1 insider May 2019 / uisd from the office of the superintendent Greetings, ummer break is nearly upon us and it will mark the end of another highly successful school year. I would like to applaud all of you for your hard work and devotion to our students and Sthe district this year. The quickly approaching end of the year is bursting with activities that celebrate the accomplishments of out students. Early next month, we will bear witness to the fruits of our labor as our four high schools, United, Alexander, United South, and Lyndon B. Johnson will be graduating the Class of 2019. I am very proud of our seniors, as they have worked incredibly hard to reach this stage in their education, meeting both state and United ISD requirements for graduation. I also want to Board of Trustees take a moment to thank all of our parents, teachers, administrators, and staff members, who have lovingly taught and guided our students towards success. Aliza Flores Oliveros President I would also like to thank everyone who assisted and/or attended our annual Employee and Teacher District 3 of the Year, Retirement, and Years of Service Awards Banquet. It was very heartwarming to see everyone come together, as a district, to celebrate our successes and milestones. I thank each of Ramiro Veliz, III our recognized employees for their effort and dedication to making our district as prosperous as Vice-President it has become. District 4 The month of May also brings the final round of this year’s STAAR/EOC testing for our students. Juan Roberto Ramirez I am very pleased with the results that we have received as yet. While we celebrate our success, Secretary our teachers and administrators are hard at work ensuring that our students get the extra help District 6 that they need. On May 6, high school students took the Algebra I portion of the STAAR exam, Ricardo Molina, Sr. followed by the Biology and U.S History exams on May 8 and 9, respectively. The following Parliamentarian week, on May 13, students will participate in the Math portion of the exam (for grades 3,4,6, &7, District 1 and retests for grades 5 & 8). On May 14, students will take the reading portion of the STAAR/ EOC exam (for grades 3,4,6, &7, and retests for 5& 8). The Science exam will be taken on May Judd Gilpin 15 (for grades 5 & 8) and the Social Studies exam will be held on May 16 (for grade 8). Member District 7 It’s been a great year full of growth, achievements, and accolades for our students, as well as for the district. In closing, I would like to wish all of our employees—A Happy Employee Appreciation Javier Montemayor, Jr. Week. I’d like to thank you all, once again, for all of the time and effort you put into making our Member district an A-Rated District. District 5 Ricardo “Rick” Rodriguez Kind Regards, Member District 2 Roberto J. Santos 2 HappyHappy MothersMothers DayDay 3 insider May 2019 / uisd ELEMENTARY Salinas Elementary Administrators and Staff Take Tour of New Campus ecently, United ISD’s Construction Management Department gave a tour to Salinas Elementary staff. Principal Abraham Rodriguez, along with his staff and Radministrative team, were able to look around their brand new state of the art facility. Salinas Elementary’s new campus, located at 3611 Alfredo Cantu Dr., Laredo, TX, 78045, will open for the 2019-2020 school year and will house approximately 765 students, with room to grow. The Salinas Elementary Administrative team and staff pose in front of their brand new campus. Pictured, from left, are: Maria Teresa Garza, Librarian; Jesus A. Rodriguez, Assistant Principal; Jessica Thomas, Assistant principal. Arndt Elementary School Hosts Career Day rndt Elementary School gave students an early glimpse of college and career choices. The goal of this event was to raise awareness of many rewarding academic and vocation choices. Community members with different Aprofessional backgrounds and skills visited to discuss the importance of education and setting academic goals. Speakers also discussed their professional backgrounds and answered student questions. ARNDT ELEMENTARY CARDINALS Red & Yellow United ISD Police Officer Maria Salas and K9 Handler Penny Longoria with the future police officer, 3rd Grade Student Yaneli Sanchez. 4 Students at Zaffirini Elementary Decompress Before STAAR testing tudents at Zaffirini Elementary were treated to a morning of fun and relaxation before taking the STAAR Sexams next week. This event is aimed at promoting the importance of wellness and helping students to de-stress by participating in productive activities. The activities included fun exercises, art & crafts, games, and hands-on science experiments. Student volunteers from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) were on hand to assist and encourage students through their activities. Students across the state began taking the test this week and will continue next week. 5 insider May 2019 / uisd asken Elementary turned into a Paleontology Museum for The information provided to children included eating habits, children to explore the magnificent creatures that inhabited habitats, animal categories and more. The mobile exposition is our planet before us. With over 120 different exhibit part of Dinosaur George’s collection, which makes it easier for Fpieces that included dinosaurs and beasts from even before the schools to take students on a field trip without leaving school! mighty reptiles, to seven-foot-tall shark jaws and a particular This beautiful collection of prehistoric animals, reptiles, fish, and focus on animals from Texas. The exhibit dazzled students dinosaurs can also be found online at www.dinosaurgeorge.com. and gave them an insight into a world beyond space and time. 6 insider May 2019 / uisd Col. Santos Benavides Students Volunteer at Local Animal Shelter! ecently, student council members from Col. Santos instill the importance of service to our community,” said Col. Benavides Elementary School volunteered time from Santos Benavides’ Principal Dr. Adriana Vela. The shelter houses their weekend to feed, clean, and provide companionship a large variety of dogs and cats who are looking for their forever Rto homeless animals at the Laredo Animal Protective Society homes. (LAPS). “Our teachers coordinated the project as a means to Please call LAPS at 724-8364 if you are interested in volunteer work, adopting a pet, or making a donation. 7 insider May 2019 / uisd Roosevelt Elementary School Hosts Career Day tudents at Roosevelt Elementary School received visits from over 20 professional community members for career day. Guests with different professional backgrounds and skills spoke to the students about their careers. This allows students an opportunity to explore fields of interest. The speakers included; Texas DPS, Laredo Police Officers, Attorneys, Radio Personalities, BBVA SCompass Bank members, and UISD Police K-9 Handlers. Students also had the opportunity to interact and ask questions to guests. Sammy the House from “I like 107.3” radio station Gregorio De La Cruz, Laredo Police Officer showing presenting to 5th grade students Police unit to Mrs. Elisa Placencia’s 4th-grade students Texas DPS Trooper Emanuel Ornelas with 4th grade Sohema Medina from BBVA Compass Bank with 5th students form Roosevelt Elementary graders at Mrs. De la Cruz classroom Centeno Gems Win Big at Redline Championship ecently, the Centeno Elementary Gems competed at the two-day Redline Championship Competition at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. The talented young Rladies took home several accolades, including 1st place in Kick, 2nd place in Hip Hop, and 3rd in Pom. Congratulations to these outstanding young ladies. The Centeno Gems are under the direction of Ms. Stephanie Gamez and Ms. Anissa Beltran. ENTE C. C NO R. BUCKS 8 insider May 2019 / uisd Game Show ifth-grade students Diego Medina and Alina Zhou from Col. Santos Benavides Elementary, and Victoria Parra and Miranda Garcia from San Isidro Elementary, Frepresented their schools on the Knowledge for College academic game show. The guest host for the program was Judith Garcia, UISD Director of Instructional Technology. The students told Ms. Garcia how all the new technology in the classroom has enhanced their learning. Both teams did a great job! Student With Leukemia Given a Hero’s Welcome! uller Elementary School held a welcome back celebration for kinder student Juan Jose Nevares. The young student had been away for several months so Mthat he could receive leukemia treatments. Upon returning to his beloved Muller campus, Principal Mayra Ramirez greeted Juan with an embrace as fellow students, teachers, counselors, and administrators cheered and displayed welcome back signs. Accompanied by his parents Nidia and Rafael Nevares and other family members, Juan was visibly moved by the reception he got from his Muller family, UISD Police, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Laredo Fire Department. “ For children like Juan, returning to school is important because it can give them a sense of normalcy. It is also an important part of their social and academic development. Juan has been very courageous in his battle against his leukemia, and we are delighted that he is thriving again. We will always be here to advocate for him and his family,” said Ramirez. 9 insider May 2019 / uisd United ISD Elementary Schools Lovin’ McTeacher Night! cDonald’s Restaurants of Laredo presented six United “We want to thank McDonald’s Restaurants of Laredo for ISD elementary schools with checks for participating working with our schools and for being a great community in McTeacher’s Night. McTeacher’s Night is a popular partner of our District,” said United ISD Superintendent Roberto Mfundraising program that takes place in McDonald’s restaurants J. Santos. where educators and their school communities are invited to their assigned McDonald’s location to “work” and raise money The donation checks were awarded by McDonald’s Restaurants for their respective schools.