November 2021
Welcome to Transformation Waco's community newsletter!
Letter from TW Board President
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Dear Transformation Waco Community,

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Transformational Moments, the community newsletter for Transformation Waco — the non-profit, in-district charter partnership that manages and operates five schools in the Waco Independent School District: Alta Vista Elementary, Brook Avenue Elementary, J.H. Hines Elementary, G.W. Carver Middle, and Indian Spring Middle. In upcoming newsletters, a different member of the Transformation Waco Board of Directors will highlight the incredible work of our staff, students and community partners, and supporters.

We have something extraordinary here in Transformation Waco — a team of educators, families, and community members united to support our students. I continue to see the difference this shared belief in the power of our students is making in their lives. 

The response to the devastating fire that destroyed G.W. Carver Middle School’s campus in July is one of the biggest reminders that our community is behind our schools. To date, $52,145 has been donated to restore the losses to teachers and staff. An additional $25,000 has been given to support the consolidation of G.W. Carver and Indian Spring Middle Schools. In particular, Cooper Foundation, Magnolia Foundation, and T-Mobile made significant contributions that helped us fulfill our teacher and staff wishlists for lost materials. We are incredibly thankful for the generosity of all the organizations and individuals who have provided recovery relief and hope the video attached below expresses our gratitude.
I am also grateful that COVID vaccinations are now available for our youngest elementary and middle school students. Transformation Waco is working with Waco ISD and our local healthcare partners to create opportunities right here in our community, specifically for our families. You can visit covidwaco.com to see the latest clinic locations and to make an appointment.

Sincerely,

Malcolm Duncan
President, Transformation Waco Board of Directors
Turkey Time at Transformation Waco
We're very thankful Transformation Waco families could share a Thanksgiving meal together and appreciate all the support from campus staff and volunteers who helped ensure our students and guests were well-nourished and taken care of including Waco High School and University High School athletics and culinary students, The Waco Central Texas Chapter of The Links, Inc., and the Alta Vista Neighborhood Association.
TW staff honored at CTAACC banquet
The Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce presented G.W. Carver Indian Spring Middle School Principal Dr. Isaac Carrier and Dean of Students Elijah Barefield with the chamber's 2021 Perseverance In Education award. Thank you to CTAACC President John Bible, Vice President Rachel Pate and their team for being terrific hosts and celebrating community members who are making a difference in Waco.
Letter from TW Chief Executive Officer
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Dear Transformation Waco Community,

I’m Dr. Robin McDurham, chief executive officer for Transformation Waco. I look forward to sharing with you in this ongoing newsletter how we're working to fulfill our strategic priorities of ensuring our students, families, staff, and teachers are afforded the highest quality education and support services in the most efficient manner possible.

As the pandemic taught us as educators to be even more flexible and innovative, a strong relationship between schools and families remains one of the critical roads to recovery. It was great to see so many families attend our annual Thanksgiving lunches this month. The tradition is an excellent opportunity for students and loved ones to share a meal and experience a positive bonding experience with each other and staff on our campuses. We also had a terrific turnout recently at Spooky Math and Science nights, as well as a Hispanic Heritage Month fine arts showcase with singing, bands, a dramatic performance, and delicious food at G.W. Carver Indian Spring Middle School. We're featuring pictures from these family engagement events throughout this newsletter, and you can see even more by visiting transformationwaco.org/photos.

We are committed to increasing student success opportunities by eliminating disparities in academics, attendance, behavior, and engagement. We have a variety of wrap-around services that focus holistically on our students' academic, health, social-emotion, and basic needs. In future issues, we’ll be highlighting key initiatives in our coordination of care, including partnerships with organizations like Communities in Schools of the Heart of Texas and Inspiración, as well as medical services at the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Vision Center and telehealth visits with Waco Family Medicine. And this responsibility extends to Transformation Waco staff as well, as we are also committed to their mental wellbeing.

I am excited to announce that we're launching an effort called "Transforming Lives" to recognize the transformational impact of our staff on ensuring a positive present and future for students, families, and coworkers. Please help us honor these genuine agents of change and nominate a staff member as a Transforming Lives honoree by filling out the form linked here or visiting transformationwaco.org/transforming-lives. We’ll be surprising honorees in the weeks ahead and then hosting them at a banquet at the end of the school year.

Sincerely,

Robin McDurham, EdD
Transformation Waco Chief Executive Officer
It was a spooktacular night at our campuses for Spooky Math and Science events!
A TikTok Transformation
KXXV and KCEN news highlighted how G.W. Carver Middle School and Indian Spring Middle School's "social media club" is helping students develop skills for emotional regulation, conflict resolution, positive decision making and peer relationships. Click on the images above to see the news stories.
Food for Families


Brook Avenue Elementary students, families, and staff truly came together for their canned food drive to benefit KWTX New 10's annual Food for Families drive!

Go Broncos!!