Tidehaven Independent School District

Tidehaven Schools Aim Toward Exemplary Status

Since 1992, Tidehaven ISD's student population has been around 1000. As of March 9, 1998, Tidehaven ISD had 1010 students. The overall population of the district could be describe as "in a period of slow growth." The population of Tidehaven ISD student body is 6.5 percent Hispanic, and 56.8 percent White.

The district is in a cooperative with Bay City ISD to provide career and technology training to our students. Tidehaven ISD furnishes transportation so that our students may attend auto mechanics, welding and cosmetology classes at Bay City High School. A VEH student from Tidehaven Intermediate attends Bay City Junior High for career and technology training.

Tidehaven ISD is also in a special cooperative (Matagorda County Education Service - MCES) with Bay City, Matagorda, Palacios and Van Vleck ISD.

The district TAAS averages summed for grades three through grade ten for all the sub-populations are above the state avereage. Tidehaven ISD's immediate goal is to be recognized district, with a long range goal of achieving an exemplary rating.

All planning is focused toward these goals. Achievement is expected in academics, athletics, band, FFA, FHA, UIL academics and other clubs.

Tidehaven High School main campus was built in 1954, with an addition in 1990. Both elementary campuses were built in the early 1930s with several recent classroom additions. The intermediate was built in the 1950s and has added several classrooms as well as a science building. The buildings are in excellent condition and well maintained. The foresight of the Tidehaven ISD Board of Trustees and previous Superintendents have enabled the school district to support its instructional programs, maintain the school facilities, and put some money aside for future growth. Tidehaven ISD has no bonded indebtedness.

Tidehaven ISD understand that to bring about improved student achievement, a competent teaching staff must be hired and then retained. The philosophy of Tidehaven ISD is to hire caring staff, who love children and expect all of their students to learn.

In the 1997-98 budget, Tidehaven ISD was able to approve all budget requests from teachers. Resource allocations are made to provide quality education for all students. Historically, if a campus/principal/teacher have been able to show a clear educational need, the District has supported the campus/principal/teacher with funding, even if this need occurred during the school year.

The major improvement initiatives in place to assist all students in preparing them for academic success at Tidehaven ISD are:

• An initiative used by all students that are elible for ESL, dyslexia, at-risk and Title I is the CEI Computer Lab (Creative Education Initiative). This program has been implemented in grades 2-12.
  
  
• After spending time researching the benefits of a mastery lab at severeal area schools, Blessing Elementary implemented one to serve all students. The mastery lab teacher/aides, as well as the regular classroom instruction. The students in K-2 receive an additional 120 minutes a week in phonics instruction. A good foundation in reading is being developed in the lower grade levels with this approach.
  
  
• Saxon math - This program was selected because of its carefully planned curriculum which incorporates a constant review of the previously learned material and its use of daily quizzes and homeowrk allow for prompt reteaching and remediation. Because of this constant review and remediation, students have achieved in math and have improved TAAS test scores.
  
  
• Recognizing the growing number of ESL students in the District, the DEIC, with Board approval, initiated a plan in the Fall of 1994 to increase the number of ESL certified teachers on each campus. The plan called for the District to pay for the cost of the ESL test and the cost of re-certification for any teacher that passed the ESL ExCet test.
  
  
• All four campuses have a computer lab. Initial planning is taking place to network individual campuses, classrooms and the central office so students, teachers, and staff have access to the Internet, e-mail, and possible video conferences. Blessing Elementary campus is networked and an e-mail system is available to all teachers in their classrooms. The computer lab at Blessing Elementary is a prototype for the other campuses. Currently software, such as The Rosetta Stone, is being used to help all Blessing Elementary ESL students increase their performance. The central office and the high school library now have access to the Internet.
• This is the second year for the implementation of our mentor program. Ms. Penny Muston and Houston Lighting & Power brought this program to Blessing Elementary. At this time Blessing Elementary has seven mentors that are assigned to at-risk students and spend about an hour a week with each of his/her assigned students.
  
  
• School/Community Theme Day (Blessing Pioneer Days) - An annual event in the Fall, Blessing Elementary and the entire community participate in an activity that is designed to encourage interaction with the campus and community.