THANK YOU to the many of you who were able to come out Tuesday night to support Reagan and hear the plan. What a great night! Over 200 folks (not the 100 reported on KEYE) came out to say I BELIEVE IN REAGAN STUDENTS AND TEACHERS!
We went through the 20 strategies that came out of 6 weeks of listening and planning meetings. It is truly a community-based plan with the potential of giving the school and the community a real shot in the arm.
I want to quote from the wonderful article in the Austin American-Statesman on Wednesday:
"Rhonda Williams, parent of a 10th-grader, said she has already seen results from increased community involvement: 'There's so much positive change going on, and you can see it in the children.'"
If you weren't able to be at the meeting, we had very inspiring and hard-hitting speeches by Reagan alums Rep. Dawnna Dukes and Rep. Donna Howard. It is clear that they will do everything they can do to support Reagan and fight closure. We then went through the strategies, broke up into groups where there were some very good suggestions, especially from parents. These suggestions will be included in a revised copy of the plan.
The meeting ended with a powerful 3-minute clip of a 10-year old who addressed the Dallas ISD teachers back in August. He asked them over and over, "Do you believe in me?" It is extremely challenging to watch, and raises the question, "Do we really believe that all children can be successful? Do our actions reflect that belief?" We then asked the Reagan students and teachers (around 30 total) to come up and stand in a line across the front of the stage, mixed together. As we played a song by Fantasia called "I Believe," the 100 or so people who were still there went down the line of students and teachers, telling them "I believe in you" or something similar. For 45 minutes (well after the 8:30 finish time), parents, alums and community folks hugged and encouraged the Reagan staff and students. It was very powerful, even transforming for us.
Maybe it sounds corny, but if you were there, it wasn't. It reminded me that children are more than data and teachers more than employees. Teaching and learning need both the head and the heart. I believe that we, as a community, can affect both.
Next Steps
I've attached a copy of the 21 strategies. The full plan is a 32-page booklet that includes measurable objectives and volunteer opportunities. I can e-mail that to you, mail a booklet to you or let you pick one up at Reagan.
We have ten different strategic groups. I would encourage you to sign up for at least one of the groups. Each group has a team leader who will be communicating volunteer opportunities.
Speaking of signing up, we now have an on-line way to sign up to volunteer at Reagan. The link will be available on the Reagan alumni website (www.notwithouthonor.com) or you go to it directly:
You can sign up for all kinds of opportunities, including being part of the ten strategy groups.
Our next planning meeting will be Thursday, November 13 at 6 pm in the Reagan Conference Room.
More soon. Thanks!
Allen Weeks
653-4935
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