Points of Pride
Southwest ISD Newsletter
May 26, 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, please complete the communications request form.
Southwest High School Student's Artwork to Grace VIA Bus in Collaboration with Go Public
Southwest High School student Valerie Montoya's artistic talent has earned her a prestigious opportunity to showcase her artwork on a VIA bus in collaboration with Go Public. This unique partnership aims to inspire viewers with the beauty of art while reaching tens of thousands of people throughout San Antonio. Now in its fourth year, the Go Public Art contest focuses on highlighting the artistic abilities of high school students, fostering positivity within the community. Valerie, along with other talented winners, had their artwork featured on a VIA city bus and received recognition at a special bus reveal event held recently.
The bus reveal event held last Saturday was a momentous occasion for all the contest winners. Valerie and her fellow artists were presented with certificates and Go Public swag bags, acknowledging their artistic achievements and encouraging them to continue pursuing their passion for the arts.
Tens of thousands of people who utilize the VIA bus system will now have the opportunity to be inspired by the creative works of these young artists. Congratulations to Valerie and all the winners for their outstanding achievements and for bringing beauty to the public spaces of San Antonio.
Celebrating Southwest Legacy HS Student-Athletes' College Signings
This week, several Southwest Legacy High School student-athletes gathered with their families to celebrate a remarkable milestone as they signed to play sports in college. It was an incredible occasion filled with joy, pride, and anticipation for the future.
The dedication, hard work, and perseverance demonstrated by these students have paid off, securing them a place in their chosen colleges. We know these athletes will continue to shine academically and athletically in their respective colleges. Their commitment to excellence, sportsmanship, and teamwork has inspired all at Southwest Legacy High School. We want to give a big congratulations to the students listed below:
Matthew Martinez - Oklahoma Wesleyn University
Rudy Macias - Oklahoma Wesleyn University
Dominic Gonzales - Sterling University
Gavin Garcia - St. Mary's University
Melanie Uribe - Texas A&M at San Antonio
Valentina Porras - Hartwick College
Fernando Flores - Wisconsin Lutheran University
Juan De La Rosa - Wisconsin Lutheran University
Emmanuel Villalpando - Concordia University
Southwest ISD Celebrates Remarkable Students with Annual Senior Car Giveaway
Southwest Independent School District (SWISD) awarded two exceptional students brand new cars in the highly anticipated annual Senior Car Giveaway. CAST STEM senior Kayla Rivera and Southwest High School senior Torianah Bias emerged as the lucky winners of this exhilarating event in collaboration with North Park Toyota of San Antonio. The car giveaway not only brought excitement to the participating students but also showcased the district's commitment to recognizing and rewarding the accomplishments of its graduates.
The Senior Car Giveaway featured two car giveaways, each providing an unforgettable experience for deserving students. Twenty-two accomplished graduates from Southwest Legacy High School, CAST STEM High School, and Southwest High School had the chance to test their luck and potentially drive away in a brand-new vehicle. The anticipation built as eleven students from Southwest Legacy and CAST STEM High School participated in the first car giveaway at 1:00 PM, followed by eleven more students from Southwest High School and CAST STEM High School in the second car giveaway at 2:30 PM.
To qualify for this extraordinary event, each participating student had to meet strict attendance and academic criteria, ensuring their exceptional dedication and commitment to education. The Senior Car Giveaway celebrated their hard work, perseverance, and accomplishments throughout their high school journey.
As a gesture of goodwill and community support, North Park Toyota of San Antonio has generously donated twenty-two cars to Southwest ISD over the last 12 years. The donated cars represent more than just transportation; they symbolize the endless possibilities that open up when students strive for greatness. Congratulations to Kayla, Torianah, and all the participating students for their achievements.
CTE Spring STEM Showcase
SWISD Beyond the Arches: Senior Car Giveaway Winners
Dolphin Drama Performs Spring Show
SWISD Teacher Feature: The Learning Innovations Technology Department
In this week's Teacher Feature, we visit our Curriculum & Instruction Division to get an insider’s look at the eclectic group of educators collectively known as the Learning InnovationsTeam (LIT), think Guardians of the Galaxy complete with The Awesome Mix Tape soundtrack, but with educational technology. The LIT Team is led by Director Dale Lockett and comprises Technology Coordinators Laura David and Lizzy Aguilar-Cruz. This wildly creative group has a combined 79 years of experience in education, with 38 of those years spent here in SWISD.
The LIT Team took some time out of their schedule for this Teacher Feature Special Department Edition, so let’s jump in and see where this conversation takes us. Mr. Lockett, how would you describe your team’s role in SWISD? “The role of technology in supporting education has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years. As Instructional Technologists, we assist educators in designing and implementing best practices for utilizing technology effectively and incorporating it into educational processes. Additionally, we guide instructional methods to optimize the use of technology throughout the teaching and learning experience.” Mrs. Aguilar-Cruz, How do you keep things fresh and engaging for our students and teachers? “I think that when it comes to using technology or strategies, we’re not afraid to try new things. We always try to keep an open mindset, and we love when teachers are open to us coming in and working with them and their students. It’s all about learning together. Twitter and TikTok also help spark ideas- like the ultimate 30-second professional development.”
So what inspires you as an educator and instructional technologist at SWISD? “For me,” responds Mr. Lockett, “It is the Enhanced Learning Experience.” “Yes, we can provide enhanced learning experiences by incorporating multimedia elements such as video, audio, and animation into lessons. This can help to make concepts more concrete and easier to understand for learners,” adds Mrs. David. “It’s seeing our peers and their students get excited about what they are teaching and learning,” said Mr. Lockett.
The LIT Team consults and advises teachers, but what was the best advice any of your teachers or fellow educators have given you? “Once, I was in a group discussion at a professional development session, and we were discussing how to motivate students,” Mrs. David answered. “And I was really struggling with this question. I asked the group, ‘How do you get students to perform?’ There was a veteran teacher in my group, and she said. Honey, that’s easy. Just let them know that you love and care about them, and they will do anything you want them to do. I think that is the best advice I was ever given about teaching,” said Mrs. David.
Well, that’s all the time we have for this edition of the SWISD Teacher Feature. Once again, “Thank You” to the Learning Innovations Technology Department. We appreciate all that you do, keep up the good work.
Big Country Elementary
Bob Hope Elementary
Elm Creek Elementary
Hidden Cove STEAM Academy
Sky Harbour Elementary
The Dolphins celebrated the accomplishments of their amazing 5th graders as they transitioned to middle school. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, joy, and pride. Students were honored for their hard work, dedication, and growth throughout elementary school.
Spicewood Park Elementary
Scobee Middle School
Resnik Middle School
The Jets Boys Athletics EOY field trip was a fun-filled, adventurous day for these hard-working young men who committed to representing RES so well all year.
Much-deserved fun in the sun for these young ladies who always played with heart. Remember, somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become, the hours of practice, and the coaches who have pushed you- is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back … continue to play for her.
Congratulations to Jets' 8th Grader, Isabella Aragon, for placing 2nd in CTE STEM Showcase BattleBots Competition and making it to the semi-finals in the Solar Car Competition. Way to go, Team Flying Solo.
McAuliffe Middle School
McNair Middle School
Homegrown:
We are proud of our SWISD graduates and want to share their accomplishments. ‘Homegrown,' is our weekly segment highlighting successful SW alumni who grew up in the SWISD community. We also examine how SWISD ignited their success, goals, and career. This week, we spoke with Scobee Science Teacher, Thais Gaona.
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 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