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Volume 25 | Number 8 | November 14, 2024

On Nov. 8, Green Elementary at Riverside Park third grade teacher Isabel Cepeda, principal Jennifer Soto, and Superintendent Jaime Aquino attended the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Green was the only school in our region and one of only 31 in Texas to receive this prestigious award.

The Department of Student and Academic Support Services honored the placement of the last three interns funded by the Con Cariño grant with a celebration with Congressman Henry Cuellar at Herff Elementary. The federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Demonstration Grant totals $2,690,608 and has been instrumental in expanding an internship-to-employment pipeline for social workers and counselors in San Antonio ISD. A total of 10 Master of Social Work interns and four counseling interns have been placed as part of the program, with the last three beginning in January 2025.

Hawthorne Academy third to fifth grade dual language classes participated in a tamalada at Trinity University last week. As part of Trinity University’s Festival of the Arts, students made tamales with their parents and grandparents and learned from expert tamalera and author Dr. Ellen Riojas Clark about the history of tamales and their cultural value. Watch the Telemundo story about their experiences. 

The results are in! After a semester-long civics lesson at Carvajal Elementary, students across the campus held an election for "master pet." The winner was Charzard (pictured above), class pet of Danielle Salgado's fifth grade class. Charzard was running against second grade beardie, Eevee, in Cynthia Bever's class. All semester long, students in both classes created campaign materials and stumped for their candidates using positive campaign tactics. The final tally was 185-115 in favor of Charzard.

Burbank High School won its first district football championship since 1978. “It feels amazing to win a district title,” said senior defensive lineman Ryan Vasquez. “There is a lot of pride and heart in our community. They have our back, win or lose. So giving the school and community a district championship is just a great feeling.” The Bulldogs take on Pflugerville in the first round of the playoffs tonight at 7 p.m. at the Sports Complex.

Education leaders from Hawaii visited Bonham Academy Nov. 12 to learn about SAISD's child nutrition program and the past collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America. The delegation of about 15 representatives was led by State Senator Donovan Dela Cruz and Keith Hayashi (pictured), superintendent of the Hawai‘i Public Schools System.

“We are here to learn more about how we can create healthy meals that are great tasting for students to enjoy that are sourced locally in Hawaii,” Hayashi said. “We want to create menus that are locally supported. We think you guys are doing a great job with child nutrition and we want to learn from the San Antonio Independent School District.”

As we celebrated Veterans Day this week, we are so grateful for the sacrifices of all the veterans in the SAISD Familia. We appreciate their years of service and the wisdom they share with students from their time serving our country. This year, we took a moment to highlight Woodlawn Academy principal Luis De La Garza, and how his time in the Army ignited his passion for education and active participation in our democracy. “Education is the last bastion of hope that democracy does not die in darkness,” he said. “If we set ourselves to making sure our kids can conscientiously consume media, they can make a decision, and they are empowered to vote, perhaps we will make sure those voices who are not always heard can be heard.” Thank you, Mr. De La Garza, and to all our veterans in SAISD.

In compliance with Texas law, San Antonio ISD is sharing information on the safe storage of firearms. Each campus is hosting a meeting, with community meetings available at several middle and high school locations around the district as well as online. As part of the program, SAISD police are distributing gun safety locks (pictured above) as well as magnets with information on the P3 Anonymous Reporting system.

The SAISD Board of Trustees will discuss a real estate matter in open session on Nov. 18, 2024. The board anticipates voting on the staff recommendation at Monday’s meeting. Please read more about the staff recommendation.

Cheer on the San Antonio Spurs as they face off against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, Dec. 19, all while supporting the SAISD Foundation’s mission to empower teachers and students in SAISD public schools. When you purchase your ticket through this link, you also gain exclusive access to a pre-game courtside experience that will bring you up-close to all the action. Tickets start at just $15, and $5 from each ticket goes directly to the Foundation to help fund essential programs that make a difference. Don’t miss out on this exciting night of basketball and community spirit!

The application for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards is open until Dec. 2. The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards honor outstanding public school professionals to thank them for their dedication and commitment. Through this program, H-E-B seeks to pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile each and every day to serve their students and their communities and to inspire others to do the same. Teachers, counselors and principals are encouraged to apply to be considered for a 2025 finalist or winner.

San Antonio ISD Choice Schools are now accepting applications for 2025-2026 school year. Our Choice Schools and Programs offer students inside and outside the district a variety of specialized campuses and pathways, customized to best meet their interests. Programs are open to all students in the San Antonio area, regardless of where they live.

Help us build our SAISD Archives! The district is curating an online museum and image repository that celebrates our 125-year history and historical treasures! We’re starting with stories and memories behind the schools that were closed as part of the 2023 rightsizing decision. Did you or a family member attend or work at a now-closed SAISD school? We want to hear your stories and see your treasured artifacts. Help us preserve these memories!

Reimagine our SAISD Spaces! All members of the community are invited to participate in a survey about repurposing SAISD's former school buildings. Together, we can reimagine how these buildings can bring new life to our communities. Help create positive change by taking our survey. Share Your Voice! 

Tomorrow, Nov. 15, is the last day for our San Antonio ISD United Way campaign. When our SAISD Familia gives back to our community we make San Antonio a better place to live and work. Employees can give online via a link in the employee portal. If you choose to give, you are able to designate your gift to more than 80 eligible organizations in the area, including the SAISD Foundation (8031). Remember, any amount, when added to the cumulative effort of our SAISD United Way campaign, makes a difference. 

Nov. 11 marked Veterans Day, and campuses across the district took the opportunity to honor those in the community who have sacrificed so much with their service. Recognitions included campus ceremonies and appreciation meals as well as participation in citywide events recognizing all those who serve and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Pictured are: Tafolla Middle School at the United States Military Veterans Parade Association parade last weekend; campus-based events at Highland Hills Elementary, Hot Wells Middle School, Whittier Middle School, and Wilson Elementary; and the Sam Houston JROTC at the annual Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers Association Veterans Day Commemorative Ceremony at the San Antonio National Cemetery. On behalf of the entire SAISD Familia, we wish to express our gratitude to all of our nation's military veterans — today and every day.  

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