Wednesday's trip to Austin was AWESOME!
The kids behaved with impressive decorum, and left a positive impression of our school.
Terry Grier and Rebecca Flores met us when we arrived and he talked with the kids for a bit.
The kids entered the Capitol proudly carrying their letter to the Governor. They visited the Governor's public reception office where the kids delivered their letter, delivered their remarks to the receptionist and signed the guest book.
Following that they had an unexpected, impromptu conversation with former Sen Armbrister who is now Gov Perry's Director of Legislative Affairs.
Following lunch out on the lawn, the students met with legal expert, David Thompson, and the Deputy Associate Commissioner on School Finance for the TEA, Lisa Dawn-Fisher. After sharing what the students had already learned on the issue, they gained an even greater understanding of the issue from these experts, and even walked away with some questions they had for their elected officials.
We sat in the gallery of the House Chambers for a bit to watch the proceedings in there. Rep Sarah Davis publicly welcomed and acknowledged the students, and shared with the rest of her colleagues on the floor the purpose of the students' visit. She then came up to the gallery to hear the students' concerns and answer their questions.
We then rushed across the building and downstairs to meet with Senator Joan Huffman where the children again shared their thoughts and made their inquiries.
This was a great experience for me and the kids. When we reflected on the trip the next day, I got the sense that the kids felt empowered to voice their opinion and dream of a better future.
I could not have done it without your support, trust, and quick response to this trip. Big thanks to my parent chaperons; Cathie Partridge, Christina Rasheed, Allison Levine, Mindy Black, and Kelly Levitt and Tomono Yoshimori. Also, having Mrs. Blakslee on board helped tremendously. As you may know Mrs. Deigaard have been spending hours in our class in the last couple of weeks, as an expert on this issue, always answering kids questions and allowing them to follow their passion. Mr. Baker supported our last minute endeavor 100%, and we owe all a HUGE thank you!!!!!!!!
Spirit night and bake sale combined raised around $350 benefiting Tijerina students. That is enough money for one field trip for one class next year.
Yesterday we formed new groups to now work on presenting this work to the community.
We have a thank you committee writing emails to all elected officials and experts we met on our trip, as well as cards to people that supported us along the way :)
We have our supply drive still going on and we are collecting items for our adopted school, Tijerina.
We have a documentary in the making to tell the story of our journey.
The front Rotanda is going to be decorated with our exhibition timeline, and we have a group of student working on that.
Our PR students are contacting the media, trying to raise awarness and get their story out to the public.
As you can see we are very busy......
hope the kids are resting and having fun this weekend.
Exhibition night is May 25th, 5:30-7:30. We'll have a dress rehearsal in the morning of the 25th.
Please plan on coming Wedensday to see them shine and glow :) Merav
PS - We need all pictures and videos you took during the trip to Austin, and or during this process. If you have any, please send it to school with your child on Monday on a CD.
Last...... I know there is a lot going lately with collection for Exhibition, but please remember to support the other 5th grade class's exhibition effort. To find out information, look at the Tuesday folder, as well as the ACTION calendar in the 5th grade hall.
Two things I am aware of are;
1. Mrs. Hick's class is collecting breakfast items to donate Ronald McDonald house.
2. We still need school supply for our drive, uniform shirts, pencils, erasers, glue, and paint.
