Middle School Partners Program
SAISD
James Russell Lowell Middle School
Student of the Month - Savanah
Savanah has been determined to work as hard as she can to reach her full potential on earning High School Credits while in Middle School. Not only is she a great student in the classroom but is also a great athlete on the court as her Volleyball team is currently undefeated. She takes pride in her work and accepts nothing less than her best at all times. She motivates other students in the classroom and on the court to reach their potential and work at the highest levels possible. She is a true leader and gets things done. Savanah is being featured as the Lowell Falcons Student of the Month for her outstanding efforts and for being the first student to earn 1 High School Credit.
Congratulations Savanah!
Message from Mom
“To My Savvy,
I hope you know how extremely proud I am of you. Continue to work hard and follow your dreams. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. Always believe in yourself and face challenges with confidence. I love you to the moon and back. Love your biggest fan. - Mom”
- Erika (Mother)
Team Building – Islands
Students had to cross over the platforms to get to the biggest island at the end. They only had 3 planks to help cross to the next island. Students need to help each other by distributing weight to support the planks on both sides on the island so their team members can cross. It was fun and the kids really enjoyed this activity. Thank you to Communities in Schools for bringing this activity to Lowell.
Team Building – Levitating Hula Hoop
At first the students didn’t know why it was called, “Levitating Hula Hoop”. Well when the teacher sets up the hula hoop and let’s go it almost always starts to go up. The goal of this activity is to simply put the hula hoop on the floor. It’s not that easy. Everyone has to put their index finger under the hula hoop and they need to lower it together. If someone’s finger comes off the hula hoop, they must reset and start at the top. Students tried over and over again and learned that communication is key. Someone needed to step up as the leader in order to communicate to the team on proper and timely movements in order to bring the hula hoop to the floor.
Meet MSP Teacher - Coach Castano
Coach Castano, SAISD graduate and San Antonio native, is in his 8th year teaching in the district. After graduating from Brackenridge High School, Coach Castano attended UTSA to obtain his bachelor’s degree. When he graduated from UTSA he started his career as a teacher at Estrada AC DAEP. While working at Estrada for 5 years he spent 2 years working on his master’s degree. Coach is a graduate of the UTSA Urban School Leadership Collaborative Cohort 7. Coach Castano received his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and currently has a valid Texas Principal Certification. He continues to reside in SAISD in order to give back to his community. His first year at Lowell middle school came in January when he was asked to take on a major role being a Middle School Partners Teacher for 2 separate schools. He started the 2017-2018 school year at Twain Middle School and was asked to take over the MSP position at Lowell Middle School in order to save the program and the students. Coach Castano agreed to take the leadership role as MSP teacher at Lowell and has returned back to Lowell for a great 2019-2020 MSP school year. When Coach Castano is not in the classroom or on the field he is at home with his family, Bar B Queing, or fishing at the coast or lake.
Meet CIS - Ms. Sarah
Sarah Butterfras has been working as a site coordinator with Communities in Schools of San Antonio since November 2017. She obtained her bachelor’s of psychology from Schreiner University in 2013 and her master’s in clinical mental health counseling from UTSA in 2016. She holds a current licensure from the state of Texas as a License Professional Counselor Intern. Sarah spends time daily with three Partner’s classes, helping the students with their coursework and providing general classroom support. When she is not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, working out, and spending time outdoors.