One of the most unique aspects of the Rio Grande Valley is the diversity of its people and communities. These communities are made up different types of families, socio-economic statuses, and businesses. The Rio Grande Valley is also a unique place that captures various cultures and living conditions which become the basis for our educational gaps as well as successes. Children are part of these learning communities in which we, as mentors, intend to educate and create lifelong learners that will eventually become our leaders. Pharr-San Juan- Alamo (PSJA) School District is a great combination of distinct living, growing and learning populations. I have come across four different PSJA elementary campuses that are home to hundreds of children for 176 days of the year. These campuses are Marcia Garza, Aida C. Escobar, Dr. William Long, and Carman Elementary. All of these campuses are unique in many different ways, however; according to the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) reports they all serve economically disadvantage children. .
.
Marcia Garza Elementary.
Figure 1. Marcia Garza Elementary .
Figure 2. Garza Elementary Neighborhood.
Marcia Garza Elementary is located in the South Alamo area, also known as "Mexico Chiquito". This elementary campus services children from colonias. The majority of these families are underprivileged and live in adverse conditions. This campus is home to 562 students, of which 556 are economically disadvantaged, making this campus economically disadvantaged percentile at 98.9% (AEIS, 2012). Most colonias lack sewage and proper living conditions. The homes in these colonias are improperly built, minute in size for a family of five or more and lack proper cooling and heating systems. The majority of these homes had open windows and netting doors, which only confirms the theory that no central air units are in place. .
During the hot summer months cooling is very important and the homes in this area had no visible air conditioning units.
