Improving Lives Visionthrough a Quality Education APublicationoftheSanAntonioIndependentSchoolDistrict I Spring 2009
• SAISDmakes‘Top10’ ...... page 2 Students recruit River Parade Art • Bestinbilingual ...... page 3 educators through Contest grand ! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" # • Buildingabetterschooldistrict $ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " ".... " " " page" " " " 4 ‘Teach Me SAISD’ prize winner %& • CincodeMayogolftourney ' " " " " " " " " ...... " " " " " " " "page " " " " " 6 See page 2 See page 3 ( ) $ inside *+ * $ " " " " Superintendent’s message We’re looking to the community in building a stronger and smaller San Antonio Independent School District It is our responsibility as a school programs they deserve. Like many other urban engaged and interested in school. district, and your expectation of us school districts, we are experiencing declining Today, some of our students have the benefit of as a community member, to provide enrollment, aging and under-utilized facilities and music teachers and computer labs, while others go high quality educational options insufficient funding, all of which impact the quality without. Some schools have a variety of academic for all children. For more than of our offerings and opportunities for students. and non-academic courses from which to choose, 100 years parents have entrusted while many others do not. And the disparity is even their children into our care, to greater when comparing outside of our District. Robert J. Durón provide them with the knowledge ‘We want to raise SAISD has seen 40 years of declining enrollment, Superintendent and skills required to achieve the standards of our yet few actions have been taken to adjust the lifelong success. number of facilities. Most of today’s schools are And we could not be more proud of the results. offerings for students’ under-enrolled or have small populations. The The contributions of our alumni can be seen across more schools we have open, the more we have to San Antonio, our state and beyond. We are proud of When enrollment goes down in a school, there staff, operate and maintain, with less spending in this legacy of learning. But we are facing a number is less money to fund programs outside of the core the classroom for our teachers and students. of challenges today that are impacting our ability curriculum. This means fewer dollars to support Last year we made the difficult decision to close to provide our teachers with the resources they programs such as art, drama, technology and Cooper Middle School and Mann Academy. need and our students with the strong educational Advanced Placement – courses that keep students continued back page Mensaje del Superintendente Necesitamos su participación en la renovación del distrito de SAISD Es nuestra responsabilidad como distrito escolar y se pueden apreciar dentro de la ciudad de San de matrícula, planteles escolares deteriorados y es su expectativa como miembro de la comunidad, Antonio y más allá del estado de Texas. Estamos desaprovechados en la capacidad de utilización e el que proporcionemos un nivel alto de opciones orgullosos de este legado de aprendizaje; pero insuficiente financiamiento, todo esto repercute en educativas a nuestros niños. Por más de 100 años, ahora enfrentamos un número de desafíos que la calidad de nuestros ofrecimientos y oportunidades los padres de familia nos han confiado el cuidado de impactan nuestra habilidad para proporcionar a para los estudiantes. sus hijos, ya que les hemos proporcionado con la nuestros maestros los recursos necesarios y a Cuando la matrícula disminuye en una escuela, hay sabiduría y los estándares los elementos necesarios nuestros estudiantes los programas educativos menos dinero para financiar programas educativos para alcanzar el éxito permanente. eficaces que merecen. fuera del currículo principal. Esto significa menos Y no podemos estar más orgullosos de los Al igual que muchos otros distritos escolares dólares para apoyar a programas tales como las bellas resultados. Las contribuciones de nuestros alumnos urbanos, estamos experimentando un descenso artes, drama, tecnología y de colocación avanzada – cursos que mantienen a los estudiantes ocupados e interesados en la escuela. ! Hoy, algunos de nuestros estudiantes se benefician !"# $928 de los maestros de música y los laboratorios de computación, mientras que otros no. " " 554-2200 , Vea – Página 8 Some households outside of SAISD boundaries receive this newsletter as a result of zip codes/postal routes crossing district lines. It is less expensive to mail to an entire postal route than to exclude homes. Thank you. Vision SAISD I Spring 2009 I Page 1 SAISD makes nation’s top 10 of most-improving urban school districts A study of 37 of the United States’ largest urban in the classroom, making sure teachers get the In addition to San Antonio, other urban Texas school systems had good news for San Antonio. training and support they need to educate our school districts included in the study were Austin, The report by The Brown Center on Education children. We’re not yet where we want to be; that’s Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, and Houston, two of Policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, what continual improvement is all about.” which also placed in the top 10 (see chart below). D.C., found that city schools are experiencing greater The report states that while test scores at urban The Brookings Institution is a private non-profit improvement in student achievement on standardized school districts in Texas still lag behind their suburban organization devoted to independent research and tests than others in their respective states. and rural counterparts, they’re making great strides innovative policy solutions. SAISD ranked 7th on the list of the top 10 districts and narrowing the gap. Top 10 urban school districts making the most gains. The findings were based upon information gathered 1. New Orleans 6. Miami “We’re very pleased with the recognition,” said between 2000 and 2007 that included state test 2. Dallas 7. San Antonio Betty Burks, the District’s deputy superintendent for scores and demographics. Despite the different tests 3. Minneapolis 8. New York City teaching and learning. used by each state, the study was able to standardize 4. Austin 9. Philadelphia “We have put a strong focus on what’s happening the scores. 5. Long Beach, Calif. 10. Chicago Students recruit their future teachers through ‘Teach Me SAISD’ The latest in To represent SAISD’s place deep in the heart of “The opportunity provided the ‘stars’ an authentic ongoing endeavors to San Antonio, the Alamo served as a backdrop for behind-the-scenes look at television production, “ employ the world’s one of the videos while Bonham Academy 2nd- Norton said, “while the teen ‘producers’ gained greatest teachers graders (pictured below) sat at school desks for a real-world experience in developing projects that exemplifies classic SAISD simulated classroom lesson. Behind the camera will not only benefit the District, but also their innovation. lenses were aspiring cinematographers from futures, as they embark on their college and The new 30- to 60-second Brackenridge High School. professional careers.” “Teach Me SAISD” marketing videos not only were The multifaceted project drew from the talents of designed for viewing on social networking sites students across many spectrums – from marketing such as You Tube, but what makes the recruitment and media to art and acting. tools even more significant is that they are the In addition to Brackenridge, other students products of student talent and ingenuity. contributing their videography, technology and “Creative and innovative approaches like this production skills represented Sam Houston and one help us to use all avenues available to recruit Jefferson high schools. the best and brightest teachers possible for our Lanier High School students – joined by their students, whether using traditional or non- colleagues from Brackenridge, Jefferson and Sam traditional methods,” said SAISD Human Resources Houston – also performed advertising, design, and administrative officer Suzanne Norton. marketing tasks. Recognizing our outstanding students and staff District’s dozen top scholars Lone Star State. He and his classmate Bry-Alika Rideb and Quentin Students from four SAISD high schools have been Under the direction of Ricky Flores and Joslyn Hernandez of Davis were the only middle-schoolers recognized for their exceptional scores on the most Muñoz, the musicians are again National Wind competing among high school students at the 20th recent Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Band Honors recipients. annual competition sponsored by the Japan Business Qualifying Test. Their names will be provided to Irving was one of only a few middle school Association of Houston. colleges and universities as ideal candidates for bands selected. They are participants in SAISD’s Multilingual admission and scholarships. Judges are university band directors nationwide who Magnet Program. Tafolla teacher is Reiko O’Donnell National Hispanic Scholars and their schools are: awarded Irving based upon their taped performance and Noriko Baxter is the Davis teacher. Horace Deans, Alicia Menchaca, Kelly Rada, Juan at the Region XII University Interscholastic League Reyna, and Jaymes Sanchez, Brackenridge; and Concert and Sight Reading Contest. Texas’ best musicians Jon-Michael Saenz, Luis Sanchez, and Steve National Wind Band Honors are presented to only Seven outstanding SAISD instrumentalists Sanchez, Burbank. Receiving honorable mentions the top 25 percent of the entries. Irving also earned comprise elite members of the prestigious Texas and their schools are: Mathew Herrera, Holly Pompa, this honor in 2006. Music Educators Association All-State group. and Ernesto Verastegui, Jefferson; and Erasmo Selection is the highest tribute a Lone Star Garcia, Phoenix. Japanese State music student can receive, and the group’s spoken here performance is a yearly highlight at the association’s Irving nationally renowned Ben Villarreal of Tafolla annual convention. The fame of the illustrious Irving Academy Middle School bested older SAISD members by high school and their instrument Honor Band continues to extend beyond the students by placing second in are: Fox Tech, Manuel Martinez, tuba, John Mireles, free speech at the Texas State tuba and Isai Perez, trumpet. Band directors are Vision SAISD I Spring 2009 I Page 2 Japanese Speech contest. continued next page Picture perfect Fiesta continued from previous page Olivia Vargas not only captured the heart and spirit Rick Horn and Alex Yanez. of the Alamo City’s famed River Parade on canvas, Highlands, Ryan Buell, tuba, Emilio Garcia, flute, and Tyler Valadez, violin. Orchestra director but grand prize as well. The Hawthorne Academy is Cynthia Mueller and band directors are Dr. Victor 5th-grader (shown with her teacher, Diane Sosa, and Naranjo and Jesse Orta. Texas Cavalier Michael Casillas) also has the honor of Jefferson, Anthony Gonzales, bass clarinet. Band riding in the parade alongside a Gen. Sam Houston directors are Carlos Jimenez and Roxanne Vickers. re-enactor. Olivia’s colorful depiction of mariachis on The SAISD students qualified for inclusion based a bridge overlooking the River Walk was selected from upon their successes in a series of tryouts with more more than 1,800 entries. SAISD’s Dreanna Castro of than 50,000 Texas hopefuls. Foster Elementary was one of 10 finalists for the Primo mariachis award. The River Parade Art Contest is sponsored by Mexican folk musicians from Austin Academy the Texas Cavaliers. and Brackenridge High School both earned “Superior” ratings and were recognized as “Best in Class” for their respective levels at the Fort Worth ISD Fashion made friendly Mariachi Extravaganza. Receiving medals for “Outstanding Solos” were Vogue-conscious youths with special needs Fritz Dorville, Oscar Garza and Antonio Guzman no longer must choose between fashion and of Austin and Nadia Moore and Joey Villanueva function, as Angel Godinez can vouch. Looking of Brackenridge. sharp in his blue dress shirt and vest, the Edison The mariachis were among a dozen primarily North High School freshman awaited his turn on the Texas-area secondary schools competing. catwalk for the second annual FashionAble style John Nieto directs the Brackenridge Mariachi show. He was among 25 disabled youngsters Aguila and the Austin Los Tigres director is Miguel Guzman. from throughout South Texas who modeled attire designed exclusively for them by Jefferson High Battle of the brains School Fashion Design program students. Working in conjunction with the local Spina Bifida Association For the fourth consecutive year Edison High of Texas Inc., in whose benefit the show is held, advanced apparel students created clothes modified to School qualified to compete at the Region 4 Texas Academic Decathlon. Also qualifying was Burbank accommodate each model’s disability. Accompanying Angel is program director teacher Sandy Starr (left) High School, which made its 11th appearance. and Jefferson sophomore Victoria Solano. Last year’s event also merited coverage in Sew News magazine. Vying in the medium school category, the Golden Bears and Bulldogs were selected by virtue of their Best in bilingual performances at the regional competition where they Her ability to articulate the benefits of knowing placed third and fourth overall, respectively. two languages has earned Laura Gonima accolades Burbank coaches are Laura Contreras and Brian from the NABE (National Association for Bilingual Warren, while Edison is led by Amy Kosler and Education). The Bonham Academy 3rd-grade Juan Ramos. dual language program student placed first in the ‘A-Team’ scholars elementary school category for her essay “Why I am Four outstanding Proud to be Bilingual.” Her winning composition - teens have been selected from more than 700 entries – was presented recognized by the during an awards ceremony where she also received Express-News as a $1,000 cash prize. Pictured with her at the ceremony are (from left) her proud teacher, Adriana Guerra- among the area’s Lawson, principal Dora Espiritu and mother, Maureen Gonima. best and brightest. They and their Bringing Braille to the public high schools are: (left to right) Longfellow Middle School 6th-grader Jodeci Sarah Rodriguez, Flores reads aloud during a Braille Awareness FoxTech; Amber-Rae Nino, Brackenridge; Day observance with the assistance of event Jon-Michael Saenz, Burbank; and Emily Covell, participant T.J. Odom. She was invited to be Highlands. a featured reader at a tribute to Louis Braille, Each year the newspaper honors 50 seniors who inventor of the reading and writing system for have made a difference through academic excellence and their school and community involvement. the blind and visually impaired. The event was The SAISD students were selected from nearly sponsored by the Barnes & Nobles Booksellers 100 nominees this year. on Loop 410 near North Star Mall. Her teacher is ElizaBeth Swanson. Vision SAISD I Spring 2009 I Page 3 Committee recommendations provide foundation for SAISD’S future In order to build a better school system, a The blueprint feeder patterns so that children not only attend the committee of residents was formed in late 2007 to “Equal access to learning opportunities for all same elementaries as their neighbors but move up study the District’s aging, under-utilized and under- students quickly became the committee’s top together in middle school as well. enrolled schools, and to devise proposals on how to priority,” Kamal ElHabr, SAISD associate This sensitivity is among the reasons resident best meet the educational needs of our students. superintendent for facilities services, said. “Primarily, input is essential in drafting a long-range plan for Their goal is to create an improvement plan what do our facilities need to look like if they are SAISD, the superintendent noted. strategic enough to successfully guide SAISD through going to support the community’s beliefs about “The work of this task force is incredibly important the next 10 years, while also allowing flexibility to learning and teaching?” and will help determine the direction this school adjust for unforeseen changes such as population Using the three E’s, excellence, equity and district will take over the next 10-12 years regarding and demographics. efficiency, as their guide, task force members first its school facilities,” Durón said. “The result will be the new San Antonio ISD,” gathered “findings,” the ideal educational experience, “These schools are the community’s schools and Dr. Robert J. Durón, superintendent, said. “It would and then determined “directions,” a specific course it should be a community-driven plan. be smaller but stronger –enabling us to continue to of action. “I am grateful to their involvement, and know improve the quality of education for students and The task force also has completed a thorough the time they put into this is a sign of their deep put more resources into the hands of teachers.” review of: commitment to this District.” The committee is currently in phase three of a • facilityconditions The four-phase plan four-phase process to develop recommendations • landrequirementsforpossibleexpansionof Phase One – Also, called the “findings & that will be presented to the public later this spring. existing campuses, and directions phase.” Community input gathered to After a series of community meetings, a final • flexibilityofexistingstructuresforrenovationsto define their ideal type of schools and programs proposal will be taken to the School Board. meet updated standards. offered for this and future generations. The committee currently is focusing on boundary changes. They are working to ensure that schools: Phase Two – Also called the “gap analysis phase.” The findings were presented to SAISD staff and to • areinthebestlocationsacrosstheDistrict architects to develop an analysis between the ideal • maintainneighborhoodcommunities and the current facility conditions. • keepcleanfeederpatterns • areassessedforpossiblefuturerevitalization, Phase Three – Developing a plan for new growth, and on their potential for renovation boundaries based upon student enrollment. and expansion Sensitivity required Phase Four – Establishing prioritization and Remarking attendance boundaries without timelines. dividing neighborhoods is among the challenges the The three E’s committee faces. Excellence, equity, efficiency As much as possible, members want to protect Recomendaciones del comité proporcionan bases para el futuro de SAISD A finales del 2007 se formó un comité de residentes reunieron sus experiencias educativas ideales con el propósito de construir un mejor sistema (conclusiones) y después determinaron una línea El plan de cuatro-fases escolar. El comité analizó los planteles escolares de acción específica (dirección). Fase Uno – También llamada, “la fase de que eran considerados viejos, sin provecho de El comité también ha hecho una revisión conclusión y dirección.” La opinión de la comunidad es recaudada para definir un tipo utilidad y con baja matrícula, para idear propuestas completa de: ideal de escuelas y de programas que ofrezcan que respalden las necesidades educativas de los • lainfraestructuradelosedificios a éstas y a las futuras generaciones un mejor estudiantes de hoy y a futuro. • las condiciones del terreno para una posible servicio educativo. Su objetivo es crear un plan de mejoramiento expansión de escuelas existentes Fase Dos – Se le conoce como, “la fase análisis suficientemente estratégico para guiar exitosamente • laflexibilidaddelasestructurasexistentes de intervalo.” Las conclusiones fueron presentadas para una renovación y actualización a SAISD durante los próximos 10 años, y que a al personal de SAISD y a los arquitectos para la vez permita la flexibilidad para ajustar cambios de estándares desarrollar un análisis entre lo que sería ideal y las imprevistos como la población demográfica. El El comité se centra actualmente en los cambios de condiciones actuales de los edificios. las fronteras escolares. Ellos trabajan para asegurar comité esta actualmente en la fase tres de un Fase Tres – Desarrollar un plan para nuevas que las escuelas: proceso que incluye un total de cuatro-fases, para fronteras escolares basado en la matrícula de desarrollar recomendaciones que serán presentadas • esténbienubicadasatravésdelDistrito estudiantes. al público y después a la Mesa Directiva Escolar • mantenganasuscomunidadesdentro del vecindario Fase Cuatro – Establecer un plan de prioridades durante esta primavera. • conservenunpatróndelimpieza escolares y cronología. Utilizando las tres “E” de excelencia, equidad y • seanevaluadasparaunaposible eficacia, como su guía, los miembros del comité Las tres “E” reconstrucción, crecimiento, y en su potencial de excelencia, equidad y eficacia Vision SAISD I Spring 2009 I Page 4 para renovación y expansión Our current situation and how we got here Throughout our first 100 years, Bexar County’s Currently, SAISD has 54,000 students with 89 Our options oldest school district also was its largest. schools. By comparison, North East ISD has 63,000 To compensate for the revenue loss, we have At our peak in 1968-69, nearly 77,000 students students and only 63 schools. reduced our costs by more than $26 million over attended SAISD’s 103 schools. At what cost? the past two years, and continue to take actions to Throughout the 1990s enrollment leveled at around SAISD has to staff, operate, repair and maintain further reduce expenditures. 60,000 before dipping to this year’s 54,000. more schools than needed - most of which are However, even with those reductions we are Today SAISD is Bexar County’s third largest public under-utilized or have small populations, and almost operating at a deficit, and are unable to increase school system, topped by our neighboring districts half are more than 50 years old. salaries or enhance programs. to the north that have experienced steady growth Small, under-utilized schools are much more costly Based upon expected inflation, if the present over the past 40 years. to operate, as exemplified in this comparison of two circumstances continue SAISD faces bankruptcy by Why the decline? SAISD elementaries. One is at 95 percent capacity the 2012-13 school year. Contributing factors include the changing with an enrollment of 679 and the other at 43 percent It’s not a question of “if” we will consolidate and demographics of the inner city and less available capacity with an enrollment of 245. The smaller modernize our schools, but rather how well we can family housing. As children grew up and moved school’s costs are higher by more than $2,000 per make it happen. We have turned to the community away, their parents often stayed in the family home student, making it and other low-enrollment schools for help in developing a strategic plan, and we look as empty nesters. At the same time, there was an much less cost efficient to operate. forward to sharing the recommendations in the increase of new, affordable housing, primarily in the Compounding our financial constraints is stagnant near future. northern suburban areas. state funding. Under this system, the amount of Although construction of new residences is dollars SAISD receives per student has not increased increasing in the inner-city, most of it is urban since the 2006-07 school year, despite the rising lofts and condos, usually inhabited by singles and price of health insurance, food, utilities, fuel and childless couples. other operational costs. The state of our schools That’s when the state capped the amount of While our enrollment has dropped by revenue school districts receive, and that amount approximately 23,000 students since 1968-69, or won’t increase unless there is legislative change. 70 percent of our peak enrollment, the number of With inflation, our costs have risen by $1,500 per facilities did not decrease accordingly – with 86 student, while funding has remained flat. percent remaining today. Nuestra situación actual y cómo llegamos hasta ella Durante más de 100 años, SAISD fue el distrito A pesar de que la construcción de nuevas Bajo este sistema, el monto de dólares que escolar más grande del Condado de Bexar. residencias ha aumentado en el interior de la SAISD recibe por estudiante no ha aumentado En el ciclo escolar 1968-69, (año en que nuestro ciudad, la mayor parte de éstas son condominios, desde el ciclo escolar 2006-07, a pesar de los costos distrito tuvo el más alto índice de población generalmente habitados por parejas sin niños. crecientes del seguro médico, comida, utilidades, estudiantil) cerca de 77,000 estudiantes asistían a El estado de nuestras escuelas combustible y otros costos operacionales. Con la nuestras 103 escuelas. Nuestra matrícula ha disminuido a un total inflación, nuestros gastos han aumentado a $1,500 Mediante los años noventas, la matrícula alcanzó aproximadamente de 23,000 estudiantes en 40 años, por estudiante. un nivel alrededor de 60,000 alumnos y desde pero el número de escuelas no disminuyó si no que Por tal motivo, permanecerá el mismo entonces ha disminuido, llegando en la actualidad actualmente operan un 86 por ciento de éstas. financiamiento, a menos que se presente algún a tener solamente 54,000 educandos. SAISD cuenta actualmente con 89 escuelas que cambio en la ley estatal. Considerando la constante Hoy, SAISD es el tercer sistema escolar más sirven a 54,000 estudiantes. En comparación con el inflación y si las presentes circunstancias continúan, grande del Condado de Bexar, ya que es superado Distrito North East quien tiene 63,000 estudiantes y SAISD quedará en bancarrota para el ciclo escolar por nuestros distritos vecinos situados al norte de solamente 63 escuelas. 2012-13. la ciudad, quienes han presentado un crecimiento ¿A qué costo? Nuestras Opciones constante. SAISD tiene que emplear, operar, reparar y Debemos consolidar y modernizar nuestras ¿Por qué el descenso? mantener más escuelas que las necesarias – muchas escuelas. Esto es a causa de los cambios demográficos y a de las cuales están siendo desaprovechadas o tienen Para compensar la pérdida de ingresos, hemos la falta de viviendas disponibles dentro de la ciudad. bajas matriculas. Casi la mitad, tiene más de 50 reducido nuestros gastos a más de $26 millones Una vez que los niños del área crecieron, éstos se años. Éstas son mucho más costosas de mantener. durante los últimos dos años y seguimos tomando mudaron hacia el exterior de la ciudad, mientras Por ejemplo, una primaria en su capacidad de 43 por medidas para reducirlos aún más. que los padres de familia siguieron permaneciendo ciento y una matricula de 245 cuesta $2,000 más Sin embargo, aún así continuamos operando bajo en sus hogares. Todo esto al igual que el aumento por estudiante que una con capacidad de 95 por un déficit y no podemos aumentar los salarios o de residencias nuevas a un costo razonable, ciento y 679 de matrícula. enriquecer nuestros programas educativos. principalmente en el norte de la ciudad, ha Otro factor es el financiamiento estancado ocasionado el descenso en la población estudiantil. del estado. Vision SAISD I Spring 2009 I Page 5 Spotlight on our Partners Excellence in Education ‘grants’ 10 wishes to benefit SAISD students … The bright ideas of innovative •Student Health Services, Cynthia Champagne – … and sponsors annual Cinco de SAISD educators from eight a Nomad Portable X-ray Unit for SAISD’s Mayo golf tournament schools and three departments Dental Van, $5,000. Once again local business leaders and patrons will have become realities, thanks to Recipient high schools are: hit the greens, all for the good of SAISD students. the Excellence in Education Grant •Jefferson, Bill Odam - “Alternative Energy: Golfers who would like to join them are invited Program. Biodiesel,” $981.70 and “Alternative Energy: to participate in the second annual Cinco de Mayo The grants were provided by Solar Hydrogen,” $1,025. Celebration and Golf Tournament on Monday, the San Antonio Foundation for •Lanier, Tamara Ford - “Free Generation in 2009,” May 4 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Golf Club, Excellence in Education, formed to fund innovative $1,000 and “Law Enforcement Workshop,” $1,000. 9800 Hyatt Resort. instructional activities to benefit the largest number Prior to the tournament, sponsors and their guests Recipient elementaries are: of students possible. will be treated to an exclusive golf clinic led by 1981 •Fenwick, Marjorie Artis – “College on the Go - Grant amounts range from $100 to $5,000 for the British Open champion Bill Rogers. A dinner and Preparing Students for the Future Now,” $1,222 categories of classroom; grade level; campus or groups celebration will conclude the day’s festivities. of campuses; subject area; and new teachers. •Gates, Monica Navarro – “Educating the Heart All proceeds will go toward the SAISD’s and Mind.” Recipient departments, project leader, projects and Excellence in Education Grant Program. In addition amount received are: Other recipients are: to the San Antonio Foundation for Excellence, •Health and Physical Education, Roger Rodriguez •Poe Middle School, Michelle Brangenberg - sponsorship is provided by title sponsor AT&T and 10 - “Dreams for Youth Health and Wellness Study,” “Building Background Experiences to Improve other entities. $4,438.50. Science TAKS Scores,” and Magdalena Salas - For more information about the Cinco de Mayo •Special Education Department, Kelly Reed “Building Civic Duties and Responsibilities with Celebration and Golf Tournament call Carmen - “Articulation and Phonological Training,” our Community.” Vázquez-González, 299-4060. $2,309.80.
Metropolitan Opera aids SAISD to a $76,515 grant from the Texas Commission on Members of America’s largest musical organization Environmental Quality, 55 of the District’s fleet of took the Brackenridge High School stage to help 266 buses have been retrofitted with state-of-the-art the District promote the value of the arts. pollution controls. “Arts Education Drives Academic Achievement,” SAISD was among school districts statewide to co-sponsored by the New York Metropolitan Opera take advantage of $5 million allocated to help restrict and SAISD, brought local leaders from the arts and potentially-dangerous particles that are emitted business communities together with school district through diesel bus exhaust. and city officials to discuss the vital contribution ‘College for Kids’ ‘Friends’ boost Bonham this instruction makes to a community’s That all-important parental involvement is reaching This summer select SAISD 7th-graders will enter overall wellbeing. new heights at one Southtown-area school. Parents the world of higher education. The endeavor was in conjunction with SAISD’s at Bonham Academy – led by District 123 State Through “College for Kids” they can take college participation in the Met: HD Live in Schools Rep. Michael Villarreal - recently formed a committee prep courses as well as classes in the core subjects program through which students are experiencing to raise funds for school programs and to generate Metropolitan Opera performances beamed directly and electives. overall support including recruiting volunteers for from the Lincoln Center to a local theater. Their participation in the four-week program educational activities. hosted by San Antonio College will be funded Villarreal (shown at the announcement Grateful for grants through a $225,000 TEA (Texas Education ceremony) has a child who will start kindergarten We are the appreciative recipient of the following Agency) grant. there next year. grants that are helping us to build a better SAISD. Bonham Academy is an internal charter Empowering parents specializing in dual languages, the fine arts, science Cleaner air A $50,000 Investment Capital Funds grant from and environmental studies. The school currently More than 8,700 SAISD students and their drivers TEA will go toward showing Gates Elementary serves grades pre-kinder to 7, expanding to 8th-grade are breathing easier on their daily bus rides. Thanks parents how they can help their children excel in for 2009-10. school. The grant also will pay for math and science For foundation information visit Vision SAISD I Spring 2009 I Page 6 enrichment activities and mentors. www.friendsofbonham.org. Learning made fun Bushels of books Excellence awarded This fall 30 teens from each high school will have Youngsters at seven SAISD schools will soon have Crockett Elementary assistant principal Mary the opportunity to be the designer of one their new children’s books to enjoy. Olison (center) along with Deputy Superintendent favorite pastimes. Through the iGame Project they Their libraries are recipients of Lois Lenski Covey Betty Burks and Principal Bertha Rubio, has received will improve their communication, technology and Foundation grants, established by the 1946 Newbery job skills while designing video games, and can also medalist for her book “Strawberry Girl.” qualify to compete in a national contest. The SAISD beneficiaries are J.T. Brackenridge and the academies, The project is funded through a $27,000 Young Women’s Leadership Fenwick, Maverick, and Wilson elementaries and TEA grant. Poe and Wheatley middle schools. Million dollar high school Appearing to be particularly proud of the high Music lesson from a master Award-winning jazz school he represents is the Edison Golden Bear. $1,000 through H-E-B grocer’s “Fund for Teacher And he would have good reason. Principal Charles pianist Helen Sung Excellence” program. takes time out from She will use the grant to focus on instruction her concert tour to for at-risk and special education students, cultural teach Amanda Cantu diversity, and on discipline. some tricks of the trade. The Connell Lanier law Middle School At the ready to fulfill their pledge to protect and 8th-grader and her serve their West Side campus and community are classmate, Michael members of the school’s Police Explorers Unit. Jaeschke, (on drums) During an induction ceremony that increased had the opportunity Lanier High School troop membership to 64, to learn from the SAISD Interim Police Chief Jeff Ward commended Helen Sung Trio them for successfully completing a probation period during a workshop held at their school. that required extensive community service hours, team building, tactical training, and demonstration of good academics and citizenship. The Explorer program is sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America.
Muñoz is accepting congratulations from SAEP (San Antonio Education Partnership) campus coordinator Manual Flores on the school’s inclusion in the exclusive Million Dollar Club. Edison is the first SAISD school to qualify for this honor which is based upon the amount of scholarships SAEP has awarded since 1988.
Class of 2009 prepares Accepting to don caps and gowns Applications Bus Driver ...... $11.01 hourly June 6 - Jefferson High School June 7 - Highlands High School Bus Driver Assistant ...... $9.35 hourly Alamodome•9:30a.m. Alamodome•1p.m. Custodian ...... $9.11 hourly June 6 - Burbank High School June 7 - Lanier High School Positions above offer medical, dental, retirement Alamodome•1p.m. Alamodome•4p.m. and Social Security benefits June 6 - Sam Houston High School June 7 - Brackenridge High School Food Service Alamodome•4p.m. Alamodome•7:30p.m. Substitute ...... $8.75 hourly June 6 - Edison High School June 9 - GED and Cooper Academy Apply online at www.saisd.net Alamodome•7:30p.m. JeffersonHighSchool•7p.m. or for more information call June 7 - Fox Tech High School June 10 - Navarro Academy Human Resources at 554-8440 Alamodome•9:30a.m. JeffersonHighSchool•7p.m. 141LavacaSt.•SanAntonio,TX78210 Superintendent’s message - continued from page 1 The result? We freed up dollars to provide a much toward reasonable resources that are considered The committee has made a great deal of progress more enriching program at the receiving schools, basic in other districts, but that our teachers and in developing their recommendations, and they with a combined total of 84 additional electives. students are denied. continue to work through the critical details. Those former Cooper and Mann students now In order to provide quality programs and With all that has to be done, I expect we will have can take Spanish and a host of other electives not schools, SAISD must be restructured to meet a proposal to review some time in May. At that available at their previous schools. its current needs. That includes re-sizing the time, we will share it broadly with the community, We want to raise the standards of our offerings District, as well as modernizing those schools that and also host several meetings for input. After for students bringing: science labs and art and would remain. those meetings, the committee will reconvene music classes to every elementary; technology More than a year ago we formed a committee of and make any necessary revisions. And then labs to every middle school; career exploration SAISD residents to study the problems associated they will present the plan to our Board of Trustees classes to every high school; competitive athletic with declining enrollment, and to help us find for approval. facilities; and technology-connected campuses. a solution. With their help, we will soon bring Because it’s important that we have the We’re not working toward luxury. We’re working the community a proposal for a long-range plan community’s engagement in this process, we’ll to improve our schools. The plan would be make sure you know when the recommendations implemented over the next 10-12 years. are ready. I encourage you to attend and give us This does not mean that decisions will be easy. your input. In the meantime, I hope to talk with Schools are more than just buildings, and I recognize many of you in the coming weeks and months as that restructuring the we work toward a solution to raise SAISD from District is upsetting good to great – in support of our mission “to for many people. But graduate all of our students and prepare them for we must ensure that success in higher education.” all of our students You can read more about the process under have access to way to develop this strategic plan in this issue good educational of Vision. options. viene de la página 1 Algunas escuelas ofrecen una variedad escuelas conectadas a la tecnología. y hará las revisiones necesarias. Posteriormente, de cursos académicos y alternos de dónde No estamos planeando lujos. Estamos trabajando presentarán el plan a nuestra Mesa Directiva para su escoger mientras que muchas otras no. Y la en recursos básicos razonables que otros distritos aprobación. desigualdad aun es más grande comparada con tienen, los cuales a nuestros maestros y estudiantes Es muy importante que la comunidad se involucre otros distritos. les eran negados. en este proceso, ya que es necesario darles a conocer La matrícula de SAISD ha disminuido a lo largo Para poder proporcionar escuelas y programas cuándo las recomendaciones estén aprobadas. Lo de 40 años, aun así, se han realizado muy pocas educativos de calidad, SAISD deberá ser invito a que asista y a que nos dé su opinión. Mientras acciones para ajustar el número de escuelas. La reestructurado para cumplir con las necesidades tanto, espero tener comunicación con muchos de mayoría de las instituciones existentes cuentan con actuales. Esto incluye ajustar el presupuesto del ustedes en las próximas semanas y meses para llegar una matrícula baja de población estudiantil. Mientras Distrito y modernizar las escuelas restantes. a una solución que eleve la calidad educativa del más escuelas estén abiertas, tenemos un mayor Hace más de un año que formamos un comité de distrito de SAISD – apoyando a nuestro objetivo de compromiso de proporcionar el mantenimiento, residentes de SAISD, cuyo propósito es ayudarnos “graduar a todos nuestros estudiantes y prepararlos operación, contratación de personal docente y a encontrar posibles soluciones para resolver para que tengan mayor éxito en su educación técnico, disponiendo así de menos presupuesto los problemas asociados con la disminución de superior.” para nuestros salones, maestros y estudiantes. matrícula. Con su apoyo, muy pronto presentaremos Más adelante, en esta edición de Visión, usted El año pasado tomamos la difícil decisión de a nuestra comunidad la propuesta de un plan a largo puede obtener más información sobre el proceso cerrar las Secundarias Copper y la Academia plazo para mejorar nuestras escuelas. que se está llevando a cabo para el desarrollo de Mann. ¿El resultado? Hemos liberado dinero para Esto no quiere decir que las decisiones vayan este plan estratégico. proporcionar mejores programas educativos en las hacer fáciles. Las escuelas son más que edificios escuelas correspondientes, con un total de 84 clases y reconozco que la restructuración del Distrito optativas adicionales. Los estudiares anteriores de puede afectar a muchas personas. Pero es necesario Cooper y Mann ahora tienen la oportunidad de asegurar que todos nuestros estudiantes tengan tomar cursos de Español y otras clases optativas no acceso a buenas opciones educativas. San Antonio Independent School District disponibles en sus escuelas anteriores. El comité ha hecho un gran progreso en el Robert J. Durón, Ed.D., Superintendent Queremos incrementar los estándares de nuestros desarrollo de sus recomendaciones y continúan Vision SAISD newsletter is produced by the Communications Dept. ofrecimientos para los estudiantes por medio de: trabajando a pesar de los rigurosos detalles. Con For information call: Leslie Price, Executive Director, 554-2200. laboratorios de ciencia, clases de arte y música todo lo que hay por hacer, espero que tengamos una Newsletter coordinator: René Lynn Layout and design: Gustavo Lopez en cada una de nuestras escuelas; laboratorios propuesta para revisar en el próximo mes de mayo. Printing Services Dept. tecnológicos en todas nuestras secundarias; clases En esa fecha, compartiremos sus aportaciones con The San Antonio Independent School District does not discriminate on the de exploración de carreras en cada una de nuestras nuestra comunidad y también programaremos varias basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. preparatorias; edificios atléticos competitivos; y reuniones para recopilar sus opiniones. Después de El Distrito Escolar Independiente de San Antonio no discrimina por motivos dichas reuniones, el comité se integrará de nuevo de raza, religión, color, origen nacional, sexo o impedimento, o por cualquier Vision SAISD I Spring 2009 I Page 8 otro motivo prohibido por la ley.