Principals from across the United Independent School District gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at the Student Activity Center to study data and other research that will help them maintain their school’s success or improve in areas where students need help.
The festive atmosphere, complete with the Lyndon B. Johnson High School drumline, photo booth and backdrops with balloons, lent an upbeat tempo to the district’s first leadership meeting this year for principals. Gloria’s Coffee Bar turned out for the meeting as well. The theme was wishing them a “Picture Perfect” school year.
Dr. Gerardo Cruz, superintendent of schools, noted it was his first leadership meeting with the campus principals.
“I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all our campus principals and teaching staff for an outstanding school year. I know this year will be even better,” he said.
UISD is projected to receive its fifth A rating - an achievement that teachers, principals and administrators are very proud of and want to maintain.
“Good academic scores have been the result of last year and my hope is that we maintain and grow and those schools that are an A continue to be an A,” Dr. Cruz said. He added that those schools with a B or C should strive to make the next letter grade.
“I can certainly understand the pressures of a principalship. I feel all campus principals are committed … great campus principals were great teachers, and I feel that’s a great connection there,” he added.
Rebecca Morales, assistant superintendent for administration and policies, said Wednesday’s meeting was kicking off the leadership series for the year. The meetings with principals and administrative staff will be held monthly.
“We are going to review data, look at our instructional programs and talk about some of our initiatives for the year,” Morales said.
One of those initiatives is the i-Ready program, which involves ensuring that principals are focusing on literacy for all students from elementary through high school.
“We know this is an area we really need to focus on and start to really close those gaps for the students when it comes to literacy and reading,” Morales said.
During the leadership meeting, principals of highly successful schools were featured and offered advice on how to get that high A rating. Jessica Salazar, United High School principal, Gilbert Moreno, Trautmann Middle School principal, Rosanna Arizola, United Middle School principal, and Monica Arriaga, Kazen Elementary School principal, were featured.
Principals at the leadership meeting expressed enthusiasm for the new school year.
“There is a lot of information I can turnkey to my staff,” said Roberto Ortiz, principal of Juarez-Lincoln Elementary School. “This keeps everybody informed, everybody on the same path and same page.”
He said the goals for his campus are achievement and progress - increased test scores, moving up to an A rating and meeting the attendance goals.
“We’re unique here at UISD. With our district, the research shows that we shouldn’t have been as successful as we’ve been but we are so that shows the compassion, dedication and commitment of our teachers, parents and administrators,” Ortiz said.
“I hope everybody has a fantastic school year and brings that positive energy to all of our kids. It’s amazing how contagious that can be,” he added.
UISD campus principals and administrators gathered for the first leadership meeting of the year.
L to R: Rebecca Morales, assistant superintendent for administration and policies, Dr. Gerardo Cruz, superintendent of schools, Emma Leza, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, at the leadership meeting for principals
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