May 8, 2009 - Eastside Memorial High School is hosting an Open House on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m. to provide an opportunity for parents and students to meet the principals for the two New Tech schools, to see and use the laptop computers that will be issued to every student, and to demonstrate the types of projects on which students at Eastside Memorial New Tech will be working. The Open House will be in the cafeteria of the school, located at 1012 Arthur Stiles Road.

Parents and community supporters of Eastside Memorial will hold a neighborhood walk prior to the Open House to personally invite parents and students to learn more about New Tech. Volunteers who will be participating in the walk will be meeting in the cafeteria at 9 a.m.  
 
Eastside Memorial will open in the new school year with two “New Tech” schools. Eastside Memorial Global Tech High School will focus on international studies and global issues, and Eastside Memorial Green Tech High School will focus on environmental studies, renewable energy, and conservation. All students at both schools will graduate prepared for college and will be able to take career courses to prepare them for jobs.  
 
“If I were a high school student, I’d jump at this opportunity,” said Moises Ortiz, the Principal for the new Eastside Memorial Global Tech High School. “It’s a new way of learning, and one that engages students and keeps them interested in their classes. We’re also seeing increases in grades and test scores.”  
 
“We learn by doing things- it’s not just theory at New Tech, “said Connor Grady, Principal at Eastside Memorial Green Tech High School. “Imagine having the opportunity to learn physics by designing the sound stages for a rock festival, or learning geometry by creating a putt-putt golf course. We put learning into action and it works. Students who have never been engaged in their classes start coming to school every day.”  
 
All incoming 9th grade students in the district are eligible to attend these two schools. Transportation will be provided for any student who chooses to attend either of the two Eastside Memorial schools. First priority for enrollment is provided to students in the attendance zone of the former Johnston High School. If more applications are received than slots available, students will be selected by lottery.  
 
These Eastside Memorial schools will be two of the most innovative within AISD, designed to prepare students for success in the 21st century. At each of these schools:

• Every student will have a laptop computer to be used in class and at home;
• Each school has only 125 students in each grade level so they will receive personalized instruction;
• All students will graduate on the “Recommended” plan;
• Class lessons will be “hands-on” so that students stay engaged and interested in learning;
• A rigorous college preparatory curriculum will be provided to all students with college visits provided, a College Center on campus created in partnership with the Austin Community College, and college level course credit offered;
• Career pathways will be available to all students and will include: Engineering, Multi-media, and Biotechnology, Health Care Science, and International Business.
• Students will have access to a full range of UIL athletic and extracurricular activities and compete together as the Eastside Memorial Panthers;
• Facilities will receive a multi-million dollar renovation over the summer; and  
  Students will work with community and business leaders as they plan and implement projects and schedule internships and community service projects

 
 
For more information about the Eastside Memorial High School neighborhood walk and open house, please call Raul Alvarez, AISD Office of Redesign, (512) 414-8729 or (512) 293-7607.