The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 72, No. 25, Ed. 1, Friday, November 16, 1984 Page: 5 of 12
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Optimistfriday nov. 1 6 1 984-
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Elementary schools
.
Taylor Elementary has variety of students .modern!
teaching aids and strong academic program
Public:
By THOMAS QftAHAM
OpfnltSI
The smell of freshly baked rolls
fills the halls of Taylor Elemen-
tary School while children sing
and play in the music center at the
west end of the building.
Mexican-American Negro and
Cnucaslon ... they are all there
playing and eating and learning
with one another mindless of the
prejudices of the world This is
what public education is all about
says Mrs. Patsy Pool principal of
Taylor Elementary
"Children are exposed to tho
different socio-economic" strata
at a public school Pool said. "I'm
a very strong advocate of public
education. I don't feel I could
reach the needs of more students
fh private education."
?At Taylor we are a mixture of
all economics" Pool said. "Our'
children are able to sco all types
and we are touching the lives of
more people."
"We mold the relationships of
all the different kinds or
students" she said. "It is a good
stabilizing factor for the students
later on In life."
"It's neat to sec how well they
get along (with each other)" she
said. "I guess kids are kids."
"We are meeting the needs of all
kids" said Mrs. Clara Nell
Murray librarian specialist at
Taylor. "We see n broad spectrum
of students here."
One of the reasons Taylor can
meet student's needs' is its
Learning Resource Center
Murray is in charge of the LRC
which provides students teachers
and parents with learning .
materials for study or recreation
The LRC has items as varied as'1
books cassette players and
gerblts for the children to check'
out and take home
"We don't let them take (he
gerbils home without a note from
Mom though" she said. "We"
don't vant to surprise an un-
suspi skiing mother."
"The students get excited about
learning" when Ihey have the
visual aids said Murray.
Kelly Moore math and social
science teacher is in charge of
another visual aid the students use
avidly computers. '.
The students play on three
computers in the math depart-"
tour-
ment and "we have
naments" Moore said".
The school has 15 computers for
use In language redding and
math. Students In tho Advanced
Learning Program for Gifted
Students have also written their
own programs said Moore.
Parents "see we're meeting the
needs of their students" said
Pool and they ere voicing their
approval. A recent bond election
raising taxes to pay for im-
provements in maintenance
buildings and facilities passed in
the Taylor area.
"We are trying to make the
students more responsible
citizens" said Pool responsiblle
in ways that can only come from a
varied background and a strong
academic education; r
Drill of Gk Abilene Christian offers spiritual mental and academic
v ll Vcl I6b growth through own Chapel accelerated curriculum
By THOMAS GRAHAM
OsttnlttSteff
Walking through the back halls of
Hlllcrest Church of Christ one will
encounter a few small
schoolrooms decorated with
drawings of our nation's founding
fathers tacked to bulletin boards
along with models of the solar
system suspended from the
celling.
The mixture of history and
science is evident and the un-
derlying education that goes with
the external symbols makes
Abilene Christian Schools unique
among today's educational
systems.
"The total education is spiritual
mental and academic" said
Nancy Thompson principal of the
elementary school.
The school system fulfills these
self-Imposed standards through
Diblc study and Chapel an ac-
celerated curriculum and the
teaching staff she said.
The elementary school has its
own Chapel and has daily Bible
studies something "a public
school can't offer" said Thomp-
son. "Our curriculum is geared for
the average or above average
student" she said. "We have a
screening process for our ap-
plicants so we can be selective!' of
the type of student allowed to
enroll.
The screening process includes
entrance testing and checking of
former grades and references.
Once students arc accepted they
are admitted on a six week
probationary period.
"We are able to gear it much
further (than public schools)"
said Thompson of the advantage of
Uie screening process. "We have
to go way beyond the textbook and
our teachers have to go further to
make it more challenging."
The teachers In the school
system are "dedicated and
caring" said Thompson of her
staff.
"Our teachers are not here for
the money" she said with a laugh.
"They show close personal and
individual attention for their
students."
"We have small classrooms so
the student can get personalized
attention" said Thompson.
In keeping with the total
education program the
elementary school also offers its
students extra-curricular ac-
tivities from track and basketball
to choir and band.. It Is the only
elementary in Abilene to offer
band said Thompson.
Track and basketball are both
"after school" activities that do
not remove time from the daily
academics that the recent
education reform committee
headed by H. Ross Perot found to
be lacking in todays schools.
In order to allow for the Bible
studies and Chapel periods along
with band choir swimming and
gymnastics the school system
extended its day thirty minutes.
"In junior high the student can
be in all the activities" said
Thompson. This is important for
the total education. The education
that goes beyond history and
science Thompson said.
Playtime
Clay Corley kindergarten student at Taylor Elementary enjoys his -"
freotlme at school by running on nis excess energy aiuuuu -
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 72, No. 25, Ed. 1, Friday, November 16, 1984, newspaper, November 16, 1984; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth96147/m1/5/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.