E~STEAM NEWS
January
📅 🍎 SAVE THE DATE! To meet the needs of our growing community and continue to provide quality instruction to our students in a safe and secure environment, the Judson Independent School District developed a staggered process for registration for the 2023-2024 school year!
📝 For more registration information visit, https://www.judsonisd.org/register.
#JudsonISD #JISD #JudsonISDFamily
Did You Know?
The Ford Mustang is officially unveiled by Henry Ford II at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York, on April 17, 1964. That same day, the new car also debuted in Ford showrooms across America and almost 22,000 Mustangs were immediately snapped up by buyers. Named for a World War II fighter plane, the Mustang was one of the first vehicles that came to be known as a “pony car.” Ford sold more than 400,000 Mustangs within its first year of production, far exceeding sales expectations.
Ms. Maria Santos has been at Elolf for over 10 years. Her impact and commitment to the campus and the community are clearly evident, even ensuring that her own family went through the campus. Maria is never upset. I’ve never seen her mad or angry. She’s just always gracious and giving, She came to America from Guatalama with a simple dream - for a better life. Having been in the country for decades and overcoming tremendous hardship, she eventually was able to find happiness while working for Judson ISD, starting at Coronado Village and then transferring to Elolf.
“God blessed me because I have work,” Santos said. “We have [achieved] the American dream - we have good health, we have a house, my son and daughter have families. And being at Elolf makes me happy.”
Her positive relationships with everyone on campus are palpable - every teacher we talked to had nothing but praise and admiration for Ms. Maria.
People who may not understand education may overlook certain aspects of a school, including the custodial staff. However, if you are in education, you understand how incredibly crucial a custodial staff is. Without them, the gears of a school simply do not move - it just can’t operate.
“Our whole custodial staff, hands down, is the best in the district. “They do so much.”
It is people like Ms. Maria who are essential in pushing the district forward, in ensuring that our students are educated and that we all have a role in Producing Excellence.
FERGIE JANE MAKES HER PRESENCE FELT AT ELOLF STEAM ACADEMY
s something special about a dog.
They are our best friends. They are family members.
We spend an obnoxious amount of money on them. They get their way in the house. And frankly, they live the life - sleeping all day, eating when they want, and not having any chores.
But we’ll do anything for our dogs, and they’ll do anything for us, including bringing joy and comfort into our classrooms.
A study by the National Institute of Health found that a dog’s presence in a school can promote a positive mood and provide significant anti-stress effects on the body. They provide social-emotional and cognitive benefits, have been shown to increase school attendance for students, create positive changes that lead to better learning, and help to develop positive relationships with students and their peers.
That is what Fergie Jane is doing at Elolf STEAM Academy.
Her owner, Assistant Principal Tiffany McHugh, is making sure that she is a contributing member of the school community by training her to be a service dog. As of now, she plays a vital role specifically with special education students but is available for all members of the Elolf community.
“If I say, ‘do you want to go see your kids,’ she knows where to go,” McHugh said, as we walked into Mrs. Baumbach's special education classroom.
Their faces lit up and huddled around Fergie Jane. As she sniffed around, as dogs do, she showed patience and kindness with the students.
“Chances are, she’ll go to the student [who needs her the most] and allow them to release some energy and anxiety that they may have,” McHugh said.
She pointed out one student who was, at first, scared of dogs. But through his interaction with Fergie Jane, his nerves eventually calmed down. When Fergie Jane now comes into the classroom, he is more excited than nervous to interact with her.
But she’s not limited to just students.
“I have teachers who come and visit her,” McHugh said. “They’ll text me to make sure she is on campus. She helps to calm them down if they are having a stressful day.” She has even been used to calm difficult situations with adults.
“I had a parent come in upset,” McHugh said. “Fergie Jane was in my office and I told him, ‘if she is bothering you, let me know.’ But all she did was sit on his lap and the parent was petting her the entire time. Eventually, the parent and I were able to have a great conversation and his concerns were addressed.”
As we toured around the school, Fergie Jane was the local celebrity, getting pets on the head and shakes of the pawl from every student in sight.
As we entered Ms. Hinds' room, Fergie Jane introduced herself to every student at their desk.
“It makes me happy that the dog can make me feel better,” a Thunderbolt student said.
After 15 minutes of hanging out in Hinds' classroom, as we left, Hinds picked up Fergie Jane and held her tight, reminding us that even teachers need support just like the students do, even if it’s from a dog.
“I need her too,” Hinds said.
The classroom can be a stressful place for both students and teachers. However, Elolf is blessed to have the support of a four-legged friend to ensure that everyone is supported throughout the school year.
So if Fergie Jane needs a new sweater, or have her way in McHugh’s office, or sleep and eat and not do any chores for a day, I am sure she will be allowed to, knowing that she is taking care of each and every Thunderbolt.
Judson ISD offers ALL DAY Pre-K to 3-year-olds at ALL of our 20 elementary campuses for FREE. Judson welcomes all three-year-olds (by September 1st) to participate in our FREE ALL DAY Pre-K program; however, district bus transportation will not be provided for three-year-olds..
In addition to Pre-K 3, JISD offers a full day Pre-K4 program as well. Judson values the importance of building a solid academic, social, and emotional foundation for early learners. ALL DAY Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 will be offered at all 20 elementary campuses. So what does ALL DAY Pre-K look like? The video above will give you a good idea.
REGISTRATION & ENROLLMENT
As a public school system, Judson Independent School District welcomes all students who meet state age and health requirements. Judson ISD offers School of Choice, which will allow Judson families to choose any school within the district to attend regardless of where they reside in the district.
Registration for the 2022-2023 school year IS NOW OPEN in our NEW registration portal and we will continue to register students for the current school year. If you have questions about your child's registration or wish to set up an in-person appointment, please call the campus in your attendance zone or the school of choice campus to start the process. A list of Campus Registrars is available for your convenience.
MY SCHOOL BUCKS
Elolf STEAM Academy
Location: 6335 Beech Trail Drive, Converse, TX, USA
Phone: 2106611130