BY ANNA M. TINSLEY
atinsley@star-telegram.com
Sunday, November 1, 2009
FORT WORTH — Leeann Michalack wiped away tears as she watched hundreds of Polytechnic High School students, parents and
supporters march down Rosedale Street on Saturday, celebrating the students’ double-digit gains on a state assessment test that kept
the east side school open.
"This is a public celebration of the most heartfelt effort I’ve ever seen in my life," said Michalack, principal at the Leonard 6th Grade
Center and former dean of instruction at Poly. "The students, the faculty, gave everything to show their greatness.
"We knew there would be a day like this to celebrate."
Four years in a row, the school had received an unacceptable rating from the state. A fifth time could have meant the state would shut
the school down. But in June, officials learned that Poly received an academically acceptable rating, largely based on Texas Assessment
of Knowledge and Skills scores, and would stay open.
Saturday was a long-awaited day of celebration.
"It’s pretty exciting, everyone coming together," said Ericka Longoria, a senior at the school. "You can feel the spirit of Poly.
"We all focused on TAKS and doing good," she said. "We’re just celebrating our victory."
Students, teachers, parents and supporters wore "Spirit of Poly" T-shirts and marched from the school to a parking lot at nearby Texas
Wesleyan University, where bounce houses, face painters, food and games awaited them.
They cheered. They chanted. They waved. They smiled.
State and local leaders joined in the celebration, including state Sen. Wendy Davis and state Rep. Marc Veasey, City Council members
Kathleen Hicks and Frank Moss, Poly graduate and Dallas Fire Chief Eddie Burns, Fort Worth school district Superintendent Melody
Johnson and Poly Principal Gary Braudaway.
The officials spoke of proclamations honoring the school, belief in the students and teachers to turn the test scores around — and faith
they had that the students could do what was needed to keep the school open.
"We all pulled together," Braudaway told the cheering students. "We knew what we had inside Poly."
Davis even spoke of legislation that she and Veasey, both Democrats from Fort Worth, were trying to pass this year in the Legislature to
keep Poly from closing.
"Little did we know the magic that would happen," Davis said. "You all knew Poly did not need to be rescued."
Burns encouraged the students to keep going, and keep giving, for the school.
"But we never achieve success by ourselves," he said. "I challenge you. . . . Don’t let this day go by without giving something back to
Poly.
"We are in this together."
Delores Bell showed up to support the school and her grandson Justin, a junior at Poly.
"I think this is marvelous," she said. "We really hoped and prayed it would happen.
"It makes you feel good."
Tommie Carter, a 1971 Poly graduate, stood to the side, watching the speeches and festivities. "I love this," he said softly. "It makes my
heart proud — and glad to be a graduate of Poly High School.
"We kept the faith, and I’m glad to see this day."
atinsley@star-telegram.com
Sunday, November 1, 2009
FORT WORTH — Leeann Michalack wiped away tears as she watched hundreds of Polytechnic High School students, parents and
supporters march down Rosedale Street on Saturday, celebrating the students’ double-digit gains on a state assessment test that kept
the east side school open.
"This is a public celebration of the most heartfelt effort I’ve ever seen in my life," said Michalack, principal at the Leonard 6th Grade
Center and former dean of instruction at Poly. "The students, the faculty, gave everything to show their greatness.
"We knew there would be a day like this to celebrate."
Four years in a row, the school had received an unacceptable rating from the state. A fifth time could have meant the state would shut
the school down. But in June, officials learned that Poly received an academically acceptable rating, largely based on Texas Assessment
of Knowledge and Skills scores, and would stay open.
Saturday was a long-awaited day of celebration.
"It’s pretty exciting, everyone coming together," said Ericka Longoria, a senior at the school. "You can feel the spirit of Poly.
"We all focused on TAKS and doing good," she said. "We’re just celebrating our victory."
Students, teachers, parents and supporters wore "Spirit of Poly" T-shirts and marched from the school to a parking lot at nearby Texas
Wesleyan University, where bounce houses, face painters, food and games awaited them.
They cheered. They chanted. They waved. They smiled.
State and local leaders joined in the celebration, including state Sen. Wendy Davis and state Rep. Marc Veasey, City Council members
Kathleen Hicks and Frank Moss, Poly graduate and Dallas Fire Chief Eddie Burns, Fort Worth school district Superintendent Melody
Johnson and Poly Principal Gary Braudaway.
The officials spoke of proclamations honoring the school, belief in the students and teachers to turn the test scores around — and faith
they had that the students could do what was needed to keep the school open.
"We all pulled together," Braudaway told the cheering students. "We knew what we had inside Poly."
Davis even spoke of legislation that she and Veasey, both Democrats from Fort Worth, were trying to pass this year in the Legislature to
keep Poly from closing.
"Little did we know the magic that would happen," Davis said. "You all knew Poly did not need to be rescued."
Burns encouraged the students to keep going, and keep giving, for the school.
"But we never achieve success by ourselves," he said. "I challenge you. . . . Don’t let this day go by without giving something back to
Poly.
"We are in this together."
Delores Bell showed up to support the school and her grandson Justin, a junior at Poly.
"I think this is marvelous," she said. "We really hoped and prayed it would happen.
"It makes you feel good."
Tommie Carter, a 1971 Poly graduate, stood to the side, watching the speeches and festivities. "I love this," he said softly. "It makes my
heart proud — and glad to be a graduate of Poly High School.
"We kept the faith, and I’m glad to see this day."
| Photos From Around Poly and Articles From The Fort Worth Star-Telegram |
| We Had Mr. T The Students Today Have Mr. B The Person Making A Difference At Poly Today (Biilboard Provided By Poly Faculty and Staff) |
By EVA-MARIE AYALA
Posted Monday, Apr. 05, 2010
eayala@star-telegram.com
FORT WORTH -- Polytechnic High School students often credit their principal, Gary Braudaway, for saving their school.
The east-side campus was on the verge of being closed by the state for poor academic performance when students made dramatic gains on
tests to keep the school open. Students said Braudaway never let anyone give up hope that they would succeed.
"He's always motivating everyone to do our best," junior DeAndre Reed said. "It's because of him that our school is where we are today."
On Monday, Braudaway was surprised to learn he was one of 10 principals in the state to be a finalist for the H-E-B Excellence in Education
awards. He received a check for $1,000 and a $2,000 check for the school. Finalists will be interviewed at the end of the month in Houston,
where two winning principals, one elementary and one high school, will be selected. Each will receive $10,000, and their schools will each
get $25,000.
Poly had been rated academically unacceptable by the state from 2005 through 2008, and a fifth year with that rating would have meant
being closed by the state, according to Texas Education Agency requirements.
Braudaway took over in 2006. Officials had often credited him for making tremendous strides.
Students and staff often worked before and after school and on weekends, with Braudaway leading the way. Last spring, students made
double-digit increases in most areas of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills tests to be rated academically acceptable -- and
save the school.
Monday, Braudaway was quick to give students and staff the credit for the campus' success.
"Making this a family high school is what pulled us out," he said. "I'm just the one that fought off the lions, tigers and bears of negativity."
He added that the hard work continues as they strive for the state's top rating, exemplary.
Community members nominate principals, teachers and school districts for the awards, and two panels of judges review the applications to
select the finalists. H-E-B, a grocery company, began the awards in 2002.
Kaysone Souyavong, 16, said Braudaway is definitely the best principal in Texas. The junior said she had fallen behind in credits, missing
classes often because of family issues.
"But he worked with me and got me into recovery classes, like in the summer, and never let me give up," she said, "and now I'm going to
graduate on time and in the top 10 percent of my class. He pushes you to reach for your goals."
EVA-MARIE AYALA, 817-390-7700
Polytechnic High School principal Gary Braudaway gets a hug from Fort Worth
Superintendent Melody Johnson after being named a finalist. He received a
check for $1,000, and the school received $2,000
Superintendent Melody Johnson after being named a finalist. He received a
check for $1,000, and the school received $2,000