Branch Visits J.W. Ray Elementary School January 18, 2008 Rep. Branch visited J.W. Ray Elementary to help lead the morning announcements, the pledges of allegiance and the minute of silence. Afterwards, Branch toured several classrooms, visiting with some of the top teachers and students with Principal Bernette Austin. Branch has toured many of the schools in District 108 during the past few months. Principal Austin and Rep. Branch are assisted by two of the top students in leading the pledge of allegiance.

Rep. Branch thanks the students for all their help.

A second grade student tells Rep. Branch about the weekly lesson, which was about Pablo Picasso's life.

Branch chats with a teacher about her experiences in the classroom.

Branch has the opportunity to play the role of "professor" in helping a fourth grade student with a tricky division problem.

Principal Austin has the chance to tell Rep. Branch about some of the various happenings at J.W. Ray.

Rep. Branch and Ms. Austin pause for a photo under a portrait of the school's namesake, John Wesley Ray. Ray was a pioneer of African-American education in the late 1800s.