Points of Pride
Southwest ISD Newsletter
May 12, 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 Legacy High School Hosts Senior Walk Celebration
On May 6th, Southwest Legacy High School hosted its Senior Walk celebration, which saw schools from its feeder pattern join in the festivities. The event was a huge success, with attendees enjoying delicious food and watching great student performances. In addition to the festivities, student groups set up tables to fundraise, selling t-shirts and snacks. It was great to see the community come together to support the school's graduating seniors.
The Senior Walk celebration was a wonderful way to honor the graduating seniors and their achievements. It was also a great opportunity for students, families, and the community to come together and celebrate as one. One of the highlights of the event was the chance to win a car. Names were drawn from a list of qualifying students. Southwest ISD will have Facebook live coverage of the ten students trying their luck at North Park Toyota on May 25. Good luck!
Teacher Appreciation Week Continues at SWISD
Southwest Legacy Cosmetology students pampered staff at Spicewood Park Elementary for Teacher Appreciation Week. The Cosmo Titans provided manicures and hand massages for the staff to help them relax during their conference period.
Strategies and Skills Take Center Stage at District Chess Tournament
The 2023 SWISD District Chess Tournament was a huge success. Throughout the tournament, students displayed great sportsmanship and showcased their skills and strategies. Congratulations to all of the top finishing teams, who worked hard to earn their well-deserved titles. Here are the top teams by division:
- K-2nd grade: Elm Creek Elementary
- 3rd-4th grade: Indian Creek Elementary
- 5th grade: Hidden Cove STEAM Academy
- 6th-8th grade: Scobee Middle School
- 9th-12th grade: Southwest High School
Thank you to all the chess students, parents, and campus chess coaches for making this a wonderful season.
Former Elm Creek Student Overcomes Adversity and Achieves Dream of Becoming an Author
In the face of adversity, one former Elm Creek student has defied the odds and pursued her dreams with determination. Emily Quintanilla, now a student at McNair Middle School, has walked a tough road since being diagnosed with cancer early in her time at Elm Creek. However, with the support of her loved ones and a resilient spirit, Emily continues to make remarkable strides in her journey toward recovery. From a young age, she harbored a deep love for reading and an ambitious dream of becoming an author. Her dream has become a reality thanks to the remarkable support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Over the past two years, Emily has poured her heart and soul into crafting her book, “The Girl in the Mirror, " now available on Amazon. To purchase a copy of Emily Quintanilla's book, please visit the following link: https://a.co/d/8yb14Xg Please consider supporting Emily’s dream. Your support will help her continue her fight against cancer while fueling her passion for writing.
SWHS Honors Student Athletes at Annual Awards Banquet
SWISD Student Snippets: Elm Creek Elementary Career Day
On this week's Snippets, we visit Elm Creek Elementary School to check out Career Day. Career Day is for all Elm Creek students to learn about the various careers that await them in the future.
Third grader Cyrus Carrasco was excited to learn about all the careers from web design, computer programming, law enforcement, fire fighting, and pharmacy, to communications. His favorite career of the bunch was the web designer and his humorous presentation. Cyrus loves to have fun on his computer watching Youtube programming and he claims that recess is his favorite subject at Elm Creek.
Fifth-grade student Veronica Leon was intrigued by H-E-B’s presentation. She told us that she is familiar with H-E-B’s school give-back programs and likes that feature a lot. Veronica likes art and science at Elm Creek and is undecided about what her future career will be. Veronica is focused on working hard to be successful in the classroom this school year.
Thank you Cyrus and Veronica for taking the time to speak with us at Snippets. Good luck in school and choosing a career in your future. Go Explorers! #weareSW #igniteyoursuccess
SWISD Beyond the Arches: Southwest Legacy High School Senior Walk
'Beyond The Arches' is a student highlight series that features highlights of f SWISD's extra-curricular programs, and clubs.
It’s that time of year at SWISD, it’s time to honor all of our Senior students! We start the fun over at Southwest Legacy High School as they held their annual Senior Walk. In addition to the Senior Walk festivities, 10 lucky seniors received a chance to win a car from our community partners at North Park Toyota of San Antonio in this episode of Beyond the Arches!
McAuliffe Middle School
Ms. Holland and her students take a moment to review some of the work they’ve been doing. STAAR testing may be done but learning is not.
Resnik Middle School
Southwest Elementary
Spicewood Park Elementary
Medio Creek Elementary
Indian Creek Elementary
Elm Creek Elementary
Bob Hope Elementary
Homegrown: Graciela Reyna
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 Southwest High School Technical Theater Director, Graciela Reyna.
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: Danielle Waldie
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 Medio Creek Elementary to get to know second-grade teacher Mrs. Danielle Waldie. Mrs. Waldie has spent her entire seven-year teaching career in SWISD.
Here are some things you probably didn’t know about Mrs. Waldie.
What has been your or your students' best accomplishment so far this year?
There is no accomplishment sweeter than seeing a second grader come to me not being able to read, to by the end of the year they become fluent readers! It is the best reward yes that I have experienced as an educator.
How do you keep things fresh and engaging for your students?
I keep my students engaged through hands-on, real-experience teaching. Anything that will allow me to build their background knowledge will always keep the excitement for them.
What inspires you as a teacher at school?
I am inspired most by the growth that flourishes within each and every one of my students in the span of 9 months. Knowing that I have a hand in molding and shaping every student that steps into my classroom is something I hold near to my heart.
What would you share if you could pass on a piece of wisdom to your students?
I would want my students to know that they are capable of everything they set their minds to! There is no past or failure that can keep them from doing something amazing!
Happy School Communicators Day
SWISD Celebrates School Nurse Day
Brandon Medina & Peter Wagner discuss our incredible track and field program, the SWISD warrior program, and some of the upcoming events, and take a look at how the middle school athletes around the district will play a role in the success of future programs within SWISD!
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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
Facebook: facebook.com/SWISDsatx
Twitter: @swisd