4 Nov 2006
School Named for Civic Leader Instrumental In Desegregating Dallas Schools
DALLAS—Dallas Independent School District officials were joined by community leaders, parents, students, and elected officials Saturday, Nov. 4, for the dedication ceremony of C.A. Tatum Jr. Elementary School, 3002 North St. Augustine Road.
Serving 700 students in Pleasant Grove, the $12 million elementary school is named for Dallas native C. A. Tatum Jr. who was active in public service. Tatum, an advocate for equal educational opportunity for all children, was instrumental in desegregating Dallas schools. As chairman of the North Texas Commission, he also played a pivotal role in the creation and growth of the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport.
Principal A. Tracie Brown opened the celebration, which featured a flag presentation by U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson. The event included remarks from Dallas ISD Trustee Nancy Bingham and Deputy Superintendent for Business Services Ron Peace. Tatum's son, Henry Tatum, spoke of his father's passion for education and his strong belief in community. The Tatum student choir performed and Dallas ISD Area I Superintendent Ivonne Durant spoke to the importance of teamwork in fostering student academic achievement.
District 4 Trustee Bingham discussed several of the school's academic initiatives, including the MIND Institute's Math+Music program. It combines computer math games with specialized piano training to teach kindergarten through fifth-grade math standards, enhance problem-solving skills with the goal of raising math scores on standardized tests.
Tatum Elementary students also will have opportunities to explore their creativity through a special focus on fine arts, chances to expand their scientific capabilities in their state-of-the-art science lab and the capability to learn about the larger world with computers that will be installed in every classroom.
The 91,000-square-foot school houses 37 core classrooms, a talented and gifted classroom, music room, art room, science room, media center, and two rooms designed for special needs students. Outside, one play area is designed for the school's youngest students and another is for the older students. Four basketball goals, a soccer field, and a softball diamond are available for students and neighborhood children to engage in structured physical activity and play. To foster parent learning and involvement, the school features facilities for adult English-as-a-second language and citizenship classes.
Tatum Elementary received students from Annie Webb Blanton, John W. Runyon, and Edward Titche elementary schools. Students will continue their education at John B. Hood Middle School and W.W. Samuell High School.
The construction and design team included program manager, Austin Commercial; architect, Johnson McKibben; and builder, Adolfson & Peterson Construction.
Other schools scheduled for dedication this fall include Frank Guzick, Celestino Mauricio Soto Jr., Jimmie Tyler Brashear, Jerry R. Junkins elementary schools. Four additional schools will be dedicated next spring.