Kerrville Tally Elementary to be honored as National Title I School
Only elementary in Texas to earn this award

Contact: Buck Thompson (830)257-2222

On Friday, May 4th at 9:00 a.m., officials at Tally Elementary School will raise the banner proclaiming it to be the National Title I Distinguished School - the only elementary school in Texas to earn the award. Area legislators, city council members, Mrs. Jean Tally, and Kerrville Independent School District (KISD) Superintendent, Dr. Dan Troxell, will join representatives of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the National Association of State Title I Directors (NASTID), and officials from Education Service Centers Region 20 and Region 16 to present the permanently displayed banner. The ceremony for all staff, students, and Tally parents will be held around the flagpole.

Tally Elementary School was selected as the 2006 National Title I School for Closing the Achievement Gap Between Student Groups. This award is only given to schools offering Title I programs under the federal No Child Left Behind law and was created to recognize schools across the nation that demonstrate success in ensuring that all students, including all demographic groups, make significant progress toward learning.

Tally Elementary was the only Texas elementary school selected from approximately 5,000 elementary to high school campuses in the state for this award. They are also the first KISD campus to receive a national award.

The announcement of Tally’s selection was made in October. In January, Principal Buck Thompson and staff members traveled to Long Beach, California to accept the award from the Texas Commissioner of Education, Shirley Neeley, at the National Association of State Title I Directors Annual Conference. On April 11, Thompson and staff were invited to present their successes and to be honored at the Association for Compensatory Educators of Texas conference in Austin.

 “Our Tally Eagles have been flying high since the announcement of our selection," Thompson said. "We have so much pride in our school and the successes we’ve had since opening our doors in 2002. This is a celebration for all Tally students, staff, and parents who have helped us win this title and we’re hoping everyone can celebrate with us when we receive this banner.”

A reception for parents and guests will follow in the outdoor pavilion.

For more information, contact Principal Buck Thompson, Tally Elementary School, at (830) 257-2222. For information on the National Title I Award program contact the division of No Child Left Behind through TEA at (512) 463-9374.

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