Points of Pride
Southwest ISD Newsletter
November 20, 2022
Welcome to Points of Pride, our weekly district e-newsletter featuring highlights from around Southwest Independent School District. If you have a story or highlight that you would like to submit, email communications@swisd.net.
Coming Soon - SWISD Penguin Project Presents Annie Jr.
Earlier this month, the group held a successful fundraiser with the help of amazing volunteers.
The Southwest ISD Penguin Project provides an opportunity for children with special needs to participate in a unique theatrical experience and an outlet for revealing their creativity and talents. Click here to learn more:
District STEM Extravaganza Captures Students' Delight
From esports to robotics, flight simulators to magnetic art, and frosted vanilla cookies baked by Culinary Arts Students, Southwest ISD’s STEM Extravaganza had something for everyone.
For Southwest Elementary’s Perez sisters, it was a demonstration examining a preserved pig’s brain and a cow's heart that captured the girls’ attention. Southwest Elementary 4th grader Miabella Perez, who wants to be an artist when she grows up, says the cow heart feels like “molded slime.” While 3rd-grade student Zamyah Perez says the cow heartfelt “really heavy, but kind of squishy inside.” Zamyah says she wants to be a doctor to help people. And coming to events like the STEM Extravaganza, where she can have these hands-on experiences, makes the idea of becoming a doctor more interesting.
The Perez sisters were one of the many families who attended the Southwest ISD STEM Extravaganza. Students and their families got to experience Elementary, Middle, and High School STEM Programs from all over the district. In addition, STEM students and teachers provided “hands-on” demonstrations to spread awareness and spark interest in all the great STEM opportunities available to Southwest ISD students.
Miabella and Zamyah’s father, Uvaldo Hinojosa thinks events like these are perfect for the kids to show them aspects of different careers and how to build things. Mr. Hinojosa believes it’s beneficial for all the kids.
For more information on Southwest ISD’s Career and Technical Education programs, go to www.swisd.net, click on the academics tab, and then Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Students Learn About Higher Education Opportunities at SWISD College Fair
District Spanish Spelling Bee Winners
Just before the Thanksgiving break, students from around the District took the stage at various campuses and competed in a Spanish Spelling Bee. Each level of competition was a nail-biter of a contest, but only a lucky few came out on top. Congratulations to all students who participated.
Spanish Spelling Bee Winners 2022
Elementary - Competition held Tuesday, November 15 at Southwest Legacy HS
1st place - Viridiana Orrosquieta (Southwest Elementary)
2nd place - Kailani Salcedo (Sun Valley Elementary)
3rd place - Ximena Aldape (Bob Hope Elementary)
4th place - Dylan Arroyo (Southwest Elementary)
5th place - Raul Guerrero (Sky Harbour Elementary)
Middle School - Competition held Wednesday, November 16 at Southwest Legacy HS
1st place - Andrea Araiza (McNair Middle School)
2nd place - Regina Vasquez (McNair Middle School)
3rd place - Alejandra Castellanos (Scobee Middle School)
4th place - Diego Sanchez Trevino (Resnik Middle School)
5th place - Gisele Delagarza (Scobee Middle School)
High School - Competition held Thursday, November 17 at Southwest Legacy HS
1st place - Dante Cortez (Southwest Legacy High School)
2nd place - Monique Treviño (Southwest High School)
3rd place - Jemima Navarette (Southwest High School)
4th place - Melea Padilla (Southwest Legacy High School)
5th place - Jose Espitia (Southwest Legacy High School)
Bob Hope ES Teacher Uses SWEF Grant as Seed Money for "Growing Together" Project
The Southwest Education Foundation (SWEF) awarded a $1,000 grant to Bob Hope ES teacher Cynthia Cuellar. She is using the funds as "seed" money to start her "Growing Together" project, which will help create a school garden/outdoor classroom. The project aims to engage all students from Pre-k to 5th grade in hands-on learning with a specific focus on science as part of the campus' STEM classes. It will also provide experimental learning opportunities for all our students.
Southwest ISD Education Foundation supports the faculty of Southwest Independent School District by awarding approximately $80,000 a year in teacher grants. To learn more about SWEF, click here.
SWISD Student Musicians Recognized in TMEA Region Auditions
The music competition season is in full swing, and many SWISD student musicians are qualifying for middle school and high school Region groups in Mariachi, Band, and Choir.
Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) is the state organization that governs the all-region, area, and state audition process and performances. Students from many regional schools and districts prepare music and audition for a panel of judges that evaluate all students and rank them from 1st chair to the last chair for their voice or instrument grouping.
Over the last few months, SWISD students auditioned and qualified for middle school and high school Region groups in Mariachi, Band, and Choir. Southwest ISD had significant representation from all secondary music programs, with several students advancing to the next level of competition from the high schools. In addition, Scobee MS Band had the most Region representation from one school in the MS Region Bands.
SWISD Athletes Brave the Cold to Team up with Habitat for Humanity
From painting houses to laying fresh sod, SWISD student-athletes excelled above and beyond for their community in the act of selflessness by volunteering earlier this month for a Habitat for Humanity project. The SWISD Athletics' Warriors focuses on improving academics, participation in community service, and sportsmanship. The program consists of Athletes from all three schools. The group will continue to work with Habitat for Humanity and will venture into providing community service right here at SWISD around our campuses in the future. Up next for these Warriors will be the Blue Santa Toy Drive. Stay tuned for details of the toy drive coming soon.
CAST STEM Now Accepting Applications
SWISD Mobile App Keeps Community Connected to District
We are loving our new mobile app! Access documents, news updates, and even emergency notifications, with just one click on your phone. Always be on the go, with Southwest ISD on the go!
You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3zBUR82
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/3zAa5dN
SWISD Communications Department
Email: news@swisd.net
Website: www.swisd.net
Location: 11914 Dragon Ln, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-622-4408
Facebook: facebook.com/SWISDsatx
Twitter: @swisd