Points of Pride
Southwest ISD Newsletter
January 20, 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.
Southwest ISD School Board Names Superintendent Finalist
At its January 17 meeting, the Southwest Independent School District Board of Trustees, named Dr. Jeanette Ball, as the lone finalist for superintendent. By law, the Board must now wait 21 days before voting to hire Dr. Ball as the new superintendent for Southwest ISD. Dr. Ball is slated to replace retiring Superintendent Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft.
The Board has followed a lengthy process in determining the finalist. In October, the Board hired the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Executive Search Services to direct the search.
TASB consultants sent out a survey to get feedback on the leadership qualities of the new superintendent. The profile developed from this survey was the standard the Board and consultants used to evaluate the applicants for this position. The Board selected six applicants for the initial interview and then two applicants were invited back for a second interview. The Board is scheduled to vote to offer a contract to Dr. Ball on February 8, 2023, at 6 p.m.
Before being named the lone finalist, Dr. Ball served as superintendent for Judson ISD and Uvalde CISD. Dr. Ball's experience also includes many years with Southwest ISD where she served first as a teacher and then as a school principal. Later Dr. Ball served Southwest as Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Human Services, as an Executive Director of Employee and Student Services, and as Director of Staff Development.
Known for her passion and persistence for equitable educational experiences for all students, Dr. Ball led Judson ISD through a national pandemic, successfully implementing a 1:1 technology device initiative for both students and staff so that learning opportunities would not fall to the wayside. As evident in Southwest ISD’s strategic priorities, Dr. Ball prioritizes clear and transparent communication to empower student and staff voices and strengthen relationships with all stakeholders.
Dr. Ball is a believer in Fine Arts and the impact it makes on student academic performance and achievement. She launched an effective Fine Arts Summer Program in Uvalde CISD that helped bring out the best in student potential. At the same time, Dual Language is a passion of hers too. She sees the doors that can be opened to students who learn to speak more than one language and the opportunities it affords in school, in life, and as they prepare for their careers.
Dr. Ball was named the 2021 Education Service Center, Region 20 (ESC-20) Superintendent of the Year. She was chosen for her strong leadership skills, dedication to improving educational quality in her district, and commitment to public involvement in education. She represented ESC-20 at the state-level competition at the Texas Association of School Administrators and Texas Association of School Boards (TASA/TASB) Conference in September 2021.
SW C.A.R.E.S. Center Nears Completion
With a few items remaining, the SW CARES (Community Advocacy & Responsive Emotional Support) Center is almost ready to open. Once opened, the SW CARES Center team, composed of licensed therapists who specialize in offering one-on-one, therapeutic sessions, and group counseling, will off mental health services to Southwest Independent School District students and their parents. All services provided by the SW CARES Center will be free of charge. Additionally, there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for any counseling session(s) conducted at the center.
For more information or if you or someone you know is in need of services, call our SW CARES Center office at 210-622-4717. Stay tuned for more details.
Kriewald Road School of the Arts Kicks off Kindness Rally
KRSA Student Council did a "lip dub" music video of "Kind-Hearted Hand," a song by Peter Seltser & Kids for Peace; in honor of our Great Kindness Challenge Kick-Off Rally. Check out the music video below.
2023 SWISD District Spelling Bee
This past week students from all around SWISD competed in the annual District Spelling Bee.
English Spelling Bee Winners:
1st-2nd Grade Competition held Wednesday, January 18, at Southwest HS
1st place - Kayla Lira - 2nd Grade - Bob Hope Elementary
2nd place - Milania Cornejo - 1st Grade - Sun Valley Elementary
3rd place - Ellie Tinajero - 2nd Grade - Southwest Elementary
4th place - Breanna Ruby - 2nd Grade - Kriewald Road Elementary
5th place - Oliver Roberts - 2nd Grade - Hidden Cove STEAM Academy
3rd-5th Grade Competition held Thursday, January 19, at Southwest HS
1st place - Rafael Cornejo - 4th Grade - Sun Valley Elementary
2nd place - Gavin Trevino - 3rd Grade - Medio Creek Elementary
3rd place - Janessa Perez - 4th Grade - Elm Creek Elementary
4th place - Jorge Mendez - 5th Grade - Bob Hope Elementary
5th place - Avery Agueros - 4th Grade - Kriewald Road Elementary
Middle School Competition held Friday, January 20, at Southwest HS
1st place - Morrigan Kafel - 8th Grade - McNair Middle School
2nd place - Malaki Garay - 7th Grade - McNair Middle School
3rd place - Yolanda Flores - 8th Grade - McNair Middle School
4th place - Kalani Agee - 6th Grade - McNair Middle School
5th place - Vincent Flores - 6th Grade - Resnik Middle School
This year's District Spelling Bee is now in the books, and we are so proud of all our participants for committing and working hard to compete in this year's tournament. Thank you to all of our judges and volunteers for making this a great event.
The Penguin Project Approaches Opening Night
The penguins have been spotted around the District. That means the SWISD Penguin Project’s premiere performance of Annie Jr at the SWHS auditorium is right around the corner. Friday's (January 27th) performance is already sold out. To learn more about SWISD's Penguin Project, click here: www.swisd.net/penguinproject/. In the meantime, check out this behind-the-scenes featurette below.
Southwest High School Business Professionals of America Advance to State Competition
On Saturday, January 14, the Business Professionals of America (BPA) Regional Competition was held at Medina Valley High School. The BPA Regional Competition provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate workplace skills learned through business education curricula. SWHS BPA members competed in business, IT, medical, and law. Southwest High School Students brought home 34 State Qualifier Medals, 11 of those medals were first-place awards. SWHS BPA members' next stop is Dallas, TX to compete at the state level. Go Dragons!!
Hidden Cove STEAM Academy Chess Club Places at City Wide Tournament
Hidden Cove STEAM Academy Eagle Chess Club competed in a local chess tournament held at E.T. Wrenn Middle School on Saturday, January 14th. Eleven HCSA students competed in the 3rd-5th grade category with other schools from around the San Antonio area. The HCSA 3rd-grade team placed 2nd in their category and the HCSA 4th & 5th-grade team placed 3rd. We also had an individual winner- 8th place! Congratulations to our Eagle Chess team.
SWISD Celebrates School Board Recognition Month
January is School Board Recognition Month and all month long SWISD is celebrating its trustees for their dedication and commitment to the district and its students. Thank you for all that you do! Take a look at this special message from SWISD students and staff below.
SWISD Student Spotlight: Miranda Vidales
That's the drive that leads Miranda to do well in the classroom, weight room, and in her life to be successful during her last semester at Southwest.
Her favorite hobbies are naps which she says are the best, but when she's not napping, Miranda loves to hang out with her family and friends. After graduation, she plans to continue her education to pursue a degree in physical therapy, where she also hopes to be able to continue powerlifting at the next level. Good Luck this season and semester Miranda. We wish you the best! GO DRAGONS!
SWISD Graduate Receives Post-Season Honors
Aaliyah Ortiz (SWHS Class of 2020) will represent the Texas A&M-Kingsville softball program at next week’s South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet, presented by Whataburger.
Ortiz picked up First Team All-Lone Star Conference honors in her initial year with the Blue & Gold, helping TAMUK advance to the super regionals. As a sophomore in 2022, she batted .381 with 16 doubles, 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, and a 1.210 OPS while playing in all 62 Javelina games. Ortiz paced the club in walks, working 33 free passes against seven strikeouts for a .488 on-base average.
The corner infielder from Southwest High School matched the TAMUK’s single-season record for home runs, while her .722 slugging mark stood second-best in the program's history.
In addition to conference acclaim, Ortiz took home a pair of second-team all-region awards. She was also a Third Team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
SWISD Homegrown: Johnathon Cruz
We are proud of our SWISD graduates and want to share their great accomplishments. In our new segment called ‘Homegrown,' we highlight successful SW alumni who grew up in the SWISD community. We also look at how SWISD ignited their success, goals, and career. In this week's spotlight, we spoke with Jonathan Cruz, Principal at McNair Middle School.
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
Tennis Season In Full Swing at Southwest HS
SWISD ScoreBoard
On this week's episode of 'Scoreboard', Peter Wagner and Brandon Medina talk with John Stephen from Rush Soccer to discuss the growing opportunities they are providing for student-athletes in SWISD. They also break down the records and games played for soccer and basketball within the district. This is an exciting one you don't want to miss!
CAST STEM Now Accepting Applications
SWISD Spurs Night
Come out to Southwest ISD Night at the Spurs game on Friday, January 20 against the Clippers! Discounted tickets are available for all staff, students, family, friends, and school supporters. Help show your support by purchasing tickets in the link below. The first 150 tickets purchased will have access to a courtside experience. The Spurs Courtside Experience allows you to come in early and watch both teams warm up from the first 13 rows of the arena before the general public is let in! Proceeds of the tickets will go back to the SWISD Education Foundation as well!
GO SPURS GO!
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