S. J. Davis Middle School Partners
SAISD 2019-2020
Reflection on Summer Session at Davis Middle School 2018-2019
During the past summer session at Davis, I was pleasantly surprised to get such a good daily turn-out. The below pictures, reflect how our class looked before the students would return from their summer-school session at Poe Middle School. When the summer students returned any given day, we were averaging between 14-18 students daily! Due to construction on campus, we were in the Boys Gym from June 3rd, to the 27th of June.
As an MSP Teacher for the past eight plus years, I am so proud of the students and parents who did a fantastic job of staying committed to what the guidelines were. Almost all of my students who participated in MSP during the school year completed their 2.5 credits (Traditional) or 1.5 credits (Bridged) requirements. To say I was happy is a gross understatement! We really had fun being with each other, and completing the mission. What was so so cool, was the fact that we were able to take our students to the McCreles Mall Theatre, to see Toy Story 4. We had all kinds of snacks, and the flick was the bomb!!
How did we get so so lucky at Davis Middle School?
Ms. Richardson was fresh off of a somewhat sabbatical in Lima, Peru. She had just touched down back in the USA, some days before reporting to Davis Middle School. One of the main reasons for her two-year stint there, was to immerse herself in the language and culture and receive a bilingual certification in Spanish. I really found it interesting to note, because I'd never met anyone else who had a similar story. According to her, the journey in Peru, really changed the way she viewed the world.
Immediately, she began the work of organizing our MSP/Bridge programs into shape. It had been a trying year for us because she was the third permanent CIS Coordinator for the school year, and we had Ms. Tara (CIS-Supervisor) as a temporary campus coordinator during the year as well.
Our campus isn't the easiest campus to deal with, yet she jumped right in and got her hands dirty! Working with her has/is/will be a continual great experience. When we brainstorm about things, she always has great suggestions and what is best for our students is always at the forefront of her mind. Having a fluent Spanish speaking CIS Coordinator, is really cool and her interaction with the students is nothing short of inspirational. So, from the bottom of my heart I'd like to thank you Ms. Richardson, and say I really look forward to our partnership in making Davis MS, the best that we can be for the EASTSIDE !!
A humble servant's thoughts on the need for Bridge to Promotion.
Fast forward to school year 2018-2019, and now, I too had to implement the Bridge to Promotion program, and to top it off, I was at a new campus for the first time. Agnes was very helpful and provided much encouragement. But, if the truth be told I was a little intimidated. For the first time in my MSP experience, I was dealing with sixth and seventh graders. I hadn't realized the difference in maturity of sixth and seventh graders versus my normal MSP population.
I can now say that I am certainly a big fan of the Bridge to Promotion program because I've seen firsthand how we were able to help students reach their academic potential regardless of where they were starting from. Our sixth graders are able to bridge to eighth grade the succeeding year, if they are able to complete the rigorous process by the end of their sixth grade year.
As far as I know, there aren't any other districts with the innovation to address this real serious problem that we have in the state of Texas. For that, I have to say thank you SistahFriend for being a visionary whose chief concern is seeing young people smile!