Since its opening in 1954, Williams Elementary School has continuously provided a safe, comfortable learning environment for Garland ISD students and it’s still going strong.
A first day of school visit was a great time to ask a few 1st graders what they thought they would like most about the school year.
A conversation with some of Ms. Bell’s students – Isabella, Juvia, Santiago, Adrian, Anna, Nora and Athena – revealed a little apprehension about moving from kindergarten to 1st grade, but they agreed that “Ms. Bell is nice” and that they are ready to learn new things.
Some are excited to “learn to read better and read more” and “some look forward to learning more about letters and the hard stuff.” Others know that since “they are big now, they’ll be smart.” The general consensus was that their favorite thing in kindergarten was recess and they are looking forward to recess in 1st grade as well. Who can blame them?
Garland ISD challenged students to read during the summer through the digital library on myOn and many of the kids took advantage of that by reading several books.
Chucky Viernes and Ruben Lopez, the Williams ES principal and vice principal, are dedicated to the well-being, success and education of each child.
The Williams ES motto is “Every child, every time, as if they were your own.”
Viernes feels that the smaller population at Williams, between 260-275 students, is advantageous to each child.
“They know all the adults and the adults know them,” he said. “It’s a small community and we work with each other.”
He added that the 65-year history of Williams ES is important.
“I think it is that sense of pride. When people walk in, they feel that certain amount of reverence,” he said. “It’s such a small community. Everyone owns the school and they love the school. We all feel the same way about it.”
The Williams Wranglers focus on the Three Ps: Pride. Passion. Perseverance.
They also recite these five pledges every day:
- Wranglers are respectful toward all adults, students, school property and themselves.
- Wranglers are honest, fair, and responsible for their own actions.
- Wranglers honor the learning environment in and out of class.
- Wranglers keep their hands and feet to themselves and always use their words to express themselves.
- Wranglers work hard and do their best and never settle for anything less.
Why do they abide by these pledges? Because they are Wranglers!