Southwest ISD Points of Pride
March 22, 2024
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.
From Seeds to Smiles: Unveiling the Pre-K Garden at Elm Creek Elementary!
Elm Creek Elementary unveiled its Pre-K Garden this week to parents, students, and district staff. The new garden was started with the help of Pre-K Teacher, Mary Nino, and her award winning grant from Firstmark Credit Union. With her grant, Ms. Nino, started the process of creating a garden for Pre-K students to learn outside of the classroom setting. The first thing students planted were tulips, but the garden now includes squash, zucchini, peppermint, tomatoes and more! Ms. Nino said her students' parents were instrumental in helping to grow the garden by adding the finish touches. Parents donates signage, gloves, trees, and more. We are so proud of Ms. Nino and the great work all of Elm Creek has done to bring our Pre-K students a garden full of opportunity!
Pre-K Power-Up: Elm Creek Elementary Nutrition Parade
Elm Creek students were a part of a nutrition parade this week! Elm Creek staff also participated in the parade, which was full of fun costumes, big smiles, and positive energy as they set the tone for the grand unveiling of Elm Creek's new garden area.
KSAT 12's Science with Sarah Visits Bob Hope Elementary
Wednesday morning Bob Hope Elementary 5th graders welcomed KSAT 12’s Meteorologist Sarah Spivey and News Anchor David Sears to campus for GMSA at 9, Science with Sarah, morning segment. The All-Stars students were given an experiment making rainbow sugar water density towers. Ingredients used were simple: water, lots of sugar, and food coloring to match the colors of the rainbow. Fifth-grade All-Stars student Camila Acevedo said she had fun mixing the experiment and was pleased with how it turned out.
The fun continued as Jacob Vega gave the Science with Sarah experiment a 10 out of 10 saying the best part of the morning was drinking the water filled with different amounts of sugar. Dora Ramon enjoyed learning a new experiment that was creative to learn with her classmates which is better than hanging out on your phone or tablet.
It was a fun morning in the Bob Hope cafeteria. SWISD and Bob Hope Principal Wendy Quillin, teachers, and staff would like to say “thank you” to Sarah Spivey, David Sears, and photojournalist Robert Samarron from KSAT12 for visiting our All-Stars Student-Scientists. To watch a replay of the show click on the link below:
Exploring the Wonders of STEM: A Day of Discovery and Innovation at HCSA
Earlier this semester, HCSA launched their first ever SWISD STEM Day at Hidden Cove STEAM Academy. High school CTE STEM Programs of Study from CAST STEM High School, Southwest High School, and Southwest Legacy High School teamed up with their fifth graders for an immersive hands-on experience showcasing the exciting world of STEM right at their fingertips.
The CSHS Engineering Program of Study was able to show off their skills while using the electric trainer. The Drone Program of Study showcased their drones and robotics while the Logistics and Distribution Program of Study played a game that highlighted the basics and the importance of looking for signs of hazardous material. The SWLHS Advanced Manufacturing Program of Study provided students with an experience with hydraulic machines using fluids to control the mechanical arm to pick up and move items.
The SWHS Cybersecurity Program of Study provided students the basics of cybersecurity along with identifying the various parts of an open computer. SWLHS Cybersecurity Program of Study provided the benefits of being in the program along with learning about Esports.
The 5th grade students at Hidden Cove Steam Academy had an immersive experience in the world of STEM and were able to see all of the opportunities that await as they continue their journey to secondary and beyond!
SWISD Student Spotlight: Averi Whitaker 8th MCN
Meet Averi Whitaker, an amazing 8th grader at McNair Middle School, who is shining brightly as Southwest ISD’s Middle School Student of the Month. Averi is not just a star in academics, but also a role model for her peers. Since 6th grade, she has demonstrated a deep love for learning, earning her a spot on the A Honor Roll and excelling in her Honor’s Courses at McNair. Averi says that she likes to learn new things and has always been naturally curious. Averi says what really helps her, is finding ways to make connections between things she knows and things she is learning. Her dedication to her studies is evident in her top scores on the STAAR exams, showcasing her commitment to academic excellence.
Beyond the classroom, Averi's enthusiasm extends to various extracurricular activities. She's a key player on both the McNair Challenger volleyball team and her Club Volleybal Team, Empire, always giving it her all. Averi says that her best times on the volleyball court are when she’s playing in the moment and doesn’t worry about anything else. Averi is all about getting better every day. She not only strives for self-improvement, but tries to help her fellow athletes. Averi helps out with Mcnair both basketball and soccer as a student manager.
Averi's not just about sports though; she's also a great leader, and everyone looks up to her for advice and motivation. Her teachers really admire how hard she works to succeed. Within McNair's athletic program, she stands tall as a Challenger Warrior, further demonstrating her prowess as a student athlete and her dedication to personal development.
As Averi prepares to transition to Southwest High School, her future shines bright. She is looking forward to play Volleyball for he Dragons and becoming an athletic trainer. Averi said she is passionate about helping people both mentally and physically. She one day hopes to become a Pediatrician. With her exceptional work ethic and thirst for knowledge, she is poised to leave a lasting impact on the world. Averi Whitaker, we applaud your achievements. Keep soaring high, the world awaits your brilliance!
SWISD Teacher Feature: Jesus Padilla
Welcome to the SWISD Teacher Feature, where we look at some of the amazing teachers in our district.
In this week's Teacher Feature, we visit Southwest Legacy High School to learn about Spanish Teacher, Jesus Padilla, and learn how he connects with his students.
If you would like to suggest a teacher for us to feature, you can email your nominations to communications@swisd.net with the subject line: Teacher Feature.
CAST STEM High School Valedictorian: Alicia Lopez
Now that Spring Break 2024 is a not-so-distant memory, the countdown to graduation is in full swing. Leading the charge towards graduation for the CAST STEM Senior Class is the 2024 CAST STEM Valedictorian Alicia Lopez, who has her sights on various opportunities after she crosses the stage.
Alicia, who will graduate from CAST STEM with her Associate’s Degree from Palo Alto College, now has an opportunity to join the workforce at Toyota San Antonio through her previous internship in the Toyota AMT program. This opportunity was made possible by the strong partnership between the CAST Network, Southwest ISD, and Toyota, which provides students with real-world experience and potential job opportunities. All Alicia needs to do is apply at Toyota, and she’s in. Alicia has some tough decisions to make as she tells Snippets she could accept offers from Toyota and Caterpillar or get hired by Mastering Mathematics. The sky’s the limit for Alicia’s future career, and she is thankful for all the opportunities CAST STEM and Toyota have given her through her high school years. Alicia encourages middle schoolers to come to CAST STEM High School to participate in the endless opportunities CAST will provide them. She offers these words of advice for her Cobras underclassmen: “Take a chance to seek those internship opportunities or summer college camps to improve your education skills and better yourself.”
When Alicia is not busy with school, she tells us one of her favorite things to do outside of school is nap. After nap time, she enjoys baking, sci-fi, horror movies, cartoons, and various music genres. Throughout her life, Alicia says her guiding motivation has always come from her family, especially her Dad.
Alicia says she will miss her daily interactions with friends and teachers, who have been her “happy place.” She says she has enjoyed every moment spent with them. Great things are definitely in store for this year’s Valedictorian. Alicia, congratulations on your achievement, and Snippets wishes you nothing but the best. We will see you soon at graduation. Thank you for visiting with us. And as always, we are Southwest.
Homegrown: Fey Bock
We are proud of our SWISD graduates and want to share their accomplishments. ‘Homegrown' is our weekly segment highlighting successful Southwest ISD alumni who grew up in the SWISD community. We also look at how SWISD ignited their success, goals, and career. This week we hear from Fey Bock, 1st grade teacher at Kriewald School of the Arts.
Bock appreciates the community and home feel that the district offers. "Southwest is different because of the community and home feel we have here at Southwest." One of the important lessons that she likes to teach, is teaching her students how to be kind. "Above all, I wanted to teach my kids to be kind to one another and to be independent."
If you know of alumni who work in the SWISD district that you would like to nominate to participate in this segment, please email Dr. Sam Ruiz at sruiz9098@swisd.net.
On this week's Beyond The Arches we take a look at the Southwest Legacy Titan art club to learn about their upcoming showcase and to see why they are a brushstroke above the rest!
On today's episode of Scoreboard we speak to the Legacy Titan powerlifting team about their accomplishments and goals for the future. Additionally, we talk about athletics around SWISD including the 76 game winning streak of boys soccer!
Tune in here:
JOIN THE SWISD FAMILY!
Ready to make a difference in the lives of students? Then, we want YOU! SWISD is on the lookout for passionate individuals to join our dynamic team! As the sixth-largest growing school district in San Antonio, we're committed to excellence, academic success, and creating a safe, nurturing environment for all. Explore exciting career opportunities with SWISD and be a part of our journey towards excellence. Apply today: https://bit.ly/3OrgxMk
SWISD Education Foundation Casino Night
Reminder to mark your calendars for a night of excitement and entertainment!
The SWISD Education Foundation annual Casino Night is scheduled for April 5, 2024. Join us as we come together to show our support for the Southwest ISD Education Foundation and their vital mission to enhance educational resources, foster growth, and promote success within the community. Don't miss this opportunity to have a great time while making a meaningful difference!