarado Mel and Lori Alvarado Kristin Alvarez Wendy and Steve Anderson Bliss H. Angerman Anonymous Anonymous* Emilia I. Arce and Marcelo Campos Ronny and Chris Attal Chad Auler Ashley Ayala Rose V. Baladez John and Heather Banczak Martin Barrera and Veronica Castro de Barrera M. Barrientez Lee Bash Hannah M. Beck Troy D. Bennett W. S. Benson III Brett Bidwell Betty Sue Bird Barrett K. and Nikol Blackmon Leslie D. Blair Ann and Jeff Bomer Adam and Lynn Bonsky Kurt Boring Kathy Borth Dewey and Melissa Brackin Martha Bradshaw Julie Branc Andria E. Brannon Corey and Cameron Breed Britt and Bob Buchanan Ann T. Brown Tiffany and Wayne Brumley Elizabeth C. Bryan Matt Burns John S. and Debby R. Burns Edward J. and Kathryn M. Burshnick Edna Ramon Butts Leslie D. Cedar 12
Donald and Shirley Chase
Charles and Suzanne GeigerÂ
Robert Chavarria
Diana S. and James K. George
Stephanie M. Chiarello
Gail Giebink
Essie Childers
Blanche Gill
Maria-Elena Cigarroa
LeAnn L. and Michael L. Gillette
Wayne and Natalie Coffey
Ethan A. Glass
Pamela Colloff
Mark F. Goldberg
Peter A. Conforti Jr.
Jenn and Adam Goldman
Jane G. and Gareth W. Cook
Mark A. Gooden
Crystal Cotti
Lisa and Sandy Gottesman*
Susan Culp
Jack and Catherine Gourley
Warren Darilek
Diana and Sean Greenberg
Donna Reily Davis
Carolina O. Guajardo
Monica I. Davis
Cathy L. Hagenbaumer
Cesar De La Garza
Dottie Hall
Andrea de Waal
Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
Mandy Dealey
Jennifer W. Harris
Beth and Andy Deck
Mary Juan Harris*
Don and Martha DeGrasse
Ben and Jan Harry
Kelley Denby
Seth R. Hasenour
William Dick
Wilmeter A. Haynes
Aida and John Dieck
Kim L. Heilbrun
DeLoss Dodds
Julian Vasquez Heilig
Charlynn Doering
Ann-Marie and Chris Helling
Lisa Doggett
Rebecca Henken
John D. and Cathy Doty
Carlos Guerra and
Laura and Brad Duggan
Lorna Hermosura
Roosevelt C. Easley
Roni Hernandez
Lorena Elias
Richard L. Herrman
Kathy Estes
Betty Hewell
Chiquita W. Eugene
Sara Hilgers
Janet K. Evans
Arby and Vera N. Hinojosa
Lilla K. Ezell
Patrice J. Hochstetler
Tracy Bell Fielder
Jeannadele B. Holzmann
Maria Figueroa
Hollis L. Horner
William G. and Sandra B. Fivecoat
Treva and Jeffrey R. Horowitz
Arlis Flores
Candice Medlin House
Andrea L. Flower
Howard Humphreys
Claire McCloskey Ford
Susan Hutchison
Amanda Foreman
Mary Ellen Isaacs
Adriane and Kevin Foster
Melissa Jackson
Nancy Frank
Libby Jacobson and Mike Gagne
Jolynn and Gregory Free
Jim Jerome
Janice Friesen
Bobby Johns
Renee Frisbie
Carol S. Johnson
Jane Fuchs
Beatrice Jones
James Gabriel
Natacha and Michael Jones
Alida Tallman
Abigail and Albert Gashi
Dorothy Garretson
The Silk Kapasis
Ryan R. and Leslie Leal Gauna
Frank Kaplan UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
Rusty Kelley*
Patti and Dick Obenhaus
Mary and Charles Teeple
Molly Kelly
Chris and Katie Ogden
Andy Thomas
Ramona Kelly
Pat and Julie Oles*
Ric and Lisa Trahan
Marsha Kelman
Jessica O’Mary
Yasmin H. Turk
Meredith and Brian Kelsey
Adesupo Oni
Nathan Scott Turner
Michael and Jeanne Klein*
Hector Ortiz
Becky Urhausen
Barbara and Bart Knaggs
Maria D. Ortiz
Juanita M. Vasquez
Bob Knipe
Jane and David Oshinsky
Michelle Voss
Sandy Knott
Penne and Andrew Peacock
Carol and Adam Wagner
Jeff and Dana Kocurek
Jerry Perkins
Mary Walker
Suzanne P. Kossow
Susan and Ben Perkins
Melanie and Bill Walters
Aileen Krassner
Al Peterson
Muffy and DeWitt Waltmon
Betsy Kreisle
Katie O. Pritchett
Jessica and Greg Weaver
Dolly Lambdin and Larry Abraham
Ernest E. Ramirez
Sarah Susanne Weldon
Michael E. Lambert
Lisa and Randy Ramirez
Evelyn and Wyeth Wiederman
Tema L. Khiev
Mike and Joan Reed
Kay and Stan Wilemon
Ellen Le Blanc
Haruko Reese
Layton and Ann Wilson
Norma L. Leben
Daniel R. Renner
Marie A. Wilson
Mary Ledbetter
Mary Dean and Terry Richards
Mary and Will Wilson
Lynda Lerma
Rodney M. Rideau
Joan Windler
Charles J. Lewis
Kelly Rigsby
Marc T. Winkelman
Joe Limon
Josephine K. Roche
Sam Winters
Cindy Y. Lo and Scott L. Francis
Amy S. Rollie
Buzzy Woodworth
Mary Helen Lopez
Suzette Ruedas
Charles G. Workman
H. Perry Lorenz*
Steven and Anna Salinas
Patience Worrel
David Lundstedt
David and Melissa Sullivan
Janet R. Young
Lynda A. Macleod
Rebecca Michal Saltsman
Amanda Youngblood
Jamie MacWilliams
Hazel Sanchez
Patricia Younts
Angela M. Maldonado
Jenifer Sarver
Angie Pete Yowell and Curt Yowell
Ellen Mangelsdorf
Meredith and Kevin Schoch
Danielle Zibilski
Tracey and Chris Marchbanks
Lily and Wayne Schwartz
Pam Martin
Laurie P. Scott
Organizations
Sergio and Amelia Martin
Molly and Ed Sharpe
Alpha Capital Management
Octavio N. Martinez Jr.
Brigid Shea
Apple Inc.
Norman L. Mason
Jennifer Sherrill
Austin Capital Area CLC
Anthony Maxie
EmilyAnne Skinner
Austin Pi Beta Phi Foundation
Keith A. and Alice M. Maxie
Amy Skudlarczyk
Blackridge*
Randy and Jenna McEachern
Jan Slagter
Buena Vista Foundation*
Camille Scioli McNamara
Keri L. and William E. Smeaton
Chevron Corporation
John and Marcie Merrell
Evan and Julia Smith
Chronic Crave
Ellen and Steve Miura
Monte H. Smith
Cortez Insurance Agency
The Jennifer Huggins
Shelly Ann Smith
Dell Inc.
Yolanda Soriano
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
The Molinar Family
Rodney and Marcy Sprott
Frost National Bank
Ann Moody
C. Jackson and Andrea Stolle
The Hartford
Kristi and David Moriarty
Tom and Brenda Strama
H-E-B
Kelly J. Mullin
Kristopher D. Swift
Highland Mall
Dean Munyon
Kiyoshi Tamagawa
IBM International Foundation
Maria Nehring
Eunice R. Tanco
Ray Jackson’s Rising Stars
Missy Colbert Nichols
Kent and Lucie Taylor
David E. Jones and Associates
Modesett Family
UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
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KDK-Harman Foundation Kingston Consulting Inc. L & M Charitable Foundation Inc. Longhorn Alumni Band Longhorn Bikes T. C. Lupton Jr. Family Foundation RunTex Inc. The Schweitzer Family Foundation Southwest Constructors Inc.* St. David’s Foundation* The Stahl Family Foundation State Farm Companies Foundation Strategic Education Solutions Sylvan Learning of Austin Tartaglino Richards Family Foundation University Co-operative Society University Federal Credit Union University Masonic Lodge Foundation
Jennifer Esterline – 2012 Executive Director,
2011-12 Development Council
WAYA
KDK-Harman Foundation
Whole Foods Market Inc.
Dr. Chiquita Watt Eugene – 2014
Whole Foods Market Southwest L.P.
(2nd term) City of Austin
Capital Campaign Committee:
George and Fay Young Foundation
Dr. Andrea Flower – 2015
Betsy Abell
Zimmerman Family Foundation
Department of Special Education,
Buena Vista Foundation
of the Raymond James
College of Education
Hughes Abell
Charitable Endowment Fund
Dr. Mark Gooden, Chair – 2012
Llano Partners, Ltd.
Department of Educational
Laura Beuerlein
Endowments Criaco Family Endowed Excellence Fund Ira and Muriel Maxie Endowment *Donors who have contributed to the capital campaign this year
2011-12 Management Board
Administration, College of
Heritage Title Company of Austin
Education
Gigi Bryant
Cathy Hagenbaumer – 2013
GMSA Management Services
Finance Manager, DDCE
Sam Bryant
Dr. Dolly Lambdin – 2013
Bryant Wealth Investment Group
Department of Kinesiology
Lisa Gottesman
and Health Education,
Community Volunteer
College of Education
Sandy Gottesman
Dr. Taylor Martin – 2013
Live Oak-Gottesman Group
Department of Curriculum and
Vaughn Gross
Instruction, College of Education
Community Volunteer
Randy Ramirez – 2015
Betty Hewell
Dr. Jennifer Adair – 2012
Program Manager, Solarwinds
The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Curriculum and
Suzette Ruedas – 2015
Rusty Kelley
UTES Parent
Blackridge, TX
Penny Burck – 2012
Dr. Laurie Scott – 2015
Perry Lorenz
Community Volunteer
Department of Music and Human
Real Estate Developer
Instruction, College of Education
Robiaun Charles – 2013 Assistant Vice President for Development and External Relations, DDCE
Learning, College of Fine Arts
Howard Nirken
Dr. Ed Sharpe – 2013
DuBois, Bryant, & Campbell, L.L.P.
(3rd term) Department of
Julie Oles, Co-Chair
Educational Administration,
Community Volunteer
College of Education 14
UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
Pat Oles, Co-Chair
Dr. Gregory J. Vincent
Barshop & Oles Co.
Vice President for Diversity and
Michael Klein
Community Engagement
Neighborhood Longhorns Pan-Am Recreation Center PetSmart
The Klein Foundation
Angie Pete Yowell
Responsive Classroom
Jeanne Klein
Development Officer for
Rotary Club
The Klein Foundation
Annual Giving Campaign Committee: Penny Burck, Chair Community Volunteer Jennifer Esterline KDK-Harman Foundation Kathy Estes Frost Bank Courtney Houston West Austin Youth Association Randy Ramirez Solarwinds Buzzy Woodworth Woodworth Homes
UT Elementary School, DDCE
RunTex St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
2011-12 Community Partners
St. David’s Legacy of Giving Students of the World Sustainable Food Center
A Community for Education (ACE)
Texas Child Study Center
Action Based Learning
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Active Life Movement
University Co-op
Austin Bat Cave
University Federal Credit Union
Austin Children’s Museum
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin District Charter Collaborative
Blanton Museum of Art Cockrell School of Engineering
Austin Energy
College of Education
Austin Independent School
College of Communication
District
College of Fine Arts
Austin Zoo
College of Natural Sciences
Marketing and Communications Committee:
Bike Texas
LBJ School of Public Affairs
Born to Run Foundation
Rec Sports
Breakthrough Austin
School of Human Ecology
Felicia Adams
Canine Center for Training and
School of Nursing
Community Volunteer
Behavior
School of Social Work
Leslie Blair
Center Stage Texas
University Development Office
Division of Diversity and
Central Texas Safari Club
UT Longhorn Alumni Band
Collaborative for Academic,
UT Longhorn Jazz Band
Community Engagement Crystal Cotti
Social and Emotional Learning
Sylvan Learning
Committee for Children
Sandy Fivecoat
Dell employees
WeAreTeachers.com
El Milagro
Aileen Krassner
Expanded Food and Nutrition
Community Volunteer
Education Program Travis County
UT Strings Project UT Taekwondo University of Texas at Houston Health Science Center UTES Parent Forum WeAreTeachers.com
Lisa Henken Ramirez
Fiesta!
West Austin Youth Association
NetSpend Corporation
Frost Bank
Whole Foods
Green Gate Farms
YMCA
STAFF Robiaun Charles Assistant Vice President for Development and External Relations, DDCE Melissa Chavez Executive Director, UT Elementary School Dr. Sherri Sanders Associate Vice President, DDCE Dr. Ed Sharpe Management Board Vice-Chair,
H-E-B H20 for Life HostGator Austin Ignite A Dream Joe’s Bakery Jordan Shipley Summer Camp KDK-Harman Foundation Keep Austin Beautiful (KAB) KIPP Austin Lower Colorado River Authority McKinney Roughs Nature Park
The University of Texas at Austin UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
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Is this school only for the children of UT faculty and staff? The school serves the children of East Austin regardless of UT affiliation. Anyone who resides in the zip codes: 78702, 78721, 78722, 78723, or 78741, is eligible to apply. Our student demographics reflect an 87% ethnic minority. Seventy percent of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch based on a household annual income of $41,000 or less for a family of four. Most of our students will be first-generation college students. What makes UT Elementary School different from other public charters?
UT Elementary School Frequently Asked Questions
As the first university-sponsored charter school in Texas, we put into practice the proven, effective research about teaching and learning that comes from University of Texas faculty. We also help to train and mentor future educators from the university. In addition, we have an obligation to share the practices we use and disseminate them among educators to help spread effective instructional practices to as many educators and students as possible. Are you funded by The University of Texas? The University of Texas invested resources to create and build our school, and also provides us an enormous wealth of intellectual resources in the form of faculty and staff who provide training, mentoring and time to assist the school in its mission. The University of Texas at Austin provides between two and three percent of our general operating budget.
You can find additional FAQ as well as more detailed answers by visiting www.utelementary.org/FAQ What is a charter school, and how is a charter school different from a traditional school? A charter school is a public school that operates as a one-school public school district. In our case, the charter is held by The University of Texas Board of Regents. Do charter schools have admission policies? Can they “pick” who attends? Charter schools cannot “choose” which students attend. By law, charter schools must have a fair and open admission process, conducting outreach and recruitment to all segments of the community they serve. Eligibility for enrollment at UT Elementary is based on a family’s residence within our geographic service area. Our students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, or by public lottery when applicants exceed available slots. No tuition may be charged. 16
UTES Annual report | 2011–2012
photo: Management Board Facilities Chair Dr. Ed Sharpe, Executive Director Melissa Chavez, and Studio 8 Architects Ethan Glass and Jennifer Carter gather with the Little Longhorns in the new courtyard.
The University of Texas Elementary School (512) 495-3300 2200 East Sixth Street Austin, TX 78702 utelementary.org facebook.com/utelementary twitter.com/utelementary