85R20739 CJM-D
By: Villalba H.R. No. 1246
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The students, faculty, and staff of Walnut Hill
Elementary School in Dallas are celebrating the school's 100th
anniversary on April 8, 2017; and
WHEREAS, This venerable educational institution can trace
its origins back to 1916, when local farmers constructed a
three-room brick schoolhouse just north of Dallas on a mowed wheat
field; the student body eventually outgrew the schoolhouse, and a
new building was constructed in 1937; still in use today, the
structure features distinctive Spanish mission architecture,
including red-tile roofs and arched doorways, as well as a
courtyard butterfly garden with a variety of native plants; and
WHEREAS, Part of the Dallas Independent School District since
1945, Walnut Hill serves more than 350 students in early education
programs through fifth grade; the dedicated faculty and staff,
under the able guidance of principal Robert Mclaurin, lead a number
of significant initiatives and activities, such as Destination
Imagination, STEM Scouts, and a two-way dual-language immersion
program, which promotes bilingualism, academic achievement, and
positive cross-cultural attitudes by placing native English and
Spanish speakers in the same classroom; and
WHEREAS, For the 2016-2017 school year, Walnut Hill earned a
"met standard" rating and five academic distinction designations
from the Texas Education Agency; among the many other accolades
bestowed on the school in recent years are an A+ rating from
Children at Risk, a place on the PTA National President's List, a
National Excellence in Urban Education Award, and a Counselors
Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas Award; and
WHEREAS, Ever since Walnut Hill first opened its doors, its
faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to provide its students
the best educational opportunities possible, and in so doing, they
have equipped multiple generations of Texans with the knowledge and
skills necessary to build a brighter future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Walnut Hill
Elementary School and extend to all those in attendance sincere
best wishes for a meaningful and memorable event; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the school as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.