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Summer special
July 23, 2015
Superintendent kicks off aggressive five-year excellence plan
SAISD's goal to become a
National Model Urban School
District accelerated on July
20 when Superintendent
Pedro Martinez presented
a preliminary proposal to
Trustees.
His presentation was
Superintendent
the
kick off for a planning
Pedro Martinez
process in which all schools
and departments will define how they can help to
develop high-performing schools. Community input
will be sought this fall.
"This is the start of a crucial conversation on
where we're at today and where we need to be in the
future," Martinez said.
The presentation, titled "The First 100 Days
-- Redefining Excellence," outlined 10 measurable
academic goals to be achieved in five years. Steps
will be taken along the way, starting with an
aggressive year-one plan, to identify and prioritize
needs, evaluate programs and create alignment to
ensure meeting long-term metrics and goals.
Topping the list is a call for 70 percent of all
SAISD schools to be rated B or higher in three years
under the state's new accountability system. Starting
in 2017-18, campuses will be assigned letter grades
of A-F.
The 70 percent must include schools from every
SAISD feeder pattern, Martinez said.
"It isn't just a particular school. The reason this
target is so aggressive is because it has to be inclusive
of all neighborhoods."
Other goal highlights include increasing:
• AP/IB participation (25 percent) and performance
(13 percent) to 50 and 59 percent, respectively.
• SAT/ACT college-ready performance from
5 to 43 percent.
• The percentage of graduates who complete their
first year of college without remediation from
40 to 74 percent.
• The percentage of graduates attending college
(52 percent), a four-year college (25 percent) and
Tier One universities (2 percent) to 80, 50 and
10 percent, respectively.
To help them succeed in higher education,
Martinez proposes a support system that might
include alumni. Tracking our graduates through
college also would benefit the District by learning
from their experiences in order to help ensure that
the next generation is well prepared, he said.
While not addressed in these 10 goals, Martinez
assured Trustees that character development and
extracurricular activities will play an essential role
in order to develop well-rounded students and help
them to bond with their school.
The plan began being shared with principals at
the July 22-23 Leadership Summit, which resumes
July 28-30. Principals will start forming school-based
teams to develop year-one metrics in August.
Accountability from everyone, starting with him,
will be crucial, Martinez said.
"Every decision we make, whether it's a hiring
decision, programs that we have in schools, support
systems, or changes we make in departments, has to
drive to accomplishing these goals."
Community input gathered from meetings to be
held in each Trustee District will be a key component
in the finalized plan, Martinez said.
"The question that I’m going to ask is, are these
rigorous enough? Is this going to make you proud
of our district?
"The whole purpose of these goals is that if we
want to be a model urban school district, that
means families choose our district and that
employees choose our district and that they have
pride in our district."
SAISD campuses recognized for college readiness
Two District schools once again are in the national
spotlight for preparing students for high school
graduation and beyond.
In double honors, Rhodes MS was recognized as
Middle School of the Year at the national Diplomas
Now Summer Institute in Tulsa earlier this month.
Diplomas Now also named Rhodes team member
Amanda Caccavo the City Year Impact Manager of
the Year.
According to a statement read at the awards
ceremony, Rhodes was selected in part for doing
an exceptional job in preparing students to
successfully enter high school, including 100
percent of them who took the state algebra test
passing at advanced level.
Caccavo was chosen for attributes including
holding her team
accountable to high
standards, a contributing
factor in student success.
In another honor,
Courtesy photos
Celebrating at the summer institute (l to r) are: Ben Reyes, Rhodes Diplomas Now
math instructional coach; Jessica Weaver, CIS of San Antonio CEO; Sheryl Lew (in
blue), Rhodes Diplomas Now ELA instructional coach; Diana Gross (behind Lew) of
Johns Hopkins University; Blanca Rojas, Burbank assistant principal; Chris Castro,
Rhodes principal; Mareko Prior, City Year San Antonio impact director; Maribel
Rodriguez, Burbank principal; Tara Madden of Johns Hopkins University; Edgar
Napoles, CIS of San Antonio site coordinator for Rhodes; Frank Lopez, City Year
San Antonio impact manager for Burbank and Leslie Palmer, City Year San Antonio
executive director.
Burbank received an inaugural $3,000 Pepsico
Foundation High School Design Challenge award to
support the school's Emerging Leaders project.
Judges were impressed by this mentor/mentee
collaboration between 11th- and 9th-grade students
and City Year Corps members, which offers the
freshmen guidance, support and knowledge to
succeed in high school while also helping the juniors
build their leadership skills.
Burbank was one of only two schools in the nation
to earn this award.
This is the second consecutive year that Rhodes
has been honored at the Diplomas Now Summer
Institute. Burbank received multiple honors in 2013.
In addition to City Year, the research-based school
transformation model Diplomas Now is offered
to SAISD in partnership with the Johns Hopkins
University School of Education’s Talent Development
Secondary and Communities In Schools.
Amanda Caccavo, City Year San Antonio senior
impact manager for Rhodes MS, accepts the City
Year Program Impact Manager of the Year award.
With her is Jeff Jablow, senior vice president for
City Year headquarters' strategy and operations.
Woodlawn an International Baccalaureate candidate
A second SAISD campus is seeking to join a
world-wide community of schools offering the
prestigious International Baccalaureate program.
Year one of a three-year process will begin this fall
at Woodlawn, which began the transition last school
year from an elementary to a grade 8 academy. Both
endeavors are part of ongoing efforts to provide
students with innovative learning opportunities.
The first round of staff training to become an IB
World School is taking place this summer.
“My vision is that we will create students who
begin to think beyond
their scope of knowledge
and learn to understand
how they can make an impact beyond their
community,” Principal Dorene Benavidez said.
The Primary Years Programme would serve
students through 5th grade, while the Middle Years
Programme would be for grades 6-8.
According to the IB website, the programme “aims
to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring
young people who help to create a better and more
peaceful world through intercultural understanding
and respect."
Students across the world are encouraged "to
become active, compassionate and lifelong learners
who understand that other people, with their
differences, can also be right.”
Over the next few years,
Woodlawn will work in
consultation with an IB
consultant to implement the Primary Years and
Middle Years programs, making adjustments where
needed.
At the recommendation of the consultant, the
school would apply for a request for authorization
to officially become an IB World School. The final
step would be a verification visit by an IB team.
SAISD’s Burbank offers IB at the high school level.
Now on display in D.C. - District student artwork
Among the summer's featured attractions at our nation's Capitol is an
exhibit of artwork created by SAISD students.
The nearly 50 pieces comprising abstract art, landscapes, portraits and
photography were put on display earlier this month and will adorn the lobby
of the U.S. Department of Education headquarters through September. Their
creations are part of the twice-yearly rotating Student Art Exhibition Program,
which has showcased the nation's student artists since 2004.
“This is a big honor for our students and District,” said Omar Leos, SAISD’s
coordinator of visual arts and theater arts.
“We are the first school district from Texas to participate in this exhibit.
This opportunity is once in a lifetime.”
The artists represent nine high schools, the Young Women’s Leadership
Academy, every middle school, two kinder to grade 8 academies, two
elementaries and an Early Childhood Education Center.
Courtesy photo Joshua Hoover, US Department of Education
Art exhibit attendees included 16 SAISD students (three from YWLA performed
a dance routine) who made the trip, teachers and (far right, l to r) Omar Leos,
visual and theatre arts coordinator, Luz Barraza, Carroll ECEC principal and
Arthur V. Valdez, School Board vice president.
Bond program marking progress and milestones
Thanks to SAISD Bond 2010, the 2015-16 school
year will be extra special for students and staff at
Arnold, Fenwick, Hirsch, Japhet, Sarah King, Ogden
and Riverside Park elementaries, whose renovated
campuses will be completed.
These are among projects undergoing work this
summer to provide students state-of-the-art learning
environments. And helping to ensure that they arrive
to and from school in a timely matter is another
SAISD Bond 2010 endeavor - a new transportation
facility, whose construction recently began.
Pictured are just a few. For the latest on these and
other projects visit:www.saisd.net/bond2010.
Custodians ensure that the bright orange,
yellow and green floors are clean to a
sparkling shine in this Arnold ES hallway.
Amenities will include classroom additions and
renovations, renovated and expanded library
additions and art and music labs.
Canopies connect new and existing buildings
at Sarah King ES. Highlights include classroom
additions and renovations,renovated and
expanded library additions and art and music labs.
When school
starts, Whittier MS
students will be able
to take advantage
of opportunities
afforded them
through their new
career exploration
lab, which all District
middle schools are
receiving through
SAISD Bond 2010.
Labs at Harris and
Longfellow are
scheduled to open
later this fall.
This plot of land near Rigsby and Roland avenues and I-10 soon will be home
to SAISD's new transportation facility, which is more accessible to District
bus routes and less congested than the current Alamo Stadium location. The
center also will feature fueling stations and a bus wash – a bonus since buses
currently are washed by hand. Completion is expected by November.
Math teachers sought for CAMT
Proposals now are being accepted for educators who would like to be
speakers at the 2016 Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics
Teaching.
The three-day session is scheduled next summer here in San Antonio at the
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and the theme is "Be a Math Champ!
Go for the Gold!"
The deadline to submit a proposal is Sept. 1. Speakers will be notified of
their acceptance in December.
Those interested may email Jefferson HS math teacher Isabel Fears, who is
program chair for CAMT 2016, at [email protected].
Details on the conference can be found at: camtonline.org.
August 18 • 9 -10:30 a.m.
Freeman Coliseum • 3201 E. Houston St.
Join us in kicking off 2015-16 and find out how we all can
contribute to leading SAISD into a new era of excellence.
In his keynote address, our new Superintendent Pedro
Martinez will speak about this year’s theme “A Passion
for Excellence” and how it will provide the foundation
for long-term goals for this and upcoming school years.
Doors will open at 7:30 a.m.
Parking is free.
New District appointments and assignments announced
Patricia Holub, Chief Information Officer
Formerly: technology and integration
executive director
Leslie Stephens, Human Resources
compensation and systems management director
Formerly: Edgewood ISD executive director
Melanie Herr-Zepeda, Human Resources
administrative officer
Formerly: J.T. Brackenridge ES principal
Gustavo Cordova, GEAR UP facilitator
Formerly: Navarro HS principal
HIGH SCHOOLS
Lisa Barrera, Early College HS at
Brackenridge HS director
Formerly: Brewer ES principal
Patrick Brown, Sam Houston HS boys athletic
coordinator and head football coach
Formerly: El Paso Andress HS boys athletic
coordinator and head football coach
Jeffrey Ogden, Edison HS
head boys basketball coach
Formerly: Sam Houston HS assistant
basketball coach
Greg McWilliams, Jefferson HS
head girls basketball coach
Formerly: San Angelo Central HS
head girls basketball coach
ELEMENTARIES
Jennifer Maestas, J.T. Brackenridge ES principal
Formerly: Wilson ES principal
Yvonne Martinez, Wilson ES principal
Formerly: Brewer ES assistant principal
in the Spotlight
With the iconic Statue of
Liberty as a backdrop,
Rhodes MS students and
teacher William Davis hold
their banner high as they
proclaim their presence
in the Big Apple. This
annual summer trip brings
history and civics lessons
to life for the adventurous
scholars. Other sights
included Times Square,
the Museum of Modern
Art, Ellis Island, the
9/11 Memorial, Central
Park and the Broadway
production of "Wicked."
Fundraisers and donations
paid for the New York City
excursion. Washington,
D.C., is slated for next
year's journey.
Fun learning opportunities and being seen on the big screen are just some
of the ways District students and staff are spending summer 2015. These
are just a few examples.
Belting out "Beauty and the Beast" show-stopper "Be Our Guest" are SAISD Summer
Musical Theater Camp participants. The song, performed by the Beast's castle
staff of enchanted objects to welcome Belle, the heroine, was among the show's
highlights. Thespians in grades 6-12 comprised the cast performing the Broadway
musical production, which was adapted from the Disney film based upon the French
fairy tale of the same name. The production of "Beauty and the Beast" was the grand
finale for the annual two-week camp.
Honing their guitar skills at the inaugural
Mariachi Camp are middle and high school
musicians Districtwide. They were among nearly
200 SAISD mariachi students who spent part of
their summer improving their fundamental and
performing skills through both individualized and
group training led by SAISD mariachi directors
and other professionals.
Courtesy photo
Aspiring architects including these from Jefferson HS
get a jump start on this career through participation
in the Design Studio Summer Career Academy at the
UTSA downtown campus. This was just one of more than
a dozen career-focused academies held for SAISD’s
incoming 11th-graders this summer as part of the GEAR
UP college-prep program. With them (right) is David
Garcia, Jefferson instructor and magnet coordinator.
Approximately 200 middle school students
Districtwide polish their performing skills at the sixthannual Alamo City Band Camp. Individualized and
group training was led by SAISD band directors and
other professional musicians.
Courtesy photo
Making its debut this summer was Dance and
Leadership Camp. In addition to enhancing their
technique and performance skills, dance team and
cheer officers Districtwide attended team-building
and conflict-resolution workshops.
San Antonio Independent
School District
141 Lavaca St.
San Antonio, TX 78210
phone: 554-2250
fax: 299-5790
www.saisd.net
Tomorrow's top crime scene investigators learned the tricks
and tools of the trade through Forensic Science Academy.
Unraveling mysteries through hands-on activities and
real-world scenarios, such as gathering evidence at this
mock-murder scene, taught incoming juniors how science
is used to solve crimes. Forensic Science Academy was
among more than a dozen career-focused offerings through
the GEAR UP college-prep program.
Board of Trustees
Patti Radle, President
Arthur V. Valdez, Vice President
Debra Guerrero, Secretary
Ed Garza, Trustee
Olga M. Hernandez, Trustee
James Howard, Trustee
Steve Lecholop, Trustee
---------Superintendent
Pedro Martinez
Appearing this summer on movie screens nationwide
are SAISD's Senior Coordinator for Health and P.E.
Roger Rodriguez and his daughter Elizabeth (both
foreground, right). They were among 2,000 selected
as extras for the musical comedy "Pitch Perfect 2"
after Elizabeth applied online. In this auto show
scene, Rodriguez was instructed to encourage
Elizabeth into buying a classic VW Beetle. The film
was shot last summer in Baton Rouge, La.
insider
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Leslie Price, Executive Director
René Lynn, Newsletter Coordinator
John Lawler, Photographer
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