Letter from the Editor

I am thrilled to bring you this next issue of IMPACT Magazine in partnership with our Advancement team. I HAD A GLIMPSE INTO THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS through my longtime family friend, Veronica Gonzales, state representative in district 41 from 2005 through 2012. I watched her combine her passion for progress with her duties as a public servant to help foster opportunities for all.

As she served her constituents in the Texas House of Representatives, I saw just how much advocacy plays a critical role in the legislative process. It helps define our policies and shape our collective future. Real progress comes from citizens like you who lend their voice to advocate for our students, families and campuses.

Some examples of advocacy in action are IDEA’s Family Advisory Council and the Advocacy Action Team (AAT). Comprised of parent representatives from each campus, these organizations work collectively to ensure that parent voices are a vital part of IDEA’s policies and future.

From partnering with principals to fostering changes at the campus level to lobbying for IDEA by contacting state representatives, our advocates help us continually improve the quality of our schools while remaining accountable to each of our families.

In fact, members of the AAT were instrumental in helping advocate for IDEA when Texas State Representatives were considering House Bill 3 (HB3) this spring. Through hard work and many grassroots campaigns, I am proud to say that IDEA Public Schools, alongside all schools in Texas, is a proud beneficiary of HB3 funding—which will allow us to invest in a variety of innovative ways that will ultimately support our scholars to and through college.

This issue is dedicated to highlighting the investments we are making for you and your children.

A special shout out to more than 2,250 parents who wrote letters, lobbied, and testified this year. We appreciate your voices beyond measure.

Sincerely,

VANESSA BARRY Sr. Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Enrollment IDEA Public Schools