ECR WSS - San Antonio ISD

V ision is a
Texas School
Public Relations
Association awardwinning newspaper.
V I S I O N
I M P R O V I N G
L I V E S
T H R O U G H
A
Q U A L I T Y
A Publication of the San Antonio Independent School District
SAISD CELEBRATES SPOTLIGHT ON LITERACY
top publishers to offer deeply discounted prices to provide
From their role as contributing authors to being
children in need access to a supply of high-quality books.
beneficiaries of giveaways - including the latest one
New facilities to open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 3
•designed
to provide ALL District students with brand new
For the Books Build Character kick off, the Alliance
Student recognitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 4-5
•books
of their very own - it’s been a bountiful spring for
raised $28,000, of which $25,000 came from the National
• ‘Excellence’ rewarded in SAISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 6
SAISD’s
lovers
of
literature.
Associates.
7
• Brackenridge HS, Harris MS get national honors . . . . pg.Teachers
continued back page
Following are the most recent examples of the
Districtwide goal for 2012-13 to increase rigor in reading
and writing.
………………………………….
Books Build Character
This exciting new initiative kicked off with special
events at schools where more than 8,000 2nd- and 7th
graders got books for keeps.
The younger students took home “Freckle Juice” by
Judy Blume, while the older ones received “Wonder” by
R.J. Palacio.
The giveaways were courtesy of a new joint initiative
of SAISD and the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and
Support Personnel.
In
honor
of
their
book
selection,
Herff
Elementary
2nd
graders
belly
up
for
their
school’s
version
of
“Freckle
Helping to make this goal affordable is First Book, an
Juice,” served by assistant librarian Martha Lara.
international non-profit organization that partners with
SUMMER CONSTRUCTION PHASE EXPECTED FOR
MAJORITY OF SCHOOLS SLATED FOR RENOVATION
SAISD will be hustling and bustling long past the last
school bell of the year, with 17 campuses expected to
Foundation is laid for a three-story classroom wing at
Hawthorne Academy. When completed, the structure
facing Josephine Street will serve the school’s upper grades.
be in the construction phase of major voter-approved
renovations this summer.
Twenty-two campuses will receive extensive
renovations under the $515 million bond voters
approved in 2010, with the majority of the money
dedicated to bringing some of our District’s aging
schools and facilities up to par with neighboring
school districts.
The first of the renovation projects kicked off at
Cameron Elementary late last summer, with additional
campuses steadily moving into the construction phase.
This summer, passersby to the following schools also
will see work in progress as construction either continues
or gets under way at: Arnold, Cotton, Fenwick, Hirsch,
Japhet, Sarah King, Ogden, Riverside Park, Rogers
and Woodlawn elementaries; Hawthorne Academy
and Brackenridge, Burbank, Edison and Jefferson
high schools.
continued back page
San Antonio Independent
School District
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E D U C A T I O N
I
SPRING 2013
INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
PROMOTING
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
As each school year ends, it
always seems to bring a sense of
expectation and achievement. For
our graduates, of course, it’s a time
of new beginnings. And the same
could be said for students in every
one of our schools: Our hope and
vision is that the time they spend
Sylvester Perez
in the classroom continues to build Dr.
Interim Superintendent
in them a strong foundation for
lifelong learning. For this we are truly appreciative of
our dedicated teachers and staff.
It’s heartening to know that you share this same
passion for our schools, a message I hear whenever I
have the opportunity to meet with the community.
As we look back on the successes of the past year, we
can take a great deal of pride in what our schools and
our students have been able to accomplish. There are
many bright stars in the class of 2013. We have students
headed to colleges and universities in San Antonio and
across the country as far away as MIT, Notre Dame and
Yale, as well as prestigious U.S. military academies.
Other highlights include two of our seniors being
among just 1,000 students in the nation named as
Gates Millennium Scholars – an honor that provides
a good-through-graduation scholarship to the college
or university of their choice. And another two received
$20,000 for college tuition from the Dell Foundation.
Along with celebrating these achievements, our
teachers and staff are working hard to enhance the
college readiness of many more students across
the District, through targeted efforts such as AVID
(Advancement Via Individual Determination).
continued back page
PEREZ LONE FINALIST
Dr. Sylvester Perez, who has served as the District’s
interim superintendent since March 2012, has been
named the lone finalist for the job.
Trustees approved his selection at the May 20 School
Board meeting. State law requires a 21-day waiting
period after a finalist is chosen before a superintendent
is officially appointed.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Trustees at work for the community................................page 2
SAISD pilots cutting-edge technology programs.............page 3
Honors and partnerships......................................pages 4 and 5
Noticias en español..................................................pages 10-11
AT YOUR SERVICE!
SAISD’S ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AT WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY
They come from seven diverse areas of the District but are united in a common cause:
the well being of all SAISD students, patrons and employees. These photos represent
Greeting past and present Jefferson Lassos is School
Board President Ed Garza, who is an alum of the historic
high school in his Trustee District 7. Garza was among
attendees at the Lasso Alumni Association’s Share the
Tradition mixture, which provided multi-generations of
San Antonio’s most famous rope twirlers an opportunity
to meet and share memories and mementoes. There, class
of 1941 Lasso Dorothy Sultenfuss Hughes showed how she
looked in uniform during her own high school days.
Among those turning ceremonial shovels at a
groundbreaking ceremony for Harris Middle School’s new
sports court is (second from right) outgoing School Board
Assistant Secretary Adela R. Segovia. Shown with Segovia
(who had served District 4 since 2009) are (from right):
Dr. Thomas Schlenker, Metro Health District director;
Mona Lopez, associate superintendent, middle schools;
David Medina Jr., District 5 council member; and Lourdes
Correra, Harris principal. See related story page 5.
Outgoing School Board Vice President Rubén D. Cuero
accepts gifts and well wishes from Brackenridge High
School principal Moises Ortiz. Cuero and the other Trustees
were honored during a Texas School Board Recognition
Month reception. He had served District 1 since 2009.
District 3 Trustee Debra Guerrero accepts a copy of “Our
Story, in Our Words” from Foster Elementary 4th-grader
Dayanh Rubio-Gomez, who was a contributing author
for this Districtwide project. See related story page 1.
All laced up and ready for the “Walk with the Principal”
is School Board Secretary Olga M. Hernandez. This
night-time stroll was among the ways the Edison High
School community commits to being fit by taking
advantage of the school’s lighted track. Joining the
District 6 Trustee and principal Charles Muñoz is Edison
junior Brianna Reynosa, who also is a Mayor’s Fitness
Council student ambassador.
District 2 Trustee James Howard congratulates Miller
Elementary 2nd-grader Paula Lozano for her awardingwinning Fiesta medal designed for the Greater San
Antonio After School All-Stars program.
NEW SCHOOL
BOARD MEMBERS
ELECTED MAY 11
Presenting District 5
Trustee Patti Radle gifts
is Estrada Academy
principal Donnie Whited.
The expressions of
appreciation were in
response to Radle visiting
the school to address
students.
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 2
School Board members and the offices they served through the majority of 2012-13, and
also include two new Trustees who were elected on May 11.
Governmental & Community Relations Executive Director Carmen Vázquez-González
(left photo) swears new District 1 Trustee Steve Lecholop into office. Arthur V. Valdez (right)
accepts congratulations from her after his swearing in ceremony. Voters elected Valdez to
represent Trustee District 4.
SAISD PILOTS CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
Are textbooks out and robots in? That’s what students at
two District schools were charged with helping to determine.
Fox Tech High School and Foster Elementary were in the
news as campuses specially selected to test drive the latest
technologies designed to improve learning.
If deemed successful, expect these cutting-edge
innovations to be coming soon to a classroom near you.
………………………………….
Say hello to Kindle
The fate of textbooks literally was in the hands of Fox
Tech Advanced Placement biology students. The teens piloted
a new technology program that replaced their traditional
bound textbooks with Kindle Fire e-readers, providing them
easy access to the latest information and other resources.
The versatile devises also allowed for note taking, the
During a TV interview, Fox Tech senior Jaclyn Muñoz
fields questions on the Kindle Fire e-reader pilot program.
ability to highlight and look up words directly in their
electronic textbooks, as well as the instant viewing of videos
and documents sent by their teacher.
………………………………….
Make way for VGo
Being homebound no longer must mean missing out on
all the learning and camaraderie of being on campus.
Thanks to VGo, a state-of-the-art robot, Foster 3rd-grader
Miranda Garcia was able to keep up with her classmates and
even participate in discussions and other activities.
This was made possible through a home laptop that
connected to the school’s Wi-Fi, providing Miranda a virtual
presence in the classroom where she could see and hear what
went on and even move VGo when appropriate.
Those at Foster could see her face on the robot’s video
screen, which included a light Miranda could activate to seek
permission to ask a question or make a comment.
SAISD was the first South Texas school district (and one
of 30 nationwide) to pilot the program, which originally was
intended for medical settings such as hospitals.
Dr. Vangie Aguilera, the District’s senior executive director
of special education and Dr. Michael Richards, SAISD’s
homebound facilitator, pursued use of VGo upon learning
about the robot at a conference.
After obtaining it on loan free of charge from developer
VGo Communications Inc., a search was conducted for a
student to participate in the pilot. Miranda was selected based
upon how long she was expected to be out of school, turning
With media there to capture the occasion, Miranda joins
her school chums and teacher Belinda De Luna in a
guessing game of “Who Am I?” Participants ask questions
to help them determine what is on their head bands.
Miranda’s (in front of VGo) is a butterfly.
an otherwise unfortunate circumstance like prolonged
absence into an ample opportunity to evaluate the robot’s
effectiveness in one classroom.
To augment Miranda’s learning, a homebound teacher
continued to come to her house, a procedure that would
remain for other students in her situation should the pilot
prove successful.
If so, participating students and campuses would be
chosen on a case-by-case basis.
At any given time 50 to 55 SAISD students are confined to
home due to illness for periods ranging from four weeks to
several months.
DISTRICT TEENS LEARN TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR FINANCES
From finding ways to pay for college to ensuring a
financially solvent future, SAISD high school students are
well prepared for success.
………………………………….
Fast track to college
Because SAISD doesn’t want personal finances to be a
barrier to a college education for any graduate, the District
has implemented a focused effort to ensure that all seniors
submit applications for federal or state aid.
This includes a newly launched program that enlists the
help of part-time counselors to teach students about the
college application and financial aid processes.
A key focus is completing and submitting the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid, a primary indicator of
Roha Teferra, Advise TX advisor, presents grant
information to Lanier High School economics students
as part of their financial literacy class.
whether students enroll in college.
Last year, for the first time, SAISD hired the part-time
counselors to support high schools with the sole focus
of working with students and their parents through the
financial aid and college application process.
The FAFSA counselors also are there to answer students’
questions and encourage them to move forward when they
need a little push.
………………………………….
Financial literacy classes
The District added a new layer to its support network this
year with the introduction of financial literacy classes –
four days of lessons provided during economics classes that
gave students valuable information they and their families
needed to understand the college applications process and
related financials so they could make informed decisions
regarding college packages.
The lessons were taught by San Antonio Education
Partnership and Advise Texas College Advisors
representatives. Other partners included Alamo Colleges and
the San Antonio Financial Aid Council.
………………………………….
Capital One Financial Scholars Program
Thanks to a partnership with Captiol One and EverFi
Inc., more than 400 teens from all SAISD high schools are
now better equipped to manage their personal finances,
take control of their financial future and become smarter
consumers and investors.
Julián Castro (standing) is provided an overview
of the Capital One Financial Scholars Program by
Brackenridge senior Michael Ytuarte. The mayor was
among dignitaries attending a certification ceremony
held earlier this spring at the high school.
They were among more than 5,200 students from 22
San Antonio-area high schools who participated in an
online program this year featuring fun, inter-active
learning technology including digital gaming and avatars
designed to teach them lifelong lessons in personal
financial literacy.
The program concluded with a celebration ceremony
hosted by Brackenridge High School, during which students
provided demonstrations on what they had learned through
the program. They also received certificates for their
successful completion.
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 3
SPOTLIGHT ON SAISD
Leading excellence
The District’s associate superintendent for human
resources is the recipient of the 2013 Excellence in
Educational Leadership Award.
The University of Texas at San Antonio nominated Toni
Thompson for the honor which recognizes “extraordinary
commitment and support for the improved preparation of
school administrators.”
Award sponsor is the University Council for Educational
Administration, an international consortium of prestigious
research universities committed to advancing the
preparation and practice of educational leaders for the
benefit of children, schools and society.
Presenting Toni
Thompson (center)
with the award
are (l to r) Drs.
David P. Thompson
and Encarnacion
“Chon” Garza.
Foremost in finance
For the eighth-consecutive year, SAISD’s Department
of Planning and Budget has received the
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from
the Government Finance Officers Association of
the United States and Canada.
This is GFOA’s highest honor for governmental
accounting and financial reporting, and being chosen
“reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to
meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.”
The award is bestowed upon entities that satisfy nationally
recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.
The department’s director is Dottie Carreon.
Excited by science
As one of 244 educators nationwide and among only 26
in Texas selected a New Science Teacher Academy fellow,
Brandi Schonberg was
able to provide lessons
specially created to pique
student interest at M.L.
King Academy.
She was selected from
hundreds of applicants
nationwide for the yearlong
professional development program
designed to promote quality science teaching.
Tops with Texas Exes
Jefferson High School math teacher Isabel Fears was one
of 12 educators statewide honored by the University of Texas
at Austin’s Texas Exes alumni association, the President’s
Office and UT’s College of Education for their ability to
inspire, bring credit to their profession and for being held in
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 4
high esteem.
As a Texas Exes Awards for
Outstanding Teachers recipient,
she received a custom sculpture
and $2,250. Honorees need not be
UT grads. Fears’ bachelor’s and
master’s degrees were earned at
Our Lady of the Lake University
and UTSA, respectively.
Coach ‘nets’ honor
A relatively new Highlands High School sports team
already has scored a major victory in its friendly rivalry with
the city’s more storied and established programs.
Mary Mattia, who coaches boys lacrosse, was
unanimously voted the 2013 Texas High School Lacrosse
League-San Antonio
Person of the Year.
Voters are all San
Antonio varsity lacrosse
coaches who select the
person they believe best
represents both the
game and city. As San
Head coach Mary Mattia (far
Antonio’s selection,
Mattia will be among left) with coaches Michele
Farquharson and Matt Heerwald.
those considered for
the state honor.
Trinity Prize nominee
A proud product of SAISD was selected
to represent the District for one of Bexar
County’s most prestigious honors.
Yara Luna, a De Zavala Elementary
3rd-grade Gifted and Talented teacher,
was this year’s nominee for the 2013
Trinity (University) Prize for Excellence
in Teaching.
The nomination recognized her commitment to her
students that extends beyond the classroom, school day and
even as they advance to higher grades, including college.
Luna attended Woodlawn Elementary, and was a Germanlanguage multilingual magnet program student at Tafolla
Middle School and Brackenridge High School.
National ‘Scholastic’ champs
An SAISD educator and a student are San Antonio’s first
honored for successful use of the System 44 Read program.
As the national grand prize winner, Smith Elementary
special education teacher Gloria Garcia received $1,200,
an all-expense paid trip to the Scholastic headquarters in
New York City, recognition at a celebratory dinner, and an
invitation to participate as an advisory board member.
Named a National Scholastic All-Star Award winner was
Beacon Hill Elementary 4th-grader Daniel Guerrero.
He was one of only 12 students in the nation recognized
for his progress in reading.
The honor brought him an engraved plaque, a $1,200
Celebrating with
Gloria Garcia (in
tiara) are (l to r),
Senior Executive
Director of Special
Education Dr.
Vangie Aguilera
and Jack Darden
of Scholastic.
cash prize to spend as his wishes and $1,000 for Beacon Hill
in Scholastic credit for his teacher to purchase items from
the publisher’s catalog.
More than 50 SAISD campuses use either this or the
READ 180 System program, or both, to help struggling
students catch up.
Clifford the
Big Red Dog,
Daniel and
his teacher
Erin Pawlicki
celebrate
his All-Star
status.
Gates and Dell scholars
Members of SAISD’s class of 2013 have earned major
scholarships, including two who are receiving full college
funding through the Ph.D. level as Gates
Millennium Scholars.
Both (shown right) will attend the
University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs
School of Business.
Jaclyn Muñoz of Fox Tech High
School plans to major in business
and psychology and later attend law
school in preparation of a career as an
immigration attorney.
Lanier High School’s Rudy Martinez
plans to major in accounting and go on
to pursue a career with the FBI.
Receiving $20,000 scholarships as Dell
Scholars (shown below) are Edison High School’s Jennifer
Mendez and Jeremiah Raygoza.
They both plan to major in biology pre-med.
She will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio while
he heads to the University of Texas at Austin.
AND OUR PARTNERS
RECORD-NUMBER OF SAISD SCHOOLS AND SPURS ‘TEAM UP’ FOR SERVICE
In a decisive victory, teams from District secondary
schools took four of the five top prizes in a contest designed
to improve lives.
While this is the third consecutive year for SAISD to
be represented as a Team Up Challenge $20,000 grant
recipient from Silver & Black Give Back, the number of
winners dominating the field is unprecedented.
The five victors were among 20 area semi-finalists
under consideration. They were selected based on their
service throughout the year, online voting and the
recommendations of a review committee that heard
presentations from them.
Following are SAISD’S winning schools and projects.
Brackenridge High School
Fierce, Fit & Fabulous Club
This group formed to help teenage girls combat
negative body images and make health and fitness a goal
The club will use its prize money to purchase more
workout equipment and help other schools start their own
Fierce, Fit & Fabulous clubs.
Edison High School E=mc2
Increasing the number of Edison graduating seniors who
attend college and promoting the advantages of math or
science degrees are among this group’s goals.
Their $20,000 will fund college field trips, college fairs
and expand E=mc2’s mentoring program with Twain
Middle School from 60 to 120 students.
Lowell Middle School Science Club
encourages healthy eating habits and hosts Community
Saturdays to promote staying active.
Coach Sheryl Campbell and members of the Rhodes Middle
School tennis teams were all smiles as they eagerly anticipated
playing on the school’s new resurfaced courts.
Rhodes was selected as the host site for the announcement
that sports courts there, along with at the Young Women’s
Leadership Academy and Lowell and Rogers middle schools,
were being rebuilt or resurfaced through $111,000 from the
city of San Antonio.
The funding was courtesy of the Communities Putting
Prevention to Work federal grant to help fight obesity.
The public also is served by these outdoor sports facilities,
which are available after school hours and on weekends.
Rhodes Middle School
National Junior Honor Society
Thanks to the $20,000 prize, tots at the Carvajal Early
An on-campus community garden which includes
READY TO SERVE
educating the public on green, healthy living by
encouraging them to recycle and reduce their carbon
footprint are club highlights.
Members will use their grant to build a school
greenhouse and plant a fruit orchard.
RECYCLING REWARDS
Through participating in the Dream Machine
Recycle Rally, a collaboration between PepsiCo, Waste
Management and Keep America Beautiful, students help
to save the planet while accumulating points redeemable
for resources for their school and to benefit charities.
SAISD is one of only two San Antonio school districts
offering this type of recycling program. In addition to
rewarding schools, the District has saved $84,000 in
mixed solid waste pick up since the program began and
has kept 612 tons of recyclables out of landfills.
Resources provided to participants include dumpsters,
along with scales and barcode scanners to upload to
computers, being demonstrated here by the Highlands
High School Go Green Club and sponsor Debra Bernal.
Childhood Education Center will continue to be among the
beneficiaries of their school’s partnership with the Rhodes
NJHS for 2013-14. This year the older students spent at least
one hour a week with each Carvajal class and also hosted
book fairs and family literacy nights.
For their peers, NJHS members
implemented a reading program
to encourage their classmates to
read more, which continues this
summer in collaboration with the
Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio.
DIGGING THE PAST
Lamar Elementary
and Hawthorne Academy
students are acquiring
a fresh appreciation for
ancient history by making
and burying their own
artifacts for others to find.
Through participation
in the Legacy: Hands on
the Past and Brackenridge
Park Conservancy’s Archaeological Exploration
Program, they create culture and learn how to set up their
own excavation sites.
Shown top photo, Nathan
Heep, Legacy assistant
coordinator, oversees Lamar
students halting their dig to
obtain an artifact’s coordinates.
Hawthorne students (adjacent
photo) display their Aztecinspired artifact prior to its burial.
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 5
MORE ABOUT YOUR DISTRICT
Ed Garza, President
(District 7)
DISTRICT 1
Spring semester highlights
include excellence in all areas,
from academics and the visual and fine arts to athletics.
Following are details on these and others for District 1.
‘On the mark’ educator
A $500 FirstMark Credit Union Educator Awards grant
augmented the Douglass
Elementary attendance
incentive program.
Counselor Bertha Castillo
(shown with her principal
Derrick Brown) used the
money to fund prizes for 21
(up from seven) students
from all grade levels whose
attendance was perfect each week. Names were drawn for the
gifts and inclusion on the wall of Attendance Stars.
ESPN honoree
Accomplishments both in
and out of the pool earned
Fox Tech High School boys
swim team captain Aaron
Peña accolades, including
one from retired Dallas
DISTRICT 2
Outstanding academics,
military honors and hosting
national guests were among the spring semester highlights.
Following are details on these and others for District 2.
Martial arts master
Cameron
Elementary’s
karate kids are
learning from the
very best, their PE
teacher Charles M.
Hornbeak.
Among his most
recent honors include his appointment as chief examiner
for the black belt exam.
To provide inspiration, the third-degree black belt shared
news of this accomplishment and others with his students.
He also coaches after-school sports at M.L. King Academy
and provides martial arts instruction outside SAISD.
Davis on display
East Side schools were destination sites for national
visitors. This included U.S. Department of Education
representatives Larry Wexler (left) and Michael Yudin.
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 6
Olga M. Hernandez, Secretary
(District 6)
Debra Guerrero, Trustee
(District 3)
James Howard, Trustee
(District 2)
Cowboy linebacker Dat Nguyen as ESPN Player of the Week.
Soaring Eagles
District 1’s Brackenridge High School was in the spotlight
for a variety of honors. These include:
Extraordinary historians...
Making the finals at the Texas History Day competition
for group
performance
of Los
Desaparacidos
were (l to r)
Valery Lara, Ana
Castellano,
Thalia Ruiz and Joseph Mendez.
Shown with them is teacher Gilbert Flores.
... and extraordinary entrepreneurs
For the 12th time in 14 years, Distributive Education Clubs
of America students qualified for state based upon success at
the regional
contest.
Veteran
DECA
advisor
(left) is
Cecil Lara.
While in town
for the Council
for Exceptional
Children’s annual
conference, they
checked out Davis
Middle School’s new
SmartLab.
Steve Lecholop, Trustee
(District 1)
Patti Radle, Trustee
(District 5)
Arthur V. Valdez, Trustee
(District 4)
Top Texas musicians
Senior John Nieto Jr. was among a select few teens chosen to
perform at the Texas Music Educators Association convention
where the trumpeter took the stage with the all-state band.
Being chosen to perform at TMEA is a Texas music student’s
highest honor. Shown with John
(left) is dad and
Mariachi Aguila
director John Nieto
Sr., from whom
he receives private
lessons, and band
director Alfonso Alvarado.
In another musical honor, the indoor drumline - also led
by Alvarado - is SAISD’s first ever to win the Texas Educational
Colorguard Association’s state championship.
Battle of the brains
Academic Decathlon members took some top honors at
the state contest. Competing in the small schools category,
Acclaimed cadets
Wheatley
Middle School
Leadership
Officer Training
Corps members
took first place
trophies for
Receiving Color Guard and Drill Team at the SAISD JROTC
Drill Competition Meet.
Shown (l to r) are Kalvin Ross, Wheatley LOTC instructor,
students Veronica Sifuentes and Destiny Reed, and Connie
Herbin, SAISD ROTC director.
Hurricane heights
District 2’s Sam Houston High School was in the spotlight
this spring for academic and culinary honors including:
Team Hurricanes placed second in Super Quiz and also
earned five medals in individual categories.
Students competing at this annual contest match their
intellects with those from other schools in 10 subject areas.
Up to the Paella Challenge
Culinary arts
students excelled
in their expertise in
creating a classic
Spanish dish.
They placed
third in the high
school category at
the fourth-annual Corona Paella Challenge, hosted by La
Gloria chef Johnny Hernandez.
DISTRICT 3
Spring semester highlights
include the visual and fine arts,
citizenship and athletics.
Following are details on these and others for District 3.
On a ‘Mission’ for mariachi
Their
musical talents
earned Mission
Academy’s
Mariachi Los
Linces first
place overall in
the beginner’s
division at the annual Mariachi/Festival competition in San
Diego, Texas, where they also earned six trophies.
Happy days!
They rocked
around the
clock at
Highlands Hills
Elementary in
honor of the
school’s 60-year
anniversary.
Students and staff dressed in clothing representing the
1950s through today and performed songs and dances from
the different eras of the school’s existence.
Pint-sized patriots and arts patrons
Exemplifying good citizenship and enjoying the
DISTRICT 4
Spring semester highlights
include outstanding academics,
health, public service and visits from VIPs.
Following are details on these and others for District 4.
The Briscoe care bear patrol
Who better to come bringing
gifts of cuddly creatures of
comfort for those in need
than the very own Bears of
Briscoe Elementary?
To show his gratitude for
these gifts for children with
whom first responders come
in contact, San Antonio Police
Chief William McManus
came to personally pick up the more than 1,500 teddy bears
students collected in honor of fallen officers.
The generosity was part of the students’ studies in
character development.
Heart healthy
Collins Garden
Elementary
students are
learning that
dance not only is
fun, but good for
the heart.
Wrist monitors
allow them to
check their heart rates while taking a break from busting
some moves through the Stay Fit With Music Fun program.
symphony are
among those wellrounded Schenck
Elementary
students’ favorite
pastimes.
Fifth-graders
Chloe Garcia
(left) and Layla
Mendiola were honored by the
Highland Hills Masonic Lodge for
their outstanding character and
leadership skills this school year.
Also, Schenck was awarded a
scholarship providing 3rd-, 4thand 5th-graders free admission to
two San Antonio Symphony concerts. At one, tuba enthusiast
Antonio Gomez was privileged to get a close up look at the
instrument from principal tubist Lee Hipp.
Outstanding Owls
District 3’s Highlands High School was in the spotlight for
artistry and athletics, including:
Art champ
Grand champion
steers weren’t the only
ones bringing top dollar
at rodeo.
Senior Betty Clay competing in the San
Antonio Stock Show &
American Idol alum
Herff
Elementary
students were
treated to
an exclusive
“STAAR”studded
performance
by American
Idol finalist contestant Cristabel Clack. The appearance by
the Herff alum (shown center) was to motivate students to
do well on the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic
Readiness exam.
She was accompanied by judges Mariah Scary (left) and
Dr. Traci Swift, aka administrative assistant Kristy Suarez
and school principal Dr. Traci Smith, respectively.
Excelling scientists
Five Harris Middle School students advanced to the
ExxonMobile Texas Science and Engineering Fair following
strong performances at the regional contest.
They are (l to r) Gerardo Valles, Alfredo Cantu, Clarissa
Galvan, Abigal Macias and Antonio DeLeon. Their teachers
(far left and right, respectively) are Roseanne Volpert and
Kathy Gonzales.
Rodeo’s Western Art contest - took in a total of $22,000 for
“Yum Flowers.”
Her rendition of a steer angling its head through barbed
wire for a tasty bite of bouquet placed second among 25
entries. Shown with her is art teacher Annette Hoffman.
Track stars
The Owls
boys track
team qualified
for the state
meet by virtue
of winning
the Region IV
championship.
They are (l to r) Roland Love III, Chris Middleton, Vernon
Lott, Aaron Ladson and Jonathan Jefferson.
ESPN honorees
Excellence both in and out of the sports arena earned two
Owls accolades, including one from retired Dallas Cowboy
linebacker Dat Nguyen as an ESPN Player of the Week.
They are girls basketball guard Aaliyah Prince and captain
of the aforementioned champion track team,Vernon Lott.
Banner spring for Bulldogs
District 4’s Burbank High School was in the spotlight for
honors and acclaim. These include:
Battle of the brains
For the 13th time, the school’s Academic Decathlon team
qualified for the state competition. Burbank competed
in the medium schools category in this contest at which
students match their intellects with those from other
schools in 10 subject areas.
Their coaches (far left and right, respectively) are Brian
Warren and James Fleetwood.
VIP visitor
Burbank’s Agricultural Science Magnet gained national
recognition through a visit by Dr. Janey Thornton (left)
and other U.S.
Department
of Agriculture
officials who
toured the campus
as part of the
National Farm to
School program.
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 7
DISTRICT 5
Spring semester highlights
include celebrating literacy,
saying no to bullies and out-of-this-world lessons.
Following are details on these and others for District 5.
Principal of the Year
In recognition of
his extraordinary
leadership, the SAISD
Council of PTAs named
Joseph Cerna Principal
of the Year.
He is a 12-year
veteran District
educator, five of which as principal of De Zavala Elementary.
Cerna was presented the award by (l to r) John Alcoces, the
council’s president and District 5 Trustee Patti Radle.
Book bonanzas
It also was a book
lover’s paradise at De
Zavala - along with
Rodriguez Elementary this spring.
Overseen by Haven
for Hope CEO Mark
Carmona (shown left)
De Zavala students,
including these 2nd-graders, had the daunting task of
deciding which from a wide array of books they most wanted
to take home.
This book bonanza was courtesy of Haven for Hope, which
DISTRICT 6
Highlights for the spring
semester include honors and
innovative ways to prepare students for college and careers. Following are details on these and others for District 6.
Command performance
The award-winning Austin Academy Mariachi Los Tigres
was in the spotlight as featured performers at the School
Reform Initiative’s meeting that San Antonio hosted for
educators from across the country.
Shown thanking them is Mayor Julián Castro.
Out-of-this-world education
Aspiring Beacon Hill
Elementary astronauts
such as 5th-graders
Justin Connell, Jair De La
Rosa and Ignacio Peña
had the opportunity to
learn about this career
and related choices in
science, technology and
engineering during a tour
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 8
acquired 2,000
hardbound
volumes through
donations, enough
to provide all 610
students with one
to own with plenty
left for the school
library.
Rodriguez received a READesign library makeover, which
was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The renovations were made possible through grants and
manual labor from Capital One Bank.
The Heart of America’s Foundation’s READesign team
provided 800 age-appropriate reading materials including
financial literacy-themed books.
Irving says no to bullies
To help ensure that
bullying does not go
unreported, Irving Middle
School students are piloting
a mobile app program that
allows them to use mobile
phones to anonymously
report incidents.
Although bullying is not a widespread issue, principal
Michael Jordan (right) wanted to take a proactive approach.
Shown with him is Appddiction Studio CEO Tim Porter,
who demonstrated for students the app he created.
The Health Collaborative also is partnering with Irving and
Appddiction on the pilot.
of NASA.
While in Houston they also checked out college life by
visiting Rice University. The trip was part of the school’s
ongoing efforts to let students know that it’s never too soon to
start preparing for college and career.
Fiesta-inspired footwear
Cotton Elementary students and staff became fashionistas
through
adding
colorful
adornment
to shoes.
Students
voted for
their favorite
pair by casting box tops as ballots. Special guests for the
fashion show with principal Dr. Maria Graciela Setien (l to r)
were KENS-TV morning show hosts Sarah Forgany, Natalie
Tejeda and Matt Garcia.
Good to be geek
A vehicle compared to
a souped-up, high-tech
bookmobile for today’s
tech savvy students arrived
at Twain Middle School,
providing youngsters with
hands-on opportunities to
preview careers in technology
and entrepreneurship.
The Geekbus’ visit was sponsored by Rackspace, a locally
based IT-hosting company.
Tennis champ
Rhodes Middle School
8th-grader Samantha Banda
achieved what could be an
unprecedented feat by her
encore win at the District’s
Middle School Girls’ Tennis Singles Championship.
Shown with Samantha is her coach Sheryl Campbell.
The marvelous Voks
District 5’s Lanier High School was in the limelight for
honors and high-flying lessons. These include:
Beans for Dreams
Junior Lorena Rangel
already has earned a $10, 000
college scholarship for her
entrepreneurship.
She placed first in a citywide
business plan competition
sponsored by the National Association of Women Business
Owners for her economic growth proposal, Beans for Dreams.
Launch pad for learning
Again this year
the sky was the
limit for students
testing their
rocketry skills
at the annual
SystemsGo
aeroscience
project. Their teacher (back row, left) is James Rankin.
Nationwide AVID model
Whittier Middle School ranks among the nation’s elite for
success in a college-readiness system preparing students for
higher education.
The school was named a national demonstration site for
AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, following
a rigorous validation process by the organization.
Last year SAISD’s Longfellow Middle School and Jefferson
High School also earned this status. The three District
schools are among only about 135 of the nation’s 4,900 AVID
campuses recognized as national models.
Battle of the brains
For the sixth time, the Edison High School Academic
Decathlon team qualified for the state competition.
The Golden Bears competed in the medium schools
category at this contest in which students match their
intellects with those from other schools in 10 subject areas.
DISTRICT 7
The mighty Mustangs
Spring semester highlights
include awards and recognition
for humanitarian and ecological efforts.
Following are details on these and others for District 7.
District 7’s Jefferson High School was in the spotlight for
honors and environmental efforts. These include:
They ‘paws’ for compassion
The Animal Defense League was the beneficiary of more
than $750 in donations from Maverick students, the largest
amount ever given by an elementary school.
Sponsor of
the Pennies
for Paws
Drive was
the school’s
Student
Council.
Excelling scientists
A Longfellow Middle School student and nine from Young
Women’s Leadership Academy advanced to the ExxonMobile
Texas Science and Engineering Fair based upon their success
at the qualifying competition.
At this, the Alamo
Regional Science
and Engineering
Fair, Arthur
Mendiola (shown
with Longfellow
science teacher
Roland Ruvalcaba
and principal Liz Solis) was awarded fourth grand prize in
environmental and also earned other honors including a
total of $225 in cash prizes.
In all, YWLA received 26 awards at the fair including
the prestigious Charles McGibbon Award for the second
consecutive year. This is presented for school participation
and scientific excellence in the categories of physics and
math/computer.
The winning students (l to r with teacher Karen D. Harris,
who is holding the Charles McGibbon Award) are: Zoe
Kimura, Nadia Pulido, Jasmine Gonzalez, Mikyla Stalbaum,
Carola Cortinas, Laura Gorena, Rebecca Garcia, Janelle
Arnold and Sakshi Mohan.
Community Builder Award
The YWLA principal also made headlines this spring.
Delia McLerran received
the Grand Lodge of Texas
Community Builder Award
in honor of the outstanding
accomplishments the school
has achieved under her
three-year leadership there.
Highlights include
achieving the state’s highest accountability rating of
exemplary throughout its existence.
Top Texas musician
Sophomore David Rudy Perez (shown practicing with
his music teacher Ronnie Sanders) was among a select
few high school students chosen to perform at the Texas
Music Educators
Association
convention where
the vocalist took
the stage in the
bass 1 section of
the all-state choir.
Being chosen to perform at TMEA is a Texas music
student’s highest honor.
Energized for the environment
Those Earth friendly Jefferson Architecture &
Environmental Studies Magnet students have an additional
$75,000 to boost alternative energy programs at their school.
The grant, given at a celebration ceremony, was presented
through the SAISD Foundation from CPS Energy.
ESTEEMED SUMMER AWAITS SAISD’S AWARD-WINNING STUDENTS
The final school bell’s ring for the 2012-13 school
signaled the start of all-new adventures in learning and
unprecedented opportunities for some District teens.
Following are just a few examples of how summer 2013
will be the most memorable yet for these SAISD students.
Congressional Art
Brackenridge
High School
senior Arianna
Casteneda’s
charcoal and
conte´painting
“As Tough
As Texas” earned her a free trip to Washington, D.C., this
summer where her art will be on display through June 2014.
The Congressional Art Competition winner for District 25
was honored at her school by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett.
JROTC honors
Four talented Jefferson High School cadets join an elite
cadre of teens competing in a contest designed to prepare
them for the rigors of college.
Their JROTC team is among just 24 nationwide and
one of only three from San Antonio advancing to the 2013
National Academic Bowl Championship in late June at
George Mason University near Washington, D.C.
The students qualified by besting more than 1,500
competitors worldwide in two previous rounds that were
conducted online.
The cadets, (shown l to r with their teacher Col. Tracy
Chavis),
are Jysun
Cardenas, Abel
Hernandez,
Joshua Ibarra
and Walker
Hayse.
In a separate honor, their classmate
Kenneth Betchel has been appointed to the
Naval Academy Preparatory School.
Kenneth will spend July training there in
preparation of attending the Naval Academy
in Annapolis, Md.
Going to Kansas City
Lanier High School students William Anguiano and
Justin Mercado
will represent
Texas this
summer based
upon their
first-place
performances at the state SkillsUSA competition.
Justin (center left) will vie in the Employment
Application Process while William will compete in the
Action Skills category at the national competition in Kansas
City, Mo. Shown with them (far left and right, respectively)
are their teachers Juan Morales Sr. and Tamara Ford.
Outstanding historians
Next stop for Young Women’s Leadership Academy
students Zoe Lopez and Alyssa Pacheco (shown far left and
right, respectively, with their teacher Adrean Springer) is
Washington, D.C.
They qualified for
this summer’s National
History Day contest by
virtue of their strong
performance at the State
History Day competition
where they won the Hispanic Heritage Award and placed
second for group documentary LULAC: Change for Latinos.
Voelcker Scholars
Ten SAISD freshmen are among 20
citywide selected to participate in an
intensive three-year summer program
at the University of Texas Health
Science Center’s Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy.
There, they will gain valuable learning experiences as well
as financial awards ranging by year from $500 to $1,000.
SAISD’s 2013 Voelcker Scholars and their high schools
are: Christopher Corona, Burbank; Clover Moten, Joaquin
Ramirez and Isabella Torres, Edison; Liliana Capistran and
Iman Wallace, Fox Tech; Devyn Williamson, Highlands;
Darley Guzman, Sam Houston; and Adriana Avendano and
Meg Garcia, Young Women’s Leadership Academy.
They were selected after a rigorous application process that
began last fall for the program running weekdays in June
and July.
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 9
MENSAJE DEL SUPERINTENDENTE INTERINO
FOMENTANDO
EL LOGRO
ESTUDIANTIL
El término de cada año escolar, parece
traer un sentido de esperanza y logro.
Para nuestros graduados, por supuesto,
Dr. Sylvester Perez
Superintendente interino
es un tiempo de nuevos principios. Y lo
mismo podría ser dicho para los estudiantes de cada una
de nuestras escuelas: Nuestra esperanza y objetivo es que
el tiempo que pasan en nuestros salones de clase continué
construyendo una base sólida de aprendizaje de por vida. Y
por tal razón estamos sinceramente agradecidos con nuestros
dedicados maestros y personal educativo.
Es alentador saber que compartimos la misma pasión por
nuestras escuelas - un mensaje que escucho siempre que tengo
la oportunidad de reunirme con la comunidad. Al recordar
los éxitos pasados, nos orgullece lo que nuestras escuelas y
nuestros estudiantes han podido lograr. Hay muchas estrellas
brillantes en la clase de 2013. Tenemos a estudiantes que
irán a colegios y universidades en San Antonio y a través del
país, tan lejos como MIT, Notre Dame y Yale, así como a las
prestigiosas academias militares de EEUU.
Entre nuestras historias sobresalientes se incluye la de
dos estudiantes del doceavo grado que están entre los 1,000
estudiantes en la nación en ser nombrados como Gates
Millennium Scholars – un honor que les otorga una beca
hasta su graduación. Y otros dos estudiantes recibieron una
beca universitaria de $20,000 de Dell Foundation.
Al mismo tiempo que celebramos estos logros, nuestros
maestros y el personal trabajan arduamente para aumentar la
preparación universitaria de todos los estudiantes por medio
de programas específicos como AVID (Avance a través de la
determinación individual). Por segundo año consecutivo,
una de las escuelas de SAISD ha logrado servir como escuela
modelo a nivel nacional para este programa – logro que sólo
135 escuelas en la nación han alcanzado.
Para muchos estudiantes, las oportunidades de
enriquecimiento continuarán a través del verano: Diez
estudiantes de primer año de preparatoria están entre 20
en la ciudad en ser nombrados como Voelcker Scholars
por University of Texas Health Science Center’s Biomedical
Research Academy; un grupo de cadetes de la preparatoria
Jefferson High School es uno de 24 equipos que calificaron
para el campeonato National Academic Bowl Championship;
dos estudiantes de la preparatoria Lanier High School se
dirigirán a la Ciudad de Kansas, Mo. para la competencia
nacional SkillsUSA; y dos de la academia Young Women’s
Leadership Academy irán a Washington, D.C. para la
competencia nacional National History Day Competition.
Claramente, muchos estudiantes de SAISD como éstos,
desean igual aprovechar la oportunidad de mejorar sus
habilidades y prepararse para un futuro brillante. Estamos
muy agradecidos por todo lo que usted hace — como padre de
familia y miembros de nuestra comunidad — para alentarlos
en su crecimiento y apoyar a nuestras escuelas. Como siempre,
dependemos de la opinión de la comunidad y su compromiso
para convertir a nuestro Distrito tan sólido posible. ¡Juntos
progresamos — y hay buen motivo para creer que nuestros
mejores días están por llegar!
PEREZ ÚNICO FINALISTA
El Dr. Sylvester Perez, quien ha servido como
superintendente interino del Distrito desde marzo de
2012, ha sido nombrado como único finalista para el
puesto de Superintendente. Los miembros de la Mesa
Directiva aprobaron su selección el 20 de mayo durante
su Junta Directiva. La ley del estado requiere un
período de espera de 21 días después que un finalista
es escogido antes que sea designado oficialmente como
Superintendente.
ESCUELAS DESIGNADAS PARA RENOVACIONES POR MEDIO DEL PROGRAMA
DE BONOS SE ESPERA ESTÉN BAJO CONSTRUCCIÓN ESTE VERANO
Este verano se espera que diecisiete escuelas entren a la
fase de mayor construcción, la cual fue aprobada por los
votantes.
Veintidós escuelas recibirán renovaciones extensas bajo los
bonos de $515 millones que los votantes aprobaron en 2010,
con la mayoría del dinero dedicado a la modernización de
algunos de nuestros viejos planteles y edificios del Distrito
para estar al mismo nivel de calidad que los distritos vecinos.
El primer proyecto de renovación empezó en la escuela
Cameron Elementary a fines del verano pasado, y en varios
planteles adicionales siguiendo un ritmo constante hacia la
fase de construcción. Este verano el trabajo progresará según
continúa o comienza la construcción en las escuelas: Arnold,
Los alumnos de la primaria Fenwick utilizan un pasillo
techado rumbo al gimnasio. La entrada anterior se
encuentra cerrada por la construcción del nuevo plantel,
que incluirá salones con laboratorios de arte y música, una
cafetería y una cocina.
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 10
Los cimientos son colocados para el plantel de tres pisos
de la escuela Hawthorne Academy. Una vez terminado, la
estructura frente a la calle Josephine servirá a los grados
superiores de la escuela.
Cotton, Fenwick, Hirsch, Japhet, Sarah
King, Ogden, Riverside Park, Rogers y
Woodlawn; y la Academia Hawthorne,
y las Preparatorias Brackenridge,
Burbank, Edison y Jefferson.
En Highlands High School, el
proyecto más grande de renovación
del Distrito que lleva un total de
$65.7 millones, 20 edificios portátiles
serán instalados este verano para
acomodar a los estudiantes cuando
empiece la construcción en la escuela
en el otoño. La escuela, esencialmente
será reedificada para proporcionar a
los estudiantes con un nuevo plantel
más moderno.
Las restantes cinco escuelas que recibirán renovaciones
mayores se espera entrarán a la fase de construcción el
próximo ciclo escolar.
Asimismo, la construcción en el Alamo Stadium y
Convocation Center continúa progresando. La pista y
el campo han sido quitados, y el Distrito espera que el
gimnasio del Centro de Convocación estará listo para enero
de 2014 y el estadio para la fecha programada en abril/mayo
de 2014.
www.saisd.net/bondprojects
Una excavadora remueve las gradas en el histórico Alamo Stadium para avanzar la
construcción de un campo atlético más amplio. Las competencias reasumirán allí
y en el Centro de Convocación para el ciclo escolar 2014-15.
SAISD CELEBRA CON ESPLENDOR SU CAPACIDAD DE LEER Y ESCRIBIR
Ejemplos más recientes de nuestros logros de los
objetivos para el ciclo escolar 2012-13 y más sobre el
aumento del rigor en la lectura y escritura a lo largo del
distrito.
………………………………….
Los libros Construyen Carácter
La nueva y emocionante iniciativa que ofrece nuevos
Herff Elementary La asistente de bibliotecaria, Martha
Lara otorga a estudiantes de 2do grado la versión de su
escuela “Freckle Juice.”
libros a todo estudiante del Distrito, dio comienzo con
eventos especiales en las escuelas donde más de 8,000
alumnos de segundo y séptimo grado fueron otorgados
libros. Los más pequeños recibieron el libro de “Freckle
Juice” escrito por Judy Blume, y los mayores el libro
“Wonder” escrito por R.J. Palacio.
Éstos fueron proporcionados por medio de una nueva
iniciativa de SAISD en patrocinio con la organización
the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support
Personnel.
Ayudando a hacer la meta más económica,
la organización First Book, una organización
internacional sin fines lucrativos, se asoció con editores
principales para ofrecer los mejores descuentos para así
proporcionar a los niños con necesidad acceso a libros
de gran calidad.
En el lanzamiento de la iniciativa For the Books
Build Character, la organización the Alliance, recaudó
$28,000 dólares, de los cuales $25,000 vinieron de the
National Teachers Associates.
El apoyo de la comunidad también es bienvenido.
Esos interesado pueden enviar sus cheques, o giros
postales (pagables a San Antonio Alliance of Teachers
and Support Personnel) o traer dinero en efectivo a the
Alliance House, 120 Adams St, San Antonio, TX., 78210.
Se les pide a los contribuyentes que anoten su
donación para BBC en sus cheques o giros postales. Los
donativos al contado deben incluir una nota adjunta
que indique que el regalo es para BBC.
……………………………….
Nuestra Historia, en Nuestras Palabras
Esta primavera, durante un evento de firmas de
libros, un libro de ilustraciones compiladas por
estudiantes hizo su debut. Estudiantes de cada una de
nuestras escuelas llevaron a cargo la investigación y
composición de historias sobre el personaje por cual
su escuela fue denominada. Este suceso vino a cabo
después de que el Dr. Sylvester Perez, Superintendente
Interino, empezará las visitas escolares y descubriera
que pocos sabían sobre el origen de los nombres
seleccionados. “Our Story, in Our Words” - nuestra
historia, en nuestras palabras - contiene las
composiciones e ilustraciones ganadoras de cada
escuela. Este proyecto les trajo mayor aprecio por su
escuela.
SAISD VALORA PROGRAMAS A LA VANGUARDIA DE LA TECNOLOG
Las escuelas Foster Elementary y Fox Tech High School
hicieron noticia esta primavera, cuando formaron parte
de selectas escuelas para valorar programas innovadores
diseñados para fomentar la enseñanza.
En vez de libros de texto tradicionales, los estudiantes
Jaclyn Muñoz, estudiante del 12vo grado de Fox Tech,
contesta preguntas en su Kindle Fire e-reader por medio
del programa piloto durante una entrevista de TV.
de la clase de biología avanzada de Fox Tech, utilizaron
el equipo de lectura electrónica Kindel Fire e-readers para
comparar cual era el más útil.
Las ventajas del Kindle incluyeron fácil acceso a lo último
de la información y otros recursos.
La escuela Foster dio la bienvenida a VGo, un robot
innovador que permitió a Miranda Garcia, una estudiante
de tercer grado e imposibilitada a salir de casa, experimentar
una presencia virtual en su salón de clase, un día que estaba
muy enferma para asistir a la escuela.
Esto fue hecho posible por una computadora portátil desde
su hogar y que se conectó a la señal Wi-Fi, de la escuela,
permitiéndole ver y escuchar lo que pasaba en su salón. Sus
compañeros de Foster, pudieron ver su cara en la pantalla de
video del robot, que incluía una luz que podría activar para
pedir permiso para hacer una pregunta.
SAISD fue el primer distrito escolar del sur de Texas (y
uno de 30 por todo el país) en dirigir el programa, planeado
Atreves de VGo, Miranda puede unirse a sus compañeros
de clase y maestra Belinda De Luna durante una actividad
de salón.
originalmente para situaciones médicas. Para fomentar el
aprendizaje de Miranda, un maestro particular continuó las
visitas a su hogar, un procedimiento que permanecería para
otros estudiantes en su situación, si el programa piloto es
aplicado luego en otras escuelas.
LOS JÓVENES APRENDEN SOBRE FINANZAS
Desde encontrar maneras de pagar por el colegio
hasta asegurar un futuro financieramente-solvente,
los estudiantes de preparatoria de SAISD están bien
preparados para el éxito.
Porque el Distrito desea prevenir que las finanzas
personales sean una barrera para los estudios
universitarios, SAISD se ha enfocado en implementar
un esfuerzo en conjunto para asegurar que todos los
estudiantes del 12vo grado sometan solicitudes para la
ayuda federal o estatal.
Esto incluye el lanzamiento de un nuevo programa
que contrató a consejeros de medio-tiempo para
enseñar a los estudiantes sobre los procesos de solicitud
universitaria y de ayuda financiera.
Un enfoque clave es el completar y someter la
solicitud de Aplicación para la Ayuda Financiera
Federal Estudiantil, un indicador principal para que los
estudiantes se matriculen en el colegio.
Los estudiantes también fueron proporcionados
un curso financiero de cuatro días de capacitación
financiera durante las clases de economía para darles
valiosa información sobre el proceso de la aplicación
universitaria.
Las clases fueron ofrecidas por la asociación San
Antonio Educación Partnership y Advise Texas College
Advisors. Otros patrocinadores fueron Alamo Colleges y
the San Antonio Financial Aid Council.
Los estudiantes también se prepararon para sus
futuros financieros personales mediante un programa
en-línea basado en divertida tecnología interactiva
ofrecida por las organizaciones Captiol One
y EverFi, Inc.
Julián Castro (de pie) es proporcionado con una vista
general del programa Capital One Financial Scholars
Program por Michael Ytuarte, estudiante del 12vo grado de
Brackenridge. El alcalde estuvo entre los dignatarios que
asistió una ceremonia de certificación llevada a cabo esta
primavera.
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 11
SPOTLIGHT ON LITERACY, continued from front page
Books Build Character’s goal is to provide all 54,000
SAISD students with a new book of their own.
Community support is welcome. Those interested may
submit checks, money orders (made payable to the San
Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel)
or bring cash to the Alliance House, 120 Adams St., San
Antonio, TX., 78210.
Contributors are asked to designate BBC on checks
or money orders. Cash donations should include an
attached note stating that the gift is for BBC.
……………………………….
“Our Story, in our Words”
Making its debut during a book-signing ceremony
earlier this spring was this student-written, studentillustrated compilation.
Students at each campus were charged with
researching and writing about their school’s namesake
after Interim Superintendent Dr. Sylvester Perez first
began visiting campuses and discovered that not
everyone knew how or why the names were chosen.
“This was a perfect tie-in with our emphasis on
reading and writing and a great way to put all of this
information in one place,” said Dr. Peggy Stark-Wilson,
the District’s interim deputy superintendent of teaching
and learning.
“Our Story, in Our Words” contains the winning
essays and illustrations from each school.
Beyond creating a valuable keepsake, the exercise
provided participants with a greater appreciation for
their school, regardless of whether it was named for
an important person or for the neighborhood it serves,
Stark-Wilson said.
“I believe it gives students a sense of identity and a
sense of ownership about the school and the
importance of why they are there.”
J.T. Brackenridge Elementary 4th-grader Kayla Upton
gets a hug from proud mom Helen Ries for her role as
contributing author to “Our Story, in Our Words.” Other
well wishers include (l to r) family friend Cindy Robbins,
principal Melanie Herr-Zepeda and kindergarten teacher
Deborah Maldonado. Kayla, the other authors and the book’s
illustrators were recognized during a book signing and
celebratory reception.
BOND CONSTRUCTION, continued from front page
At Highlands High School, the District’s largest
renovation project at $65.7 million, 20 portable buildings
will be installed this summer to accommodate students
when construction begins at the school in the fall.
The school will, essentially, be rebuilt to provide students
with a new, modern facility.
The remaining five schools that will receive major
renovations are expected to enter the construction phase
next school year.
In addition, construction at the Alamo Stadium &
Convocation Center is moving along. The track and
field has been removed, and the District expects that the
Convocation gym will be ready for use by January of 2014
and the stadium by the April/May 2014 time frame.
A backhoe removes
bleachers at the
historic Alamo
Stadium to make
way for a wider
athletic track. Sports
competitions are
expected to resume
there and at the
Convocation Center
in 2014-15.
MESSAGE, continued from front page
For the second straight year, an SAISD school has
become a national demonstration site for the program –
joining only 135 other such schools in the nation.
For many students, the enrichment opportunities will
continue throughout the summer: Ten of our freshmen are
among the 20 students citywide who were named Voelcker
Scholars at the University of Texas Health Science Center’s
Biomedical Research Academy; a group of Jefferson
High School cadets is one of 24 teams to qualify for the
National Academic Bowl Championship; two Lanier High
School students will head to Kansas City, Mo., for the
national SkillsUSA competition; and two students from the
Young Women’s Leadership Academy will be heading to
Washington D.C., for the National History Day competition.
Clearly, many SAISD students like these are seizing
the opportunity to improve their skills and prepare for a
bright future. We are grateful for everything you do — as
parents and community members — to encourage their
efforts and support our schools. As always, we rely on the
community’s input and engagement to make the district
as strong as it can possibly be. Together, we’re making
progress — and there’s good reason to believe that our best
days are still ahead!
Vision SAISD I Spring 2013 I Page 12
San Antonio Independent School District
Board of Trustees
Ed Garza, President
Olga M. Hernandez, Secretary
Debra Guerrero, Trustee
James Howard, Trustee
Steve Lecholop, Trustee
Patti Radle, Trustee
Arthur V. Valdez, Trustee
Dr. Sylvester Perez, Interim Superintendent
....................................
Fenwick Elementary students use a covered walkway en route
to the gym. The previous way is blocked by construction for
the school’s new wing, which will include classrooms with
art and music labs, a cafeteria and kitchen.
Leslie Price, Communications Executive Director
René Lynn: Vision Coordinator
John Lawler: Photographer
Gustavo Lopez: Layout and design,
Printing Services Department
....................................
Vision SAISD newspaper - produced by the Communications
Department - is the intellectual property of the San Antonio
Independent School District. Content may be reproduced upon
permission and with appropriate attribution.
....................................
The San Antonio Independent School District does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any
other basis prohibited by law.
For the latest on SAISD Bond 2010 visit:
www.saisd.net/bondprojects
El Distrito Escolar Independiente de San Antonio no discrimina por motivos
de raza, religión, color, origen nacional, sexo o impedimento, o por cualquier
otro motivo prohibido por la ley.