UT Elementary School Annual Report 2011-12

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.”


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.


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.


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.”


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


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


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,


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,


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



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


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,


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


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


Blanton Museum of Art

Cockrell School of Engineering


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


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.


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

utelementary.orgfacebook.com/utelementary

twitter.com/utelementary

Documents

UT Elementary School Annual Report 2011-12