IMPACT Volume 5 Issue 1 Summer 2018 by IDEA Public Schools

IMPACT A magazine for IDEA students, families, and supporters. VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 | SUMMER 2018

What Family Means to Us

Meet our family—the students, staff, parents, and community members who make being a part of IDEA truly special.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

If you look up the word “family” in the dictionary, you’ll see there are many definitions. Here’s one that resonated with me: a group of people united by certain convictions. Still, it’s not my perfect definition. For me, a “family” is a group of people you can turn to. FAMILY MEANS A LOT of things to a lot of different people. At IDEA, we’re blessed to be part of what we call our Team & Family, which is one of our core values. In words, Team & Family means people coming together to achieve a common goal, investing in student success, and striving to make IDEA a great place to work. In action, it is when a principal covers a teacher’s class when that teacher comes down with a sudden flu, or when a co-worker plans a surprise birthday party at a teammate’s favorite restaurant. To me, Team & Family is one of the reasons IDEA has become my home the last seven years, and it’s one of the things we’re most proud to highlight in this issue.

in the playground, and celebrating the milestones that all parents experience with young children. We enjoy being each other’s support system when times are difficult, and each other’s cheerleaders when times are exciting, all of which happen in the ups and down of life. MY #TEAMMCE FAMILY Since 2011, I’ve been blessed to work on and lead the marketing, communications, and student enrollment work at IDEA. Over the years, the team has grown to a group that is incredibly passionate and dedicated to the craft of telling the IDEA story. I wake up every day humbled by those who choose to work at IDEA, and the folks alongside me, in this pursuit of recruiting and educating our families about IDEA, ensuring our content is relevant and up-to-date, sharing IDEA’s stories, producing captivating videos and signage, and organizing and developing programming for IDEA events. The work of my team has impact beyond what we do and see every day. It’s incredible to see my team in action. MY OPERATIONS FAMILY The work we do is very challenging, and if it wasn’t for my incredible group of peers, whom I consider my Ops Family, it would be impossible for us to all make it happen. This year, we’re opening 18 new schools, 8 of which are in Southern Louisiana and El Paso. This is a new venture for IDEA, and if it wasn’t for my wonderful colleagues, Irma, Arely, Cody, Buddy, and Emily there’d simply be no way for us to accomplish the opening of our first region outside of Texas. We’re stronger together. #SomosUnicorns IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Being one of the storytellers at IDEA, I’ve been very privileged to hear stories about amazing things that happen, all of which help our students on the road to success in college and in life. In this magazine, you’ll hear the story of Christobal Velez, Ethan and Micah Gobina, Victoria Rico, and so many more incredible people. All of these members of our Team & Family make IDEA, well, IDEA. Everyone reading this magazine will learn how each of these individuals impact (no pun intended) our organization in inspiring ways; you do too, because you’re part of the Team & Family! Now, the next step is for all of us to have Thanksgiving Dinner together, familia. Sincerely,

I’m fortunate to have a few different families in my life: MY BARRY FAMILY Outside of work, I’m a wife to Matt and a mother to Caroline and Jack. We spend our time learning everything there is to know about gymnastics, reading books about all sorts of topics (construction sites, cooking, unicorns, you name it), taking walks in the park, playing

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Vanessa Barry Vice President of Marketing, Communications, & Enrollment

IMPACT | CONTRIBUTORS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Vanessa Barry EDITOR-AT-LARGE Irma Muñoz DEPUTY EDITOR Sharise Johnson COPYWRITER Matthew Dougherty COPYEDITORS Sharise Johnson Matthew Dougherty Tripti Thomas-Travers TRANSLATOR Karina Macotela ART DIRECTOR Phil Chairez DESIGNER Phil Chairez PHOTOGRAPHERS Johnny Quiroz Mitch Idol Garret Dollar CONTRIBUTORS Thank you to our Auxiliary Services, Academic Services, Child Nutrition Program, and College Success Teams for allowing us to learn more about the work they do every day for the betterment of our scholars. A special thank you to IDEA Allan, IDEA Brownsville, IDEA Carver, IDEA Donna, IDEA Innovation, IDEA McAllen, IDEA Mission, IDEA Owassa, IDEA Pflugerville, IDEA Quest, IDEA Rundberg, IDEA South Flores, and IDEA Weslaco, for partnering with us on this issue. ON THE COVER Our family album: this cover represents IDEA families across our regions, who are proud to be a part of the IDEA Team & Family! COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? Email marketing@ideapublicschools.org IMPACT is produced for IDEA students, families, employees, and supporters by the Marketing and Communications team at IDEA Public Schools.

What Family Means to Us Letter from the Editor

Letter from our Founder & CEO: A Torkelson Family Spotlight

Organizational Update

Healthy and Growing

For the People I Care About

Brotherly Love

Three Sisters, One Grade at the Flagship

Next Stop! Student Safety and Success

Bright Louisiana Beginnings

Meet the Mejias

Different Subjects, Same Love: Teaching

Making My Family Proud

Expanding Our Team & Family

Team & Family Support

A Team of Tigers

Many Campuses, One Family

The Matriarch of the Charter School Movement in San Antonio

Summer FAMILY Resources 46

Uniform Guide

Transportation Information

Student Health Services

Have a “Healthy Kids Here” Summer

Preventing Summer Slide Through Personalized Learning

Academic Calendars

Printables

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Letter from Our Founder & CEO: A Torkelson Family Spotlight

THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN watching your child play a sport, or an instrument, or excel at school. I’ll be the first to admit— I’m a very proud dad. My children amaze me. Lincoln, 12 years old and my oldest son, loves music. He’s in orchestra, and also plays flag football and soccer. Liam, 10 years old and much like his older brother, loves to play cello and piano, is a fierce soccer competitor, and a Royal Reader, meaning he read a million words last year at IDEA Public Schools. And then there’s Gwendolyn, age 6, who loves to practice dance, gymnastics, piano, and playing with friends. I’m also a very proud husband to Nina Torkelson, an amazing mother, wife, doctor, an avid marathon runner, and triathlete. Just like my immediate family makes me proud, so does my IDEA family. Over the past 18 years, we’ve fostered a group of people—more than 4,000 and growing—who’ve made a difference for children across Texas and Louisiana. I will admit, it’s not always easy to be part of what we call the IDEA “Team & Family.” In fact, sometimes it’s very challenging. But, even when our teachers and staff are tired, and they’re headed to school on a Saturday for a tutoring session, they give 100% to make sure they’re present and ready for their scholars. Commensurately, our students give 100%, ensure they complete all their homework, and read and practice math even on holidays and breaks. No great journey was ever easy; great rewards require struggle, sacrifice, and ideally, a caring team at your side. In the ensuing pages, read on to learn how we’re all on this road together, as one big, happy IDEA family. Sincerely,

Tom Torkelson CEO & Founder

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Organizational Update

Our Team & Family sure has been busy this semester. Take a look at some recent organizational highlights! IDEA High Schools Ranked Top 10% in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report For the 10th consecutive year, IDEA’s college preparatory schools were ranked among the best performing high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report: IDEA College Preparatory San Juan – 10th in Texas, National Gold Medal IDEA Frontier College Preparatory – 12th in Texas, National Gold Medal IDEA College Preparatory Mission – 14th in Texas, National Gold Medal IDEA Quest College Preparatory – 22nd in Texas, National Gold Medal IDEA College Preparatory San Benito – 80th in Texas, National Silver Medal IDEA College Preparatory Donna – 181st in Texas, National Silver Medal

Southern New Hampshire University Partners with the Shapiro Foundation and TheDream.US to Launch $20 Million Initiative to Educate DREAMers at IDEA-U This spring, IDEA announced that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), with generous support from The Shapiro Foundation and TheDream.US, developed a new initiative to educate 1,000 DACA students over the next five years, which will directly benefit students attending IDEA-U. IDEA-U is an online, flexible, supportive, and affordable college option. The initiative will provide full scholarships to DACA students to pursue associate and bachelor’s degree programs through SNHU’s competencybased education program, College for America.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Five IDEA Schools Named to 20172018 Texas Honor Roll Five IDEA schools have been named Honor Roll schools for the 2017-2018 Texas Honor Roll, presented by Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Institute for Productivity in Education (IPE). IDEA Brownsville Academy IDEA Frontier College Preparatory IDEA McAllen College Preparatory IDEA Monterrey Park College Preparatory IDEA Rundberg Academy

IDEA Public Schools Named to National Charter School Hall of Fame

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools announced that Tom Torkelson, IDEA CEO and Founder, and JoAnn Gama, IDEA Co-Founder, President, and Superintendent, were inducted into the 2018 National Charter School Hall of Fame. The National Charter Schools Hall of Fame was established to recognize individuals and organizations who have had a profound and lasting impact on the charter school movement.

IDEA Edinburg Powerlifting Team Become State Champions

The IDEA College Preparatory Edinburg Powerlifting program has done a phenomenal job this year. In April, the IDEA Edinburg Girls Varsity team won the 3A state championship, and one of IDEA Edinburg’s 12th grade boys, Angel Garcia, returned as the state champion for the second year. Go Eagles!

IDEA Mission Flag Football Team Achieves State Championship Glory In other athletic news, the IDEA Mission Varsity Flag Football took home the state championship in the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League. Can’t get enough IDEA sports? Be sure to check out www.ideapublicschools.org/extracurricular

Six IDEA Public Schools Seniors Named Dell Scholars Six IDEA scholars were named Dell Scholar Finalists. This means that these six individuals will receive the nationally renowned Dell Scholarship, which provides students with financial assistance, resources, and mentoring to ensure they have the support they need to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

IDEA Quest Drumline performs at Six Flags Fiesta Texas! The IDEA Quest College Preparatory Drumline did an outstanding job at Six Flags Fiesta Texas this Spring. The rhythmic Trailblazers performed at the Mardi Gras Festival.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

IDEA Holds College Signing Day for 849 College-Bound Seniors This April, IDEA hosted its most inspiring tradition, College Signing Day, to honor and celebrate 849 graduating seniors and announce where each senior will be attending college next year. A packed stadium of 24,000 excited family members, teachers, students, and friends filled the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas as the IDEA Class of 2018 revealed their college choices, celebrated their achievements, and reaffirmed their commitment to graduate from college.

THE IDEA CLASS OF 2018

849

college-bound seniors more than

$41 million

in grants and scholarships

$4,034,500 in scholarships

4654

acceptances to

377

universities across the country

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Ivy acceptances

257

Tier 1 acceptances

584

Tier 2 acceptances Over

590

First-Generation College Students

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Love Support Fun Care What Family Means to Us Challenge Growth Journey Closeness Sacrifice

Healthy and Growing

Fernando and Cristina Aguilar had just harvested some carrots in their backyard garden in Mission, Texas. When they brought them inside, their children asked, “Can we make a carrot cake?”

 12

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Fernando and Cristina Aguilar enjoy spending quality time with their five children and eating healthy meals together.

THIS IS THE TYPE OF QUESTION Fernando Aguilar is ready for. Fernando, the Director of Operations and Farms for IDEA’s Child Nutrition Program, has faced this challenge before, not only at home, but in his professional life. “My team’s mission is to feed our kids healthy, well-balanced meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables,” said Fernando. “This is not always an easy task.” Fernando and his Child Nutrition Program (CNP) team have taken great strides toward becoming one of the healthiest school districts in the nation. Each year, IDEA has an annual harvest goal of 9,000 pounds of produce, 100% of which goes directly toward IDEA cafeterias. As of May 8, the CNP Team exceeded their goal, harvesting 9,115 pounds of produce thus far this year. These fruits and vegetables are grown at campus farms located at IDEA Donna, IDEA Quest, IDEA Monterrey Park, and the newest addition to the farm family, the “Leafy Green Machine” at IDEA Eastside, an efficient and environmentally conscious way to grow food with minimal electricity and water. A second “Leafy Green Machine” will open in 2019. Along with access to fresh, organic produce, it’s important to also ensure students are adopting good eating habits at a young age. “We’re fostering healthy, college-ready scholars. We’re building good eating habits while our students are young so they take these habits with them to college and beyond,” said Fernando. That is where the carrot cake challenge comes in. At work or at home, Fernando and his wife, Cristina, aim to lead a healthy lifestyle. “Let’s sauté them instead, what do you say?” Fernando asks his children. Buy-in from his kids on healthy vegetables requires time, creative presentation, and discussion on why eating home-or-locally-grown vegetables is so important. Feedback from his children will often influence the methods Fernando and his team take when presenting meals to students and families. Consider the following blurb from IDEA’s Child Nutrition Program Monthly Menu, one which is sent to and available for all IDEA families: “Carrots are low in calories, high in nutrition, and delicious as a snack or vegetable side. This bright orange vegetable is an excellent source of Vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a critical role in maintaining healthy eye vision. Did you know we offer carrots every week on our serving line? Make sure you try the garlic, salt, minced onion, parsley carrots and baby carrots next time you visit!” “My children want to have good eyesight, and that little tidbit gets them to take that first step into trying this ‘beautiful, bright orange’ food. Sprinkles of seasoning does the rest,” said Fernando. “It’s about trial and error.” Around the dinner table sit Fernando and Cristina’s five children, all of whom attend IDEA Public Schools. Isaac, home from college for a visit, graduated from IDEA Donna last year and is currently a geology major at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Isaac started at IDEA as a kindergartner in 2004. Alyssa is in 9th grade, and wants to study at a university in Canada, hoping to major in biology. Elijah, a 4th grader, absolutely loves science. “I’m going to be a mechanical engineer, so that I can buy a Lamborghini,” he notes with a smile. Gabriela, a 3rd grader, loves to read. In fact, just the other day, the Aguilars received a letter in the mail informing them that Gabriela had just become a Royal Reader! Gabriela, or Gabby for short, said, “I want to be a registered nurse one day, just like my mom.” Lastly, there’s Sofia, currently in Pre-K, is having a great first year of school, learning how to be a great student, and mastering her colors, numbers, alphabet, and letter sounds alongside her best friend, Olivia.

Fernando is happy his children attend IDEA. He also very much values the relationships he’s made at work, too. “I came to IDEA in 2012, and to see how far we’ve grown, holistically, and within my work on the Child Nutrition Program, is special,” Fernando said. “CNP would not be what it is today without the amazing people I work with, such as Dalia Pena and Arely Benavides.” Fernando and his coworkers are many peas in a happy pod, all working together to ensure every IDEA student receives a healthy breakfast and lunch. Fernando is committed to fostering healthy meals and lifestyles for both his immediate family at home and his IDEA family. He may have 6 mouths to feed at home, but he has over 36,000 students to feed across IDEA.

IDEA Child Nutrition Program: Did you Know? WE OFFER FRESH VEGETABLES—What we grow is driven by our menu. This year, we harvested over 9,000 pounds of produce that includes, but is not limited to cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, kale, and carrots. Make sure you try these vegetables from the salad bar! WE THRIVE OFF INNOVATION—The Leafy Green Machine (LGM) is a hydroponic system housed in a shipping container that grows plants with minimal amounts of water and no soil. With the launch of the LGM, the IDEA Farm Program will be able to increase organic produce and engage students with a technologically advanced method to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers sustainably. The LGM is capable of producing 600 heads of lettuce a week for our cafeterias! WE OFFER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES—Whether it’s a farm, a school garden, or a hydroponic system, the focus on nutrition education, science, and sustainability makes the farm program an important part of learning. Over 250 students will be certified this year in plant growth and development through the Junior Master Gardener program. In addition, all campuses have the opportunity to engage in educational field lessons at their nearest farm.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

For the People I Care About

Daniela speaking at the IDEA Opportunity Luncheon in San Antonio.



Daniela Bosquez is a proud 11th grader at IDEA Carver College Preparatory. In 2019, she will be part of the first-ever graduating class of IDEA San Antonio! WHILE SHE’S VERY EXCITED about graduating from IDEA and going to college, her road has not been easy. “I have worked very hard, especially during my time at IDEA. I consider myself lucky—lucky to have had the opportunity to choose a school that said, ‘Daniela, YOU are going to college,’ and lucky to have parents who believe in me.” Day 1 at IDEA for Daniela began in 9th grade. “It was hard for me leaving my friends at my old school,” Daniela said. 14

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

She admits that she was not confident in her future or in herself when she first joined IDEA’s Team & Family. “I heard IDEA was challenging, and I wasn’t sure if I could keep up. I was already struggling in math, and English for me was always tough, especially since my first language was Spanish.” She continued, “In 8th grade, I was terrible at math. At my old school, my teacher had given up on me. ‘Daniela, you are too far behind,’ she told me. And I believed her. I still remember my first math test in 8th grade: I got a 27. My scores improved into the 50s and 60s, but I still struggled all year.” But at IDEA, in Mr. Kim’s algebra class, everything changed. “Giving up” was not in his vocabulary. And little by little it was deleted from Daniela’s too. Like her parents, Mr. Kim taught Daniela to be tough, and never give up. He helped her with her work, encouraged her, and taught her how to do problems independently. At the end of Daniela’s 9th grade year, she had to take a state exam to show her knowledge of algebra. Daniela was nervous, but she gave it her all and applied everything that Mr. Kim taught her. Guess, what? Daniela received a commended score on the state math test! This means that she mastered algebra above and beyond grade level.

That academic success instilled confidence in Daniela. Right now, she’s taking Advanced Placement (AP) Art History, AP US History, AP English, Physics, and Pre-calculus as an 11th grader. In 2019, she’s confident she will be a first-generation college student. While she’s excited for her future, she’s also very proud of her past. Daniela is the oldest daughter of immigrants who came to the United States for a better life. Her dad works on construction projects across the state and is gone all week, sometimes longer. Daniela’s younger siblings, two of whom attend IDEA Carver (the fourth Bosquez child will be an IDEA Carver Cougar when he’s old enough) look up to their sister. “There is a lot of responsibility on me,” Daniela said. “When my dad is away, I help my mom around the house, run errands and keep my siblings in line. Every morning, I wake up at 5, get dressed, then I wake my brother and sister up at 6, make sure they shower, have breakfast, and drive us to school by 7. We are an IDEA family and we’re lucky to be together at IDEA Carver. However, our day doesn’t end when the bell rings. I stay after school for my ACT prep course, my brother Juan Antonio has soccer practice, and my sister, Diana, stays for after-school tutoring. When we get home by 6pm my mom always has dinner for us on the table.” Daniela knows that when you have a busy schedule and a big family like she does, you have to make sacrifices for the people you love. Daniela has always been fascinated with Art. It has not only helped her express herself, but it has also helped bridge the gap in other areas of learning. Last summer, she found out that there was going to be an AP Art History trip to Europe. Daniela and her classmates were going to have the opportunity to visit world-class museums and see the art they were studying in textbooks.

“I could never have imagined that I would be able to go to Europe,” Daniela said. “Even though money was tight, my dad said, ‘Ok, let’s start saving.’ So, every month for over a year, my dad put money into my travel account at school.” Then, in December, Daniela’s family went through a very difficult time financially. Daniela knew that they could desperately use the money they were putting into her travel fund. So, she decided that Europe, art, and travel would have to wait. Family comes first. Her dad didn’t want to take the money back, but they also knew they couldn’t continue making payments. Daniela, however, decided that someone should be able to go to Europe. Knowing that there were other students whose families go through tough times, her family chose to donate the money in the fund to a student in her art class who really wanted to go but didn’t have all the means. “Yes, I was sad,” Daniela said, “but that sacrifice allowed me to create an opportunity for someone, like the many opportunities IDEA has created for me.” This tiny little chapter in Daniela’s story has a sweet and unexpected ending. When David Earl, a board member for IDEA San Antonio and his colleague, Roland Gutierrez, heard Daniela’s story of generosity and sacrifice for the people she cared about, they volunteered to donate the money so Daniela could visit Europe on her AP Art History trip. This is the meaning of family at IDEA. From immediate family, to teachers, to even board members in the community, we are there to support and ensure all students succeed, despite the obstacles they may face along the way. Daniela will be Europe-bound this summer, and college-bound next Spring. Her future is bright.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Brotherly Love

Ethan Gobina, a 3rd grader at IDEA Academy Edinburg, became a Royal Reader in the fall for the third consecutive year.

 Marvin, Levi, Ethan, Micah, and Pam are happy to be part of the IDEA Team & Family.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

YES, YOU READ CORRECT. For three years in a row, starting in Kindergarten, Ethan has read more than one million words, tested on the books he read in the Accelerated Reader (AR) Zone, and passed these tests with flying colors! (Ethan skipped 2nd grade.) Ethan’s current word count is 1,234,509 words. Wait—there’s more! Ethan’s brother, Micah, became IDEA Edinburg’s first Kindergarten Word Master of the year. This means that he read more than 10,000 words and also tested on them with stellar accuracy! Both Ethan and Micah thrive in IDEA’s Academy program because it allows them to learn at their own pace. Both read at an advanced level, so when they finish a lesson, they are able to receive supplemental reading instruction and materials through the AR Zone. Their parents, Pam and Marvin, along with their AR Zone Facilitator, Veronica Morales, form a team united in the mission of helping Ethan and Micah excel in reading. The boys’ mom and Veronica Morales love to pass notes to each other regarding the boys’ progress. Veronica writes little messages that Ethan and Micah, the faithful messengers, deliver to their mom after school. “Just passed 700,000 words,” Mrs. Morales once jotted down. “Woo-ho!!” Ethan and Micah’s parents, who both work busy

schedules as pharmacists, always know where their sons stand in the AR program, and in their academic progress in general. In fact, Pam and Marvin receive an email notification whenever their children tests, stating the book title and quiz score. What’s more, they’re able to utilize the bookshelf online feature, where they can track everything both Gobina boys have read and their scores. “We always felt part of a motivated team whose number one goal was to make our sons the best readers they could be,” said Pam. As Ethan knows, reading takes you places. He’s building a legacy of reading that his little brother, Micah, can aspire to. Ethan is also setting an example of reading for the youngest member of the Gobina family, Levi, who hopes to join IDEA in Pre-K when he’s old enough. Pam and Marvin have no doubt that the Gobina boys are on a path to stellar reading excellence, together. “They’re reading buddies,” said Pam. “I can’t wait to see what they both do next.” FOR INFORMATION AND HELPFUL TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE A SUMMER FULL OF READING FUN, REFER TO PAGE 53!

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

 Christine, Catherine, and Andrea

Domiter will all be graduating from IDEA College Preparatory Donna this year, but they’ll always call it a second home.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Three Sisters, One Grade at the Flagship



THE DOMITER SISTERS, proud IDEA Donna Titans, were born in the Philippines. When they were young, their parents moved the family to the United States, and in 6th grade, they joined IDEA Donna, our flagship school. They are bright, hard-working kids because their parents instilled in them the importance of education at a young age. One of the Domiter sisters, Christine, noted, “As kids, we didn’t have the means to go on college field lessons. At IDEA, our teachers actually came together to pay for us to go on our first field lesson to tour colleges in California. From this experience, we were inspired to look into colleges out of state.” The Domiter sisters have always been grateful for the support of their IDEA Team & Family, especially in the beginning of their senior year. At this time, their dad was hospitalized after being in a car accident while coming back from dropping their older sister off at college. “Our world literally fell apart,” said Catherine, twin sister of Christine. “Without any family here in Texas and our mom having to rush to our father’s side, we were left alone.” During this time, the Domiter sisters struggled both academically and emotionally. They were completing college apps through QuestBridge and needed to finish assignments for the International Baccalaureate program. But they soon found out they were not as alone as they thought. “Once again, our IDEA family came together to console us,” said Andrea, the third sister, who was also a senior at the same time, having skipped a grade at IDEA Donna. “From our counselors, to teachers, to friends, we felt nothing but unconditional love and support. Our teachers gave us extensions on all our assignments and our counselors were there for us to talk to.” After their dad was discharged from the hospital, they were able to catch up on their assignments and focus once again on college. However, because of the hospital bills, Christine, Catherine, and Andrea were not financially capable of paying for the costs that came with applications. Plus, their mom was the only one working at the time. “It was because of IDEA that we were able to send our applications and test scores to more than 50 schools,” said Catherine. “We received the distinction of being QuestBridge Finalists.” According to Questbridge, in 2017, out of 15,606 applications, 5,759 students were selected as National College Match Finalists. Andrea was matched with the University of Chicago where she will be attending with a full-ride scholarship in the fall. Catherine was accepted to Emory University with a full-ride as well. And finally, Christine was accepted to Macalester College with a full-ride scholarship, too! “We know that we would not have been able to accomplish any of this without the unwavering support of our IDEA family,” said Andrea. It looks like all the hard work has finally paid off for the Domiter sisters. Although they will be taking separate paths, and they’re going to miss each other, they always have a second home to come back to: IDEA Donna.

The Domiter sisters’ father, during recovery. A hard worker, Mr. Domiter always kept a positive attitude!

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Next Stop! Student Safety and Success Estevan Bautista, Transportation Manager at IDEA Alamo, watches his daughters—Zoe and Serenity—all board the bus to school and wave goodbye as they head out for an eventful day of learning.

 Pictured in the photo are Estevan and

his two daughters, Zoe and Serenity. Estevan’s partner, Jessie, is at home taking care of their newborn, Estevan Jr.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

THIRTY MINUTES LATER, Estevan, the diligent dad, checks his phone, opens an application called “Here Comes the Bus®,” and gets confirmation that his children have safely arrived at school. Estevan’s top priority is the safety of his children, and all children at IDEA Alamo. Estevan’s oldest daughter, Serenity, is a 1st grader at the home of the Griffins, an avid softball player, and a “Math Genius.” A first grade IDEA student achieves Math Genius status in the iLearning Hotspot when he or she has completed 300 lessons in Dreambox, an online, fun math software. Next in the Bautista clan is Zoe, a Pre-K student, is thriving in IDEA Alamo’s half day Pre-K program, ready to start strong in kindergarten next year. “We’re happy to be here at IDEA,” said Estevan, noting the school’s strong academic program, robust extracurriculars, and high-quality safety systems and procedures. For Estevan as an employee, the experienced bus driver and operations expert, there’s also a special camaraderie in working and being part of IDEA. “In my experience, IDEA has really held up and emphasized the core value of Team & Family. My team and I make sure we take time to know each other personally. We get breakfast together every Thursday at a local restaurant.” As Campus Transportation Manager at IDEA Academy and College Preparatory Alamo, Estevan is responsible for facilitating team discussions around best safety practices, going over pick-up and drop-off routes with drivers, and ensuring the team’s use of Here Comes the Bus® is functioning at its optimal level. “Our transportation team is dedicated to the well-being of our students, first and foremost,” Estevan says. You might be wondering: what is Here Comes the Bus®? It’s an application, created by Synovia Solutions, that allows parents and guardians to access their children’s real-time location via a GPS map, pushes notifications to alert them when the bus is coming,

and so much more. Students are monitored via a barcode in their student identification cards, which they carry with them. These sorts of safety measures are what makes Estevan proud of his job. After all, for students who ride the bus, the driver is the first and last IDEA employee a student sees in a school day. With this in mind, Estevan, and all of IDEA’s transportation team, are dedicated to finding the best technology, systems, vehicles, and people to transport students to and from school, whether the students rely on bus, parent drop-off and pick-up, or walking. This dedication to safety is why Estevan elected to send his children to IDEA Alamo. “I send my children to IDEA because it’s a great place to go to school. My kids are getting a great education and starting strong on the road to success in college and in life. Above all else, I send my children to IDEA because the schools, and the systems the schools enact, ensure every single child is safe, secure, and comfortable.”

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HERE COMES THE BUS® AND TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION? REFER TO PAGE 50.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Bright Louisiana Beginnings

IMPACT SUMMER 2018



FALL OF 2018 marks an important milestone here at IDEA. Why? It’s the first time we’ll open schools outside of the state of Texas. That’s right! IDEA Public Schools will be opening its doors in Southern Louisiana for 1,000 students in grades K-3 and 6, all of whom will begin their journey on the road to success in college and in life. In just a few short months, IDEA Southern Louisiana will be home to IDEA Bridge Academy and College Preparatory, and IDEA Innovation Academy and College Preparatory in East Baton Rouge Parish. There’s a lot to be excited about in Southern Louisiana, but we’re most excited about working with families in the community. Latoya Spears is the mother of one of those families. Together with her husband, Travis Sampson, and their son, Trae Princeton Lee Sampson, Latoya is so excited to start the 2018 school year as part of IDEA Innovation Academy. When Latoya first heard IDEA would be joining the Baton Rouge community as an educational option for her soon-to-be kindergartner, she was drawn to the fact that since 2007, every graduating IDEA senior has been accepted to college. Even though Trae Princeton Lee is only a kindergartner, Latoya knows that the early, foundational years of education are crucial for her son. “I am hungry for the success of my son, and so is IDEA. We both know that success starts now. When I learned that IDEA Innovation will grow to be a K-12 school, and that Trae Princeton Lee can stay at IDEA until he graduates from high school, I was really encouraged. My son can grow and flourish here.” When asked what makes Latoya most excited about joining IDEA, she mentioned that beyond the great things she’s heard, it’s the people she’s met. “When I met the Assistant Principal of Operations at IDEA Innovation, Leslie Spencer, I was struck by her eagerness, her kindness, and her willingness to support my son. When you really think about it, a school is like a second home. The folks at school will be helping me raise my child. After meeting the leadership at IDEA Innovation through events they’ve held with the community, I know Trae Princeton Lee will be in good hands. IDEA teachers and leaders reiterate what I preach at home.” Latoya’s words echo that of IDEA Southern Louisiana Executive Director and Baton Rouge resident, Kenneth Campbell. “What I love most about working with IDEA is the people,” Kenneth noted. “From top to bottom, IDEA Public Schools is an organization full of talented, passionate, and relentless educators.” And while IDEA Southern Louisiana educators, leaders, and staff are focused on gearing up for that magical first year, collaborating, preparing, decorating classrooms soon, and holding “Meet The Teacher Night,” there is one thing that is top-of-mind beyond all else: the families we serve.

Latoya Spears and her son, Trae Princeton Lee, are ready to join IDEA Innovation Academy this fall in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Meet the Mejias

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

As IDEA has grown in the Rio Grande Valley, so have the Mejias’ careers. Pablo and Sylvia Mejia have served several different roles within the Team & Family, from Principal to Vice President of Program Innovation, and are proud to be part of a school network that exposes all students, including their own children, to college and opportunities for a successful future.

DANIEL • 11th grader • History buff Favorite class? AP Human Geography or AP Spanish Literature Led his 8th grade IDEA soccer team to the Texas Charter League State Championship and scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game on a free kick. Dream college? University of Texas at Austin

“WE BELIEVE THAT if the schools are not good enough for your kids, then you are not doing a good enough job,” said Pablo. “We wanted to make sure our kids were getting an education they’d be proud of, and at IDEA, they are.” Pablo and Sylvia are proud parents of three boys. All three Mejia boys have embraced a culture of reading both at home and at school. “With our kids, it really has become a mindset not of what book am I going to read next, but what series am I going to read next,” said Pablo. Series, like Eragon, Harry Potter, or Magic Tree House, keep the reader hooked over the course of many books, sometimes upward of thousands of pages. “When one boy finishes a book, he hands it off to the other. Unless, he’s not done reading it, then he might hide it,” Sylvia said with a laugh. This reading fever has led to the Mejia children having become IDEA Royal Readers throughout the years (like Diego’s record-setting year as a 5th grader). Academy students become Royal Readers when they’ve read at least one million words and have at least an average comprehension test score of eighty-five percent. College preparatory students achieve Royal Reader status when they’ve read two million words at an eight-five percent

ALEJANDRO • 8th grader Has a “calculator mind,” according to Dad. Participates in Academic and Spelling University Interscholastic League, and the Science Bowl Favorite sports: Soccer and basketball Dream college? Stanford University

DIEGO • 7th grader • Duke TIP Scholar The artist in the family, according to Sylvia. Has flourished in school, especially in reading. In fact, as a 5th grader, Diego read more 8 million words in the Accelerated Reader Zone, the most an IDEA 5th grader has ever read to this day! Dream college? Unsure at the moment. IMPACT SUMMER 2018

test accuracy. The reward? Beyond all the awesome knowledge, Royal Readers participate in celebrations across our regions. At these extravaganzas, students meet a famous author each year, dine with scholars and staff from different IDEA campuses, and enjoy a day full of games, dancing, and fun! The emphasis on literacy is embedded in the Mejia family. For Pablo, it comes not just from being a father, but also from being IDEA’s Vice President of Program Innovation. One of the chief aspects of Pablo’s work is focusing on how to get all IDEA children inspired by reading in the Accelerated Reader Zone, and for a lifetime. The Mejias know that great readers become great learners, and that IDEA’s emphasis on literacy is one of the ways IDEA achieves such stellar results for all students. For Sylvia, fostering student success and offering quality student support, is an essential trait of a good school. “I was raised in a colonia and come from a low-income background,” said Sylvia, a first-generation college graduate and current principal at IDEA Academy Weslaco. “Growing up, I never visited a college campus in high school, let alone in elementary school like we do at IDEA. Where I grew up, there was no such thing as the College Summer Away Program. I never chatted with a college counselor. I tell my kids to not take this type of college support for granted.” This support IDEA provides has led the Mejia boys to be resilient, independent learners. “Daniel, Alejandro, and Diego have all developed those necessary cornerstones of college identity at IDEA, specifically self-efficacy, self-agency, and self-regulation. They are very independent, they complete homework assignments, they organize themselves, and they track their own progress towards all of their goals,” said Pablo. The Mejias, all 5 of them, have been at IDEA for many years now: Daniel, Alejandro, and Diego as students at IDEA Donna, IDEA Weslaco, and IDEA McAllen respectively; and Pablo and Sylvia, as principals at IDEA Donna and IDEA Weslaco, and as IDEA headquarters staff. “One of the incredible things about growing with IDEA is that in just a couple of years, we’ll be able to experience College Signing Day as not just proud employees, but as proud parents,” said Pablo. “We’ve been part of the amazing events for years now, and to go through the process with our own son—that will be truly incredible.” Sylvia could not agree more. She is excited for what the future holds for both IDEA Weslaco, the school she leads as Principal, and for her three boys. “The kids see the passion we have for changing students’ lives through education,” she said. “I’m so glad we’re on this IDEA journey together.”

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

 Alejandro, Daniel, Sylvia, Pablo,

and Diego’s faces say it all: reading together is a fun family activity!

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Different Subjects, Same Love Teaching

BRENDA AND LUIS RODRIGUEZ began their careers with IDEA Public Schools at IDEA Quest Academy, where they developed their teaching skills under the excellent coaching of an IDEA Lead Teacher, an Instructional Coach, and an Assistant Principal of Instruction. While one gravitated toward the teaching of literacy, the other focused on child fitness, health, and well-being. Brenda excelled as a substitute teacher at IDEA Quest and was promoted to a full lead teacher the following year, when she taught 1st grade reading instruction. Now, eight years later, Brenda will be a founding teacher at IDEA Owassa Preparatory, teaching Reading and Language Arts. Brenda also served on IDEA’s Teacher Advisory Council, a liaison coalition that serves as a bridge between IDEA teachers and headquarters staff. Brenda cherishes the opportunity to teach bright young scholars on the road to and through college and provide input and advice on organizational decisions. Luis also flourished as a co-teacher at IDEA Quest, strongly identifying with the school’s core values of Team & Family and Closing the Achievement Gap. “At IDEA, I was able to pursue my passion for health and wellness, and eventually joined IDEA Quest Academy’s Physical Education Department,” Luis said. As a P.E. coach, Luis uses cutting-edge fitness technology to monitor students’ fitness levels every day and teaches them how to work as a Team & Family. Their son, Adrian, a 1st grader at IDEA Quest, is excelling in reading, language, and mathematics. “He’s doing especially awesome in Dreambox, the supplemental math computer program in the iLearning hotspot,” said Brenda. “He’s working really hard to reach his goal, which

is to begin the Dreambox Advanced Program. That means he’ll be on 3rd grade-level math.” While Adrian is a math whizz, he’s stellar in reading too, recently becoming a Word Master. This means he’s read over 10,000 words and tested in the AR Zone at an 85%-or-higher mastery. Adrian’s little sister, Ella, can’t wait to follow in his footsteps as an IDEA Pre-K student this fall. “Our daughter is very excited to come to what she calls ‘The Big School,’” Brenda says with a laugh. Adrian is improving every day in math, reading, language, science, and more. Ella is gearing up for her first day of Pre-K in August, and Brenda and Luis are perfecting their craft of teaching every day in their separate fields of instruction. All four members of the Rodriguez family are proud to be part of IDEA’s Team & Family, and look forward to the future with an organization that provides a high-quality education to students and that puts Team & Family first.

“He’s working really hard to reach his goal, which is to begin the Dreambox Advanced Program. That means he’ll be on 3rd grade-level math.” -Brenda Rodriguez, proud IDEA mom and teacher. 28

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

• •

• • •

Luis

Physical Education teacher Utilizes advanced technology to track student fitness, provides personalized learning opportunities, and measures the effectiveness of physical fitness

Adrian

IDEA Wordmaster Soon-to-be completing 3rd grade math work as a 1st grader Favorite hobbies? “Reading and math!”

• • •

Brenda

English & Language Arts teacher Helping start a new campus next year at IDEA Owassa College Preparatory Served on the Teacher Advisory Council, a liaison between IDEA teachers and IDEA headquarters

Ella

Ready for Pre-K at IDEA, aka, “The Big School” Looks up to her older brother Loves to dance

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Making My Family Proud When we think of families, we often think of conventional families, related people who live under the same roof. There are also a variety of non-traditional families, some bonded together simply by caring. In this particular story, a non-traditional Team & Family came together to make sure Christobal Velez, a bright and motivated student at IDEA Allan College Preparatory, would be among the first graduates in IDEA Austin. CHRISTOBAL looks to be the first in his family to attend and graduate from college, and his sights are set on Brown University in Rhode Island. While Christobal is now excelling academically, his road in school was a bumpy one. He was born in California, but he and his family moved to Mexico shortly afterward and lived there until he was in the 5th grade. During this time, Christobal’s father mostly lived in the United States to find work, and traveled between summers to come see him, his mom, and his sister. “As I got older, my environment in Mexico became tough,” Christobal said. “My dad saw that it just wasn’t safe for me there anymore and he brought me to live with him in Austin where I started in the 5th grade. I moved in with my father to the apartment he shared with my uncle and his family.” Shortly after the move, Christobal’s father applied for his son

to attend IDEA Public Schools, and Christobal was chosen in the random lottery and began school the following fall. The move to his new school changed everything. Though the workload was demanding and rigorous, Christobal worked hard to get up to speed, asking lots of questions and leaning on his teachers who were always there to help. Little by little, he was closing learning gaps and beginning to excel. Christobal is now one of three Advanced Placement scholars in the IDEA Austin region and has passed more than four Advanced Placement courses already. He credits his teachers, principals, and counselors for going the extra mile to ensure he succeeded. “Mrs. Estrada, my Director of College Counseling, helped me a lot in school,” said Christobal. Sandra Estrada and her sister, Jeanette Docasar, came to the aide of Christobal in an unusual way. Christobal tells the story best:

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

“My family and I lived close to my school until about 2 years ago. At that time, my parents found a house of their own, and that had been a dream of my mother’s forever. Our own home, for just OUR family. However, our new home was far away from IDEA Allan, near the boundary line between Austin and Manor. I used to ride the school bus every day to and from school. Now, there was not a school bus that could pick me up or take me home. You see, we are a one-vehicle household so that meant that in the mornings, my dad had to drive me 30 minutes to IDEA Allan then back 30 minutes to his work. And after school was even more challenging. My dad did bring up the possibility of leaving IDEA to go to a school that was closer to where we lived. I understood where my dad was coming from, but I couldn’t imagine leaving IDEA. I would do whatever it takes to stay. I was on my path to college and I needed to stay focused. I needed to stay at IDEA. So, after school, I would ride the bus to its last stop at the edge of Austin that was closest to my dad’s work. And from there I would walk, over a mile to the warehouse. And when I finally got there, I would open my back pack and start my homework until my dad’s shift ended. Dad would often ask me, are you sure you want to continue to do this? And I answered him the same every time: “Yes, because IDEA is preparing me to overcome challenges that will help me in my future. Other schools may give up on me, but IDEA won’t. And I don’t want to give up on IDEA.” I know he felt bad because his hours often changed. Sometimes his day would end at 7pm, sometimes 8pm, and sometimes 10pm. But that didn’t change how hard I worked in my time at the warehouse. One year went by, and then one day, my dad reached out to my campus counselor, Mrs. Estrada, to ask her to convince me to leave IDEA so that I could be at a school closer to home. She not only told my Dad NO, but she also began to look for a solution. Before long, Mrs. Estrada had shared my story with her sister who lived in Manor and whose children attended IDEA Allan. Even though she didn’t know me, her sister, Mrs. Docasar, offered to pick me up and drop me off every day with her own children, so that I didn’t have to walk. She was a complete stranger who didn’t even work at IDEA, and yet she was doing this for me and my family. My Dad and I both couldn’t believe it. How could someone who doesn’t even know us want to help us? And now for almost a year, Mrs. Docasar has been my transportation angel. I get to school every day and get home early. She is now also part of my family. At IDEA we like to call it our Team & Family. Because like my family who has helped me through challenges, IDEA was and is my family too. They are family, a constant in my life, a community, and a home.”

IMPACT SUMMER 2018



Christobal Velez formed a close bond with his Director of College Counseling, Sandra Estrada, right, and her sister, Jeanette Docasar, left.

Did you Know?

IN 2019, IDEA AUSTIN will graduate its first class of seniors from IDEA Allan College Preparatory.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018



Expanding Our Team & Family

Yvette Delgado is loving her first year at IDEA Public Schools. She’s a native El Pasoan, a first-generation college graduate, and currently teaching 4th grade reading intervention at IDEA Academy Pharr.

Yvette and her son, Victor Aaron, on his college graduation.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Yvette’s family at Thanksgiving in El Paso.

Yvette and her student, Said, at IDEA Pharr’s first Vocabulary Parade.

Yvette with her husband, Ray Delgado. Ray Delgado is excited for Yvette to return to IDEA El Paso this fall.

SHE’S PART OF THE FOUNDING TEACHER FELLOWSHIP (FTF). As an FTF, Yvette is part of a one-year fellowship of teachers and co-teachers who are spread across some of our campuses in the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio. IDEA started this fellowship as a way to hire local El Paso talent and prepare them to lead and teach in El Paso in 2018. IDEA also launched this program in Southern Louisiana in 2017, and is currently assembling Year 2’s cohort, destined for Tarrant County in 2019. This year, Yvette and her fellow FTFs are teaching, being coached, receiving professional development, and learning more about IDEA’s core values and curriculum. They’re observed and supported weekly by a campus manager, and they also observe and work alongside a mentor teacher as well. At the end of the school year, they will return home to become founding teachers at a brand-new IDEA school in El Paso or Southern Louisiana. Yvette was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and she still calls it home today. It’s where her loving family lives and waits for her to return. “This fall, I will return to El Paso to help change children’s lives for the better through education,” said Yvette. “I am reminded of the choice I made to become a teacher 14 years ago and I hope to instill the spirit of choice in the students I teach in El Paso, as they choose and chart their success in education and life.” When Yvette first heard IDEA was coming to El Paso, she was intrigued. She’d heard that they were very successful with the students they taught, and so she researched more. “What I found only intrigued me more,” said Yvette. “These were tuition-free schools that had been ranked within the top 1% in the nation, and had achieved 100% college acceptance for seniors for the past 11 years, now 12! I also learned that IDEA received state and local funding and was held fully accountable to the same accountability measures as traditional district schools.” In her research, Yvette also identified with IDEA’s core values and mission of sending all students to and through college, and so she applied to teach there. About a week later, she received a call, and after a thorough interview process, she’d been invited to spend the 2017-2018 school year at IDEA Academy Pharr as a 4th grade reading interventionist teacher. “My husband and son were not immediately sold on my one-year journey to the Rio Grande Valley, but like me, they grew more excited after they heard about IDEA’s success and academic achievement for students,” said Yvette. “After some family discussion, they were in my corner. After all, my son was now off at college, and my husband was busy at his job. The year would fly by, we said, and I’d be back in El Paso ready to launch a new school before I knew it.” And so far, the experience has flown by for Yvette. “I have never been happier working as an educator than I am now at IDEA Public Schools,” said Yvette. “My new Team & Family is focused on achieving stellar results for every one of our students—no excuses. They’re also a warm, welcoming bunch who laugh and have fun, and seek joy every day working at a school that fosters the whole child.” What makes her most proud, is that of the 45 students she teaches across her six classes, 43 of them have experienced solid growth in their reading comprehension and fluency. For the two who haven’t, they’ve developed a plan, alongside the parents, to achieve growth through differentiated learning and continued support. Yvette’s success has actually led her to take a leadership position as an Assistant Principal of Instruction at IDEA Edgemere, 1 of 2 IDEA El Paso founding campuses next year. “I’m super excited to be able to transfer my knowledge to my teachers,” said Yvette. I will miss the classroom, but I believe I will be able to help teachers become confident to be able to guide their students to be successful.” Yvette looks forward every day to seeing the smiles on her students’ faces as they gain knowledge and come to understand that they will go to college and become whatever they want to be. She knows her parents would share those very smiles if they saw her today in her classroom. They were unable to graduate from high school, but always instilled in her and her siblings the importance of education. Yvette plans to instill that same priority in her IDEA El Paso students this fall. “I’m having a great year here in the Rio Grande Valley, but I miss home,” said Yvette. “I cannot wait to begin serving students in my home community and fostering all of them on the road to success in college and in life. I will see you again soon, El Paso.” IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Team & Family

Support

Co-teacher. Facilities Manager. Assistant Principal of Operations. Virginia Lopez has grown with our Team & Family, and now, she is excited to have the opportunity to launch IDEA Pflugerville, a brand new campus in the fall as the founding Assistant Principal of Operations. SHE STARTED AT IDEA Allan Academy in Austin, Texas in 2013. Thanks to the love and support of her Team & Family, she excelled in her role and quickly moved into a leadership position. “I don’t think I would have stayed at IDEA if not for the Team & Family culture. The people I’ve met here, and the systems put in place, are an amazing support system,” Virginia said. Virginia, originally from Monterrey, Mexico grew up in Pharr, TX, and started with IDEA as a proud parent in 2010 when her oldest daughter joined the Kinder program at IDEA San Juan. In 2013, she joined the Team & Family as a co-teacher. Virginia’s first love is operations management. Utilizing her prior experience in that field, Virginia became the facilities and transportation manager at IDEA Allan in Austin, Texas. There are many staff members who have been instrumental in Virginia’s growth at IDEA. “Larkin Tarkett, a member of IDEA Austin’s Regional Board, first introduced me to the idea that quality education is an actual right for all students,” said Virginia. “He’s one of my favorite people in the world, and he inspired me to be a leader.” Thanks to his mentorship, Virginia was able to blend her operations talent with her love and passion for helping children through education. Her next endeavor? An Assistant Principal of Operations (APO) at IDEA Rundberg. When reflecting on her APO position, Virginia noted “APOs are the jack of all trades, and masters of all that fall under their umbrella. As a launching APO for the second time (IDEA Rundberg was the first campus I helped launch in 2015), my time has been spent in the community, getting to know families, making community partnerships, and ultimately, meeting the families that will found IDEA Pflugerville.” For Virginia, that’s the magical ingredient of her work at IDEA. “IDEA does such a good job, I believe, of being very personable and connected to our families. My principals and teachers will tell you: ‘Virginia’s favorite core value is Team & Family.’”

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Recruitment has been a top priority for Virginia and her new campus, the first in Pflugerville and the fourth in Austin. Her team is currently onboarding families and preparing for registration. Along with keeping up to speed with the construction of what will be a beautiful building, she’s been searching for the best talent to join the Pflugerville operations team, and supporting her principal through staffing interviews. Virginia can’t wait for what’s in store in Pflugerville, but she’s also reflective and grateful for her IDEA memories from the Rio Grande Valley and Austin thus far. “Launching IDEA Rundberg, which was the second campus in Austin, was such a fulfilling task,” said Virginia. “My experience serving this amazing community allowed me to grow as an employee, as a parent, as an immigrant, and most important, as a human being. Being an APO has brought me several moments that have filled my heart with goodness and joy.” Virginia’s most recent proud moment was in January of 2018, right after the student lottery. She called a new-to-IDEA parent, Mr. Rodriguez, to let him know that Ashley Rodriguez, his daughter and future 6th grader, had been randomly selected in IDEA’s lottery. As for the rest of the story, well, Virginia tells it best: “Dad couldn’t continue with the conversation so he passed the phone to Mom, and when I told Mom I was calling to offer them a seat for Ashley, Mom began to cry and shortly after she said, ‘We’ve been waiting for your call.’ You see, Ashley’s parents had been told by their current school district at the time that Ashley was not capable of learning, and that Ashley’s parents needed to accept that. Having the privilege of serving a family like Ashley’s fills me with pride; it gives my work all the motivation I need to ensure I do whatever it takes to fight for Ashley’s right for a better education.” Virginia is a change-maker who has grown with our Team & Family, from co-teacher to founding Assistant Principal of Operations. As she leads through example and ensures the education of children in her community is a top priority, she knows she’s standing on the shoulders of mentors she has learned from at IDEA Public Schools.

MAY 25 , 2017 HKS #20571.000



MAY 25 , 2017 HKS #20571.000

I D E A P U B L I C S C H O O L S - W E L L S B R A N C H PA R K W AY / I M M A N U E L R O A D

IDEA Pflugerville campus renderings. IDEA Pflugerville will open this fall to serve grades K-2 and 6th.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

A Team of Caleb Swaringen, IDEA College Counselor and Master Teacher at IDEA Public Schools—the highest instructional ranking on IDEA’s Teacher Career Pathway—loves his job at IDEA McAllen. Caleb’s journey, like most, has been a challenging but rewarding one, and he’s so glad he has met the coworkers and students who have become a part of his IDEA family at the home of the Tigers. “I WAS 20 YEARS OLD, in college, an accounting major, and in no way planning on becoming a teacher. But then, I had the opportunity to travel from the U.S to go work at an orphanage in Villanueva, Guatemala, right outside Guatemala City,” said Caleb. “That’s where my passion for teaching began.” As a senior, Caleb applied to be part of Teach For America, and after graduating from college, began his teaching career at Mercedes Independent School District in Texas. After his service as a Teach For America corps member, he met IDEA founder, Tom Torkelson, and Tom’s wife, Nina, and identified with the school’s core values and mission. “My wife and I were fortunate to be part of the early growth of

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Tigers

IDEA here in the Rio Grande Valley. We formed great relationships with Tom and Nina. In fact, I held Lincoln Torkelson as a brandnew baby, and just last year I taught him as a 6th grader!” Caleb taught 6th grade English & Language Arts for 11 years before transitioning to becoming a College Counselor and an International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge Instructor this year. “The change made sense, because now I’m able to help the founding class of IDEA McAllen students plan their transition into college in 2019,” said Caleb. “My first day of school this year, I told my 11th graders, I made a promise to see my students to and through college.” And so, Caleb now gets the privilege of working with students like Alex Mendoza and Jazmin Martinez, whom he taught when IDEA McAllen first opened. The 109 juniors will be the first IDEA McAllen graduating class, and for Caleb, that future day gives him chills. “I can’t wait for College Signing Day, and I can’t wait for my students to go out into the world and become doctors, teachers, authors, lawyers, and amazing citizens.” Caleb, of course, is not alone in the promise he’s made. Joan Alvarez, Marco Castillo, Roberto Garza, Aleyda Tijerina, and Maria Davila—all founding members of IDEA College Preparatory McAllen and a core group of people who lean on each other and contribute to one another’s growth—are all united in the mission to help every single student they serve. “All of us are willing to do whatever we need to do for our students, and we know each other on a personal level,” said Caleb. To have this core still here at IDEA McAllen, and for all of us to see our 109 juniors reveal their college choice next year—words can’t describe that kind of feeling. The Team & Family core value is what makes IDEA truly special.”

2013

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

 Students from

Grande Valley IDEA campuses in the Rio an multiple- day fie d San Antonio went on a post high-schoold lesson to learn more abou t l opportunities.

Many Campuses, One Big Family Every IDEA campus has its own unique identity, but we’re all one big family, and we’re all connected by a special bond.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

JUST ASK ANNA LOSOYA, RISE teacher at IDEA Mission. RISE stands for Reaching Independence through Support and Education, and it was formerly known as our Life Skills program. This May, Anna helped lead a college field lesson for students not only from her campus, IDEA Mission, but from several campuses across her region and the Rio Grande Valley. To organize and plan the multiday trip to Austin and San Antonio, she worked alongside RISE teachers at the following campuses:

• • • • • • • •

IDEA Brownsville IDEA Donna IDEA Edinburg IDEA Mission IDEA North Mission IDEA San Juan IDEA South Flores IDEA Weslaco Pike

TRIP OVERVIEW When: May 1 and 2, 2018 Who attended: Over 100 students ages 14 – 22 who are currently in a RISE Classroom, parents, RISE teachers and managers, and IDEA Regional Directors of College Success. Where: STEPS at Austin Community College, ARC of Texas, and Morgan’s Wonderland Why: For the first time ever, teachers and leaders across the district came together to create a world-class field lesson experience for RISE students and their families at colleges that are specifically designed for students who require specialized support. This field lesson provided eye-opening college options in an inclusive college environment that focuses on College for All. After a day filled with college tours and specialized agency supports, students enjoyed a fun-filled day at Morgan’s Wonderland, a theme park specially adapted for all children with all abilities.

THE FIRST STOP? For Junior and Seniors, it was Austin Community College’s STEPS program. STEPS stands for Skills, Training, and Education for Personal Success. This program educates students with mild to moderate disabilities to cultivate skills for a successful career and future, including financial planning, business math, principles of retail, computer fundamentals, administrative procedures, workplace communication, business procedures, and much more. It’s a 2-year program, dedicated to honing each and every student’s unique set of skills and to developing their individual potential, with the end-goal of educational enrichment and meaningful employment. Underclassmen visited The Arc of Texas, a non-profit organization that promotes, protects, and advocates for the human rights and self-determination of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of Texas envisions a world where Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities are included in their communities and where quality supports and services are available to meet their needs and choices. Finally, everyone met up to visit Morgan’s Wonderland Amusement Park in San Antonio to celebrate a successful trip. Scholars and staff from different IDEA campuses bonded together while going on rides, playing games, and enjoying a little rest and relaxation during the busy spring season.

Morgan’s Wonderland is just like any other theme park, except for a culture and environment that assures 100% enjoyment by every person who enters through the Welcome Center. Unfortunately, countless children and adults with special needs do not have access to facilities that enable them to fully enjoy outdoor recreation. Morgan’s Wonderland has begun to change that by providing a safe, clean, and beautiful environment free of physical and economic barriers that all individuals – regardless of age, special need, or disability – can come to and enjoy. “My favorite part of the trip was to see the technology that the STEPS program offers,” said Armando Rodriguez, a senior at IDEA College Preparatory Edinburg. When asked about his future, Armando noted: “I will be in IDEA’s 18+ program to show my skills.” In the 18+ program, Armando will stay with IDEA for an extra year and learn under Antonio De La Rosa, RISE teacher at IDEA Edinburg. Armando will focus on further practicing his social skills, occupational talents, and vocational interests. Afterward, Armando hopes to further his education at STEPS, in the pursuit to eventually become an actor. The sky is the limit is for Armando and all IDEA students on the first-of-its-kind field trip! While college field trips are no rarity at IDEA, this trip was unique because of multiple RISE programs across multiple campuses coming together and visiting a university together. Although it was the first, it certainly will not be the last.

RISE (formerly known as our Life Skills program)

At IDEA, our goal is that 100% of RISE students are accepted into Post-Secondary Education. Our mission is to always provide services that empower students to become active members of society based on their individual strengths and abilities. IDEA is committed to ensuring that our students are held accountable for meeting district-wide goals for state testing, post-secondary matriculation, and growth in content area subjects. Our RISE Department is committed to providing a caring community of dedicated staff and involved parents that meets the diverse academic, emotional, and social needs of all our students in a respectful and positive environment. Students in RISE will focus on their positive attributes and recognize their individual strengths and achievements to promote their future success.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

The Matriarch of the Charter School Movement in San Antonio Sometimes, families don’t share the same roof, or the same ancestry. Sometimes, people are united as a family by a shared mission of generosity and faith.

VICTORIA RICO is the Board Chair of the George W. Brackenridge Foundation. Some could call her the matriarch of a family of community supporters in San Antonio, Texas, because of what she’s started. A champion of public charter schools for years, Victoria published research on the benefits of charter school growth for communities in The San Antonio Express News 2014. Here is a small snapshot:

To wrap some numbers around the transformative student progress made: IDEA […] and its graduates completed college at over six times the average for its demographics — and twice the average for all students. [...]The results are there, and the promise is clear. Charters will help to rewrite the future for San Antonio children.” These findings motivated people in San Antonio, like Victoria, to foster school choice in the community. She founded Choose To Succeed, a nonprofit organization which brought high-performing charter schools like BASIS Schools and Great Hearts Academies to San Antonio. “All adults have a responsibility for all children,” said Victoria. “We have to serve their best interest. When it comes to education funding, our philosophy at the George W. Brackenridge Foundation is this: all of our decisions are calculated by what helps kids the most. Since we have the blessing of working with highperforming public charter schools, that calculation really becomes lives transformed per dollar.” IDEA is fortunate to have partnered with the George W. Brackenridge Foundation for many years. In fact, it was their founding gift, alongside generous support from the Ewing Halsell Foundation, that helped start IDEA in San Antonio. The George 42

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

W. Brackenridge Foundation has generously supported IDEA’s current growth in San Antonio as well. Thanks to their continued support and the support of other community members, IDEA will be able to expand to 36 schools through 2022. This new multimillion dollar commitment means that IDEA can reach, and positively impact, even more communities and families. The George W. Brackenridge Foundation is a key partner in our work in San Antonio, not only because of their financial support to open more schools for our students, but because of the family of community members the organization has inspired by telling IDEA’s story. Harvey E. Najim and the Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation, the Ewing Halsell Foundation, David Robinson, and so many more community members and organizations have formed a group of community supporters who are part of the greater IDEA Team & Family. Together, they’re all helping students and families by supporting the IDEA mission. “IDEA is completely changing the trajectory of a student’s life. That is a meaningful, transformative service, one we’re proud to support and spread the word about,” said Victoria. ckenridge  IDEA Bray scholars. Academ

 IDEA Brackenridge Academy and College Preparatory building.

Victoria Rico, Board Chair at the George W. Brackenridge Foundation, is an advocate for IDEA Public Schools’ growth in San Antonio, Texas. She holds a J.D. from the University of Texas and A.B. from Harvard University.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018



Summer Family Resources We want to ensure all of our IDEA families have what they need for a safe, fun, healthy, and educational summer. We also want to make sure our Team & Family is ready for a successful first day of school in August. Read on to access our summer resources.

// UNIFORM GUIDE 2018

IDEA’S DRESS CODE AND UNIFORM POLICY Professional, color-coded school uniforms help students focus on what matters most at school - learning! IDEA Public Schools continuously strives to create a positive school culture so that our students can focus on learning. This means paying attention to every detail, big and small, to ensure that our students succeed academically and #BeyondTheClassroom. We believe that school uniforms have a beneficial impact on students’ self esteem, attendance, graduation rates, and discipline. Uniforms eliminate unnecessary distractions (such as who has the coolest tennis shoes), and ensure students’ focus remains on academic success. Uniforms are an important part of the IDEA culture.

POLO SHIRT

BELT

PANTS

SHOES

IDEA-No Excuses! polo - shirt color depends on grade level (See page 4 for details)

Plain black leather belt

Flat front khaki pants (Poly cotton twill material recommended)

Black shoes with black laces (if applicable)

// UNIFORM GUIDE 2018

OVERALL APPEARANCE MALE STUDENTS: Short, clean-cut hair (above the neck), natural hair color, no mohawks or shaved hair designs, and no facial hair FEMALE STUDENTS: Combed hair and natural-looking hair color, only light makeup for young women in grades 9-12

POLO SHIRT

IDEA-No Excuses! embroidered polo shirt; color determined by grade level Polo shirt MUST be long enough to be tucked in

SPIRIT SHIRT

School spirit shirt (or college shirt) can be worn on Friday and during other principal-designated days

OUTERWEAR

IDEA embroidered jackets may be worn in the classroom and to/from school Jackets in IDEA blue w/gold accent from approved vendor OR same style jacket in IDEA-designated school colors. Non IDEA embroidered sweatshirts may only be worn to/from school and during extracurricular activities IDEA blue fleece lined jacket No hoods

BELT

Plain black belt No embellishment (studs, ornate buckles, cutouts, etc.)

BOTTOMS

Monday-Thursday: khaki bottoms in approved styles and colors Friday: blue jeans with no holes, tears, studs, or designs No khaki or skinny jeans, cargo pants, cargo shorts, leggings or jeggings Skirts and shorts must be knee length

HATS

All hats or headbands can be worn to/from school but shall not be worn into classrooms or hallways. Exceptions may be made by the Principal during cold-weather months.

JEWELRY

No body piercings (eyebrows, nose, face, tongue, etc.) No earrings of any kind for male students Earrings for female students must not be larger than 1 inch

SHOES

All black shoes with black laces (if applicable) No boots, heels, sandals, or open toe shoes White socks

// UNIFORM GUIDE 2018

UNIFORM POLOS AND SELECT ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE APPROVED STORES BELOW: RIO GRANDE VALLEY 1. RGV PRODIRECT*

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

1913 Houston Ave. McAllen, TX 78501 956-627-6161

2. RGV PRODIRECT — WESLACO*

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

417C Gray Ln. Weslaco, TX 78599 956-627-6161

HARLINGEN*

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

1233 N. 77 Sunshine Strip Harlingen, TX 78550 956-487-0751

BROWNSVILLE*

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

814 N. Expressway Brownsville, TX 78521 956-627-6161

5. DICKIES FACTORY STORE (carries bottoms only)

506 S. Nevada Weslaco, TX 78596 956-968-5341 1900 N. Expressway 77/83 Brownsville, TX 78521 956-280-5209

6. FABY’S EMBROIDERY & UNIFORMS (carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

603 E. 2nd St. Rio Grande City, TX 78582 956-487-0751

BATON ROUGE

1. YOUNG FASHIONS SCHOOL UNIFORMS

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

11111 Coursey Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70816 225-766-1010

* RGV ProDirect is the preferred uniform provider of IDEA Public Schools.

AUSTIN

1. TODAY’S STYLE

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

1915 E. Riverside Dr. Austin, TX 78741 512-447-0000

4631 Airport Blvd., #104 Austin, TX 78751 512-300-2772

2. AUSTIN UNIFORM SHOP (carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

5717 S. Interstate 35, Ste. 140B Austin, TX 78744 512-785-0855

SAN ANTONIO

1. RGV PRO DIRECT*

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

10720 Perrin Beitel Rd. San Antonio, TX 78217 210-647-6227

2. BEACONS

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

321 N. New Braunfels San Antonio, TX 78202 210-223-3311

3. NATIONAL OUTDOORS (carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

5600 Bandera Rd. San Antonio, TX 78216 210-680-3322

6900 San Pedro Ave. #117 San Antonio, TX 78238 210-979-8111

4. STREET GEAR

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

1717 SW. Military Dr. San Antonio, TX 78221 210-932-4327

EL PASO

1. MEX-TEX UNIFORMS

(carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

1155 N. Zaragoza Rd. #B101 El Paso, TX 79907 915-858-1465

Back to School

IDEA Team & Family! ARE YOU READY FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL? We’ve got you covered. VISIT IDEAPUBLICSCHOOLS.ORG/BACKTOSCHOOL for back to school information and resources.

Baton Rouge 7:45

August 8 at

Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso

August 13 at 7:45am Are you looking for your child’s school supply list? Visit IDEAPUBLICSCHOOLS.ORG/BACKTOSCHOOL for school supply lists IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Transportation Information

At IDEA Public Schools, the journey to and from school each day is an extension of classroom learning. Here are the two ways to access your transportation routes: HERE COMES THE BUS® APPLICATION: When students consistently use their bus pass, this application enables parents to see, in real time, where their child’s bus is and when and where their child got on or off. This easy-to-use technology is free.

POWERSCHOOL: Log into PowerSchool and click on the transportation tab. From there, you can log into PowerSchool to register for transportation (student route should be available within 2 business days of submission) or verify your child’s bus stop information.

Simply download the Here Comes the Bus® application on your smartphone, create a secure account (IDEA’s school code is: 83127), add your children, and you’re all set! To sign up or to learn more about Here Comes the Bus® and Student Ridership, visit http://www.herecomesthebus.com CAMPUS TRANSPORTATION MANAGER CONTACT INFORMATION To ensure the safe transportation of your child to and from school, we ask that you contact your campus transportation manager if you have any questions regarding your bus assignment or bus stop.

IDEA Alamo (956) 975-1403

IDEA Elsa (956) 272-3295

IDEA Owassa (956) 272-4291

IDEA San Juan (956) 369-4738

IDEA Allan (512) 993-7153

IDEA Frontier (956) 371-9916

IDEA Pharr (956) 369-9239

IDEA Toros (956) 647-7635

IDEA Bridge (225) 223-9543

IDEA Innovation (225) 241-0698

IDEA Quest (956) 369-7254

IDEA Tres Lagos (956) 309-1825

IDEA Brownsville (956) 373-4033

IDEA McAllen (956) 647-7382

IDEA Rio Grande City (956) 256-0160

IDEA Weslaco (956) 373-5570

IDEA Donna (956) 373-6152

IDEA Mission (956) 607-9662

IDEA Riverview (956) 678-6541

IDEA Weslaco Pike (956) 332-4451

IDEA Edinburg (956) 647-7635

IDEA North Mission (956) 332-9916

IDEA San Benito (956) 647-7618

IMPACT SUMMER 2018



avoid the end-of-summer vaccination rush. Getting your child vaccinated protects your child’s health and that of the community. If necessary, please make an appointment to get your child vaccinated as soon as possible. Remember, students cannot attend school without the appropriate documentation for the required vaccines or a valid medical or conscientious exemption.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES The Health Services Team provides basic first aid to students with minor injuries and illnesses. The clinic staff members tend to students’ medical needs, maintain student medical records, conduct state-mandated health screenings, and communicate regularly with parents and staff members. The clinic staff members will administer medications/procedures to students with physician orders and parent consent forms when needed. Texas state law requires students attending school to be immunized against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. The Immunization Branch encourages you to get your child vaccinated early so as to

Pre-K (4-year-olds) • 4 doses of DPT/DTaP/DT/TdaP/Td • 3 doses Polio • 1 dose MMR received on or after the 1st birthday • 3 doses Hib (one of which must be on or after 12 months) or 1 dose Hib after 15 months of age • 2 doses Hepatitis A received on or after 1st birthday • 3 doses Hepatitis B • Pneumococcal Conjugate (Prevnar, PCV7)—3 doses given with 1 dose given after the age of 12 months, or 2 doses if given between 12-24 months, or 1 dose if given after 24 months • 1 dose Varicella on or after the 1st birthday (if child has not had chickenpox) *

2018 - 2019 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K - 12

This chart summarizes the vaccine requirements incorporated in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 25 Health Services, §§97.61-97.72. This document is not intended as a substitute for the TAC, which has other provisions and details. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is granted authority to set immunization requirements by the Texas Education Code, Chapter 38.

Vaccine Required (Attention to notes and footnotes)

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis1 (DTaP/DTP/DT/Td/Tdap)

Polio1

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS A student shall show acceptable evidence of vaccination prior to entry, attendance, or transfer to a child-care facility or public or private elementary or secondary school in Texas. Minimum Number of Doses Required by Grade Level Grades K - 6th Grade 7th Grades 8th - 12th Notes K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 dose primary series and 1 Tdap / Td booster within the last 5 years

5 doses or 4 doses

4 doses or 3 doses

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella1, 2 (MMR)

2 doses

Hepatitis B2

3 doses

Varicella1, 2, 3

2 doses

Meningococcal1 (MCV4) Hepatitis A1, 2

3 dose primary series and 1 Tdap / Td booster within the last 10 years

1 dose 2 doses

For K – 6th grade: 5 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine; 1 dose must have been received on or after the 4th birthday. However, 4 doses meet the requirement if the 4th dose was received on or after the 4th birthday. For students aged 7 years and older, 3 doses meet the requirement if 1 dose was received on or after the 4th birthday. For 7th grade: 1 dose of Tdap is required if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine. For 8th – 12th grade: 1 dose of Tdap is required when 10 years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine. Td is acceptable in place of Tdap if a medical contraindication to pertussis exists. For K – 12th grade: 4 doses of polio; 1 dose must be received on or after the 4th birthday. However, 3 doses meet the requirement if the 3rd dose was received on or after the 4th birthday. For K – 12th grade: 2 doses are required, with the 1st dose received on or after the 1st birthday. Students vaccinated prior to 2009 with 2 doses of measles and one dose each of rubella and mumps satisfy this requirement. For students aged 11 – 15 years, 2 doses meet the requirement if adult hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax®) was received. Dosage (10 mcg /1.0 mL) and type of vaccine (Recombivax®) must be clearly documented. If Recombivax® was not the vaccine received, a 3-dose series is required. The 1st dose of varicella must be received on or after the 1st birthday. For K – 12th grade: 2 doses are required. For 7th – 12th grade, 1 dose of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is required on or after the student’s 11th birthday. Note: If a student received the vaccine at 10 years of age, this will satisfy the requirement. The 1st dose of hepatitis A must be received on or after the 1st birthday. For K – 9th grade: 2 doses are required.

↓ Notes on the back page, please turn over.↓

Rev. 02/2018

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Have a “Healthy Kids Here” Summer What? Engage in physical activity

How much? At least 60 minutes per day.

Suggestions: Summers are HOT, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get outside! Try making morning or evening family walks part of your routine. Invite friends over and have a dance party!

Eat fruits and veggies

Why? Physical activity is necessary for muscle and bone development, as well as overall health. When we are active, all of our bodies’ systems run better.

At least half of your plate at every meal should be fruits and vegetables.

Don’t be afraid to try something new!

Sleep

Between 7 and 9 hours per night.

Set a family bed time. Stick to a routine each evening. For example: eat dinner, clean up the kitchen, go on a family walk, wash up, read for 10 minutes, go to sleep. This will help your body get into a rhythm and sleep better.

Sleep is vital to help your body recover from the day. It is also especially important for children’s brain development.

Drink water

At least 8 cups per day.

Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day. Eat your water! Fruits and veggies (like watermelon and cucumber) have high water content, which means snacking on them can help you stay hydrated.

Hydration is important for brain function, as well as digestion and muscle and bone health. It also helps keep your body temperature regulated.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

Summer is prime time for squash, tomatoes, and berries! This means they’ll be more available at farmers’ markets and grocery stores, AND they’ll be fresher!

Fruits and vegetables are natural sources for lots of essential vitamins and minerals that are harder to get through other food sources.

Preventing Summer Slide With Personalized Learning Enjoy summer, but keep reading and learning! Read 30 Minutes Daily | Practice Math 30 Minutes Daily Use the login information to access the appropriate software through the summer until July 31st. Be sure to check out our blog at https://ideapublicschools.org/summer-reading for our picks to read over the summer!

Tips to Prevent Summer Reading “Slide”:

Choose the right books. The “Goldilocks Effect”—not too easy, not too hard. Series books are especially good for struggling readers.

Visit the local library. Endless book options, special summer programs… and it’s free! Check out audiobooks for road trips.

Encourage interests. Encourage your child to explore interesting topics they want to read about. Let them try different genres and formats— fiction, non-fiction, e-books, magazines, or whatever gets them going.

Set a summer reading goal. How many books can your child read this summer? Post and chart progress toward the goal. Have a friendly family competition with a special reward to show your kids that reading is also a priority for you.

Name of software Grade levels URL Log-in TumbleBooks K-6 Tumblebooklibrary.com Username: ideaps Password: reads Accelerated Reader (AR) 1-8 hosted274.renlearn.com/2406896 Username: school ID# Password: abc123 Reasoning Mind 2-5 clever.com/in/ideapublicschools Username: school ID# Password: abc123 Dreambox 1 clever.com/in/ideapublicschools Username: school ID# Password: abc123 ST Math 6 -7 clever.com/in/ideapublicschools Username: school ID# Password: abc123 IMPACT SUMMER 2018

2018-19 ACADEMIC CALENDAR RGV | El Paso JULY

AUGUST

25 26

29 30

SEPTEMBER S

OCTOBER

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

29 30

NOVEMBER S

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

25 26

MARCH S

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

COLOR KEY FIRST/LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

TEACHER WORK DAYS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

8/13 & 05/31

8/11 & 06/01

Students do not need to attend classes on these dates.

8/6-8/10, 10/19, 1/3-1/4, 2/18, 3/8 BAD WEATHER DAYS

EARLY RELEASE DAYS

2/4, 4/19 (Good Friday)

9/21,11/16

HOLIDAYS

Labor Day 9/3 Columbus Day 10/8 Thanksgiving 11/19 - 11/23 Winter Break 12/21 - 01/02 MLK Jr. Day 1/21 Spring Break 3/11 - 3/15 Memorial Day 5/27 End Of Quarter

*This calendar is subject to change pending updates made in surrounding school districts and inclement weather. Date issued: Jan. 18, 2018.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

2018-19 ACADEMIC CALENDAR Brownsville

JULY

AUGUST

25 26

29 30

SEPTEMBER S

OCTOBER

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

29 30

NOVEMBER S

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

25 26

MARCH S

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

COLOR KEY FIRST/LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

TEACHER WORK DAYS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

8/13 & 05/31

8/11 & 06/01

Students do not need to attend classes on these dates.

8/6-8/10, 10/19, 1/3-1/4, 2/18, 3/8 BAD WEATHER DAYS

EARLY RELEASE DAYS

3/1, 4/19 (Good Friday)

9/21,11/16

HOLIDAYS

Labor Day 9/3 Columbus Day 10/8 Thanksgiving 11/19 - 11/23 Winter Break 12/21 - 01/02 MLK Jr. Day 1/21 Spring Break 3/11 - 3/15 Memorial Day 5/27 End Of Quarter

*This calendar is subject to change pending updates made in surrounding school districts and inclement weather. Date issued: Jan. 18, 2018.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

2018-19 ACADEMIC CALENDAR San Antonio

JULY

AUGUST

25 26

29 30

SEPTEMBER S

OCTOBER

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

29 30

NOVEMBER S

DECEMBER

JANUARY F

FEBRUARY

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

25 26

MARCH S

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

COLOR KEY FIRST/LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

TEACHER WORK DAYS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

8/13 & 05/31

8/11 & 06/01

Students do not need to attend classes on these dates.

8/6-8/10, 10/19, 1/3-1/4, 2/18, 3/8 BAD WEATHER DAYS

4/19 (Good Friday) 4/26 (Battle of Flowers)

HOLIDAYS

Labor Day 9/3 Columbus Day 10/8 Thanksgiving 11/19 - 11/23 Winter Break 12/21 - 01/02 MLK Jr. Day 1/21 Spring Break 3/11 - 3/15 Memorial Day 5/27 End Of Quarter

*This calendar is subject to change pending updates made in surrounding school districts and inclement weather. Date issued: Jan. 18, 2018.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

2018-19 ACADEMIC CALENDAR Baton Rouge

JULY

AUGUST

25 26

29 30

SEPTEMBER S

OCTOBER

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

29 30

NOVEMBER S

DECEMBER

JANUARY F

FEBRUARY

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

25 26

MARCH S

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

COLOR KEY FIRST/LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

TEACHER WORK DAYS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

8/08 & 05/30

8/04 & 05/31

Students do not need to attend classes on these dates.

8/1-8/3, 8/6-8/7, 10/19, 1/3-1/4, 2/4, 3/15 BAD WEATHER DAYS

4/25 & 4/26

HOLIDAYS

Labor Day 9/3 Columbus Day 10/8 Thanksgiving 11/19 - 11/23 Winter Break 12/21 - 01/02 MLK Jr. Day 1/21 Mardi Gras Holiday 3/4 - 3/6 Spring Break 4/19 - 4/24 Memorial Day 5/27 End Of Quarter

*This calendar is subject to change pending updates made in surrounding school districts and inclement weather. Date issued: Nov. 11, 2017.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

2018-19 ACADEMIC CALENDAR Austin JULY

AUGUST

25 26

29 30

SEPTEMBER S

OCTOBER

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

29 30

NOVEMBER S

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

25 26

MARCH S

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

25 26

28 29 30

25 26

28 29

28 29 30

COLOR KEY FIRST/LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

TEACHER WORK DAYS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

8/13 & 05/31

8/11 & 06/01

Students do not need to attend classes on these dates.

8/6-8/10, 10/19, 1/3-1/4, 2/18, 3/8 BAD WEATHER DAYS

EARLY RELEASE DAYS

2/4, 4/19 (Good Friday)

9/21,11/16

HOLIDAYS

Labor Day 9/3 Columbus Day 10/8 Thanksgiving 11/19 - 11/23 Winter Break 12/21 - 01/02 MLK Jr. Day 1/21 Spring Break 3/18 - 3/22 Memorial Day 5/27 End Of Quarter

*This calendar is subject to change pending updates made in surrounding school districts and inclement weather. Date issued: May. 18, 2018.

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

First Day of School Printables In preparation for the first day of school, and to make sure you’re ready to take your annual first-day-of-school photograph, we’ve created printables for your use! All you need to do is use the grade level your child is entering this year and snap your photo! We encourage you to share your photos on social media on August 8 (Baton Rouge) and August 13 (RGV, SA, ATX, & EP), with the hashtag #IDEABack2School.

We look forward to seeing thousands of photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

   IMPACT SUMMER 2018

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

PRE-KINDERGARTEN

Today is my first day of

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

KINDERGARTEN

Today is my first day of

1 st GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

nd GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

3 rd GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

th GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

5 th GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

6 #IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

th GRADE

Today is my first day of

7 th GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

th GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

9 th GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

th GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

th GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

th GRADE

#IDEABack2School

at IDEA ______________!

Today is my first day of

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

SAN ANTONIO

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

SAN ANTONIO

SAVE ON UNIFORMS ALL YEAR LONG

STREET GEAR YOUR SCHOOL UNIFORM HEADQUARTERS

1717 SW MILITARY DR. San Antonio, Texas 78221 (210) 932-GEAR 4 327

MON-FRIDAY 10:15AM - 5:30PM SATURDAY 10:15AM-4:00PM SUNDAY CLOSED

Available: IDEA-NO EXCUSES! TOPS 60 Day Lawaway Plan  FACEBOOK.COM/STREETGEARSA IMPACT SUMMER 2018

SOUTHERN LOUISIANA

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

AUSTIN

EL PASO

EL PASO MEX-TEX UNIFORMS (carries polos, jackets and bottoms)

1155 N. Zaragoza Rd. #B101, El Paso, TX 79907 915-858-1465

IMPACT SUMMER 2018

THE JOURNEY DOESN’T END HERE! Visit ideapublicschools.org/impact-magazine for an interactive IMPACT experience on the web.