Southwest ISD Board Update
September
SEPTEMBER 21 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Big Country’s Student of the Month is Avrielle Holts. She is a 5th grader who is very organized, helpful, and treats others with kindness. She excels in reading, math, and science. She is also a great big sister who makes sure her little sister gets to class. Avrielle wants to be a pediatrician in the future. In addition to her excellent academics, she participates in dance, drawing, and design outside of school. Of course, she always has a book to enjoy.
Bob Hope Elementary is proud to recognize Sofia Perez. She is in 5th grade and has participated in the Bilingual program throughout her elementary school years. Bob Hope Elementary has been fortunate enough to call Sofia and her family part of its community since she was in kindergarten. She enjoys expressing her creativity through story writing and drawing. She loves math and hopes to one day be a math teacher. Her 5th-grade teacher Ms. Vela said, “Sofia is an exemplary student. As a natural Ravenclaw, she prizes learning and intellect. She enriches our classroom with her original ideas and her problem-solving methods. Kindness is her most noteworthy trait.” She is a fantastic example of a Bob Hope All-Star!
It is with great honor that McAuliffe Middle School recognizes Stevan Rocha. Stevan is very involved in school activities. He is a member of the Mighty Rockets Band where he is on our drumline and plays the snare drum. Additionally, he is a student-athlete and is a member of the Rockets 7th-grade football team. In the classroom, Stevan is described as a helpful student, a scholar, a kind-hearted, and a humble young man who is always willing to learn and participate. He is a leader full of positive energy and models the Rocket Way in everything he does. We are very proud of Stevan and his many accomplishments! Keep up the fantastic work! Rocketstrong!
CAST STEM would like to recognize Joshua Bernal. He is committed to learning and dedicated to contributing to the field of Global Logistics and Supply Chain through his dual credit program at CAST STEM HS. Joshua’s diligence, bright mind, inquisitive nature, and unwavering commitment to his education have been an inspiration to his teachers and many of his peers. He is a tremendous student and an asset to the school. We are confident that Joshua will continue to succeed in his education. He is a dedicated student with exemplary grades and leadership. Outside of the classroom, Joshua expresses his creativity through theater, student-designed projects, and student advocacy. Joshua is the perfect example of a hard-working and dedicated individual who will be a true contributor and asset to our community.
BEST WISHES
SWISD would like to recognize Ms. Valerie Maldonado. Valerie has served as Director of Health Services for the last six years. Valerie came to SWISD 17 years ago from Methodist Hospital Medical ICU. Valerie started at Bob Hope Elementary, where she spent seven years as the campus nurse, before moving to Medio Creek, where she worked as their campus nurse for four years. Valerie transitioned to become the SWISD Director of Health Services in 2015. Since that time she has assisted in bringing countless Back to School Immunization Drives and Flu Vaccination Drives to the district. In addition, Valerie fostered incredible relations with the University of Incarnate Word to create opportunities for our students in high need to receive both frames and lenses, as well as follow-up eye care.
Throughout the last 20 months, Valerie has led our district’s frontline work against COVID-19 by providing SWISD with what the current landscape of the pandemic looks like weekly, working with various departments to establish protocols, safety structures, and communication systems to keep our community informed about the COVID-19 impact at SWISD. Her leadership has been pivotal over the last 20 months to help SWISD establish itself as a leader in the city when it comes to its COVID-19 response. Valerie will be leaving us to take over as the Director of Health Care Services & School-Based Programs for the University Health System. Through this work, she will continue to serve SWISD and partner with us to ensure we are providing all of the best resources to our community.
Items Approved
ACE Mentoring Program
The Board approved the renewal of a partnership between ACE Mentoring Program of Greater San Antonio and CAST STEM High School. The program engages and educates students about potential careers in architecture, engineering, and construction. Comprised entirely of local industry volunteers, and funded from the generous donations of individuals and companies, ACE will generate an interactive learning environment that will take each student through the life cycle of a “mock” design and construction project that addresses “real-world” situations.
Bexar County 4-H
Trustees also approved the renewal of Bexar County 4-H as an extra-curriculum program. In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders, and help shape their communities. Some 4-H youth work with animals, while others choose food, crafts, sports, or even technology! Whatever the project, 4-H members become active members of their community.
Renaissance Learning
Renaissance Learning was approved for the 2021-2022 school year. Renaissance is a "software as a service" and learning analytics company that makes cloud-based, Pre-K–12 educational software and adaptive assessments. Renaissance Learning’s Star 360 assessment suite identifies what students know and connects them to educational resources that help them master what they are ready for next. The program is designed to increase student interest in reading. In the past, the program was available at eight elementary schools. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Dalila Garcia told the Board that the district is looking to expand the program to all elementary schools and middle schools to close early learning gaps.
Presentations
STAAR 2021
Executive Director of Assessment & Accountability Lisa Bolte gave a presentation on the STAAR 2021 testing results. This year, STAAR results are for learning and recovery only. The scores will not be used to rate schools, districts, or to evaluate teachers and will not affect promotion for students in any grades. Graduating students, if affected, have other options to meet the graduation requirements. The scores will be used to identify or “diagnose” gaps in learning combined with other sources of data such as report card grades, local assessments, teacher input, classwork, observations, etc. The results will also help school leaders and teachers create plans for students to recover from the disruptions to learning caused by COVID-19. Parents can access their child’s results in the district’s parent portal: Parent Self Serve.
Construction Update
The Board received an update on the construction of the New Aquatics Facilities. Currently, the roof is in the process of being installed. Over the next four months, the transformation will be visible to the public. Board members were also given updates on the SWISD Middle School Tracks Project, and renovations of the Transportation Department, Southwest High School, and Scobee Middle School.
Scobee MS Library
SWHS Home Economics Classroom
Resnik MS Track
Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft presented a list of district events and announcements to include Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bullying and Prevention Month, and the Fire and Armor Bowl festivities. See below for the full list of events.
Southwest Independent School District
Website: www.swisd.net
Location: Southwest Independent School District, TX, USA
Phone: 210-622-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWISDsatx
Twitter: @swisd