ut elementary school annual report 2011-12
DESCRIPTION
The annual report from The University of Texas at Austin's Elementary School for 2011-12TRANSCRIPT
2011–2012 The University of Texas Elementary School
Annual Report
Letter from the Executive Director ............................... 1
Letter from the Vice President .......................................2
Brick-and-Mortar Dream Come True ............................3
Powering the Possible .....................................................4
Gender and Map Demographics ....................................5
Project-Based Learning ...................................................6
Expenses and Revenue ....................................................7
Teacher of the Year ...........................................................9
Volunteer Spotlight ..........................................................9
Stars of Texas Winners ...................................................10
Donor List ..........................................................................11
Management Board ........................................................14
Development Council .....................................................14
Community Partners ......................................................15
Frequently Asked Questions .........................................16
Contents
top photo: Bill Zapalac of Zapalac/Reed reviews construction plans
with Executive Director Melissa Chavez and Little Longhorns.
Above photo: Layton Wilson, consultant, and Milton Hime, Studio 8
Architects, were also instrumental in completing the building project.
Melissa M. Chavez Executive Director and Principal
1
Dear Ut elementary School family,
The 2011-12 school year was all about projects—
construction projects, project-based learning and
collaborative partner and community projects. Together,
we are building the future!
After seven long years of planning, UT Elementary School
finally completed the first phase of its new building. We feel
it is much more than just walls, floors and ceilings. Thanks
to the blood, sweat and tears of so many, the new building
demonstrates the permanence of our pledge to improve
public education for all students. Its completion could not
have happened without our founders, Development Council
members, capital campaign investors, UT administrators,
parents and community. We hope you will come visit and see
what we have built together.
As the students watched construction from their class-
room windows, exciting projects were happening inside the
classrooms as well. Project-based learning is instrumental
to teaching the Social and Emotional Learning skills that we
know are critical for our students to succeed in the 21st
century. We are transforming the range of measures in
student achievement to include not only literacy, math and
science, but also critical thinking, creativity, communica-
tion, and collaboration. As we instruct our students in
those skills, we are also modeling the skills for them.
This year presented an amazing breakthrough in formaliz-
ing our collaboration with Austin ISD and other local high-
performing charter schools. While we have always worked
closely with these entities to share best practices, the Austin
District-Charter Compact was signed this year. In a time of
dwindling government funding for public education, strategy
and efficiencies are crucial. The compact fosters sharing of
knowledge and resources. Through these partnerships, we
hope to continue to both teach and learn about best
educational practices. Thanks to you all for making these
efforts possible–we hope you will join us in taking pride
in the achievements included in this report.
Letter from the executive Director
Under the direction of Executive Director and Principal Melissa Chavez,
UT Elementary has continued to break ground with innovative, results-
driven programming that paves the way to academic success for East
Austin students.
And, we are pleased to report the school is also breaking ground for
the second phase of its new permanent facility. The permanent facility
sends a clear message that the university is committed to students in
East Austin—whether they attend UT Elementary or neighboring schools
that benefit from our charter school’s partnership and shared best
practices.
Neither the school’s stellar programming nor the new facility would
be possible without our community partners and supporters, a few of
whom you will read about in this annual report. We are eternally grateful
for their dedication to both the school and the families it serves. We
look forward to even greater successes as UT Elementary continues to
provide the perfect educational home for our Little Longhorns.
2
Dr. Gregory J. vincentVice President for Diversity and Community Engagement,
W.K. Kellogg Professor in Community College Leadership,
Professor of Law
UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
Ut elementary School is certainly not the only university-based charter school in the nation, but we’re proud to say it is one of the best.
Letter from the vice president
But the buildings were in need of repair and the space was inefficient to meet the needs of a demonstration school. For nine years, those who worked and learned at UT Elementary dreamed of a permanent facility. This past spring, the first phase of that dream became a reality.
And what a dream of a building it is! Designed by Studio 8 Architects, the new building houses the admin-istrative offices, gymnasium, cafeteria, library, faculty lounge and classroom space for University of Texas at Austin College of Education professors.
“You know the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ that’s what it took to get this building con-structed,” said executive director and principal Melissa Chavez. “So many people put in so much of their time, talent and resources to make this happen. It is a tribute to how much people care about this school and completely and truly believe it is important.”
While the university contributed initial funding, most of the money for a new facility had to be raised. For the capital campaign committee, fundraising was a labor of love, reflecting the committee’s passion for the mission and the transformative power of the school, said committee chair Pat Oles. “We are all in this
because we have complete confidence in Melissa and her excellent team of teachers and administrators,” he said.
Oles explained that over the past seven years, the school’s Development Council whittled the cost down from an estimated $25 million to $13 million. “We were able to do that with the great work of Sandy Gottesman and Layton Wilson along with the general contracting firm of Bill Zapalac,” he said. “It also would not have happened without the critical leadership of President Bill Powers, Dr. Greg Vincent, Dr. Pat Clubb and Dr. Ed Sharpe.”
“There was a feel-ing among teach-ers because of the portables that the university would not commit to UT Elementary School permanently,” said Chavez. “One of the teachers told me after seeing the building, ‘Now we’ll be here forever, UT really wants the school to succeed.’ That is at the heart of the new facility’s true value. It means the teachers’ work matters, that what we do at this school matters.”
When students got to tour the new building in late May, their oohs, ahhs and surprised expressions revealed their excitement. One student exclaimed, “Ms. Chavez, it’s like a high school!” “No,” she replied. “It is like a real school.”
3
A Brick-and-Mortar Dream Come True
“One of the teachers told me after seeing the building, ‘Now we’ll be here forever, UT really wants the school to succeed.”
UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
Those familiar with UT Elementary
School know the cheerily painted
portables have been well loved.
Through Dell’s Powering the Possible program students are given information and communication technology skills that power life-long learning.
Though many think of STEM programs as curricu-lum for upper grades, Assistant Principal Kelly Mul-lin explained the need for a focus on STEM activities in elementary school. “Quality STEM programming is a catalyst for transforming learning. Students learn to think about challenges, address problems, develop solutions and communicate at the global level,” she said.
The Dell grant enabled UT Elementary to hire Michael Adams and Janice Friesen to teach technology during the 2011-12 school year. The lessons included basic information technology (IT) skills, blogging, digital storytelling, robotics, Apps for Good and Scratch—a Google application using simple program-ming language.
The STEM teachers also led afterschool program-ming in conjunction with the UT Austin College of Engineering and Austin Children’s Museum. In the afterschool sessions, Dell’s Lego® Mindstorm® kits en-gaged students in surprising ways. Adams explained, “Some of the students with reading difficulties seemed to excel due to the fact that the instructions were all pictorial—they could follow along as they went. This brought around a great bit of confidence in those students.”
“The kids really loved robotics,” said Friesen. “There was a lot of begging to be included in the robotics group. Knowing how to make them [the Lego® robots] move the ways that you want them to is really fulfill-ing for students.”
Friesen noted an even more significant outcome of the STEM program. “The types of questions the kids asked changed, which means that how they are think-ing changed also,” she said. “They became more logical and curious.”
Mullin also noted, “Students that have been reluc-tant to write have become avid writers because of digital storytelling. That’s really exciting. Students have really blossomed as far as their communication
A grant from Dell led to school-wide
enthusiasm for science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM)
at UT Elementary.
UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–20124
Powering the Possible with Confidence and Enthusiasm
UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012 5
Powering the Possible with Confidence and Enthusiasm “The types of questions the
kids asked changed, which means that how they are thinking changed also.”
skills and have become highly motivated not only to accomplish their own goals but to work with others.”
With an eye to the future, the two teachers developed a STEM curriculum that incorporates the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for technology, sci-ence and math with emphasis on problem solving, communication, creative thinking and service learning.
The new curriculum will be implement-ed in the 2012-13 school year as all classes, Pre-K–5, will receive technology instruc-tion two to three times a week from a new full-time STEM teacher.
“Our kids got really excited about the blogging and sharing with others what they had learned at school whether it was social studies or social emotional learning or Apps for Good they created,” said Mul-lin. “Next year, the full-time STEM teacher will collaborate with the wellness teacher, chef, fitness teacher and multicultural arts teacher to look at how students can use technology to share ideas, educate others, advocate for their communities and take part in philanthropy projects.”
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Ut elementary School Demographics
Ut elementary School Service Area
68% Hispanic 18% African American 13% White 1% Asian
52% Male | 48% Female
Students science project on display.
UT Elementary First-Graders Become Independent Thinkers Through Project-Based Learning
Raising Independent Thinkers!
6
At the end of the school year, first-
grade students at UT Elementary
continued to stay busy.
UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
Teamed up in pairs or working in small groups, they intently read, wrote, discussed and created. The topics were of their choosing and ranged from bullfrogs and honeybees to the life of Michelle Obama.
Their classrooms were part of a continuing study led by Dr. Jennifer Adair, assistant professor in the Depart-ment of Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Texas at Austin. In a three-year research project funded by the Foundation for Child Development, Adair is trying to understand how children in early grades respond academi-cally and socially to increased agency in the classroom.
Through the support of their teachers, Natacha Jones and Molly Kelly, these students have been given more op-portunities for project-based learning that enables them to problem solve, make decisions, experiment, think critically and help each other learn.
“It is by nature student driven, not teacher driven,” said Kelly, a veteran teacher and former curriculum su-pervisor with Austin Independent School District. “They have more control over what and how they learn.”
She and Jones were quick to point out that they still teach a curriculum according to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the state standards for what stu-dents should know and be able to do at each grade level.
Jones explained, “We still have lessons on rocks and minerals in science, but those lessons spark student ques-tions that allow them to go further than what is inside
7
“It is by nature student driven, not teacher driven. They have more control over what and how they learn.”
UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
the curriculum. As teachers, we must find balance between whole group instruction and the project-based learning freedom.”
“On their own, the students in these two classrooms have become more curious—they go beyond what they are asked to do in almost every case,” said Adair.
Project-based learning has correlated with fewer behavioral referrals than in years past and has encouraged students to form relationships that might not develop in a traditional classroom.
Kelly explained, “Conventional thinking says don’t put a high-performing student with low-performing child because the high performer would get frustrated. But with project-based learning, the high and low performers gravitated together and boys and girls gravitated together. Relationships formed around subject matter—two students who wouldn’t normally be friends might both love volcanoes.”
“They are independent thinkers now,” said Jones. “We have many resources in the class-rooms; the kids don’t have to ask us about topics, but see themselves as little researchers, little scientists. They get excited about things and make connections with the real world. It is good to see a six- or seven-year-old take control of their own learning.”
*Full audited financial statements available online at www.tea.state.tx.us
2011–2012 expenses*
2011–2012 Revenue
71% State
3% University
21% Private Funding
5% Federal
83% Salaries and Benefits
5% Instructional Supplies
4% School Programs
8% Maintenance and Operations
Mary Ledbetter
Sharing Innovative Instruction for Young Learners
Ledbetter, the fifth-grade social studies and language arts teacher, has taught for twenty-two years, five of which have been at UT Elementary. This past year she carried the message of the school’s best practices in urban education far and wide, from Tyler, Texas, to Washington D.C.
In doing so, Ledbetter won the admiration of her peers who voted her UT Elementary’s 2011-12 Teacher of the Year.
In Tyler, she conducted professional development training for forty-five educators. In Washington, she gave two presentations at the National Council of the Social Studies Annual Conference. The Council named
Ledbetter Out-standing Elemen-tary Social Studies teacher of the year and published an article that examined her lessons on the Occupy Wall Street movement in the March/April 2012 issue of Social Studies and the Young Learner. And as part of South by Southwest here in Austin, she conducted a workshop at SXSW.edu in March. “It’s rewarding to share my experiences and ideas with other teachers,” Ledbetter explained.
Ledbetter is passionate about connecting the students to social issues worldwide. For the third year, she and the fifth-graders have fundraised for H2O for Life. This year students raised $1,500 to fund a school sanitation project in Guatemala. In a recent blog she wrote, “As always, the kids are the stars and I’m the director of their learning.”
“I am honored to be recognized by my peers,” Ledbetter said. “Our school community and the support we give one another are two of the things that set us apart.”
volunteer Spotlight
UT Nutrition Majors Enrich the WellNest Program
9UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
Ask anyone who knows Mary
Ledbetter what makes her a great
teacher and you’ll hear about her
innovative, cross-disciplinary lesson
plans, dedication to sharing best
practices and love for the students.
Since spring 2011, nutrition majors
from The University of Texas at Austin’s
School of Human Ecology have been
volunteering as teachers in UT Elemen-
tary’s after-school WellNest program.
Mary Ledbetter
They’ve taught Lil’ Longhorns not only to garden, harvest, and prepare produce they’ve grown, but to love eating healthy food.
According to Samina Qureshi, who graduated with a BS in Nutrition last December, the experience was
mutually beneficial. Lil’ Longhorns grew through their interactions with students and faculty from “the big UT,” and the university students were affected by the enthusi-asm of their young learners.
“I am very grateful for having the opportunity to work with UT Elementary School’s WellNest program. I know I made an impact on the students that were in the program,” Qureshi said. “Their excitement to learn more about different vegetables and fruits was inspir-ing as many of them hadn’t eaten some vegetables and fruits I thought were fairly common. This experience has allowed me to take what I learned in my classes to the real world.”
Penny Burck: If you want some-thing done, ask a busy personAs chair of the Annual Giving Com-mittee and a member of the school’s Development Council, Burck has worked tirelessly to help raise funds for the programs that make UT Ele-mentary stand out. She has served on
the school’s management board for the last three years and, along with her husband, former UT System Chan-cellor Dan Burck, is a member of the Visualize Gradua-tion Society. She is not only a steadfast UT Elementary volunteer, but also serves on the Dolph Briscoe Center of American History advisory board and the Seton Hospital development board. Burck said, “I am honored and privi-leged to be a part of the school’s efforts to ensure that more East Austin children have the quality education needed to go on to college.”
Ed Sharpe: His influence has touched us allCarrying on a family tradition of dedi-cation to public schools, Dr. Ed Sharpe has been a guiding force since UT Elementary was established nine years ago. From instructional best practices to the construction of a new facility, his vision and high standards are vis-ible throughout the campus.
In Sharpe’s long career at The University of Texas at Austin, he has focused on the importance of connecting
community and education. He played a major role in building the university’s relationship with neighborhoods in East Austin in the 1980s and has served on many local and national boards—most with an educational focus. Said his wife Molly Sharpe, “He has always been moti-vated by seeing peoples’ lives improve.”
Layton Wilson: Making a difference in the lives of children To Layton Wilson and his wife Ann, health care and education are intri-cately connected. Both have worked on issues in the Austin area, mak-ing a difference in the lives of many children. Layton Wilson has served as a volunteer coach for several youth
sports teams and gets a thrill when some of those athletes, now grown, come up to him and call him “Coach.” He was a major force in getting the new UT Elementary building constructed. Executive Director Melissa Chavez, said, “He has worked twenty-four hours a day to see this project through.” As if one school construction project isn’t enough, he is involved with the KIPP Austin Charter School building project too.
STarS of TExaS award
The Stars of Texas Award
is given to individuals
who strongly support the
mission of UT Elementary
School and whose gifts of
time and resources have
significantly enhanced the
school’s programmatic
efforts and goals.
Passion for education. Service to com-
munity. These two attributes shine
forth from UT Elementary School’s
2011-12 Stars of Texas honorees. Mrs.
Penny Burck, Dr. Ed Sharpe and Mr.
Layton Wilson were presented Stars of
Texas awards during this year’s fifth-
grade graduation celebration.
Stars of texas
Penny Burck, Ed Sharpe and Layton Wilson
2011–2012 Ut elementary Donors Contributions received September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012
visualize Graduation SocietyThe Visualize Graduation Society is a multi-year giving society for those who have pledged to invest at least $1,000 per year of unrestricted funds for a period of five years or more. our Visualize Graduation So-ciety members play a critical role in our ability to fulfill our mission, and are invited to join our fifth-grade graduation ceremony each year.
Jennifer and Sam AdairAnonymousLaura and Steve Beuerlein Brook Anne Broesche Mack and Sally Brown Diane Pedrotty Bryant Buena Vista FoundationPenny and Dan BurckNorma V. Cantu
Ruy and Dionne Carrasco Rick ChambersPreston and Robiaun Charles Melissa Chavez and Charles Soto Graciela and Francisco Cigarroa Mike GoldenLisa and Sandy GottesmanVaughn GrossTed and Margaret HenkenRandy and Julia Baker Howry Amy and Kevin ImesSuzon and Bill Kemp FamilyMichael and Jeanne KleinLaura Merritt and J. P. KloningerFritz and Mary KorthBill and Lou Ann LasherChristine Mattsson and
John McHaleKris and Bryce MillerMithoff Family Charitable Foundation
Karen Nelson Howard and Amy NirkenPat and Julie OlesTess and Greg PetersJane Quentan Piper Lisa and Randy RamirezDon and Gina ReesePaul and Virginia Resta John C. Schweitzer James and Mallory Shaddix Dan Sharp and Maura BradyMolly and Ed SharpeSusie and Chris Shields The Stahl Family FoundationKatie Starley Studio 8 ArchitectsGregory J. Vincent Barbara Wallace Joe Bill Watkins Harriet Youngblood
11UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
Friends of the Little Longhorns IndividualsDarryl and Katie Adams
Brigit Alexander
Erin and Boone Almanza
Cassandra L. Alvarado
Mel and Lori Alvarado
Kristin Alvarez
Wendy and Steve Anderson
Bliss H. Angerman
Anonymous
Anonymous*
Emilia I. Arce and Marcelo Campos
Ronny and Chris Attal
Chad Auler
Ashley Ayala
Rose V. Baladez
John and Heather Banczak
Martin Barrera and
Veronica Castro de Barrera
M. Barrientez
Lee Bash
Hannah M. Beck
Troy D. Bennett
W. S. Benson III
Brett Bidwell
Betty Sue Bird
Barrett K. and Nikol Blackmon
Leslie D. Blair
Ann and Jeff Bomer
Adam and Lynn Bonsky
Kurt Boring
Kathy Borth
Dewey and Melissa Brackin
Martha Bradshaw
Julie Branc
Andria E. Brannon
Corey and Cameron Breed
Britt and Bob Buchanan
Ann T. Brown
Tiffany and Wayne Brumley
Elizabeth C. Bryan
Matt Burns
John S. and Debby R. Burns
Edward J. and Kathryn M. Burshnick
Edna Ramon Butts
Leslie D. Cedar
Donald and Shirley Chase
Robert Chavarria
Stephanie M. Chiarello
Essie Childers
Maria-Elena Cigarroa
Wayne and Natalie Coffey
Pamela Colloff
Peter A. Conforti Jr.
Jane G. and Gareth W. Cook
Crystal Cotti
Susan Culp
Warren Darilek
Donna Reily Davis
Monica I. Davis
Cesar De La Garza
Andrea de Waal
Mandy Dealey
Beth and Andy Deck
Don and Martha DeGrasse
Kelley Denby
William Dick
Aida and John Dieck
DeLoss Dodds
Charlynn Doering
Lisa Doggett
John D. and Cathy Doty
Laura and Brad Duggan
Roosevelt C. Easley
Lorena Elias
Kathy Estes
Chiquita W. Eugene
Janet K. Evans
Lilla K. Ezell
Tracy Bell Fielder
Maria Figueroa
William G. and Sandra B. Fivecoat
Arlis Flores
Andrea L. Flower
Claire McCloskey Ford
Amanda Foreman
Adriane and Kevin Foster
Nancy Frank
Jolynn and Gregory Free
Janice Friesen
Renee Frisbie
Jane Fuchs
James Gabriel
Alida Tallman
Dorothy Garretson
Ryan R. and Leslie Leal Gauna
Charles and Suzanne Geiger
Diana S. and James K. George
Gail Giebink
Blanche Gill
LeAnn L. and Michael L. Gillette
Ethan A. Glass
Mark F. Goldberg
Jenn and Adam Goldman
Mark A. Gooden
Lisa and Sandy Gottesman*
Jack and Catherine Gourley
Diana and Sean Greenberg
Carolina O. Guajardo
Cathy L. Hagenbaumer
Dottie Hall
Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
Jennifer W. Harris
Mary Juan Harris*
Ben and Jan Harry
Seth R. Hasenour
Wilmeter A. Haynes
Kim L. Heilbrun
Julian Vasquez Heilig
Ann-Marie and Chris Helling
Rebecca Henken
Carlos Guerra and
Lorna Hermosura
Roni Hernandez
Richard L. Herrman
Betty Hewell
Sara Hilgers
Arby and Vera N. Hinojosa
Patrice J. Hochstetler
Jeannadele B. Holzmann
Hollis L. Horner
Treva and Jeffrey R. Horowitz
Candice Medlin House
Howard Humphreys
Susan Hutchison
Mary Ellen Isaacs
Melissa Jackson
Libby Jacobson and Mike Gagne
Jim Jerome
Bobby Johns
Carol S. Johnson
Beatrice Jones
Natacha and Michael Jones
Abigail and Albert Gashi
The Silk Kapasis
Frank Kaplan
12 UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
Rusty Kelley*
Molly Kelly
Ramona Kelly
Marsha Kelman
Meredith and Brian Kelsey
Michael and Jeanne Klein*
Barbara and Bart Knaggs
Bob Knipe
Sandy Knott
Jeff and Dana Kocurek
Suzanne P. Kossow
Aileen Krassner
Betsy Kreisle
Dolly Lambdin and Larry Abraham
Michael E. Lambert
Tema L. Khiev
Ellen Le Blanc
Norma L. Leben
Mary Ledbetter
Lynda Lerma
Charles J. Lewis
Joe Limon
Cindy Y. Lo and Scott L. Francis
Mary Helen Lopez
H. Perry Lorenz*
David Lundstedt
Lynda A. Macleod
Jamie MacWilliams
Angela M. Maldonado
Ellen Mangelsdorf
Tracey and Chris Marchbanks
Pam Martin
Sergio and Amelia Martin
Octavio N. Martinez Jr.
Norman L. Mason
Anthony Maxie
Keith A. and Alice M. Maxie
Randy and Jenna McEachern
Camille Scioli McNamara
John and Marcie Merrell
Ellen and Steve Miura
The Jennifer Huggins
Modesett Family
The Molinar Family
Ann Moody
Kristi and David Moriarty
Kelly J. Mullin
Dean Munyon
Maria Nehring
Missy Colbert Nichols
Patti and Dick Obenhaus
Chris and Katie Ogden
Pat and Julie Oles*
Jessica O’Mary
Adesupo Oni
Hector Ortiz
Maria D. Ortiz
Jane and David Oshinsky
Penne and Andrew Peacock
Jerry Perkins
Susan and Ben Perkins
Al Peterson
Katie O. Pritchett
Ernest E. Ramirez
Lisa and Randy Ramirez
Mike and Joan Reed
Haruko Reese
Daniel R. Renner
Mary Dean and Terry Richards
Rodney M. Rideau
Kelly Rigsby
Josephine K. Roche
Amy S. Rollie
Suzette Ruedas
Steven and Anna Salinas
David and Melissa Sullivan
Rebecca Michal Saltsman
Hazel Sanchez
Jenifer Sarver
Meredith and Kevin Schoch
Lily and Wayne Schwartz
Laurie P. Scott
Molly and Ed Sharpe
Brigid Shea
Jennifer Sherrill
EmilyAnne Skinner
Amy Skudlarczyk
Jan Slagter
Keri L. and William E. Smeaton
Evan and Julia Smith
Monte H. Smith
Shelly Ann Smith
Yolanda Soriano
Rodney and Marcy Sprott
C. Jackson and Andrea Stolle
Tom and Brenda Strama
Kristopher D. Swift
Kiyoshi Tamagawa
Eunice R. Tanco
Kent and Lucie Taylor
Mary and Charles Teeple
Andy Thomas
Ric and Lisa Trahan
Yasmin H. Turk
Nathan Scott Turner
Becky Urhausen
Juanita M. Vasquez
Michelle Voss
Carol and Adam Wagner
Mary Walker
Melanie and Bill Walters
Muffy and DeWitt Waltmon
Jessica and Greg Weaver
Sarah Susanne Weldon
Evelyn and Wyeth Wiederman
Kay and Stan Wilemon
Layton and Ann Wilson
Marie A. Wilson
Mary and Will Wilson
Joan Windler
Marc T. Winkelman
Sam Winters
Buzzy Woodworth
Charles G. Workman
Patience Worrel
Janet R. Young
Amanda Youngblood
Patricia Younts
Angie Pete Yowell and Curt Yowell
Danielle Zibilski
organizationsAlpha Capital Management
Apple Inc.
Austin Capital Area CLC
Austin Pi Beta Phi Foundation
Blackridge*
Buena Vista Foundation*
Chevron Corporation
Chronic Crave
Cortez Insurance Agency
Dell Inc.
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
Frost National Bank
The Hartford
H-E-B
Highland Mall
IBM International Foundation
Ray Jackson’s Rising Stars
David E. Jones and Associates
13UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
2011-12 Management board
Dr. Jennifer Adair – 2012
Department of Curriculum and
Instruction, College of Education
penny burck – 2012
Community Volunteer
Robiaun Charles – 2013
Assistant Vice President for
Development and External
Relations, DDCE
Jennifer esterline – 2012
Executive Director,
KDK-Harman Foundation
Dr. Chiquita Watt eugene – 2014
(2nd term) City of Austin
Dr. Andrea Flower – 2015
Department of Special Education,
College of Education
Dr. Mark Gooden, Chair – 2012
Department of Educational
Administration, College of
Education
Cathy hagenbaumer – 2013
Finance Manager, DDCE
Dr. Dolly Lambdin – 2013
Department of Kinesiology
and Health Education,
College of Education
Dr. taylor Martin – 2013
Department of Curriculum and
Instruction, College of Education
Randy Ramirez – 2015
Program Manager, Solarwinds
Suzette Ruedas – 2015
UTES Parent
Dr. Laurie Scott – 2015
Department of Music and Human
Learning, College of Fine Arts
Dr. ed Sharpe – 2013
(3rd term) Department of
Educational Administration,
College of Education
2011-12 Development Council
Capital Campaign Committee:betsy Abell
Buena Vista Foundation
hughes Abell
Llano Partners, Ltd.
Laura beuerlein
Heritage Title Company of Austin
Gigi bryant
GMSA Management Services
Sam bryant
Bryant Wealth Investment Group
Lisa Gottesman
Community Volunteer
Sandy Gottesman
Live Oak-Gottesman Group
vaughn Gross
Community Volunteer
betty hewell
The University of Texas at Austin
Rusty Kelley
Blackridge, TX
perry Lorenz
Real Estate Developer
howard Nirken
DuBois, Bryant, & Campbell, L.L.P.
Julie oles, Co-Chair
Community Volunteer
14 UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
KDK-Harman Foundation
Kingston Consulting Inc.
L & M Charitable Foundation Inc.
Longhorn Alumni Band
Longhorn Bikes
T. C. Lupton Jr. Family Foundation
RunTex Inc.
The Schweitzer Family Foundation
Southwest Constructors Inc.*
St. David’s Foundation*
The Stahl Family Foundation
State Farm Companies Foundation
Strategic Education Solutions
Sylvan Learning of Austin
Tartaglino Richards Family
Foundation
University Co-operative Society
University Federal Credit Union
University Masonic Lodge
Foundation
WAYA
Whole Foods Market Inc.
Whole Foods Market Southwest L.P.
George and Fay Young Foundation
Zimmerman Family Foundation
of the Raymond James
Charitable Endowment Fund
endowments Criaco Family Endowed
Excellence Fund
Ira and Muriel Maxie Endowment
*Donors who have contributed to the capital campaign this year
pat oles, Co-Chair
Barshop & Oles Co.
Michael Klein
The Klein Foundation
Jeanne Klein
The Klein Foundation
Annual GivingCampaign Committee:penny burck, Chair
Community Volunteer
Jennifer esterline
KDK-Harman Foundation
Kathy estes
Frost Bank
Courtney houston
West Austin Youth Association
Randy Ramirez
Solarwinds
buzzy Woodworth
Woodworth Homes
Marketing and Communications Committee:Felicia Adams
Community Volunteer
Leslie blair
Division of Diversity and
Community Engagement
Crystal Cotti
Sylvan Learning
Sandy Fivecoat
WeAreTeachers.com
Aileen Krassner
Community Volunteer
Lisa henken Ramirez
NetSpend Corporation
StAFFRobiaun Charles
Assistant Vice President for
Development and External
Relations, DDCE
Melissa Chavez
Executive Director,
UT Elementary School
Dr. Sherri Sanders
Associate Vice President, DDCE
Dr. ed Sharpe
Management Board Vice-Chair,
The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Gregory J. vincent
Vice President for Diversity and
Community Engagement
Angie pete Yowell
Development Officer for
UT Elementary School, DDCE
2011-12 Community partners
A Community for Education (ACE)
Action Based Learning
Active Life Movement
Austin Bat Cave
Austin Children’s Museum
Austin District Charter
Collaborative
Austin Energy
Austin Independent School
District
Austin Zoo
Bike Texas
Born to Run Foundation
Breakthrough Austin
Canine Center for Training and
Behavior
Center Stage Texas
Central Texas Safari Club
Collaborative for Academic,
Social and Emotional Learning
Committee for Children
Dell employees
El Milagro
Expanded Food and Nutrition
Education Program Travis County
Fiesta!
Frost Bank
Green Gate Farms
H-E-B
H20 for Life
HostGator Austin
Ignite A Dream
Joe’s Bakery
Jordan Shipley Summer Camp
KDK-Harman Foundation
Keep Austin Beautiful (KAB)
KIPP Austin
Lower Colorado River Authority
McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Neighborhood Longhorns
Pan-Am Recreation Center
PetSmart
Responsive Classroom
Rotary Club
RunTex
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
St. David’s Legacy of Giving
Students of the World
Sustainable Food Center
Texas Child Study Center
Texas Parks and Wildlife
University Co-op
University Federal Credit Union
The University of Texas at Austin
Blanton Museum of Art
Cockrell School of Engineering
College of Education
College of Communication
College of Fine Arts
College of Natural Sciences
LBJ School of Public Affairs
Rec Sports
School of Human Ecology
School of Nursing
School of Social Work
University Development Office
UT Longhorn Alumni Band
UT Longhorn Jazz Band
UT Strings Project
UT Taekwondo
University of Texas at Houston
Health Science Center
UTES Parent Forum
WeAreTeachers.com
West Austin Youth Association
Whole Foods
YMCA
15UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
Ut elementary School Frequently Asked QuestionsYou can find additional FAQ as well as
more detailed answers by visiting
www.utelementary.org/FAQ
What is a charter school, and how is a charter
school different from a traditional school?
A charter school is a public school that
operates as a one-school public school
district. In our case, the charter is held by
The University of Texas Board of regents.
Do charter schools have admission
policies? Can they “pick” who attends?
Charter schools cannot “choose” which students
attend. By law, charter schools must have a fair and
open admission process, conducting outreach and
recruitment to all segments of the community they
serve. Eligibility for enrollment at UT Elementary
is based on a family’s residence within our geo-
graphic service area. our students are admitted on
a first-come, first-served basis, or by public lottery
when applicants exceed available slots. no tuition
may be charged.
16 UTES AnnUAL rEPorT | 2011–2012
Is this school only for the children of UT faculty
and staff?
The school serves the children of East Austin regardless
of UT affiliation. Anyone who resides in the zip codes:
78702, 78721, 78722, 78723, or 78741, is eligible to
apply. Our student demographics reflect an 87% ethnic
minority. Seventy percent of our students qualify for
free and reduced lunch based on a household annual
income of $41,000 or less for a family of four. Most of
our students will be first-generation college students.
What makes UT Elementary School different from
other public charters?
As the first university-sponsored charter school in Texas,
we put into practice the proven, effective research about
teaching and learning that comes from University of Texas
faculty. We also help to train and mentor future educators
from the university. In addition, we have an obligation to
share the practices we use and disseminate them among
educators to help spread effective instructional practices
to as many educators and students as possible.
Are you funded by The University of Texas?
The University of Texas invested resources to create
and build our school, and also provides us an enor-
mous wealth of intellectual resources in the form of
faculty and staff who provide training, mentoring and
time to assist the school in its mission. The University
of Texas at Austin provides between two and three
percent of our general operating budget.
photo: Management Board
Facilities Chair Dr. Ed
Sharpe, Executive
Director Melissa Chavez,
and Studio 8 Architects
Ethan Glass and Jennifer
Carter gather with the
Little Longhorns in the
new courtyard.
The University of Texas Elementary School (512) 495-3300
2200 East Sixth StreetAustin, TX 78702
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