Readin’ and writin’ and ‘rithmatic

Taught to the tune of a “memory” stick?

Of course, that is not how the old song really goes, but it does reflect some of the changes our educational system has experienced through the years.  But one thing never changes—the excitement of the beginning of a new school year.

Each school year brings with it a sort of new beginning.  Not only do you receive new clothes, uniforms and backpacks, but new teachers, new friends and new opportunities. 

I interviewed four students from different schools, different grades and with different interests.  They all had one thing in common — they were looking forward to the new school year.

Jude Pierce is starting first grade this year at Robert E. Lee Elementary. 

“He is so excited,” his mom, Tressa, said. “He can’t wait.”

Robert E. Lee is located at 2911 Delmar Ave. in the M-Street neighborhood of Dallas.  The school has an outdoor learning center housing a butterfly garden, a flower garden and a vegetable garden.

Lee’s mission is to provide a safe and secure learning environment in which students gain the behavioral and academic skills to become successful citizens.

Pierce says he is excited to meet his teachers and to make new friends, but he is most looking forward to learning to read and is sure that reading is going to be his favorite subject.

His favorite sports are soccer and capoeira, a unique Brazilian art form similar to martial arts.

 “I enjoy doing puzzles, playing with my sisters and my chicken Cutie,” he said. 

Naaman Forest High School (NFHS) is located at 4843 Naaman Forest Blvd. in Garland.  Built on a 62-acre site, backing up to a natural forest preserve, it “welcomed students to the forest” when it opened in 1988.

The school says its mission is to graduate confident and competent individuals prepared to communicate, contribute and interact responsibly as life long learners in our global community.

Natalie Rachel will be a sophomore at NFHS.  Rachel says she has much to look forward to when school starts this year.

Spending time with her friends on a daily basis is definitely a priority, but she is also looking forward to getting her driver’s license and to cheering for her school team in her role as junior varsity cheerleader.

This year she is taking a college-level course for college credit, is in her second year of Spanish and says English, World History and Chemistry top her list of favorite subjects.

She is a class officer, holding the position of treasurer and is a member of the Heights Student Ministry.

An accomplished swimmer, she was previously a member of the Lakewood Country Club and the Knights of Columbus swim teams and this past summer a certified lifeguard at the Knights of Columbus pool. 

“I like to read, swim, spend time with family and friends and my Chihuahua, Brodie,” Rachel said. 

L.V. Berkner High School is located at 1600 Spring Valley Rd. in Richardson.

With a campus mission “to inspire all students to grow and succeed in the global society,” Berkner takes pride in delivering high quality educational opportunities to a diverse community of students.  The curriculum includes their Science, Technology, Engineering and Math School, (STEM) a top ten rated band program, award winning fine arts department and championship sports teams.

Trent Nichols is a junior at Berkner.

Like Rachel, spending time with his friends is a high priority for Nichols. He also credits the administrative and teaching staff at Berkner with being very helpful.

History is his favorite subject and he is a member of the National Honor Society.

“I am looking forward to taking the SAT and ACT tests as well as my Advance Placement tests so I can receive college credit,” Nichols said.  

Nichols is a member of the country western dance team and enjoys football and golf.

With parents and grandparents from Missouri, Nichols is a huge Mizzou fan. However, big sister, Lindsey, is already an established Longhorn.  Nichols and his family had to say goodbye this summer to Niki, their beloved Border Collie of 15 years.

Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, affectionately known as “Booker T.” is located at 2501 Flora St. in downtown Dallas. With a mission “to provide intensive training in the arts and academics” the Arts Magnet school prepares students to attend college, conservatory or to enter the professional field.

Natalie Homsher will be a senior at the Magnet school this year.

“Everyone at Booker T. is very supportive of one another.  Our sense of purpose in the arts allows us to really connect and bond with each other. That is something that I am very proud of,” Homsher said.

Singing opera is Homsher’s passion, but she says singing in the choir is a pretty close second. She loves to read and English literature and History are two of favorite academic subjects.

Being a “senior” is special in itself, but being in an opera ensemble workshop and having the opportunity to travel all over the U.S. (and maybe Italy) is something Homsher is looking forward to this year.  “It’s the icing on the cake,” she said.

She is a choir officer, enjoys mentoring the younger students, and she likes to swim.  Spending time with her family is a top priority in her life.

“Last, but not least” Homsher added, “ I love spending time with our five pets: three Rottweilers, a Border Collie and one very brave cat.”

For students throughout Dallas and its suburbs, from elementary through high school, back to school is a new season and a new start filled with jitters, anticipation and excitement.

Good luck to students everywhere during the 2014-15 school year