IMPACT A magazine for IDEA students, families and supporters. VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2 | WINTER 2015
TWEET #IMPACTBYIDEA UPON RECEIPT!
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A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
When I grew up, conversations about college were a rare occurrence. Like many high schools, the one I attended placed a strong emphasis on state exams. Most of our time and attention focused on those tests. As the first person in my family to attend and ultimately graduate from college, I was a bit lost as a result. While working on this issue of IMPACT magazine, I was exposed to every facet of our amazing network of schools. As I learned about the personalized learning that happens for students at the academy level (P. 8), the rigorous AP For All initiative (P. 12), and the support offered for students on their journey to and through college (P. 18), I couldn’t help but reflect on my school experience. Unfortunately, thousands of children in my underserved neighborhood fell through the cracks. For those of us lucky enough to work at IDEA Public Schools, we know that won’t happen to our students. For the past nine years, 100% of our students have been accepted to college, 99% of them have matriculated to college, and they are graduating at rates five times the national average. Together, we are proving what’s possible for all children and making college a reality for our students. IDEA’s Founder and CEO has said before that it takes a “Rio Grande Valley Village” to achieve these incredible results. And he’s right. We call this village our Team & Family and this magazine is dedicated to them. Enjoy learning about the incredible people who make up IDEA Public Schools. Together, we’re Team & Family. We are IDEA. #somosIDEA.
IMPACT | CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anndria Flores ART DIRECTOR Phil Chairez PHOTOGRAPHER Johnny Quiroz EDITOR-AT-LARGE Vanessa Barry CONTRIBUTORS A number of IDEA teams and individuals made valuable contributions to the production of the magazine, including: Advancement Team Academic Services Team Camp RIO at Lula Sams Campus Administration College Success Team Child Nutrition Program Healthy Kids Here Schools Team Leadership ON THE COVER The heartbeat of IDEA: our students, staff, and leaders. COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? Email marketing@ideapublicschools.org IMPACT is produced for IDEA students, families, employees, and supporters three times a year by the Marketing and Community Engagement department at IDEA Public Schools. CONTENTS © 2015 BY IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Share your photo and story on social media and tag #somosIDEA. We want to hear from you.
Anndria Flores, Editor MISSION IDEA Public Schools prepares students from underserved communities for success in college and citizenship.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 #SOMOSIDEA A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
4 A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDERS 6 REGION AT A GLANCE 8 LITTLE GIRL, BIG ACHIEVEMENT
10 THE PARENT PARTNERSHIP 12 IDEA’S AP FOR ALL FEATURED ON “THINK IT UP” - AMERICA’S FIRST EVER ALL EDUCATION NATIONAL BROADCAST
13 EIGHTH-GRADER EARNS COLLEGE CREDIT
14 WHAT’S IN YOUR LOCKER? 16 THE GAME CHANGERS Estevan Aguilar, a kindergarten student at IDEA Frontier enjoys learning how to read and write.
18 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 22 BECAUSE OF A TEACHER 23 SAN ANTONIO EXPANSION ON-TRACK THANKS TO MAYS FAMILY FOUNDATION
24 FOOD LITERACY GROWS IN SCHOOL FARMS AND GARDENS
26 NEW ADVENTURES BEGIN AT CAMP RIO AT LULA SAMS
28 IDEA’S EVERYDAY HEROES MAKE COLLEGE A REALITY FOR OUR STUDENTS
30 READING AND WRITING TIPS 32 HOLIDAY WISHES
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDERS
Tom Torkelson, IDEA Founder and CEO and JoAnn Gama, IDEA Co-founder, President and Superintendent, address IDEA’s Team & Family at the 15th Annual Back to School Bash.
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Dear Team & Family, In the fall 2015 issue of IMPACT magazine, we celebrate the incredible Team & Family at IDEA Public Schools. Since we founded IDEA, we have witnessed a tremendous amount of growth and have achieved many accolades. Our achievements would not be possible without your hard work, commitment to excellence, and your generous support of our students and schools. Our people are our greatest asset – we aim to attract, select, train, develop, and retain the best teachers and leaders. We know that this is the most critical investment we make for our students. Every member of the IDEA Team & Family shares our commitment to our students, and our unwavering belief that each and every child can, and will, succeed if given access to an excellent public school. IDEA Public Schools would not be where we are today without the overwhelming support of our network of donors and supporters who invest their time, talent, and resources to our mission. From local businesses to national foundations, your financial support has enabled us to expand our impact, serve more students and new communities, and provide our students the kinds of opportunities they need to be successful. We are so proud to share these stories with you. They will inspire you, just as they inspire us each and every day. The ambition, drive, and accomplishments of the individuals featured in this magazine are nothing short of remarkable. Team & Family means we are in this together. We support each other through unforeseen challenges and celebrate our many successes. Thank you for sharing our commitment to IDEA. Our students count on each of us - teachers, administrators, parents, and donors - to realize their potential is limitless.
Carpe Diem,
Tom Torkelson Founder and CEO
JoAnn Gama Co-founder, President, and Superintendent
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REGION AT A GLANCE
RIO GRANDE VALLEY
Great things have happened in the Rio Grande Valley since the last issue of IMPACT magazine, and we’d like to share our regional achievements with you. Take a look at what’s going on in our schools in the upper and lower Rio Grande Valley. RIO GRANDE VALLEY DISTINCTIONS
This summer, we were informed that seven of our campuses in the lower Rio Grande Valley, and four in the upper region of the Valley, met all of the distinctions possible by the Teacher Education Agency (TEA). The TEA ratings are based on the performance of our schools in student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness. We are very proud of our schools for their hard work.
HERE IS A SNAPSHOT OF THE SCHOOLS THAT MET ALL DISTINCTIONS. LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY SCHOOLS
UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY SCHOOLS
IDEA Frontier Academy IDEA Quest College Prep IDEA Frontier College Prep IDEA College Prep McAllen IDEA Academy Brownsville IDEA Academy Edinburg IDEA College Prep Brownsville IDEA Academy McAllen IDEA Academy Weslaco IDEA Academy Alamo IDEA Weslaco Pike College Prep
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
In this issue of IMPACT, you’ll read about how IDEA San Benito was featured on a national telecast called Think It Up during the start of the school year (see P. 12). Our very own AP Biology founding teacher, Mr. Adrian Correa at IDEA College Prep San Benito, and alumnus Jasiel Martinez (IDEA College Prep San Benito ’15), appeared in a vignette of the televised program. We were elated to have them featured and would like to take this time to thank everyone who showed their support and tuned-in. We are thankful to Mr. Correa and Adrian for representing our school and district in front of the nation.
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INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE NEWS
In September, IDEA Frontier College Prep had their International Baccalaureate (IB) visit, and we will know by February the status of IDEA Frontier as an IB candidate. While IDEA Frontier is still being considered for IB authorization, IDEA College Prep Brownsville and IDEA College Prep McAllen campuses were recognized as candidate schools for International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme on September 1. They will follow a rigorous process to meet specific requirements during the next three years to achieve official IB authorization. Once the schools receive full IB authorization, our students will have the opportunity to graduate from high school with an IB diploma and 24 or more college hours like students at IDEA College Prep Donna. IDEA College Prep Donna had 40% of eligible students in their Class of 2015 receive an IB diploma, and each received 24 hours of college credit.
Pictured are students from, IDEA Frontier and IDEA Donna hard at work in their classrooms and eager to learn.
COLLEGIATE SUMMER AWAY PROGRAM
We believe it is important for our students to visit college campuses to determine which college is right for them. The Collegiate Summer Away Program (CSAP) allows our high school students to experience college life. Students live on campus, take college courses, and interact with other college students. Upper and lower Valley schools, IDEA College Prep Donna, IDEA College Prep Mission, IDEA College Prep San Juan, IDEA Quest College Prep, IDEA Frontier College Prep, and IDEA College Prep San Benito had over 50% of their 2015 junior classes participate in CSAP. Over 85% of the universities they attended are considered highly selective or selective universities.
MORE SCHOOL DOORS OPEN IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY
We are always excited to open doors to a new school and this year IDEA Riverview and IDEA North Mission opened their doors. IDEA Riverview currently serves Pre-K, kindergarten, first grade, and sixth grade, and IDEA North Mission serves kindergarten and sixth grade. Both schools are off to a great start! The Rockets at IDEA Riverview kicked off the new school year with cheerleaders greeting the students and a big pep rally.
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BIG LITTLE GIRL
ACHIEVEMENT WHEN I SEE DEVANY, I AM REMINDED OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF OUR SCHOLARS AT IDEA.”
With the help of Ms. Hely Forrester (right), Devany Farias (left) mastered reading on grade-level.
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AT IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE ROAD TO COLLEGE BEGINS IN KINDERGARTEN. A STRONG FOUNDATION IN READING, WRITING, AND MATH SETS THE STAGE FOR SUCCESS IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE. Devany Farias started the second grade at IDEA Monterrey Park Academy reading on a kindergarten level - two grade levels behind - a rough start for any child entering a new grade and a new school. “I was sad because I didn’t read very much until I came to this school,” said Devany. Devany received extra reading time with her teacher, at home with her family, and during designated class time at her school’s Accelerated Reading Zone. She quickly mastered the AR quizzes, jumping from a kindergarten to third grade reading level in just one year. Now, Devany is blossoming. Her newfound ability to read on grade-level with her thirdgrade classmates has inspired her to be a teacher, just like the teacher who taught her to read, Ms. Hely Forrester. Every IDEA school and every IDEA teacher does Whatever It Takes to help our students face obstacles head on and stay on the path to college. Ms. Forrester helped Devany prove what’s possible, and that is how IDEA Public Schools makes college a reality for all children. “I was at the little level, and I moved up and up. It was because of my teacher. She is nice, and she spends extra time working with me.” “Being a part of Devany’s transformation has been an incredibly fulfilling experience,” said Ms. Forrester. “When I see Devany, I am reminded of what is possible for all of our scholars at IDEA.” Now, Devany has some advice for other students who might be struggling with their reading: “Read when you’re at your house. Read for 30-minutes so you can get better. You can be like me, too.” Devany knows that reading isn’t just important now. She understands that it is just one of many skills she’ll need to be successful after she leaves IDEA Public Schools. “Read hard so you can get to college,” said Devany. Today, if you ask eight-year-old Devany what her favorite subject is, you get this enthusiastic response: “Reading! I love reading. The books I read are funny and make me laugh.”
INSPIRED BY DEVANY’S STORY? Develop a love of reading and aspire to be an IDEA Millionaire this year!
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very year IDEA Public Schools hosts Millionaire Brunch celebrations in Austin, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley to recognize students who read a minimum of 1 million to 3 million words and demonstrate comprehension (a minimum score of 85%) on their Accelerated Reader quizzes. In the 2014-15 school year, more than 680 IDEA students joined the Millionaire’s Club. We’ll roll out the red carpet for our 2015-16 Millionaire students later this year. An accomplishment this big deserves nothing but the best.
WHAT DOES A MILLION WORDS LOOK LIKE? READING THIS LIST OF CLASSICS Fahrenheit 451 Lord of the Flies The Scarlett Letter To Kill A Mockingbird Uncle Tom’s Cabin Grapes of Wrath Moby Dick Catch 22 Sense and Sensibility
READING 50
GOOSEBUMPS CHAPTER BOOKS
READING 1000
BERENSTAIN BEARS BOOKS IMPACT 2015
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The Parent Partnership The road to college is long. It demands dedication, hard work, and perseverance. IDEA parents work alongside teachers and principals to make sure their students make it to and through college.
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veryone plays a pivotal role in our students’ success, and parents, in particular, are partners in everything we do. Ms. Elisa Botello’s story is a glimpse of one parent partnership experience. Ms. Botello is the parent of six-year-old Dreyton “Dre” Roy Flores, a first-grader at IDEA Allan Academy. Like many parents, she juggles the day-today responsibilities of raising a child and working to support her family. She admits juggling it all while simultaneously working several jobs isn’t always easy, especially without family nearby. “My nearest family member is four hours away,” said Ms. Botello.
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Elisa Botello proudly stands behind her son, Dreyton “Dre” Flores, first-grader at IDEA Allan Academy.
HIS TEACHERS ARE ALWAYS GREAT ABOUT SENDING AN EMAIL OR A TEXT MESSAGE. Despite her busy schedule, Ms. Botello does her best to make sure she spends as much quality time with her son, whom she co-parents with her ex-husband, as possible. Dre, like all IDEA students, wears a uniform for school. Efficiency in the morning has allowed for more quality time between mother and son. This time allows them to talk about the day ahead and not bicker over shirts and shorts. As an IDEA parent, Ms. Botello never has to worry about staying on-top of Dre’s academic progress because she’s in communication with Dre’s teachers and several school events throughout the year. She is his strongest advocate, and Ms. Botello knows exactly what Dre needs to work on when he comes home because of these communications channels. “His teachers are always great about sending an email or text message. It’s been such an open door policy with them.” Open communication is easy because teachers at IDEA are passionate about what they do. They want parents to help keep students on the college track from
kinder and beyond. That’s one of the primary reasons why Ms. Botello decided to enroll her son at IDEA. “I loved how it was obvious that the staff was committed. That was really important to me,” said Ms. Botello. “My initial reaction about IDEA was, the teachers obviously love their job and care about the kids and will ensure that my son is prepared for college.” IDEA teachers are deeply and personally invested in student success. That commitment compels them to tailor coursework and instruction to meet each student’s skills and learning needs. “I think it’s great that they don’t try to slow him down. In my experience as a student, some schools slow students down or go too fast. At IDEA, if my son needs to be challenged, he’s challenged. I can tell the teachers are in-tune with what he knows.” Since Dre began attending IDEA, Ms. Botello has noticed his confidence soar and she and his teachers are by his side to keep it sky high.
STAY CONNECTED Here are a few tips to stay involved in your child’s day to day. 1. CHECK YOUR SCHOLAR’S READING PROGRESS BY VISITING THE AR ZONE PAGE ON YOUR CAMPUS WEBSITE. 2. CHECK YOUR SCHOLAR’S GRADES BY ACCESSING POWERSCHOOL.
3. CHECK THE MATERIALS SENT HOME WITH YOUR CHILD. 4. COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR SCHOLAR’S HOMEROOM TEACHER. (REMEMBER ALL IDEA TEACHERS HAVE CELL PHONES AND ANSWER UNTIL 9 P.M.!)
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AP
IDEA’s AP for All Featured on “Think It Up” - America’s First Ever All Education National Broadcast
America’s colleges and universities are becoming more competitive. Students all over the country work for better grades, higher test scores and take increasingly challenging courses to compete for seats in the best schools.
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his is why IDEA launched AP For All in 2014. IDEA’s AP For All initiative supports IDEA’s continued efforts to close the achievement gap through college preparedness, matriculation, and graduation. IDEA Public Schools was founded on the principle that all students should have the ability and access to the resources they need to succeed at the college of their choice. The personalized elementary curriculum for all academy students (like Devany, see P. 8) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses for college-prep students (like Ivy, see P. 13) give students the competitive edge they need to achieve success in a highlycompetitive college environment. That’s good news as research shows that students who can tackle the rigor of college-level coursework while they are in high school are more likely to be successful in college. Far more likely. In fact, students who take AP classes are four times more likely to graduate from college. At IDEA, we have seen a 78% increase in students who score a 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. These students are classified as AP Scholars. AP Scholars, along with all students who pass an AP exam with a 3 or higher, earn college credit.
Because of this amazing success, on September 11, 2015, IDEA was featured on the nationwide telecast, Think It Up, which appeared on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. The Think It Up initiative is led by the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ExxonMobil, and Staples, among others. IDEA was honored to help promote the importance of high expectations and provide a voice for students across America who deserve a quality education. Mr. Adrian Correa, IDEA College Prep San Benito founding teacher, and IDEA College Prep San Benito alumnus (‘15) Jasiel Martinez were selected to share their story on the primetime broadcast. Jasiel is a freshman at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, a former student in Mr. Correa’s AP Biology class, and is one of many first-generation college students who graduated in IDEA’s Class of 2015. It’s no wonder IDEA was featured on Think It Up when you consider how all of our 6th-12th grade students receive rigorous Pre-AP and AP Coursework. Or, when you take into account how our students begin college field lessons in elementary school to learn about
different universities to reinforce the importance of college. Congratulations to Jasiel, Mr. Correa, and all the students and teachers working so hard in the AP for All Program.
If you didn’t catch IDEA’s feature during Think It Up’s national premiere, visit our Facebook page, click the “More” tab and select “Videos” to check it out. www.facebook.com/ideapublicschools
IDEA WAS THE ONLY SCHOOL NETWORK IN TEXAS FEATURED ON THE NATIONWIDE TELECAST, THINK IT UP, WHICH APPEARED ON ABC, CBS, FOX, AND NBC IN SEPTEMBER.
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Ivy Salinas, ninth-grader at IDEA College Prep Pharr, sits and smiles as she reflects upon her ability to conquer her AP Spanish course and earn college credit.
Eighth-Grader Earns College Credit Ivy Salinas, now a ninth-grader at IDEA College Prep Pharr, has already earned college credit. She was part of IDEA’s first AP Spanish pilot to offer eighth-graders the opportunity to complete an AP exam traditionally taken by high school students.
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he and her classmates achieved phenomenal results. 64 out of 68 students passed. 77% of those students scored a 4 or 5 on the exam, a 5 being the highest score possible. Ivy was one of them. Many students and families in the Rio Grande Valley speak Spanish, but Ivy can tell you that an AP Spanish course teaches far more than she would have learned at home. “We learned about the culture of different countries. We also had to know each region’s language, currency, the most popular religion and more,” said Ivy. Although Ivy grew up speaking Spanish, she found the content to be just as challenging for her as her classmates who were not fluent in Spanish. “Learning how to write the accents was difficult. When you only speak Spanish, you don’t have to know that. And, you can’t compare accents in Spanish words to English words. You have to learn to write every word.” To help students practice and retain information, Ivy’s Spanish teacher, Ms. Villarreal would encourage students to work together and collaborate. “Ms. Villarreal also made sure to always check if each student understood what they learned in class,” said Ivy. As the day of Ivy’s first AP exam approached she became increasingly nervous. Could she really pass an exam typically intended for older students?
On the day of the test, my teacher gave a speech, told us we could pass the exam, and gave each of us a note that said she believed in us. I was really inspired by that, and I tried my best.” This summer Ivy found out she passed her AP Spanish exam, earned college credit, and learned a valuable lesson. “I learned I’m capable of doing things older kids are doing. The experience taught me to believe in myself,” said Ivy. “I think it’s good that IDEA encourages us to take classes that are hard. The more classes we take, the more we advance. I think colleges will like to see I passed an AP exam.” Although Ivy admits the AP Spanish exam was difficult, she believes it was all worth it.
Featured above is a photo of IDEA Pharr students who made IDEA history and took an AP Spanish exam in 8th grade.
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WHAT’S IN YOUR LOCKER? Every student locker looks a little different. Here’s a peek inside John Ross Garza’s locker at IDEA College Prep Donna.
1. THE MODERN TEMPER IB courses at IDEA Donna require many advanced text books. “Additional reading materials allow me to gain a broader perspective of the subjects I learn in school,” said John.
2. SPANISH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY Practice makes perfect when learning a new subject, especially a new language. John keeps his SpanishEnglish dictionary on-hand to ensure he always has a helpful resource nearby he can use to increase his Spanish vocabulary.
3. THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE Most of John’s courses sound relatively familiar, but have you ever heard of Theory of Knowledge? America’s elite universities are looking for critical thinkers. “Theory of Knowledge allows us to think about what we know and why it’s important,” said John.
4. ACT PRACTICE BOOK John is doing everything necessary to be accepted to Georgetown University. That means extra preparation for the ACT.
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THE
GAME
CHANGERS In America’s poorest communities, Directors of College Counseling, like IDEA Frontier’s Rebecca Jeffries, know their daily work is changing the game. In this photo, Rebecca Jeffries, Director of College Counseling, is overjoyed by the sight of hundreds of students announcing where they will attend college during College Signing Day 2015.
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IDEA’S DIRECTORS OF COLLEGE COUNSELING ARE THE FRONT LINES OF IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ COMMITMENT TO COLLEGE FOR ALL CHILDREN.
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hen Rebecca Jeffries joined IDEA Public Schools in 2008 as a middle school teacher, she was ready to make a difference. Her work in the classroom was fulfilling, but after several years teaching, she knew her calling was to more directly support IDEA’s students matriculate to college in the Director of College Counseling (DCC) role. IDEA’s DCCs are more than counselors. They’re personal college advisors for our students throughout the matriculation journey. From helping students identify colleges that will be a perfect fit for them to supporting them through the application process, DCCs are there every step of the way. As a DCC, Ms. Jeffries has spent countless hours working with students. She teaches them to set high standards for themselves, encourages them to apply to their top choice schools, emphasizes the importance of a college education and encourages them to be culturally aware. The annual culmination of these efforts is College Signing Day when IDEA seniors announce where they will attend college. Her most memorable moment during the eight years she’s worked at IDEA Public Schools was the day she saw one of her former eighth grade students, who had struggled in school, participate in College Signing Day. While his
teacher, Ms. Jeffries did everything she could to keep him engaged and on the college track. As his counselor, she helped him research and apply for colleges and universities. “When he crossed the stage on College Signing Day it reminded me that our mission of College For All is possible. I believed it before, but seeing him cross the stage made it real,” said Ms. Jeffries. She still gets teary-eyed just thinking about it. This story is not unique to Ms. Jeffries and this student. Across Texas, IDEA’s DCCs are helping hundreds of students prepare for college. Last year, IDEA DCCs oversaw 5,313 applications submitted to colleges and universities throughout the country. They helped our students secure $25 million in scholarships and grants, and they proudly watched as 541 seniors revealed their college choices. “The world is changing and evolving and education is the key.” Ms. Jeffries reminds her students constantly that “No one can take your education away from you.” That’s just one way the game changers of IDEA Public Schools are making our mission of College For All Children a reality.
“WHEN HE CROSSED THE STAGE ON COLLEGE SIGNING DAY IT REMINDED ME THAT OUR MISSION OF COLLEGE FOR ALL IS POSSIBLE. I BELIEVED IT BEFORE, BUT SEEING HIM CROSS THE STAGE MADE IT REAL.”
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MISSION
ACCOMPLISHED THE RAMIREZ SISTERS AND IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAKE COLLEGE A REALITY
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magine being twelve-years-old, leaving your home and your mother, moving back to the country you left as a four-year-old, and starting a new school. Twelve-year-old twin sisters Ana and Fabiola Ramirez (IDEA College Prep Mission ’14) confronted all these challenges and many more when they returned to the United States from Mexico in 2007. Their father knew it would be difficult, but he wanted a better life for his daughters. Their mother made the
impossible choice to be separated from her children because she knew that a good education could change their lives forever. These sisters knew they wanted to make their parents proud, and achieve their dream of a college degree. They spent their first few years in the U.S. working to master a new language and catch up to their classmates. The girls worked hard, but they knew learning English was not the only key to success.
Ana (left) and Fabiola (right) Ramirez are proud to share they’ve accomplished their mission of attending college at the University of Texas at Austin.
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When they heard about a nearby high school that promised College For All Children, they knew that their parents’ hope for them could be realized. Their father took them to visit IDEA College Prep Mission, and when they learned that the high school sent 100% of its students to college, Ana and Fabiola were ready to enroll. “Both of us were excited about a change in environment, getting to know new people, and realize our dream of college,” said Ana. They were happy in their new school, but found their new and more demanding English coursework to be a challenge. “We had a hard time with English because it is not our first language,” said Ana. With the help and moral support of Ms. Sari Wilson, an English teacher at IDEA Mission, Ana and Fabiola were able to tackle and master all the demands of their new language. “Ms. Wilson was there every single time we needed her, even after school. She helped us out a lot,” said Ana. They attribute their high school success to the support system IDEA College Prep Mission creates for all its students. As they look back on their high school years, they recognize all the teachers, the encouragement, and the No Excuses culture at IDEA Public Schools that made college a reality for them. “In high school our teachers always tried to get us involved in new organizations and to network with other people,” Ana recalled. Once Ana and Fabiola graduated, support and motivation from IDEA Public Schools did not end. “A member of Alumni Affairs at IDEA reached out to us every two weeks,” said Fabiola. In Ana and Fabiola’s case, when they began their college journey they were undecided about what they wanted to major in and weren’t sure of what classes to take. A member of the Alumni Affairs team helped them navigate all the course options and graduation requirements. Sometimes Ana and Fabiola needed advice on how to talk to their professors or handle their workload, and the Alumni Affairs team helped coach them through that, too. To help educate the twins about financial resources available to them while on their college journey, Ana and Fabiola’s Alumni Affairs advisor informed them about scholarship opportunities, and financial support available on a case-by-case basis to students experiencing financial hardship. Scholarship and emergency financial assistance are made available to alumni thanks to IDEA supporters, and Give
Ana (left) and Fabiola (right) at their high school graduation, ready to embark on their college journey.
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Me 5, an employee giving campaign. (Read more about Give Me 5 on P. 28.) Fabiola took full advantage of the scholarship opportunity. “I won the Give Me 5 Scholarship from IDEA,” said Fabiola. Ana was the recipient of the Alumni Affairs social media engagement incentives and received a prize for staying engaged on social media. To give back to IDEA Public Schools, the sisters plan to speak to students at IDEA campuses in Austin and educate them about the importance of college. They will also share personal story of accomplishment and persistence on the road to college. Today, Ana and Fabiola are sophomores at the University of Texas at Austin. They founded the University’s AVID for Higher Education chapter, an organization that provides students with the necessary resources to increase their learning, persistence, and success in college. They are still deciding what’s next for them after they graduate from college, but are committed to serving others and share a strong desire to work in the field of immigration. Ana sees herself in the educational, social, or political sector. Fabiola is leaning toward a career in the private sector that will allow her to impact immigration in different ways. Fabiola and Ana’s journey is a testament to the fact that college is possible. It takes a lot of hard work and determination, but IDEA students complete the college journey - Whatever It Takes. Fabiola offered words of advice for other students facing personal and academic challenges:
“STAY TRUE TO YOUR GOALS. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SUPPORT IDEA PROVIDES. I PROMISE THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE WILL BE REWARDING.”
Ana (left) and Fabiola (right) show their school pride by wearing their Longhorn gear on the steps of their college campus.
Ana (right) and Fabiola Ramirez (left) celebrate College Signing Day with their mentor, former English teacher and current College Success Team member Ms. Sari Wilson (center).
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BECAUSE OF A TEACHER A
career in teaching at IDEA Public Schools requires a sincere commitment to the belief that all students regardless of their background, can achieve success and attend college. It also takes dedication and a commitment to excellence. For the past five years, Mr. Marco Castillo, a founding science teacher at IDEA College Prep McAllen, has had that drive and dedication. When he joined IDEA in 2010, he knew he would be challenged to work harder and do more to help his students succeed. He also recognized that is exactly what he needed to become the type of teacher he wanted to be. He wanted to master his craft and inspire others, just like the teachers who inspired him growing up. Now in his fifth year with IDEA Public Schools, he continues to expand and improve his horizons as an educator by attending professional development opportunities. He utilizes these conferences and events to learn about new ideas and strategies that he can take back to his school and classroom. He shares these innovative ideas and best practices with his fellow teachers and integrates them into his work with students. And this commitment to learning is paying off. According to a survey completed by parents of his students, 100% of parents responded favorably that Mr. Castillo is preparing his students for college. And, 100% of his students responded favorably to: my teacher makes me do my best work. Mr. Castillo is clearly challenging his students to not only be the best, but produce the best quality work possible. This is especially evident in his students’ science fair projects. For three years in a row, his students have advanced to The Texas State Science Fair. This year Mr. Castillo is especially proud to announce that one of his eighth-grade students made it all the way to The White House Science Fair in Washington DC. “Being a state winner is a big deal and an incredible experience.” These complex science projects and the rigor of science homework can be daunting to students and families alike. However, Mr. Castillo knows that parents are his partners, and he has to make science accessible to everyone if his students are going to be successful. “To achieve the best results, we need to be collaborative and work together. Parents have a lot to offer students. Even if they don’t know the specific steps taught in the classroom, they know a lot — sometimes more — through life experience. The combination can be a powerful thing for a student.”
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At IDEA Public Schools, we’re lucky to have an army of Mr. Castillos at every single one of our campuses from Brownsville to Austin working day in and day out to ensure that our students graduate from high school ready for college. One day soon, we know that every single one of our students will graduate from college and have a moment of reflection later in their life where they’ll realize where they are because of a teacher.
I know I’m where I am today because of a teacher. I was able to complete a master’s degree because of a teacher. Even when I thought I couldn’t accomplish some of my goals, there was a teacher who helped me believe I could,” said Mr. Castillo. “And now, I want to be that teacher for my students as they prepare for college.”
SAN ANTONIO EXPANSION O N - T R AC K T H A N K S TO MAYS FAMILY FOUNDATION
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very new IDEA school bring us one step closer to achieving our mission of College For All Children. As we grow and educate thousands of students, we understand we must do so responsibly. To support our San Antonio growth, earlier this year, the Mays Family Foundation announced a generous donation to support IDEA Public Schools’ expanding San Antonio network of schools. “Supporting IDEA Public Schools growth in San Antonio is consistent with our family’s mission of supporting our communities through causes that aid, empower and educate. We believe there must
be a broad approach to improving our children’s educational results,” said Mr. Lowry Mays. In honor of the Mays Family Foundation, IDEA named its sixth San Antonio campus after the Family and hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in their honor on December 2, 2015. The new school is scheduled to open its doors to kindergarten, first, second, and sixth grade in August of 2016 and will serve approximately 400 students its first year. IDEA Mays will be the sixth campus in San Antonio. We can hardly wait to open its doors on the first day of school next year.
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FOOD LITERACY
Grows
IN SCHOOL FARMS AND GARDENS At IDEA, we know that healthy bodies fuel healthy minds. In 2014, we launched a full fledged campaign called Healthy Kids Here. Through Healthy Kids Here, our district has developed a dynamic wellness policy to improve the health of our students and support their academic success. To make this happen, IDEA has eight farms and gardens throughout the network. We sat down with IDEA Quest farmer, Mr. Griffin Arellano, to learn more about the daily work of planning and executing at an IDEA farm.
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IDEA Quest Academy students show off produce they picked from their school garden.
Vegetables from IDEA Quest Academy and College Prep’s fall harvest.
IDEA Quest Academy students are pictured learning in their school garden and proudly holding their garden harvest.
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ast year, the IDEA Quest farm harvested 3,400 pounds of produce. That’s enough food to provide one serving of vegetables to 13,600 students. “Our goal is to become the healthiest school district in the nation. To do that, we have to grow enough produce to impact what’s being served in the campus cafeterias,” said Mr. Arellano. But, becoming the healthiest school district takes more than just fruits and vegetables. Mr. Arellano also creates educational opportunities for students through partnerships with teachers on campus. On any given day he conducts lessons at the school garden, teaching students about a variety of topics, such as nutrition, food and agricultural sciences, and the natural world. “We connect children to food literacy,” Mr. Arellano said. “When you show a plant in its juvenile stages and educate students about how long it’s going to take to produce it, and they realize the immensity of the labor, time, and all the resources involved, it helps them form a greater respect for food and the people who grow it. Gardens in school give students the opportunity to see gardens in action, and to experience things they learn in a physical and more concrete way.” Research has shown that healthier students achieve more. At IDEA, we must do everything possible to support the health development of our students. Our schools offer a variety of health and wellness initiatives designed to keep our students healthy on the road to college.
Our Rio Grande Valley students will happily tell you all about their gardens - the food they produce, the planning and cultivation that makes them thrive and all the new skills they have developed along the way. They will also tell you that they take these skills home with them, and now join their families in the garden on the weekend. The IDEA Farm Program is about more than what we put in our bodies. It also teaches our students about the rich agricultural community in Texas. It demonstrates our connection to the land, the environment and each other. “It’s a team effort,” he observed. “So it was important to me to reach out to the community. When an adult buys a large bag of mixed produce, the kids see that and want to emulate it.” Over the course of the next three years, the IDEA Farm Program plans to allocate resources to create five to seven gardens at more campuses as well as add one to two farms in Central Texas. “We’re installing these gardens to increase our impact and give all IDEA students access to a garden or farm as a teaching tool,” said Mr. Arellano. This is just one more thing that sets IDEA apart - school is so much more than books and tests. Students learn and benefit from every experience, whether in the classroom or out in their gardens with their hands in the earth.
“OUR GOAL IS TO BECOME THE HEALTHIEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE NATION,” SAID MR. ARELLANO. IMPACT 2015
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NEW ADVENTURES BEGIN AT
CAMP
RIO
AT LULA SAMS STUDIES SHOW ACTIVE CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO EXCEL IN SCHOOL. DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BUILD STRONG CHARACTER.
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DEA Public Schools is dedicated to providing students with any and every opportunity to become better learners and stronger citizens. This September, IDEA opened the doors to Camp RIO at Lula Sams; a former Girl Scouts campsite situated on approximately 85 acres of untouched wildlife preserve to offer its students exceptional outdoor experiences. Camp RIO at Lula Sams is an outdoor day camp that keeps kids active while they build new skills, learn to value the importance of team building, and develop confidence. Native plants and animals that can’t be seen anywhere else in the Valley fill the property. If you’re lucky, like Mrs. Nancy Mance, Director of Programming at Camp RIO at Lula Sams, you might even get to see a Mexican tree frog. This new environment is already changing the way our students learn. Many are captivated by the lessons and wildlife they discover during their visit. Mrs. Mance helps educate students who visit the camp about the activities, safety, and wildlife. IDEA Public Schools, in coordination with the Valley Land Fund, and owners and residents of the camp, Patrick M. Burchfield, Ed.D., M.Sc., Executive Director of Gladys Porter Zoo and property conservationist, and Carol DeMoss, former Director of
IDEA Academy Weslaco third-graders explore the outdoors at Camp RIO at Lula Sams.
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OUTDOOR EXPLORER
ARCHERY
the Brownsville Museum of Art and conservationist of the property for the past 20 years, is working to preserve this unique piece of land so that generations to come may enjoy its natural state. Today, students experience camp by participating in four different activities: outdoor explorer, archery, canoeing, and geocaching. During outdoor explorer, students learn about birds from an ornithologist and are challenged to discern the type of foods various birds might eat by analyzing their beaks. Certified National Archery in Schools Program instructors teach archery. Regardless of how big or small a student is, the archery equipment used at camp is adjusted to suit each student’s strength. Some are naturals! Regardless, you can hear the sound of kids proudly cheering on their classmates and teachers when they hit the targets. Canoeing might seem like a calming and easy exercise, but many students who attend camp have never been on a boat, and sometimes refer to it as being “scary.” The challenge of maneuvering a canoe requires them to face their fears. Eightyear-old Adriana Alcorta, a third-grader at IDEA Academy Weslaco is one student who was initially hesitant to get in a canoe. With the help of her classmates and camp guide, she mustered up the courage to confront and conquer her fear of the water. After completing the activity and stepping foot on land she said: “I won’t forget this memory. I faced my fears, I got to do it with my best friends, and I gained a new memory. The best part was we got to work as a Team & Family.” Students like Adriana also learn a variety of other things. “The first is teamwork. One thing I try to tell students is you can’t always pick your teams, and even when you do they might not always work out. While working together, they learn how to trust each other. They also indirectly gain knowledge of the use of forces, like pushing and pulling. Those are things they’re doing when they paddle. As a result, they gain physical skills by utilizing the different forces around them,” said Mr. Moises Castillo, Camp RIO at Lula Sams canoe guide and physicist. In the event students have trouble navigating back to shore, the camp guide happily hops on a kayak and tugs them back.
CANOEING
GEOCACHING
When students begin their geocaching activity, they are provided instructions to find several coordinates using a GPS device and report what they find at each coordinate to their guide. Students learn to work together toward a common goal and learn to trust the group leader responsible for reading the GPS. Many are thrilled, jump for joy, smile and give their team members a high-five for a job well done when they locate their coordinates. In the years to come, IDEA hopes to create a more robust experience for students who visit Camp RIO at Lula Sams. IDEA knows that Camp RIO at Lula Sams will not only become a staple in its community, but the greater Texas wildlife community. Of course, future development takes time and money, but Mrs. Mance and her team at Camp RIO at Lula Sams are working hard to revitalize the camp.
“I won’t forget this memory. I faced my fears, I got to do it with my best friends, and I gained a new memory. The best part was we got to work as a Team & Family.”
Third-grader, Adriana Alcorta proudly walks out of her canoe after facing her fears of the water.
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Although Mr. Reynaldo M. Elizondo II did not attend college, he wants to see his children and IDEA students alike pursue a college education.
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IDEA’S EVERYDAY HEROES MAKE COLLEGE A REALITY FOR OUR STUDENTS We spend a lot of time talking about the hard work of our classroom teachers, school leaders, and the instructional team that dedicates so much time and energy to preparing IDEA scholars for college every day. But, there are heroes among us, everyday heroes in every single IDEA School, that give generously of their personal resources to make sure college is a reality for all children – even when life poses unexpected obstacles. Reynaldo M. Elizondo, II, our custodian at IDEA Carver College Prep, is one of those quiet heroes. Not only does he work tirelessly to give our students a world-class school facility, Mr. Elizondo has made a generous commitment to our students when they leave IDEA. Mr. Elizondo regularly gives to our Give Me 5 Campaign. Give Me 5 funds hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and emergency assistance to IDEA students as they matriculate to college. Mr. Elizondo is not alone. Hundreds of IDEA employees have made the decision to be quiet heroes to our students and their families. We know our team works very hard, and all our resources are precious and limited, but this selfless generosity saves the day for so many of our students. Just ask resident superhero, Mr. Elizondo:
“I did not have the opportunity to attend college and if I can support someone else’s dream, I’m going to do it,” said Mr. Elizondo. “I see our students’ commitment in the classroom and they have the passion for college and it’s too important to let money stop them from pursuing their dream and graduating from college.” You can join the ranks of the Give Me 5 Superheroes, too.
GIVE ONLINE TODAY AT
donate.ideapublicschools.org
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ACADEMY STUDENTS 1
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READING AND WRITING TIPS The holiday season is in full swing and sometimes it’s easy for our students to get distracted. We must remind our students that their road to college continues even when they’re not sitting in a classroom.
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Here are a few reading and writing tips provided by IDEA Allan College Prep’s English & Language Arts teacher, Krystina Maloukis, to keep students learning and practicing their skills over the holiday break.
Become a Millionaire Reader by reading more than 1 million (first to fifth grade academy students), 2 million (sixth grade college prep students), and 3 million (seventh to ninth grade college prep students) words!
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Create a reading club with friends. To practice your writing skills, write a onepage paper about what you want to be when you grow up. Ask your teacher or local library for a recommended reading list of books, and find a quiet place to read.
Practice your persuasive skills by writing four persuasive arguments on the same topic. Each argument should be two to three sentences long. The first argument should use logos. The second argument should use ethos. The third argument should use pathos. The fourth argument, your best, should use logos, ethos, and pathos.
Commit to learning a new word each day and use the new word correctly in a sentence five times the day you learn it. At the end of the week, write a list of all the words you learned and use them in a sentence.
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Create a reading club with friends.
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Challenge yourself to read three chapters from a book of your choice every day.
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Start a “new word notebook.” Pick up your local newspaper, circle words you don’t understand, look them up in a dictionary, and write their definition in your notebook. Then try to use the words in a sentence with a family member or friend. Do this daily and practice the words you’ve learned so you can increase your vocabulary.
COLLEGE PREP STUDENTS 1
REMEMBER, ALL STUDENTS CAN BE A MILLIONAIRE READER
Read for 30-minutes every day. Designated reading time will help keep you in the same rhythm you typically follow in school.
Ask your teacher or local library for a recommended reading list of books, and find a quiet place to read.
Justin Andre Johnson, a first-grader at IDEA Rundberg Academy, completes his classwork with a smile and gives 100% Every Day.
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS, TEAM & FAMILY With great joy we send you season’s greetings. Thank you for your continued support of IDEA Public Schools and our students.
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