(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – June 23, 2026) — Tippin Elementary School students will soon benefit from improved outdoor spaces thanks to a collaborative tree-planting effort supported by parents, PTA members, community donors, local businesses, and El Paso ISD leadership.
The project added new shade and greenery to the Tippin campus, enhancing outdoor spaces for students while supporting El Paso ISD’s broader commitment to student well-being, and safe, welcoming learning environments.
“We are grateful to the parents, PTA members, donors, and district staff who helped make this project possible,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk said. “This effort reflects what can happen when a school community comes together around students and works in partnership to improve the places where they learn, grow, and spend their day.”
The initiative is a testament to the positive impact parent advocacy and community engagement can have for schools. What began as one parent’s idea, grew thanks to support and continued effort, and has taken root to create a more welcoming and environmentally friendly campus for students.
Parent advocate Jenny Solo said she wanted to bring shade for our students, and the initiative really gained momentum once Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk and Deputy Superintendent David Bates arrived.
“When Dr. Lusk said, ‘Let’s do it, and I’ll make sure you have the resources,’ it inspired us to go to the community to ask for funding,” Solo said. “We connected with Sunset Gardens who gave us an incredible deal on the trees, and it snowballed from there.”
With support from the PTA, who helped keep everyone engaged and connected, the project was able to become a reality.
“This is something our community has wanted for a while,” said Elizabeth Gallagher, a Tippin PTA member. “The PTA doesn’t just help raise money for our schools, it also helps improve the environments for our students.”
Brian Kennedy Law was among the earliest community supporters whose contribution helped launch fundraising efforts.
“It wasn’t a hard sell when we learned this project would help kids and provide them shade,” said Shane Edmondson, Associate Attorney with Brian Kennedy Law. “We love our community, and any way we can support students, we will step up.”
The Tippin tree initiative aligns with El Paso ISD’s districtwide focus on sustainability and campus improvements, including efforts to create healthier, more welcoming learning environments for students.
“We were proud to support this effort because it’s an investment in the campus and in students,” said Samuel Ontiveros, Supervisor of Regional Area Maintenance for El Paso ISD. “Adding shade and greenery helps improve the outdoor environment for students while also contributing to the district’s broader sustainability efforts.”
El Paso ISD extends its appreciation to the many sponsors and families whose generosity helped make the Tippin tree initiative possible, including Sunset Gardens, Bryan Kennedy Law, PrimeCare Orthotics & Prosthetics, Trans-National Express, Provident Eye Specialists, and numerous Tippin families and community supporters.