A School That Makes A Difference
Partnering with HISD’s Berry Elementary, an environmental science magnet school
James Berry Elementary is one of only two environmental science magnet elementary schools in the Houston Independent School District. The school was named after James A. Berry (1809–1876) who fought for Texas’ independence and later served as treasurer and commissioner of schools for Harris County. His sons donated the land on which the original school was built in 1910. The campus moved to its present location (2310 Berry) in 1950.
Magnets schools are shown to improve academic achievement; to attract diverse student enrollments; have higher attendance rates, graduation rates, and lower drop-out rates. “Rebuild HISD” program, a wide-ranging $808.6 million program, continues the “Rebuild 2002” plan to expand, replace, and renovate every school in the district. Berry’s campus was one of six to have a new LEED school built. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Key features include the installation of water-conserving plumbing fixtures that reduce the amount of water used, energy efficient systems and controls, improved air quality, and use of natural light. Through the efforts of Principal Ms. Deborah Silber, the campus received a new LEED school which opened in time for the 2011-12 school year.
The school campus resides in the Eastex/Jenson neighborhood, a socioeconomically disadvantaged area with a median household income of $29,817 and the average family size of four. Even more noteworthy is that 26% of the households have an income less than $15,000. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, on average, families need an income of about twice the federal poverty level to meet their most basic needs. Children living in families with incomes below this level—$44,100 for a family of four in 2010—are referred to as low income. Children living in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $22,050 for a family of four in 2009 – are referred to as poor.
In a neighborhood where 18% of the population is under the age of 14 and where the majority of adults do not have a high school diploma (http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/SN/SN_Demog_2009-2014/46_Eastex_Jensen.pdf), quality education is a must for this community. With a 93% Hispanic student population and nearly 68% of the students with limited English proficiency (http://www.berryelementary.org/AEIS%202008-2009.pdf), Berry offers their students a priceless opportunity to obtain not only the necessary basics, but specific knowledge and skills to excel in the higher levels of education.
Air Alliance Houston’s first involvement with Berry Elementary was at the request of Lori Kelleher, Magnet Coordinator in Fall 2009. Tifani Pust, Artistic/Educational Program Director and Cecilia Dykes, Outreach Director, were asked to serve on the organizational committee for the school’s Plug into the Outdoor, an event providing educational activities for the students and the community. This participation led to a long-term partnership with Ms. Kelleher and Berry Elementary allowing us to bring our environmental program to the students.
During the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years, Air Alliance offered several programs and equipment to be used for their science curriculum:
- Ozone Theater is an interactive program for kindergarten and elementary students to learn about the importance of air quality, air pollution, its sources and its effects on human health. All kindergarten through the second grade participated in Ozone Theater.
- 10.10.10 Ozone Theater’s Global Collaboration – A newly created curriculum by Ms. Pust was written for the second graders. The students were taught where carbon comes from and what choices we can make as consumers to lower our carbon footprint. Each week they worked on various science projects that focused on the ozone layer and alternative energy sources. After five weekly visits to Berry by Ms. Pust, the entire second grade of 100 students posed with their homeroom teachers in the much anticipated 350.org. A copy of the much loved book, “The Magic School Bus” was provided to each student as a thank you for participating in the program.
- Installation of the Aeroqual Ozone Monitor S930 (funded by a private donor) and the HOBO Remote monitoring system (funded by Environmental Defense Fund) to provide real-time ozone monitoring, temperature and humidity. The reporting will be used by the students working in the Wind Pod science lab.
Air Alliance Houston is a proud partner and supporter of the James Berry Elementary, and we look forward to working more with the faculty and students in the future.
