7 minute read
What if we make room for the future?
Grow the Mission
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Ten years ago, Presbyterian School was “the best kept secret in Houston” with nearly 500 students enrolled. Today, the School is approaching over 600 students and is bursting at the seams. This growth is rooted in a simple desire to make our essential mission available to a wider and more diverse array of students and families. The founding purpose of PS, established in 1989, was and remains to provide families with a “Christ-centered learning environment in which the total family will experience support and growth.” For almost 30 years, we have provided the highest quality learning environment along with programs designed to help each individual discover that unique mixture of intellect, emotion, talent, and spirit while seeking to become caring, compassionate citizens of the school, family, community, and world. We’re making room for a future where more people will benefit from this journey of personal discovery—and where they will make a difference along the way.
The School is currently working in close partnership with Gensler, Venturi Outcomes, and Bellows Construction on a 46,000 square-foot, multilevel, state-of-the-art Early Childhood and Lower School building on the corner of Oakdale and Barkdull streets. Following construction of the new building, the Middle School will undergo renovations focusing on new and expanded STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives.
Renderings of the new Early Childhood and Lower School building include the entry way.
Renderings of the new Early Childhood and Lower School building include a learning commons.
Renderings of the new Early Childhood and Lower School building include a cross-section of the new building.
Renderings of the new Early Childhood and Lower School building.
meet the Baltodanos
Many occasions have caused us to stop and think about how grateful we are to work and send our children to Presbyterian School. Witnessing our work and school community come together in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey was really moving and quite amazing. Students, families, and faculty came together to help those affected by the hurricane. While it was a difficult time for many, it was an experience we won’t forget. PS has become family, and that experience exemplified what the School stands for.
Simply put, investing in Presbyterian School is investing in your family. We have witnessed our children show perseverance in hard situations. They have shown courage countless times when they weren’t too confident they could. They have shown compassion and respect toward others—and even acknowledged when they could have done things differently. Learning the importance of integrity and gratitude are not always easy when you’re a child, but having a support system that acknowledges the importance of these core values has been not only comforting, but essential in the upbringing of our children.
We believe that along with a great education, it is important to instill a strong spiritual foundation in children. By being at a place that recognizes the importance of educating children through the three dimensions of family, church, and school, we hope that our own children will grow up as strong, caring individuals. Being able to work for a school that embodies everything we believe in is such a blessing, and we wanted to give our children the same privilege. Presbyterian School has been the perfect place for our family.
Al • va • ro
/ɑlˈvɑ rɔ/ noun: PE teacher, coach
Alvaro’s days with Presbyterian School date back over a dozen years ago to when the very first game was played at the School’s Outdoor Education Campus. While he was part of the inaugural event, he served as a coach for “the other team.” However, soon thereafter, he was recruited to join the PS faculty.
Following the words of his mother, “If you are going to do something, do it 100%; otherwise, don’t do it,” Alvaro has bled true-blue colors to improve his own and his students’ game. As a coach, he’s impacted lives on and off the court and field in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and baseball.
He considers himself a “fixer and builder,” an appropo adaptation of “mover and shaker” in his line of business. Outside school, Alvaro channels his energy toward furniture building. He loves woodworking and creating furniture, cabinets, and other items for the home.
Nan • cy
/ˈnænsi/ noun: Beta teacher, photographer
Nancy keeps herself busy 24/7. Although she has many responsibilities as a mom of three kids, her professional aspirations don’t seem to take a back seat. While working full time as a Beta teacher, Nancy went back to school in 2016 and recently completed her master’s in digital learning and leading. In addition to school and work, Nancy has a photography business.
Nancy loves art–both seeing it and creating it. Teaching Betas and creating art with them to strengthen fine motor development has been rewarding. Building on her background in photography, she turned her passion into a business, Noah’s Ark Photography, eight years ago and has been photographing weddings, babies, and families ever since. She has found a new passion for sports photography through the opportunities she’s had to photograph the Presbyterian School sports teams.
No • ah
/ˈnoʊ ə/ noun: Class of 2024 Panther
Noah is a natural-born athlete. Since the training wheels came off his bike as a Beta student, he hasn’t slowed down. Noah has done three triathlons and wants to keep up his participation with the Houston Texans Kids Triathlon every year in addition to trying other out-of-town kids triathlons. Noah enjoys playing sports, including soccer, basketball, and baseball, and swimming for his neighborhood swim team. Art and music are two other favorites.
Noah brings positivity wherever he goes and embraces life with a smile. His great attitude and passion for people help to build community in the classroom. He is always looking forward to what he gets to do at the next grade level, and he pictures himself at PS all the way through the eighth grade. This Panther is a born Lifer and is ready to roar!
Na • ta • li • a
/nəˈtæl yə/ noun: Class of 2027 Panther
Around campus, Natalia is known as Nancy and Alvaro’s daughter or Noah’s sister. However, once you get to know her, you soon forget everyone but Natalia! Her bigger-thanlife personality takes center stage and will keep you entertained. She cares deeply about animals and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She takes care of the family’s labradoodle, JJ, who is referred to on Instagram as #jjthedood. Natalia and the “dood” are two peas in a pod and virtually inseperable.
Natalia holds her own in the athletic department as well. She spent the early years of her life watching Noah, but now it’s game on in the Baltodano family as Natalia dances, swims, and plays soccer and T-ball, too! If Noah is doing something, Natalia wants to do it! Watch out for this little Panther!
