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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

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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

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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

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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.

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