Southwest ISD Points of Pride
August 22nd, 2023
September 1, 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.
Principal Spotlight: Roxie Freeman, Southwest Legacy HS
In this edition of the Principal Spotlight, we look at a student-produced video of one of the new faces in new places in SWISD. Meet Southwest Legacy High School’s new Principal, Roxie Freeman. Every great educator knows that one of the keys to success with students is developing meaningful relationships. A famous quote from John C. Maxwell says, “Students don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” That’s exactly what legacy students will get with Mrs. Freeman in the principal’s chair. You see, Mrs. Freeman has been the principal of Hidden Cove Elementary and McAuliffe Middle School, meaning that for some students at Legacy High School, Mrs. Freeman will be the only principal they have known their entire school career. Take a look at the video and find out what Mrs. Freeman has planned for our Titans.
Classroom Check-In
Wrapping up the second week of the 2023-2024 school year, and our students are already in full study mode! We couldn't resist peeking into some classrooms and were thrilled to find our students diving into the fascinating world of science through some seriously cool experiments.
SA Report Highlights SWISD/Holt Cat Partnerships
Vaneza Zepeda, a recent graduate of Southwest High School, discussed her involvement in the SWISD/Holt Cat internship program in an interview with Tracy Hamilton from the San Antonio Report. The internship program commences during the junior year of high school, and upon graduation, successful participants receive a job offer from Holt Cat. This model benefits the company and students by offering on-site training while creating a valuable workforce pipeline for Holt Cat. Dr. Bertha Ortiz, the Director of Career & Technical Education, commended all our partnerships, and special recognition was given to Wade Cherry, the diesel mechanics teacher at Southwest High School, for his dedicated work and mentorship with the Holt Cat interns. Read the entire article here.
Amazon School Supplies at Southwest Elementary
Earlier this week, Amazon donated school supplies to the fifth-grade students at Southwest Elementary School. These supplies included backpacks and other essential items for the student's academic needs. Both students and staff enthusiastically greeted the volunteers from Amazon, expressing their excitement and deep appreciation for these supplies.
This generous initiative was part of Amazon's Families at Amazon program, highlighting the company's commitment to supporting education and providing valuable resources to students in need.
Whataburger Treats Indian Creek ES with Breakfast and $1,000 Donation
Whataburger made a heartwarming visit to Indian Creek Elementary, bringing delicious food for the staff, some fantastic Whataburger swag, and a generous $1,000 contribution to the school! A big shoutout and heartfelt thanks to Whataburger for supporting the Southwest ISD community.
Attend to Win
September is Attendance Awareness Month! Starting from September 1st, Southwest ISD is committed to spreading awareness about the significance of regular school attendance, empowering families with knowledge about its benefits, and showcasing the available support services for students and their families to overcome challenges.
Throughout September, all our campuses will host activities to promote attendance awareness and improvement. We're counting on your support to make this campaign a resounding success. Here's how you can contribute:
- Ensure your child attends school daily.
- Reinforce information and habits that encourage daily attendance.
- Stay in regular communication with your child's school regarding attendance and any need for assistance.
- Support your child in attendance-related activities.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students by promoting a culture of consistent attendance. Be on the look out for exciting activities and attendance incentives. Let's work hand in hand to ensure every child's success in Southwest ISD!
Exciting News for Educators: Southwest Education Foundation Teacher Grant Application Window Open
Calling all passionate and dedicated teachers! The Southwest Education Foundation (SWEF) Teacher Grant Application Window is now OPEN, and we're thrilled to support your innovative ideas and projects!
SWEF believes in empowering educators to make a difference in our students' lives. That's they offering grant funds to supplement district resources, giving you the financial support you need to bring your creative teaching ideas to life.
THE SWEF mission is clear: provide students with the "value-added" education they deserve, helping them become exemplary members of our society.
If you have a project or program in mind that aligns with the district's priorities, this is your chance to shine! Application Deadline: Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 5 p.m. (Grants are awarded for use before the completion of the 2023-24 academic year).
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to make a lasting impact in the classroom. Together, we can shape the future of education!
Ready to apply? Click on the button below!
Homegrown
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 interviewed Michele Iruegas, a 3rd Grade Bilingual teacher at Sky Harbour Elementary School.
Mrs. Iruegas shared her thoughts on her appreciation for the SWISD community by stating "Southwest is where I want to set my roots and grow my family".
If you know of alumni that 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.
SW C.A.R.E.S. Center
This school year, 2023-2024, marks a significant milestone for SWISD as we proudly unveiled our brand-new Mental Health Center - The Southwest C.A.R.E.S Center!
At SW CARES, our mission is clear: to provide a warm, confidential, and comforting haven for FREE mental health services to ALL SWISD students and families.
Our dedicated SW CARES Center team consists of licensed therapists and graduate interns who specialize in offering:
- One-on-One Therapeutic/Counseling Sessions
- Psychoeducational Group Counseling
- Screening/Assessment to Identify Potential Mental Health Needs
The best part? There are NO out-of-pocket expenses for any counseling sessions conducted at the SW CARES Center. We're here to support you, no matter your financial situation.
Rest assured, all mental health services are confidential (as the law allows) and will NEVER become part of a student's academic records or a staff member's employee records. Your privacy is our priority!
Our licensed clinicians are ready to assist in a wide range of areas, including:
Self-Esteem Self-Confidence Conflict Resolution Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Interpersonal Violence Relationship Difficulties and Adjustments Grief/Bereavement Substance Use and Trauma
But that's not all! We also collaborate with external agencies and organizations to bring even more licensed therapists right to our center, ensuring you get the support you need. Together, we're building a stronger, healthier community!
Let's make mental health a priority. The Southwest C.A.R.E.S Center is here for YOU. Call for more information: 210-622-430.
SPREAD THE NEWS: SWISD is Offering a Retire/Rehire Incentive
Southwest ISD is offering a retire/rehire incentive for retired teachers seeking to come back to work in a high area of need. Beginning August 16, 2023, any retiree who is hired for a general education teaching position will receive a $2500 signing incentive. Any retiree who is hired for a special education teaching position will receive a $4000 signing incentive. Retirees are advised to consult the Teacher Retirement System to understand the potential impact of accepting such a position on their annuity. Click here for a list of job openings: https://bit.ly/SWISDJobs