I've been talking a lot this year about the Power of Us — the community working together — to enrich our schools on every front. Zavala Elementary has the Power going on, let me tell you!
There was music in the air when we pulled up to to the school. A concert with professional musicians, The Night We Left, was taking place in the school's beautiful old auditorium. Guitarists were strumming and students were clapping in time. Both of band members played the guitar and sang - Barry Casebeer and Ben "Goody" Goodsell. We found out that Principal Sean Fox was in a garage band in high school and has a little rock star in him (the students say so). We even caught a peek of him playing air guitar for Paul Cruz.
Principal Fox told us that this was not just a single concert, but an outgrowth of a wonderful project to acquire new instruments for the school. On May 22, seven local bands held a fundraising concert. This was organized by the Fagerberg brothers, Patrick and Thomas, who organized the effort to raise money for music instruments for the students. Barry actually lives in the Zavala neighborhood so he thought of his friend, and our principal, Sean! More than $3,970 was raised and five guitars were also donated. At this morning's concert, the check from the fundraiser was presented. Thank you, musicians and music lovers who donated to the instrument drive! A local music store has agreed to sell instruments at wholesale cost so, next year, Zavala will be a musical haven in this Live Music Capital of the World. This is a perfect example of the Power of Us at work.
But the Power doesn't stop there. Recently the school celebrated the 20th Annual Reading Rally Day at Zavala. On Reading Rally Day, numerous professionals from all over Austin come to read to the students and discuss from their career perspectives how reading is fundamental in all walks of life. The University of Texas Longhorn Band and cheerleaders lead a community parade in which the school's top readers ride in convertible. What a thrill for the youngsters, and they learn that hard work has its rewards. Reading Rally Day was begun in 1990 by former librarian Susan Sanders. Earlier this month, Ms. Sanders was honored with a special celebration at which she was presented a proclamation from the Texas Senate. She was honored for her years of service to the Zavala school community.
Current librarian Elizabeth Crosby is really proud of her legacy, too, as she will be retiring at the end of the school year. She has built an 18,000-book library with 5,000 books in Mexican Spanish, not Castillan. And, finally, she was very proud of her Butternut Yellow newly-painted walls that match her friend, Cora's, handmade curtains in the library.
Teacher of the Year Lisa Rasberry teaches second grade. She led the class in a rousing welcome with handmade noisemakers of cups and beans, and the students sang the inspiring Zavala school song.
Zavala Mustangs,
Our heads held high.
Our hopes and dreams reach
up to the sky.
For a future that's clear and bright
We'll WORK for it with all our might!
Viva, Zavala
We'll do our best,
We've got Talent and Spirit,
We're ahead of the rest.
Zavala Mustangs,
We're proud to be,
Learning and growing
It's plain to see.
For a future that's clear and bright
We'll shout it out with all our might!
Then, they showed their stuff with technology through Comic Life. Students talked me through their projects on "How to Contribute to the World," and "Learning about Animals." Ms. Rasberry says she loves the tool because it improves vocabulary and being able to use the vocabulary is, as she says, "tying it into a tiny bow."
The science lab, formerly the library, is a lab but is still like a research library. Teacher Cheryl Gibson has been teaching for 29 years. Principal Fox is really impressed by the science work in the school this year. He is anticipating a banner year in science, which is much improved compared to previous years.
The students recently created books with photos of famous people, school staff, and even animals. Then they insert "quotes" in comic book style bubbles. Martin Luther King, for example, says, "I am famous for fighting for equal rights." A snake says, "I may bite you or cure you with my venom." Principal Fox says, "I help the school by keeping people safe."
It certainly looks to me like the students have acquired the right knowledge and are going straight to college! VIVA ZAVALA!
Time to say goodbye to the Zavala Mustangs. What a great visit! I really enjoyed seeing the Power of Us in action. Thanks to everyone at this beautiful old school nestled in the heart of East Austin.
We're heading out now to go to Govalle Elementary.
Current librarian Elizabeth Crosby is really proud of her legacy, too, as she will be retiring at the end of the school year. She has built an 18,000-book library with 5,000 books in Mexican Spanish, not Castillan. And, finally, she was very proud of her Butternut Yellow newly-painted walls that match her friend, Cora's, handmade curtains in the library.
The science lab, formerly the library, is a lab but is still like a research library. Teacher Cheryl Gibson has been teaching for 29 years. Principal Fox is really impressed by the science work in the school this year. He is anticipating a banner year in science, which is much improved compared to previous years.
