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By Mercedes Sandoval
Dolores Gonzales Elementary School, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a unique and successful school. Through strong parent advocacy, community partnerships, and a school culture that embraces diversity with rigor and commitment; this school has consistently met the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) accountability targets set by the federal legislation known as No Child Left Behind. Most importantly, the success of Dolores Gonzales has established a sense of pride and community in an area where such an ingredient is an essential component for continued success. Part of that sense of community stems from some unique programs that make diversity a top priority.
From an outsider’s perspective, the uniqueness of the school’s dual-language education is a response to the challenges it faces—a large immigrant population, high poverty, and a large student body of English language learner (ELL). Although this perception is partially accurate, Dolores Gonzales’ uniqueness truly is rooted in its determined commitment to success for all and refusal to succumb to what may be perceived as legitimate excuses for failure.
Through this dual-language program parents have access to English and Spanish as a Second Language classes. Additionally, GED classes in Spanish and English are available through a partnership with Catholic Charities. Within the last two years, two very critical programs have been added to the Dolores Gonzales offerings—a literacy program and computer training. Parent liaison program coordinator Shirley Williams brought the University of New Mexico Family Literacy Program to Dolores Gonzales. The program is designed to preserve individual cultures through creative writing. This course also reinforces the importance of sharing parenting skills. The second program, computer classes for parents, is taught by computer technician and staff member Darren Cruz as a means of empowering them with today’s technology.
A new challenge Dolores Gonzales Elementary PTA took up was participating in the New Mexico PTA’s Embracing Fatherhood program. This program appealed to Dolores Gonzales because it provided the school with an opportunity work through cultural differences to get more men involved at school. Our fatherhood program event served as an open invitation for men in the Dolores Gonzales community to start talking with each other and find out what they had in common—playing a significant and life-altering role in a child’s life—and recruit them for other PTA and school programs. The PTA’s fatherhood committee chairperson, John Fullilove, took an extra step by securing a $2,000 grant from the Presbyterian Health Services Foundation to support this event.
Dolores Gonzales Elementary PTA has created opportunities to empower future leaders among our already-involved moms by inviting parents to attend legislative days and nurturing their talents. One future leader is Nelly Batista, a mother of two who participates by providing karate lessons at the annual health fair, filling up the back packs for the Food for Kids program, and showing off her wonderful musical talents. Nelly says, “If it wasn’t for my involvement in PTA, I never would have overcome my shyness.” Nelly also attributes her increase in self-esteem to being involved in PTA. She is the newest addition to the Dolores Gonzales Elementary PTA board. Although Nelly does not speak English fluently, she continues to take the English as a Second Language classes that are offered at the school.
Our school’s academic achievements and our PTA’s success would not be possible without the support and leadership of Dolores Gonzales’ principal, Mrs. Dora Ortiz. She is an inspiration to many principals throughout the Albuquerque Public Schools and the state, and most recently, she was honored with the New Mexico PTA Principal of the Year Award. It is wonderful to see that even when she is in a hurry, she always acknowledges parents who are present. She attends all PTA functions and daily can be seen straightening up the teachers’ lounge, having lunch with staff members, participating in before- and after-school bus duty, and generally looking out for the safety of all children.
Dolores Gonzales Elementary has met the challenge of becoming a family within a school. By working together, we have afforded the school’s children, families, and staff ample opportunities to experience personal growth, success, self-worth, and pride in community. It is a great honor to be a part of this family. PTA’s six National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs have helped Dolores Gonzales Elementary stay focused on programs that will create greater successes for our children. We will continue to challenge ourselves to foster a true engagement of our constituents and a greater understanding and unity within our community.
Mercedes Sandoval is president-elect of New Mexico PTA. This article originally appeared in the August/September 2008 Our Children.
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