PALESTINE —
With the beginning of its inaugural school year 1 1/2 months away, the Palestine campus of the University of Texas at Tyler’s Innovation Academy could approach 100 students when it opens its doors on Monday, Aug. 27.
The Innovation Academy initially will offer grades three through six. School leaders say a grade will be added annually until the campus ultimately has students in the third through 12th grades.
Similar campuses in Tyler and Longview are also expected to debut next month.
Eli Crow, who was named the Academy’s new superintendent Thursday, told the Herald-Press that the Palestine campus has accepted approximately 70 students across the four grades. Prior to Thursday, he had served as the charter school’s executive director and will now wear both hats.
After school leaders said earlier this year that 30 students would be accepted in each of the four grades for a maximum potential enrollment of 120, Crow said the decision was later made to trim the total number of accepted students to 80 for the first year. Now, school officials are hopeful that staffing, furniture and other infrastructure will be in place to handle approximately 100 total students.
Currently, 26 students are scheduled to be in a lottery set for the remaining 10 or so slots on July 27. More spots may soon be available though.
“We are doing wonderfully,” Crow said Thursday. “We’ve got about 100 kids that are wanting to come to the school right now. We were really thinking we were going to cap it at 80 students, but we’re going to try to find ways to accommodate all of them...We think we’ve got everything in place, but we can’t make it official yet.”
The Innovation Academy will feature a shortened, four-hour school day, stressing student engagement and parental involvement. Technology- and project-based learning will be at the forefront, school officials have said.
Initially, school leaders have said the academy will not provide transportation or meals.
Former Westwood Primary School Principal Becky Rutledge has been named the academy’s administrator or principal. She also will teach, Crow noted.
Crow said prospective students can still apply to attend the academy this school year.
“Absolutely,” Crow responded. “We still want to get the word out. There’s still a few seats left.”
Even if a student does not get selected for the start of the school year, Crow said the academy will maintain “a waiting list” for possible later openings.
“Maybe it’s September,” Crow said, indicating when an opening might occur for a wait-listed student. “maybe it’s the break at the semester.”
Dr. Wesley Hickey had served as superintendent of the Innovation Academy up until this week. Hickey, however, will now concentrate on his duties as an associate professor at UT-Tyler, while also serving as “a faculty adviser” to the new charter school, according to Crow.
For more information about the Innovation Academy or to download an application, persons should visit http://www.uttia.org/
A meeting for parents of accepted and/or prospective students will he held at Mathis Hall on UT-Tyler’s Palestine campus beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24.
Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
Local News
Innovation Academy preps for opening Aug. 27
- Local News
-
-
Police investigating robbery
Palestine Police are continuing to investigate the armed robbery of a local convenience store involving multiple suspects that occurred late Tuesday evening.
-
Boil water notice issued for Elkhart residents
A boil water notice has been issued for City of Elkhart residents. It reads as follows:
Due to a water main line break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system, City of Elkhart PWS id 0010005, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. -
Reagan Park Spray ground to open Saturday
The City of Palestine Parks and Recreation Department will kick off the first full season for the Reagan Park Spray Ground with an public opening event this Saturday.
-
Annual Bluegrass Music Festival begins today at Salmon Lake
Bluegrass bands from across the country will descend upon the Grapeland area this week for the 16th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Music Festival, opening today and continuing through Sunday at Salmon Lake Park.
-
Healthy cooking program offered
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Palestine is offering a four-week program starting this Thursday to help diabetics make healthy cooking choices.
-
Steps of Faith Dance Center production Saturday
Steps of Faith Dance Center will hold its annual production at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center.
“We’re going to take you to a land far away and tell you the ‘real’ story of some of your favorite fairy tale characters,” Steps of Faith Dance Center owner Jennifer Ballew said. “The production is full of lively fun music, a reminiscing ol’ Granny, and of course the incredible dancing of several talented students.” -
Chamber sets photo contest
The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking shutterbugs to participate in its second annual photo contest — portraying structures, landmarks and memorable locations in the Palestine/Anderson County area.
-
Memorial Day celebration set Saturday
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3907 will hold a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday featuring barbecue, live music, an auction and more.
-
Longview man injured in motorcycle wreck
A Longview man remained in fair condition in a Tyler hospital Monday following a one-vehicle motorcycle wreck Friday near Montalba on Texas 19.
-
Traffic stop leads to arrest
A Palestine man remained in jail Monday on drug-related charges following a suspicious vehicle stop in Anderson County on Saturday.
According to Sheriff Greg Taylor, while on patrol in the early morning hours on Saturday, deputy Johnny Gorden saw a suspicious vehicle sitting on the side of U.S. 287 between Palestine and Elkhart. - More Local News Headlines
-
Police investigating robbery
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
