Ringing in the New School Year with the Reagan Raiders
Momentum and excitement for the 2013-14 school year were on full display this morning at Reagan High School, my first of ten campus visits I’ll be making over the next two days.
Principal Anabel Garza, whose leadership has helped propel the campus to success over the past few years, greeted us and helped me kick off the first day with a brief press conference. AISD’s Board President Vincent Torres and Trustee Ann Teich (whose husband is a Reagan graduate from back in the day) joined me in welcoming students back. I reiterated the district’s four focus areas for the school year: competitive salaries, balancing the budget, implementing the 2013 bond program/facility master plan and focusing on student literacy.
I also discussed the importance of students being in class, ready to learn, everyday. Because if our students are not at school, they can’t learn, and the more class time that is missed, the easier it is to fall behind.
The district’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Pauline Dow, reinforced our continued focus on literacy, which is the spine of all learning.
After the press conference, I cheered on the Reagan Raiders as their cheerleaders, drill team and drum line performed in the school courtyard.
Students looked fresh-faced and happy to either be joining the campus for the first time or returning to the school that you can tell they are so proud of. And what’s not to be proud of? Reagan has achieved so many accomplishments over the past few years.
For starters, just five years ago the school’s graduation rate was around 51.4 percent. And for the class of 2012, it’s at 79.7 percent.
The school is also home to the Early College High School (ECHS) Program, which is beginning its third year and really taking hold. Through a partnership between AISD and the Austin Community College District, ECHS is in place at Reagan and LBJ High School and creates opportunities for students to earn tuition-free, college credit that also satisfies high school requirements. With hard work, our ECHS students who begin college classes during the ninth grade can earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in four years.
During our visit, I also had the opportunity to speak with staff members during their faculty meeting. One of my favorite parts about visiting campuses is being able to visit with other AISD team members to learn about their experiences and what it is that calls them to serve in public education. I enjoyed meeting some of the Reagan faculty, and congratulating them for the dramatic improvement at Reagan. I reiterated the goals and priorities I introduced during our All-Staff Convocation last week.
It was a great way to kickoff the first day of school. Thank you, Reagan Raiders, for being excellent hosts this morning!