Dear Joe,

I appreciate all that the foundation has done for Williams Elementary. I think "Our Student"(name protection) "OS" is one success story among many!

"OS" is currently a 5th grader in a bilingual class at Williams Elementary. He lives with his mother and stepfather. His mother works in a warehouse and his stepfather is employed with a concrete company. His mother and natural father are from Guatemala. He was born on July Fourth, 1990 in California. His dominant language is Spanish.

He has been in bilingual classes since Kindergarten. He came to Williams in second grade. Throughout his years in school "OS" has demonstrated difficulty in focusing on his schoolwork. Lack of focus combined with poor work habits and social development interfered with academic success. Until fourth grade his grades were inconsistent but skill levels adequate to promote him to the next level.

 Last year in fourth grade his problems increased. Our school counselor screened him for hyperactivity and based on this evaluation recommended the parents take him for medical evaluation. The parents choose not to act on this suggestion.

"OS’s" inability to cooperate with rules found him frequently disciplined and isolated in the classroom. His behavior on the bus was so disruptive that he was repeatedly given behavior referrals, which eventually led to suspension from the bus for first 5 and then 10 days. In this process, I became better acquainted with his mother. She obviously was trying hard to raise her son to be obedient and responsible but did not know what else to do with his behavior. Our calling her at work concerning his behavior created more problems for her. At work the office had to call her in from the warehouse floor to take our phone calls.

About this time the mentoring program with Youth Achievement Foundation began on our campus. We encouraged her to let him participate even though it was difficult for her to bring him to school in the evenings.

That was almost a year ago. I have seen "OS" only once for discipline and that was only a minor bus problem for which he received a warning. In the classroom last year and continuing this year. he is much more cooperative with the teachers and willing to work. But even with the improvements * could not catch up enough academically to pass the Reading, Math, or Writing TAAS tests at the end of fourth grade. His report card grades at the end of Fourth grade were not passing but because of his age and his ability to learn he was placed in Fifth Grade for this school year.

"OS" continues with his mentor and is experiencing significant success! As the year progresses * teacher is more and more hopeful that the excellent gains he is making in the classroom will result in his passing TAAS this year for the first time. On a mock TAAS administered in January he passed both the Reading and Math (no writing exam is required in 5th grade).

Just as important as his academic progress we are also observing how much his attitude is improving. He is much more self confident and cooperative with teachers, bus drivers, and peers.

Next year "OS" will leave Williams for Middle School. * is turning an important corner with his mentor at his side. He chooses to cooperate with rules. He chooses to work hard on his schoolwork. With continued progress, he will be ready for the challenges of Middle School both emotionally and academically.

Sincerely,


Ellen C. Mooney
Principal
March 20, 2001