Winona Elementary kicks off new school year with boost in enrollment

Published 3:55 pm Thursday, August 22, 2024

WINONA — Anticipation buzzed through the halls of Winona Elementary School as students, staff and parents gathered to celebrate the first day of the new school year. Nestled in a tight-knit community, the district kicked off the year with an air of optimism and a commitment to excellence, promising a year full of learning, growth and unforgettable moments for every student.

“I love Winona Elementary, I grew up around here and it’s a great school,” parent Madison Maxfield said. “The teachers are great and really helpful.”

Maxfield is hoping to see her 6-year-old daughter I’bya have perfect attendance.

“That is the goal this year,” she said. “But we’re happy to be here, we’re ready to get it going.”

With the district slogan of “Imagine, Believe and Achieve,” Winona Elementary is dedicated to inspiring students to dream big, fostering their confidence, and supporting their journey toward academic and personal success.

“There’s a lot of excitement so far,” Principal Dr. Steven Young said. “It was a happy vibe just walking down the hallways, looking at the kids in their classrooms … some have already started working and sharing and building relationships, and I think those moments are going to be life-changing for them.”

Winona Elementary School is kicking off the new year with a significant boost in enrollment, starting with 640 students compared to last year’s closing count of 580.

“Winona is growing and we have a lot of transfers from neighboring districts because of the strength of our district,” Young said. “You could really feel it when we had our Meet the Teacher night … probably close to 900 people inside the building.”

The school has close to 70 people on staff, as well as close to 40 teachers. “We’ve been graced with some master teachers, as well as support teachers,” Young said.

As principal, Young’s role is ensuring teachers receive the support they need to bring their ideas and initiatives to fruition to better each student’s school experience.

“We want to help teachers thrive,” he said. “Our goal is to make sure that we are supporting on all levels … and not just for teachers but for students and parents and families. We strive to keep clear communication.”

His role not only involves supporting students academically and behaviorally in the classroom but also communicating this support to their families.

“I really believe my teachers are superheroes,” Young said. “I see them managing to be Clark Kent and Superman … they come in from their own lives and pour into every one of our kids. I don’t think we get a chance to really highlight the role teachers play; to see how much they care for our Wildcats is such love.”

Winona ISD Superintendent Damenion Miller is eager to see the 2022 bond improvements in use as the new school year begins. He said students are thrilled to experience the renovations funded by taxpayers, adding to the upbeat start of their school year.

“Our goal is to provide a safe, secure environment for students,” Miller said. “We also want our kids to achieve as much as they can possibly achieve.”

According to Miller, the district’s focus this year is on implementing their “theory of action,” which emphasizes delivering high-quality instruction through the use of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). The goal is to ensure all students experience academic growth through consistent and effective teaching practices.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the results of that,” he said. “And we’re looking forward to a great school year … and to raising great kids and producing great leaders here in Winona ISD.”