27 Jan 2007
School Named in Honor of Prominent Community Leader
DALLAS—Dallas Independent School District officials were joined by community leaders, parents, students, and elected officials Saturday, January 27, for the dedication ceremony of Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School, 7000 Holly Hill Drive.
Lowe Elementary serves 750 students and is named for Jack Lowe Sr., a community leader most remembered for his work as the chief architect of the Dallas ISD desegregation plan adopted by the U.S. Federal Court in 1976. The $12 million elementary school, located in the Vickery Meadow Community, occupies 89,000 square feet of a 222,000-square-foot-complex, and shares common spaces with the adjacent Sam Tasby Middle School.
Principal Connie Wallace presided over the celebration, which began with the presentation of colors by the W.H. Adamson High School JROTC. The event included remarks from Dallas ISD District 3 Trustee Lee Ann Ellis and Chief Administrative Officer Steve Flores. Dallas ISD Trustee and Board President Jack Lowe spoke about his father's dedication to education and his pursuit of equal educational opportunity for all children, in Dallas and across the country.
The Lowe Elementary choir, directed by Michelle Tillmon, sang the Owl Call and Still in My Heart; the Drama Club directed by Takiyah Wallace performed, and fifth grade student Tiona Milton
Trustee Ellis highlighted the school's enrichment initiatives, including a talented and gifted program, computer technology, orchestra, gymnastics, ballet and jazz. She also talked about the prekindergarten classes offered by the school to prepare students to enter elementary school ready to read and learn.
Additionally, the school has launched a Support Success Initiative, inviting individuals, organizations, and corporations to support a homeroom class with a $1,500 donation to provide uniforms, school supplies, instructional materials, and field trip experiences for students. Ellis recognized the school's Partner in Education, Park Cities Baptist Church, for its support of student enrichment experiences.
Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary includes 34 classrooms, a science lab, art room, music room, instructional technology classroom, a media center, gymnasium, and cafeteria. The gymnasium, cafeteria, and shared common areas are separated from classroom areas so students and visitors can gather and meet in these areas of the school without disturbing classroom instruction. These spaces also facilitate using the building for community and social events. Outside play areas provide students and neighborhood children opportunities for structured physical activity and play.
Lowe Elementary received students from L.L. Hotchkiss, Robert E. Lee, Preston Hollow, and Dan D. Rogers elementary schools. Students will continue their education at Sam Tasby Middle School and Emmett J. Conrad High School.
The construction and design team included program manager, Jacobs/Pegasus; architect, BRW Architects, Inc.; and builder, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
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. Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School is the 14th new school dedication of the 2002 bond program. To date, 16 new schools and 94 of 155 planned 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.
The Dallas ISD opened 12 new schools during the 2006-2007 school year. Additional dedication ceremonies are scheduled as follows: