18 Nov 2006
Oak Cliff School Named in Honor of Dedicated Dallas ISD Volunteer
DALLAS—Dallas Independent School District officials were joined by community leaders, parents, students, and elected officials Saturday, Nov. 18, for the dedication ceremony of Celestino Mauricio Soto Jr. Elementary School, 4510 West Jefferson Boulevard.
The $12 million elementary school serves 750 students from the Oak Cliff and Cockrell Hill communities. The two-story building is named for Vietnam veteran and Dallas ISD school volunteer Celestino Mauricio Soto Jr. A devoted family man, Soto and his wife Patsy had eight children, three of whom were autistic. Because of this, family members say Soto was inspired to dedicate his life to serving children through organizations like the Dallas ISD and Special Olympics.
The day's festivities opened with a parade from Cockrell Hill City Hall to the Soto campus led by Soto's oldest sister SPC Mary Soto Nateros who served as grand marshal. At noon, in the school's auditorium, Principal Irene Aguilar opened the dedication ceremony, which featured the L.V. Stockard Middle School JROTC, a performance by Sunset High School students and the Soto Stars Choir. The event included remarks from Dallas ISD Trustee Jerome Garza and Associate Superintendent for Information and Technology Services, Arnold Viramontes. Soto's widow, Patsy, spoke of her husband's commitment to the military and his devotion to helping others, especially children with special needs.
District 7 Trustee Garza discussed the school's emphasis on science and the arts and the building's features that will enhance that focus, including a science lab and music and art rooms. To keep students engaged after classes end, the school will offer a soccer club, basketball, art, a student newspaper, choir and spirit club.
In the spirit of Celestino Soto's dedication to helping others, students will be invited to volunteer to assist with Special Olympics each May. The school's highly active parent involvement component includes monthly programs and meetings and adult English-as-a-second language classes.
The 90,000-square-foot school includes 33 core classrooms, a music room, art room, science lab, computer lab, auditorium, and two conference rooms. Two large workrooms give teachers and school volunteers a place to prepare materials for classroom instruction and special projects. Outdoors, a playground and baseball and soccer fields provide students and neighborhood children many opportunities for structured physical activity and play.
Soto Elementary receives students from Anson Jones, George Peabody, Mary Bethune, and L.O. Donald elementary schools. Students will continue their education at L.V. Stockard Middle School and Moises E. Molina High School.
The Soto Elementary construction and design team included program manager, Austin Commercial; architect, WRA Architects, Inc; and builder, Turner Construction.
The 2002 Dallas ISD bond program funded a total of 21 new schools, more than 33 major additions and renovations to nearly every campus in the district. Celestino Mauricio Soto Jr. Elementary School is the 10th new school dedication of the 2002 bond program. To date, 15 new schools and 94 of 155 renovations are complete. Thirteen hundred twenty-seven new classrooms have been added across the district with the capacity to serve more than 30,000 students.
Other schools scheduled for dedication this year include Jimmie Tyler Brashear and Jerry R. Junkins elementary schools. Four additional schools will be dedicated next spring.