District 6 Trustee Column: Joyce Foreman
TRUSTEE-DISTRICT 6
Umphrey Lee soaring to new heights under ACE supports
Umphrey Lee Elementary School was named one of several ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) campuses at the conclusion of the 2014-2015 school year.
ACE emphasizes three primary factors that drive campus success: a strong leadership team, an effective teacher in every classroom, and high expectations for both staff and students. The district’s goal is to improve student academic performance at ACE campuses.
“The focus here is on educating the whole child,” said Clayton-Brown. “We placed additional support pieces to better serve each student. Coaches are assisting, both, teachers and students in the classroom, our administrative team is active with students and parents, and we are engaging in ongoing discussions with parents on what they can do to help students be successful at home.”
Eighty-five percent of the school’s staff is new and 50 percent of the staff is “distinguished,” under the district’s newly implemented Teacher Excellence Initiative.
Serving students in prekindergarten through fifth grade, Brown says she and her staff are working to best serve students at each level.
With early education of great focus in Dallas ISD, Lee houses two pre-k classrooms–one general education classroom and one bi-lingual classroom.
“Teachers are working non-stop, giving 150 percent every day,” said Clayton-Brown.
In order to support teachers’ efforts, three instructional coaches are assigned to assist teachers and administrators with instructional feedback, coaching and resources. In addition, the school provides purposeful staff developments guided by student performance data and spot observations.
“Our school day ends at 3:55 p.m., but once students conclude the instructional day, they begin after-school enrichment which includes tutoring, academic support and extra-curricular activities such as athletics,” said Clayton-Brown.
Students who remain for the additional supports are offered dinner courtesy of the district.
For more information about the ACE program at Umphrey Lee and other district schools, visit http://www.dallasisd.org/domain/12989.
Other news in District 6:
Grants for Innovative Teaching
Several District 6 educators received Grants for Innovative Teaching to support the phenomenal work they do each day in establishing inventive and creative learning experiences for Dallas ISD students. The following teachers applied for and received more than $12,000 to support student learning.
- Shawn Davis, Daniel Webster Elementary
- Marvin Gonzalez, R.L. Thornton Elementary School
- Ramicia DeClues-Paul, Ronald Erwin McNair Elementary
- Kelly Quinlan, Umphrey Lee Elementary School
- Bonita Reece, Birdie Alexander Elementary School
- Lara Alvarenga Cardinale, David W. Carter High School
- Tracey Giardina, Justin F. Kimball High School
GARDERE MLK Oratory Competition
Each year, Dallas ISD crowns a winner for the GARDERE MLK Oratory Competition. In-school competition will begin this month. The winners of the in-school competitions will speak at the Semifinals of the Oratory Competition in December and the finalists will compete at the Jan. 2016 event at the Majestic Theater. The following District 6 schools will host in-school competitions for the oratory contest:
Ronald E. McNair Elementary October 13, 2015 at 8:30 am
Thomas L. Marsalis Elementary October 14, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Thomas Tolbert Elementary October 15, 2015 at 9:30 am
Mark your calendars:
October 16 – Secondary Fair Day
October 16—Fall Festival at Umphrey Lee Elementary School
October 19 – Student holiday/staff development
October 19–30–Early bond voting
November 3—Voting Day
As always, I look forward to continuing to update you on events and activities taking place in District 6 schools. It is a pleasure to serve you. Your comments and suggestions are welcome at joyceforeman@dallasisd.org or (972) 925-3722.
