As the 2017-18 school year begins, Eanes Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Tom Leonard issued an uplifting message for students, parents, and teachers, which he originally published as a letter in the Westlake Picayune and as a press release from Eanes ISD. Leonard, who is beginning his fourth year as superintendent, said, “I have never been more excited about the possibilities for a school year.”
Here are some of the new programs and enhanced experiences for students:
Elementary
Parents of kindergarten students will have the choice of allowing their children to participate in a language immersion program. As of now, over 80 kindergarten students at Bridge Point Elementary and Cedar Creek are participating in a Spanish immersion program, with half of the day conducted in Spanish and half of the day conducted in English. The goal is for students to become fluent in two languages while in Eanes ISD.
For all grades at all nine schools is a socio-emotional curriculum that is designed to teach students “resiliency skills, grit, respectful communication, proper use of technology, how to make healthy choices, and how to treat all with civility and tolerance.”
Middle
Over 600 middle school students taking fine arts will enjoy the renovations and expansion of those facilities at both middle schools. The work followed a 2015 Bond, and the district will host open houses in the fall for community members to tour the facilities.
High School
A new business incubator room at Westlake High School will help students participating the second year of the Westlake Business Incubator course. The course will benefit from more than 60 members of the community who will co-teach or mentor in their areas of expertise.
High school robotics students also will benefit from a new robotics classroom, lab, and workshop.
And the Technical Entertainment Crew will have a new video wall in Westlake High’s Performing Arts Center. Due by early winter, the crew, along with graphic arts and performing arts classes, will showcase their stage appearances. Additionally, the crew will have their football game broadcasts reach the largest audience ever with delayed telecasts Saturday nights on KBVO-TV.