ACE News
Campus Spotlight: Lance Corporal Nicholas S. Perez Elementary School
January 2011
"We are Perez Pythons and we're here to say, we're responsible, respectful every day. We're ready to learn; working hard makes us smarter. We're recognized 'cause we try harder. We are Perez Pythons!"
This chant can be heard echoing through the halls of Perez Elementary School every Friday morning. Sung to the tune of "We Will Rock You," this beloved song is used to remind Perez students how to be their best every day, by being Responsible, Respectful and Ready to Learn (or Responsables, Respetuosos y Listos Para Aprender.)
Lance Corporal Nicholas S. Perez Elementary School is named for the first soldier from Austin who lost his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Perez Elementary exemplifies Corporal Perez's courage, passion, and work ethic. Both the administration and staff work tirelessly every day to create a meaningful, well-rounded and goal-oriented education for all of their students. Perez teaching goes beyond the classroom, as indicated by their plentiful afterschool and weekend activities including Trail Days, Literacy Night, Fall Festival, Prime Time (after school enrichment programs), Science Camp, Can Drive for the Capital Area Food Bank (2709 cans donated), The Texas Book Festival, and numerous community service opportunities for staff, students and their families.
The Perez community understands that learning is a responsibility shared by teachers and families, and they are able to effectively support this idea. Perez Elementary has welcomed ACE with open arms by not only supporting and valuing the tutors but also by commending their efforts. ACE is represented at Perez by English tutors Rachel and Katie and Spanish tutors Monica, Amelia, and Dawn. These five tutors are currently serving 45 children, though this number doesn't represent the total since some students have already reached ACE's yearly benchmarks and have graduated out of the program! Perez Elementary has demonstrated to our tutors what it means to make a difference in a child's life.
Katie Crapulli
ACE Tutor