Hearing-impaired students at Stonewall Jackson Elementary have something to be excited about: A collection of their artwork recently was exhibited at the Artisana Gallery, 2526 Elm Street.
The show, curated by Stonewall parent Rick Dibby, contained artwork dating to April 1991 and included tile mosaics, paper mosaics, water-color washes, miscellaneous drawings and self-portraits.
Tile and stone artist Dibby has worked with Stonewall students for one-and-one-half years. Originally, he was asked to create a tile mural at Stonewall depicting the children’s artwork. He began participating regularly in the hearing-impaired students’ art classes.
“These kids were so enthusiastic about their artwork and were so excited to see it being translated into a tile mural,” he says.
“They really won me over, and that’s when I got the idea to feature their work exclusively in an art show.
“These children have a visual talent that is far above average, and they know it. It makes them feel good to know they can do something well in what is often a difficult hearing world.
“I wanted to help them do something they could truly be proud of.”
Each artwork was available for a $25 purchase price, of which the student kept $15 and the remaining $10 was donated to a school art supply fund for hearing-impaired students.
J.L. Long Mural Brings Heroes to Life
What do Gilgamesh and Michael Jordan have in common? Both are more than seven feet tall and are featured in a 50-foot mural created by J.L. Long Middle School’s Laureate and Advance Art students.
The students surveyed heroes and heroines from literature they studied and then researched others to select those included in the mural. The result is a colorful display of men and women from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas who are remembered throughout legend and history.
In addition to Gilgamesh (a Babylonian king) and Michael Jordan, King Tut, Ghengis Khan, Pocahontas, Simon Bolivar and Barbara Jordan are a few of the featured faces.
Key artist and mural director is Soutchay Inthasone, now a ninth-grader at DISD’s Arts Magnet. Avalino Faz, a ninth-grader at Skyline High School, and Armando Hernandez, a freshman at Woodrow Wilson, also were main artists.
Paint for the mural was donated by the Ross Avenue Sears store.
The mural is located in what is now referred to as Mural Hall. Long advanced art teacher Earline Greene encourages visitors to stop by and see what she refers to as “an amazing combination of history and art.”
Casa Linda Program Benefits Gaston Middle School
Throughout August, Casa Linda Shopping Center merchants held a school supply drive for students at Gaston Middle School.
The supply drive was part of the Plaza’s efforts in the adopt-a-school program, which was initiated by DISD Supt. Marvin Edwards in 1990. The program provides neighborhood businesses with the opportunity to assist neighborhood schools through fundraising and other charitable activities.
Previous events organized to benefit Gaston by Casa Linda, which is located at Garland and Buckner Roads, include a career day, an annual teacher appreciation breakfast and a pumpkin sale.
Lee Honored for Improved Student Performance
Robert E. Lee Elementary School recently received $109,155 from the Texas Education Agency as part of the Texas Successful Schools Award System, which recognizes schools for improvement in student performance.
Lee was one of only four DISD elementary schools to receive award money.
According to principal Jane Lampton, Lee’s 3rd and 5th grade TAAS scores improved, and the school’s attendance rate rose from 94% to 96%.
“This (money) really gives our school the educational boost that it needs,” Lampton says.
Preliminary plans for the money include staff development and the purchase of science and math manipulatives. School staff, parents and the surrounding school community will decide how to spend the rest of the money.
Stonewall Recognized for TAAS Score Gains
Stonewall Jackson Elementary joined eight other DISD schools in receiving the Governor’s Certificate for Outstanding Performance.
Stonewall principal Olivia Henderson cited high TAAS scores among 3rd and 5th graders for the selection. This is the third year Stonewall’s 5th-grade students have placed first in DISD TAAS scores out of 128 elementary schools. The 3rd-grade students’ scores moved from 10th to 6th place.
“We feel that Stonewall is a great school,” Henderson says, “and we are thrilled with this state recognition.”
Woodrow Student Receives National Merit Scholarship
Woodrow Wilson student Matthew W. Olin has won the Preston Smith Merit Scholarship awarded by Texas Tech University, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corp.
Olin is a member of Woodrow’s math team and the National Honor Society. He also received the UIL Scholar Award, the Louis Armstrong Award and John P. Sousa Award. Olin plans to pursue a career in music.
Calendar
The St. Thomas Aquinas School carnival is scheduled Sept. 26 from 1-10 p.m. Admission is free. Live music, a craft fair, garage sale and a raffle are among the activities. Contact Julie McNulty, 821-5199, for more information.
