Get Wild at Perez Elementary

Perez Elementary is wild about reading, nature education, and dual language! The banner that hangs in the main hallway reminds students, staff, and parents that reading is the key to all education. Perez has implemented a nature education program, and built a courtyard pond and outdoor classroom. Finally, the school is piloting the district's two-way dual language immersion program. They're busy Pythons at Perez!

First, this Recognized school with 829 students is always growing, due, in part, to the amazing leadership of Dr. David Kauffman. (By the way, the principal and I attended Harvard together. He was already a principal here before I was hired, but I have always wanted to work with him in a school district.)

Perez also is successful because parent engagement is very strong, as is the outstanding teaching staff. Parent Glen Shield, who is a member of the Campus Advisory Council, is a huge school supporter and part of the nature education initiative. We met him in the hallway and went on a walk outside with him. (I don't want to spoil the surprise so you'll have to keep reading.)

We visited Teacher of the Year Mary Maldonado who has a 4th grade bilingual class. Principal Kaufman explained that Perez has a late-exit bilingual model with fourth grade as the earliest grade transition into English, but Perez is looking forward to being a lead school in the new Two-Way Dual Language programming. To ensure that students are fluent in English, Perez has committed time and resources to a unified vision for oral language development. Oral language is a focus in all PK-2 classrooms and all teachers at Perez attended Region 13's ESL Institute. All teachers are expected to be ESL-certified by Fall 2010. Hooray! They also use the accelerated reader program in all 2nd-5th classrooms.

We met first grade teacher Lupe Ramos, a National Board-Certified teacher. Ramona was impressed with the level of student engagement in purposeful, well-planned learning centers. Her classroom environment was designed for hands-on, self-directed learning. It's the last week of school, and her room was intact with lots of learning still taking place. It was clear that procedures and routines were in place in this classroom. As she sat one-on-one with a student, all other students clearly knew learning expectations in small group center activities.

The beautiful courtyard was originally designed to be a lush and green courtyard garden, but budget cuts left it barren and a sea of hot concrete. Parents and community members came together for the last two weekends and removed 150 sq ft of 4" deep concrete, planted trees and plants, and installed a pond. Now, THAT's parent involvement! It's beautiful and will become even lovelier as the trees grow taller.

Principal Kauffman warned us to wear walking shoes and we quickly learned why! Perez is proud of its Nature Education Program, and has created a nature trail. The school staff and parents want to assure that students do not grow to have a "nature deficit disorder." Dr. Kauffman bases his program on a 2005 book "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv. The focus is to facilitate direct teaching of scientific concepts, and provide the benefits of spending more time in nature. The nature trail will provide safe access to wooded areas and nearby Onion Creek.

As we walked the trail, an ambitious work-in-progress, we were surrounded by the beauty of Texas wildflowers and a variety of butterfly species.

On a cliff overlooking Onion Creek, students were quick to point out the turtles. Perez plans to construct split rail fences for student safety. The children are able to observe native vegetation and basic species, erosion and the effects of flooding, water organisms, fossils, and much more.




 
I was introduced to the Horse Mint flower, Firewheet, and a Yarro plant. Catepillars were busy eating a plant known as Achilea Millefolium. (Did you know that in ancient Greek lore, Achilles used this plant to heal his troops after battle because it is known to stop bleeding? I learn all kinds of things on these school visits!)

There are future plans for an outdoor classroom to be constructed as a launching pad for classes to enjoy and learn from the trails. This nature education project was partially supported by a 3M Ingenuity Grant and a Girl Scout Silver Star project led Perez alumni Girl Scouts currently attending Paredes and Kealing middle schools. The PTA and other community groups have also pitched in. Thank you to everyone who has helped create this educationally-rich environment for Perez students.

Perez students enjoy singing the school song, "We Are Perez Pythons." Get ready now ... it's sung to the tune of "We Will Rock You."

We are Perez Pythons

and we're here to say

we're responsible

respectful every day.

We're ready to learn;

working hard makes us smarter.

We're Recognized

'cause we try harder.

We are Perez Pythons. (4x)

You had fun singing that, didn't you? Queen would be proud.

The school is named for U.S. Marine Corps LCPL Nicholas S. Perez, a 2003 graduate of Travis High School who was the first Travis County fatality of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He lost his life in combat in 2004 at age 19, and his family graciously and with great love has assembled a moving collection of memorabilia in the entry hall display case.

It's time for this visit to end. Goodbye, Perez Elementary. In the spirit of the school's commitment to dual language ... adiós, Escuela Primaria Pérez.

Our touring is over for today. Check back tomorrow when we'll be visiting six (!) schools. Will we make it?