PHPC Transforming the World: McShan Elementary School

One Sunday morning, there was a request in the morning worship service bulletin calling for volunteers to tutor students at Lee McShan Jr. Elementary School. Since 2010, PHPC members have not only tutored students but developed relationships with McShan's principals, teachers, and families. These relationships paved a way for the creation and implementation of the  McShan Reading Homeroom, Vickery Meadow Summer Reading Academy, and the Girls in Pearls & Guys in Ties programs. These programs have provided invaluable enrichment opportunities that allow the lessons learned in the classrooms to take hold in the minds and lives of each student.

Just this week, DISD announced that McShan Elementary School has earned the #1 position of all 150 elementary schools in the district in the School Effectiveness Index, meaning the school has made the greatest impact on student growth in all of DISD! 

DISD Board Chairperson, Dan Micchiche, wrote: "If you have ever doubted the effect of community involvement on student outcomes, take a look at Lee McShan Jr. Elementary School in Vickery Meadow, which had the highest score on Dallas ISD's school effectiveness index out of 150 elementary schools. One big reason for the school's success is Dalene L. Buhl and the army of over 100 volunteers recruited to be reading tutors at the school. They have worked hand in hand with an outstanding team of educators led by Principal Dayanna Kelly. McShan is one of the highest poverty schools in the district: 98 percent of the students are economically disadvantaged; it has a large refugee population; and 87 percent of the students at the school are English language learners. The 'school effectiveness index' is a measure of performance of the school's effect on student outcomes by controlling for differences the school cannot control, such as socio-economic status, neighborhood characteristics, and prior-year academic levels."

As we celebrate this incredible news and honor, remember that your gifts to the church and your time with the students are truly transforming the world. Thank you for being such an integral part of what God is doing in our midst.

If you would like to send a note of congratulations to Dalene or to find out how you can participate as a tutor, please email Dalene at mcshanreads@gmail.com.