Points of Pride
Southwest ISD Newsletter
October 7
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.
Seussical The Musical Takes Over Southwest High School
Oh, the places we'll go! Dragon Drama kicked off their performance season with a production of Seussical The Musical at the Southwest High School Auditorium. As a special added bonus, at the conclusion of the show, every child who wishes will be given a book to help promote reading in the elementary levels.
Southwest Legacy HS Teacher Uses Southwest Education Foundation Grant to Help Student Prepare for Certification
Through generous donations, community partnerships, and tremendous fundraising efforts, the Southwest Education Foundation has given back to Southwest ISD educators and students more than $140,000 to be put to use in creating unique opportunities. SWISD Education Foundation funds are awarded to innovative ideas, programs and projects that are best aligned with SWISD’s commitment to enhancing the learning experience for all of its students.
Take a look at how SWISD Education Foundation funds were utilized at Southwest Legacy High School.
Homegrown Principal Excited to Offer New Experiences for Southwest ES Students
The 2022-2023 school year will be the first full year Southwest Elementary School principal Debbie Jones will lead the campus. But Ms. Jones is no stranger to Southwest ISD, she’s homegrown. She attended Southwest ES and graduated from Southwest High School. She also was a teacher at several campuses including McNair Middle School, Bob Hope and Spicewood Park Elementary Schools. She accepted a leadership position just before the pandemic hit and she weathered that storm with grit and determination.
“It was challenging because I was just getting my feet wet, getting to know the kids, getting to know what my role was as the coordinator and then I had to move everything to virtual but we switched gears and did everything we could to support teachers and students.”
Rolling with the punches is quite the norm for Ms. Jones. Just a few years into her career in education, Ms. Jones, a single mom at the time, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She took some time off to battle the disease and came back with more determination.
“I always tell people that I'm so passionate about Relay for Life and what the American Cancer Society does, because I remember being first diagnosed, being a single mom, having nobody in my family who had ever been through it, not knowing anybody who had ever been through it.I remember they had this 800 number service and I remember calling late one night and talking to someone for three hours and they knew what I was going through. That’s why I really like Relay For Life. You will see me at every event.”
Today, Ms. Jones is twelve years cancer-free and her focus is providing opportunities for her students to become successful in life.
“I grew up in the same area with the same challenges my students are dealing with so I can relate to them. That’s powerful. I understand the experiences they need. I want to plan field trips for our students and have them out in the world observing the great things that are out there. I want to start clubs here such as a nature or garden club. We are looking at having an art club in addition to our robotics clubs. We also want great learning to happen and that can only happen if great teaching is happening. Great teaching can only happen if great planning is taking place and that can only happen if teachers are collaborating and sharing best practices.”
Ms. Jones has her plate full these days but she says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I just love seeing the students’ smiling faces. They are so excited during the morning drop-off. I love what I do and I do it for them. It feels good to know I’m making a difference.”
FAFSA Message From Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft
Instructional Coaches Help "Ignite" the Success of Our Teachers
An instructional coach works with teachers to improve the quality of their lessons and the quality of students' education. They serve as mentors and role models, helping teachers stay fresh and use the latest techniques and technologies in their classrooms.
In honor of National Instructional Coach Appreciation Day, SWISD took a moment to say “Thank You” to all of our instructional coaches. As lifelong learners, our coaches support our teachers by providing them with professional development, targeted feedback and support.
“Thank You” to all of our instructional coaches for helping to “ignite” the success of our teachers and students.
SWISD Police Tour Neighborhoods for National Night Out
SWHS Named Inspirational Coach of the Week
Southwest High School's Coach Alejandro Franco was named as the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football San Antonio Week 6 Inspirational Coach of the Week. The Dave Campbell’s Texas Football San Antonio Inspirational Coach of the Week Award will honor ten (10) head football coaches in the greater San Antonio area spotlighting their inspirational leadership during the Texas high school football season. Each winner will receive a commemorative football and $250 donation back to their program compliments of Great Clips. At the end of the season, all 10 coaches will be in the running for the San Antonio Inspirational Coach of the Year Award. Voting will open up in November and it will be up to each community to rally the vote to help lift their coach to the top. The coach who gathers the most end of the year votes will receive free haircuts for a year compliments of Great Clips!
National Coaches Day
SWISD Celebrates Graduates During GED Graduation Ceremony
SWISD Celebrates National Custodian Day
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