Wylie ISD, labeled by Dallas Morning News as the best district in Texas for the last two years, opened its’ doors to a large crowd on the morning of Sept. 15, at its’ newest campus, George W. Bush Elementary. One member of that crowd was George Walker Bush himself.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the community and a great opportunity for our young people to experience the President coming to Wylie, Texas,” Colonel Brooks McFarland said. “I think the school will be a great representation of the state of Texas, especially here in the district and here in Wylie.

George W. Bush Elementary, a dual-language school, was brought to the school board in 2014 with the plans to be a highly functioning dual language academy, while accommodating over 900 students. The school board saw it as an opportunity to enhance the area and be a focal point for families, and the name of the school was decided on unanimously, to be ran by Principal Dr. Maricela Helm.

“We have an amazing staff that is ready to push the boundaries and make sure our kids are successful,” Helm said. “Bush is the namesake and we’ve taught a lot about his legacy, the courage he showed in tragedy, and the importance of service to others. We’re trying to instill those same qualities through showing grit, which is a lot like the Wylie Way.”

The Wylie Way, a motto that Helm referred to, is an award-winning character-building philosophy and program. The 70 staff members of the new school, working in an 86,000 square foot campus, believe they are truly ready to push the boundaries and make sure the kids are successful while showing the Wylie Way.  It’s a belief not quite uncommon in Wylie ISD, which operates 20 public schools. Every student in every school meets or exceeds the Texas Education Agency standards, exhibiting the true quality behind superintendent Dr. David Vinson’s Wylie ISD.

One of the most important aspects of the new school is its highly-functioning dual-language academy, a program that 400 of the 900 kids in the school belong to.

Wylie ISD, labeled by Dallas Morning News as the best district in Texas for the last two years, opened its doors to a large crowd on the morning of Sept. 15, at its newest campus, George W. Bush Elementary. One member of that crowd was George Walker Bush himself.

Gallery • 7 Photos

photo credit: Casi Thedford

Keys to success \\ The 43rd president speaks to students about the importance of education at the George W. Bush Elementary School dedication Sept. 15.

As President Bush began his speech, he thought back to his time as Governor.

“We had a big debate on English-only. My answer to that question was, ‘I am for English plus…’. I want my girls to be able to speak English and be able to speak Spanish,” Bush said. “When I visited the classrooms today, I was mightily impressed with the school’s understanding that the ability to speak more languages is the key to learning.”

Learning, as described by Bush, is a life-time experience. People never stop learning. The campus is dedicated to making sure the students excel in and out of school.

“Students, I have a few pieces of advice for you,” Bush said. “One, read more than you watch TV. Read more than you play video games.”

Statistically speaking, children spend, on average, 28 hours of the week watching TV. President Bush, along with the school, is seeking a change. The school features a state of the art library, which pays homage to the former First Lady, Laura Bush.

“Children learn languages, especially younger children, more easily,” Sergeant Lisa Breuer, who brought over JROTC cadets from Wylie East to present the flags, said. “It is going to really help the district.”

The school, dedicated to academic excellence, also believes the namesake is a powerful role model for the students.

“I think right now, one of the things that is most important, is that they see that there was a kid who grew up in Texas and became President and they have that opportunity as well,” Helm said. “I think our school is posed to do really great things.”

Bush fully believes that the school is poised to do great things as well.

“I am thrilled and honored to be here, and I thank you all for naming this beautiful facility after me,” Bush said during his speech. “It is a huge honor. I am excited to have this elementary school named after me. I am not sure I am worthy of such a beautiful building, however I know that these students are.”

As the program neared its end, the students all stood up to sing the spirit song, dedicated to Bush, as he joined the crowd of children.

“We are family,” they sang. “George W. Bush, embracing diversity. Making this world better.”

In his closing remarks, Bush stated that as he looked upon the crowd, he felt great hope that Texas will continue to be a great state as he looked upon the faces of the future of Texas.

“I think today’s visit will be the first of many,” Helm said. “I anticipate and hope that today he will leave wanting to come back and learn more.”

Wylie ISD’s George Bush Elementary opened its doors Aug. 22.