amarillo chamber of commerce - HPN Books

AMARILLOINDEPENDENTSCHOOLDISTRICTAbove: From 1922 until 1973, for morethan fifty years, the home of Amarillo HighSchool was the stately dark brick building atTwelfth and Polk Streets. On Sundaymorning, March 1, 1970, fire erupted in theAHS boiler room and spread quickly.Students, teachers, ex-students and citizensat-largejoined forces to save the artwork,trophies, records, and other irreplaceableobjects. Most of the main building, however,was severely damaged and had to bevacated by academic classes for structureassessment and possible salvage efforts.Below: Some Amarillo Independent SchoolDistrict elementary school students lookthrough a book together in the library.Recognized on the state and national levelfor quality programs and innovative concepts,the Amarillo Independent School Districtis committed to a students-first approach, atradition that has stood firm since the firstschool opened in Amarillo more than 120years ago. The formal education of Amarilloschool children began in 1889 inside a littleweatherboard building at 800 Harrison. Fromthat humble beginning, the commitment toquality education continues today for morethan 32,000 children in AISD’s fifty-threeschools, encompassing nearly seventy squaremiles in Potter and Randall Counties. Fromthe first teacher, Coleman G. Witherspoon, tothe current teaching staff of more than 2,000educators, AISD continues to build on itsmission “to graduate every student preparedfor success beyond high school.”AISD has developed its core values andgoals that specify how to bring value to students,parents, and the community and guidethe decision making process. The first corevalue is Student Performance; AISD’s goal is toimprove the annual academic performance ofall students it serves by creating and maintaininga culture of high achievement. Secondly,Customer Service is accomplished by workingto build positive relationships with thedistrict’s customers in an environment thatis safe and student focused. Another corevalue is Cost Effectiveness whereby AISD willdemonstrate fiscal responsibility by operatingefficiently and effectively to meet its mission.The fourth core value is Quality Staff; AISDwill ensure that teachers work in environmentsconductive to their growth and thatthey will meet highly qualified standards.Through the years, AISD hasapplied those values to effective educationprograms that have resulted ingreat success for Amarillo studentswell beyond graduation from highschool. Some of its earliest studentslike Tol Ware, third generation presidentof the largest family ownedbank in the United States, and civicleader and philanthropist Betty TeelBivins Lovell, have left an indeliblemark on the Amarillo communitywith their leadership and benevolence.Actor Ron Ely, actress CarolynJones and songwriter J. D. Southergraduated from AISD schools andmade a splash in the entertainmentworld. Authors Gail Caldwell andJodi Koumalats got their start atAMARILLO - Faces, Places & Open Spaces196