Points of Pride
Southwest ISD Newsletter
March 3, 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.
SWISD Bids A Fond Farewell to Longtime Educator & Leader, Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft
This week, we bid farewell to a remarkable leader who has dedicated his life to improving education for our community. We are honored to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft, who has served as our beloved superintendent for the last 12 years.
Under his leadership, our schools have flourished, and our students have thrived. Over the last 30 years, Dr. Verstuyft has been a visionary, a mentor, and a friend to all who have had the privilege of working with him. His commitment to our schools and students has left an enduring impression on our community.
As we say goodbye to Dr. Verstuyft, we want to express our deepest gratitude for his service, his wisdom, and his unwavering dedication to our children. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he has touched, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.
We wish Dr. Verstuyft a joyful retirement filled with new adventures, cherished memories, and well-deserved relaxation. Thank you for your service, your leadership, and your dedication to our students. You will be deeply missed.
Deputy Superintendent Mr. Homero Rodriguez Retires After Half A Century of Service to SWISD
We are honored to celebrate the retirement of Deputy Superintendent Rodriguez, who has been a cornerstone of the SWISD school community for 49 years. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Rodriguez has inspired countless students, teachers, and leaders with his passion for public education. His dedication to the Southwest ISD community has left an indelible mark on the lives of so many.
As we reflect on his remarkable career, we are grateful for the countless lessons he has imparted and the memories he helped create. On behalf of the entire school community, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Rodriguez for his service and wish him a joyful retirement filled with love, laughter, and new adventures. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students.
Spicewood Park Career Day
SWISD Celebrates Read Across America Week!
Dr. Ball Visits Sky Harbour Elementary
Elm Creek Elementary Gets Special Visitors
At Elm Creek Elementary, the Explorers celebrated Read Across America Week in a variety of ways. Students enjoyed dress-up days such as Twin Day and Cat in the Hat Day. Classrooms were challenged to complete one read-aloud from the 5 United States regions in order for each member of the class to earn a free book. District employees and Elm Creek retirees read aloud to classes as a means of sharing book joy and promoting positive relationships throughout SWISD. Students have been invited to complete Shoebox Book Reports during the month of March to display in the library and promote their favorite books.
Social Worker's Week Kicks Off With A Special Recognition Luncheon
District leaders held a pre-Social Worker's Week luncheon on Friday afternoon to honor and recognize social workers from all campuses. Social Worker's Week is a special week dedicated to recognizing the contributions and hard work of social workers in schools across the United States.
During the luncheon, Dr. Jeanette Ball, the Superintendent of Schools, took the opportunity to express her appreciation for the daily efforts of campus social workers in helping students succeed. Be sure to celebrate your campus social workers during School Social Worker's Week, which runs from March 5th to March 11th, by thanking them for their hard work and dedication.
Bob Hope Elementary Chess Team Places At SAISD Chess Tournament
SWHS Student Inspires Others at the Livestock Show & Rodeo
Southwest Legacy Dance Places at Competition
The Legacy Dance Team attended the Showmaker's of America competition at O'Connor High School last week. They earned five awards at the contest: Sweepstakes and Judges award, Showmanship in Novelty and Pom, Choreography Award in Pom, 3rd place in Pom, and 3rd place in Novelty. Congratulations Golden Dazzlers!
Middle School Choirs Dominate Competition
SWISD Homegrown: Jasmine Verstuyft
We are proud of our SWISD graduates and want to share their great accomplishments. In our ‘Homegrown' segment, we highlight successful 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 Jasmine Verstuyft, a Second Grade teacher at Elm Creek Elementary.
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
Southwest High School Softball Hype Video
Thank you, Dragon Softball Coaches for reaching out and requesting a hype video. Enjoy!
Brandon Medina & Peter Wagner sit down with the SWISD Chief of Police, Richard Palomo to discuss his experience with the community here at Southwest ISD and how sports has helped to bring the community together. With Soccer playoffs around the corner, the team talks about upcoming matchups and expectations, as well as what to expect for Softball, Baseball and track in the coming weeks.
Listen to the podcast via Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, and more here:
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 the Awesome Allstars at Bob Hope Elementary School to get to know 2nd Grade teacher Theresa Entzi. Mrs. Entzi has been teaching for 37 years and has spent the last 24 years teaching in SWISD.
Let's Get to Know Mrs. Entzi
What kind of student were you in Elementary School?
I loved school as a child. I went many years never missing a day. It was my happy place. I always say it was because I had six older brothers. That might be true but school has always been and continues to be a source of happiness for me.
How often do you "accidentally" start teaching at home?
Strangers will ask me if I am a teacher. I guess it is written on my forehead. At this point in my career, teaching never turns off.
What is your dream vacation?
I love the sun. I took a cruise to the Caribbean once and realized I belonged there. I can spend days lying on a beach without a care in the world.
What would your students be surprised to find out about you?
Students would be surprised to know I have several dirt-riding toys. I enjoy running through the mud in my Razor and my 4-wheeled buggy.
What is one of your hidden talents?
I enjoy landscaping. I love to work in the yard. I will spend all my daylight hours outside if I can. My neighbors love me because I enjoy mowing everyone's lawn and will do it whenever I can.
How do you spend your summer breaks?
I like to spend my summer refueling. I spend lots of time in the yard and traveling to catch up with family and friends. I also choose to do workshops during that time to keep me from missing class during the school year.
What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies?
I love to read anything written well. I feel guilty not finishing every book I start so I try to choose my favorite genres from the start.
If you won the lottery and decided to give up teaching, what would you do instead?
If I won the lottery, I wouldn't give up teaching. I teach for the love of the profession, not the money. But my personal life would take a fabulous turn involving lots of traveling and family time. And my yard would be amazing!
What is not a big deal to most people but is torture to you?
Disorganization! I like to have things in order. I hate to walk into a messy classroom. I can't go to sleep with dirty dishes in the sink or things out of place.
What never fails to make you laugh?
My students make me laugh. Not a day goes by in second grade when someone doesn't say or do something hilarious. I can't think of another job where I would be guaranteed some humor in each day.
AZALEA TAYLOR
If you grew up in the ’80s or maybe even the ’90s, chances are someone has told you that video games were bad for you. Fast forward to today where video games are serious business for gamers at the high school and collegiate levels. Many students are earning full-ride scholarships and winning big cash prizes for playing video games.
Meet SWHS Senior and Dragon Esports President Azalea Taylor. Azalea says she’s been playing games ever since she was born and likes to play on both the Xbox and Playstation 4 consoles. Azalea is also a member of the SWHS Medical Program where she’s studying to get both her Dental and Phlebotomy certifications. Azalea’s attributes of patience and time management have helped her not only in the classroom, and in the esports arena but out on the pitch as a member of the Lady Dragons Varsity Soccer team.
With Covid taking half of her high school years away from her, Azalea has been enjoying her time since being back at Southwest HS. Azalea loves to bake sweet treats from chocolate-covered strawberries to tres leches cake. She says she can not resist good pasta as that is one of her favorite foods.
Azalea has her sights on attending Texas A&M-SA and becoming an Ultrasound Technician. Good Luck Azalea on the rest of the semester. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing your story on SWISD Snippets.
On this week's edition of 'Beyond the Arches', we are heading to CAST STEM High School where students in the ACE (Architecture, Construction & Engineering) Club are learning all about the industry with the help of ACE Mentors here at SWISD.
South Texas Blood & Tissue Mobile Blood Drive
SWISD Communications Department
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