Jose Damian Elementary recognized for promoting the development of the whole child
Jose Damian Elementary (JDE) is preparing tomorrow’s best today with a whole student approach and receiving state recognition for it.
The Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (Texas ASCD) announced the recipients of the 2019 Texas Whole Child School and Texas Whole Child Aspiring School awards. An honorable mention was awarded to Jose Damian Elementary, led by Principal Jesus Barba.
The Texas Whole Child School Award program recognizes schools implementing a culture and approach that ensures each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. These tenets provide every student access to a successful education. The award program increases visibility to the Whole Child philosophy. Texas ASCD believes more schools will transition from a narrowly defined academic focus on achievement as measured by state tests to a focus promoting the development of the whole child.
“Educating our scholars with the whole child approach provides them with the necessary social and emotional skills to be successful in their futures,” said JDE Principal Jesus Barba. “I encourage my faculty and staff to instill the 7 strengths to reach a million dreams, a platform that opens up a discussion around topics like fulfillment, happiness and success.”
Jose Damian Elementary is part of Canutillo Independent School District, the only school district in the region to earn back-to-back ‘A’s in accountability. For the second consecutive year, the District received an Exemplary Performance A-Rating with a grade of 91 in overall performance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This makes Canutillo ISD the highest rated among districts in Region 19. JDE was also named to the 2018 - 2019 Educational Results Partnership Star Honor Roll for high achievement in student success.