Points of Pride
Southwest ISD Newsletter
May 5, 2023
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.
Bond 2023
Southwest High School Student Wins 6th Place at UIL State Meet
Medio Creek 2nd Grader is Golf Champion
Jack Campos, Medio Creek Elementary 2nd grader, tied for 1st place in the 2023 US Kids Golf Tour Championship. The tournament determines the Fall 2023 US Kids Golf Champion for the local group in San Antonio. Jack played amazing golf, and even got an Eagle on a par 5. Jack also landed in the top 5 for the Championship round in the Boys 7 age group. Congratulations Jack on a job well done!!
SWISD Celebrates National School Lunch Hero Day
On National School Lunch Hero Day, campuses across the Southwest ISD took time to celebrate the amazing people who work hard to ensure our students are fed healthy and nutritious meals every day. From the cafeteria staff who prepare and serve the food, to the custodial teams who keep the spaces clean and inviting, to the administrative staff who coordinate the meals and make sure everything runs smoothly, our school lunch heroes truly do it all.
Many campuses held special events and activities to recognize the hard work and dedication of these everyday heroes, including decorating the cafeteria, creating special thank-you cards and posters, and hosting surprise celebrations during lunchtime. It was a wonderful opportunity to show our appreciation for the unsung heroes who play such an important role in the education and well-being of our students.
Thank you to all of the school lunch heroes in the Southwest ISD and beyond for all that you do every day!
SWISD Student Snippets: McNair Middle School Chess
Meet the Diaz Duo, Andrew, and Ethan Diaz, 7th grader chess players representing McNair Middle School in this weekend's SWISD’s District Chess Tournament at Southwest High School. The Challengers Chess Team is made up of a total of 11 players from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Andrew and Ethan, are looking forward to competing in the tournament and both have their sights set on making it to the final round and of course, winning the tournament.
When Ethan is not busy with chess, he enjoys his favorite class which is athletics, plays video games, and loves to eat chicken alfredo.
In Andrew’s world, he enjoys the tasty combo of pizza and chicken wings and plays video games too.
Focus is the key for both Andrew and Ethan as they head into the tournament but having FUN is what makes chess a great experience for the Diaz Duo. Good Luck to the McNair Chess Team and all the SWISD Chess Teams competing at the tournament.
Elm Creek Elementary
Hidden Cove STEAM Academy
Medio Creek Elementary
Sky Harbour Elementary
Southwest Elementary
Spicewood Park Elementary
Spicewood Park Elementary students use non-standard measuring tools to measure Star Wars characters in honor of Star Wars Day, May the 4th (be with you).
SWISD Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week
Retirees and Employees Recognized During Banquet
We had an amazing night at Southwest High School this past Wednesday, as we honored some of the most dedicated employees in the Southwest ISD. The Employee Banquet was a chance to recognize those who have worked tirelessly for our district for many years, as well as those who are retiring and moving on to new adventures.
In addition to recognizing our retiring employees, we also had the pleasure of celebrating the Teacher of the Year winners from each of our campuses. These individuals have gone above and beyond in their commitment to our students, and we are so grateful for their hard work and dedication.
Finally, we bid a fond farewell to our longtime Superintendent Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft, who has dedicated over three decades of his life to the betterment of our district. We will miss him greatly and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.
Thank you to all of our amazing employees for your hard work and dedication to the students of the Southwest ISD. You truly are the heart of our district!
SWISD Relay for Life
Southwest Education Foundation Fundraiser With Kendra Scott
Homegrown: Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft
We are proud of our SWISD graduates and want to share their great accomplishments. ‘Homegrown,' is our weekly segment where we highlight successful SW alumni who grew up in the SWISD community. We also look at how SWISD ignited their success, goals, and career. This week we spoke with retired SWISD Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft.
If you know of alumni that work in the SWISD district that you would like to recommend to participate in this segment, please email Dr. Sam Ruiz at sruiz9098@swisd.net.
SWISD Teacher Feature:
Welcome to the SWISD Teacher Feature, where we take a ‘behind the curtain’ look at some of the amazing teachers in the district.
In this week's Teacher Feature, we visit CAST STEM High School to get to know Dual Credit and College Prep English Teacher Mr. Aaron Patino. Mr. Patino, a Southwest High School Aulum has spent his entire 19-year career as an educator in the only district he has ever called home, SWISD.
What would the students be surprised to find out about you?
Students are always shocked to learn that I walked a portion of the Great Wall of China. That was definitely a core memory for me.
What is one of your hidden talents?
I can cook a mean pozole de puerco! It's taken years to get the spices right, but it's been totally worth the experimentation.
What is your favorite hobby?
Photography is my favorite hobby because it's a combination of creative-tech-nerdy, like me.
What world record do you think you have a shot at beating?
There's a real shot at me already having the world record for owning the most coffee mugs. Not sure, but I'll have to verify.
What kind of student were you in High School?
I was the type of student that liked to talk to teachers after the class had finished. I remember talking to Mr. Monroe, Ms. Swaggerty, and Ms. Perry.
What was your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject was either English or Photojournalism. I got hooked in high school and never looked back.
What has been your or your students' best accomplishment so far this year?
Graduating in December a week apart from my daughter was a milestone that I'll never forget. I graduated from UTSA, and she from Trinity University.
What inspires you as a teacher at school?
Inspiration comes from the conversations I have with former students while shopping at HEB. It motivates me to think that my current students will have families of their own one day.
If you could pass on a piece of wisdom to your students, what would you share?
Find something you love- an interest, a hobby, basically a creative output. It needs to be part of your self-care routine.
On Today's show, Brandon Medina & Peter Wagner highlight the Baseball & Softball seasons as they come to a close and the incredible Track & Field talent getting their time to shine here at SWISD! The show also takes a look at how underclassmen are shaping the future of Southwest ISD athletics and we can expect from them in the future!
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SWISD Communications Department
Email: news@swisd.net
Website: www.swisd.net
Location: 11914 Dragon Ln, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-622-4408
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Twitter: @swisd