Focus on TUSD - August 2007

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Classes Start in District for 2007-2008 School Year
Before classes started on the first day of school, Aug. 14, Brandon Adkins and Allyiah Graham had only one thing on their minds - getting the flag up at Wheeler Elementary School. They'd been standing at the front door when they were tapped for this important job.

The two fifth-graders, in their last year at Wheeler, took the job seriously as they fastened the hooks into the grommets and pulled the flag to the top. "When I see the flag up there, I know this is a great school," Graham said as she watched the flag move slowly in the breeze.

The pair found their rooms after that, just as thousands of other students did in the District's 105 schools. Kindergartners hoisted heavy backpacks and trudged down the halls while seniors nonchalantly stopped to greet friends at their lockers. In all but a half-dozen schools, the cool interiors were a welcome change from the hot, humid temperatures outside.

Air conditioning went out at the Miller, Henry and Lynn/Urquides elementary schools and in some classrooms and the office at Wakefield Middle School. Sewell Elementary School and Rincon High School also had some air conditioning problems. Many of the problems were fixed by the end of the day.

At Wheeler, like other schools, students walked on sparkling floors, blinking in the sunlight streaming in through freshly washed windows. A sign in the lobby at the school at 1818 Avenida del Sol told students: "Smart is not something you are. Smart is something you get." And down the hall, a poster of cartoon character Bart Simpson saying, "Thanks to television, I can't remember what happened eight minutes ago," drew laughs.

Fourth-grader Sarah Moreno had plans for the new material she would learn. "I'm going to find out about fractions and that will be good because I can help my mom figure out the sale prices when we shop," she said.

Juan Campbell said his kindergartners, Justin, would have a good year because he picks up information like he's a sponge. "He's curious about stars and meteors and he asks a lot of questions," he said.

In the lobby, second-grader Yvonne Sample, who was new to the area, sat on a bench waiting while her mother, Martha Grijalva, registered her a little late. She was ready to jump in, saying she liked school, especially reading and the library.

Her mother was optimistic, too. "I've heard good things about Wheeler," she said. "They get good grades here."

At Naylor Middle School, 1701 S. Columbus Blvd., where all but five of the teachers were new in the wake of the school receiving a failing rating last year, students got acquainted with the new staff in classrooms. In the eighth-grade language arts class, where Carol Hayden is a long-term substitute teacher, students enjoyed hearing one classmate say, "All I do at home is text on my computer and phone." Her classmates queried a boy in the class who said he collected cars.

Lauren Wilson is one teacher who came back to Naylor. She celebrated her 53rd birthday on the first day of school. After teaching at Naylor for a dozen years, she said there's nowhere else she'd rather be because "I love what I do, physically, emotionally and mentally. I'm always focused on the kids. That's the easiest thing to do."

She said she believes in Naylor's educational mission or she wouldn't be there. "Kids get a good education here," she observed. "There are so many variables that enter into grades that we can't point a finger at one situation. I'm dedicated to seeing this through."

She stood in the hall with Kathleen Delaney, a parent who also attended Naylor. "A lot of the failing grades aren't the fault of the teachers," she said. "It's the parents who don't work with their kids that are the problem. For the most part, I don't blame the teachers."

By the Numbers: First Day Statistics | First Day Video

-- By Sharon Dunham
Communications & Media Relations

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

All photos in the August issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations.

The deadline to submit material for the September Focus is Friday, September 7. The Focus will be published Monday, Sept. 17. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the online Tip Sheet.