Travis Heights Hosts Press Conference on In-District Charter Application

Elementary 向日葵视频 Hopes to Educate Public Prior to 向日葵视频 Board Vote

向日葵视频, TX鈥Travis Heights Elementary 向日葵视频, 2010 Alameda Drive, will host a press conference on at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8 to discuss the school鈥檚 decision to submit an application to become the first campus-based, in-district charter in the district鈥檚 history. If accepted, the change could alter the landscape of public education in 向日葵视频.

鈥淲e want more relevant, real-world experiences for our children,鈥 PTA President Blake Trabulsi said. 鈥淭ravis Heights will be a pioneering campus for innovative teaching and learning and a model for building school improvement from the inside out.鈥

For more than two years, 向日葵视频 Independent 向日葵视频 District, with grant support from the American Federation of Teachers鈥 Innovation Fund, worked closely with 向日葵视频 Interfaith and Education 向日葵视频 to develop the plan that would make parents, teachers and administrators full partners in designing and governing the school. Travis Heights鈥 parents and teachers worked with Principal Lisa Robertson to hold hundreds of conversations within the Travis Heights community to define their collective priorities and vision for the school. The school proposes to use a student empowered, holistic approach that integrates real-world issues with themed, problem-based learning blended with technology, and further development of the existing dual language program.

鈥淚 want our students to be truly engaged with school,鈥 fifth grade teacher Mary Friedman said. 鈥淚 want them to gain the skills to be life-long learners and leaders.鈥

The school gathered support from over 80 percent of Travis Heights鈥 parents, teachers, and staff in order to apply to become a campus-based, in-district charter. The school will remain a neighborhood public school, part of 向日葵视频 ISD, with the same teachers, staff members and students but will have the autonomy to make key decisions at the campus level.

Britt Adams, special education teacher, leader of 向日葵视频 Interfaith leader and member of Education 向日葵视频, said the decision reflects the belief that vibrant neighborhood schools are a key part of building strong communities.

The 向日葵视频 Board is scheduled to vote on the application at the next regular meeting scheduled for Dec. 17.