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Vol. 18 • No. 1 Aug. 25, 2016

Welcome to 2016-17

Happy new school year! It was a first day of school filled with firsts, milestones and lifelong memories as campuses throughout the District greeted students and staff to 2016-17. SAISD's new advanced learning academy made its debut at two campuses: kinder-3rdgraders comprise the West Euclid Avenue location, with students in grades 4-10 attending the nearby Fox Tech HS site. Pre-kinder, 11th and 12th grades will be added to the school over the next two years. There to capture the new school's inauguration were local news media. Others making news included Harris MS

Principal Dr. Carol Velazquez, who was featured in a Texas Public Radio story on helping 6thgraders make the transition from elementary to middle school, and J.T. Brackenridge ES, which was in the spotlight thanks to a visit from WOAI-TV's Cleto Rodriguez. Rogers ES, Longfellow MS and Jefferson HS students and staff returned to new facilities substantially completed over the summer. They were three of the last four of 22 schools receiving major renovations under SAISD Bond 2010 being wrapped up this year. Some students received VIP welcomes on the first day of school. These included Mayor Ivy

Taylor at Jefferson and Bexar County District Attorney Nicholas "Nico" LaHood, who dropped by the Young Women's Leadership Academy. And while Monday's massive downpours failed to dampen first-day-of-school spirits, those first partings did bring on some misty eyes. For parents of SAISD's youngest learners needing some TLC, schools like Bonham Academy and Carroll ECEC host annual "Boo Hoo" breakfasts. The photos below reflect just a few examples of how educators, partners, parents and students commemorated the start of 2016-17.

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At the advanced learning academy's West Euclid Avenue campus, a son pauses for a hug from his dad, while one eager kindergartener waves to her parents as they watched her head off to class for the first time at her new school.

Alisa Amaya, a Head Start instructional assistant, meets J.T. Brackenridge ES students at the bus with an umbrella to ensure their arrival was as dry as possible.

A Green ES mom and children pose for a photo with a picture frame bearing SAISD's new theme for the year.

M.L. King Academy partners and mentors take time from their busy afternoon to high five students at the end of the first day and wish them a great 2016-17.

Escorting students to class down a colorful new Rogers ES hallway is Assistant Principal Virginia Silva.

SAISD Trustees call for bond and TRE elections This Nov. 8, District voters will go to the polls to consider two separate ballot propositions: one which would provide funding toward extensive school building renovations, and the other to fund 21st-century classrooms and expanded learning opportunities outside the normal school day. The elections for both a $450 million bond and a Tax Ratification Election (TRE) to raise the District’s Maintenance & Operations tax rate by 13 cents were approved by Trustees at the Aug. 15 School Board meeting. Their action followed recommendations from a communitybased Blue Ribbon Task Force. “In light of the recent Texas Supreme Court ruling, upholding the state’s public school funding system as constitutional, we believe

the only means for generating additional state revenue for daily operations is through a TRE,” Board President Patti Radle said. “Together, the TRE and bond would bring additional academic support to every SAISD campus and further our efforts to modernize our many aging schools.” The bond would fund renovations at 13 schools, replacing aging infrastructure systems that in most cases are more than 40 years old, upgrading science labs and expanding other classroom spaces to the recommended state guidelines and enabling SAISD to provide facilities more equitable with those of neighboring school districts. The increased operating revenue generated from the TRE would assist in providing

technology and other classroom enhancements Districtwide to meet today’s educational standards. It also would provide additional funds for teacher compensation for afterschool and summer programs that target the approximately 40 percent of students in need of additional academic support, as well as expanded extracurricular offerings for students across the District. Community meetings to provide information about the bond proposal and tax rate measures will be scheduled in September. For details on this and more visit the new bond and TRE website: www.saisd.net/ bondTRE2016.

SAISD says hello to District's new police chief There's a new chief in town. He's Joe Curiel, whom Trustees recently brought on board to serve as the new police chief. The more than 40-year veteran of law enforcement and security comes to SAISD from the Alamo Colleges Police Department's administrative division, where he had served as deputy chief since 2007. "I am very honored and proud to have a team as special as the SAISD family to be part of the pinnacle of my career," said Curiel, who oversees an approximately 90-member force, nearly 70 of whom are police officers. "I know they will be there for me as I will be there for them." This spirit of camaraderie also will include SAISD schools and the community, where Curiel said he plans to take an active role. "It is very important for me to know and understand the communities we serve because it

enhances the opportunities for collaborative and positive partnerships," he said. "It is important for the community to know me – we are on the same team – so let’s create partnerships for student success." The Corpus Christi native traces his law enforcement aspirations to 6th grade when he was selected lieutenant of his school's safety patrol. "I enjoyed helping others cross the street at my assigned crosswalk, and in doing so, I would visualize in my mind that I was a police officer keeping them safe," he said. After graduating from the Texas coastal city's Moody HS, where he played baseball and was a band member, Curiel enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. His military service includes the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Next month, Curiel and his wife, Gina, will celebrate their 43rd-wedding anniversary. They are the proud parents of daughter Kelly

and sons Joe III and Anthony, and the proud grandparents of six grandchildren. Curiel holds a master's degree in public administration from Webster University and a bachelor's in public administration from Park University. He also is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. His other career highlights include: • Bexar County District Attorney's Office, senior security/homeland criminal investigator - 2001-'07. • Diamond Shamrock, loss prevention manager - 1996 - 2001. • Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department, patrolman - 1998-'99. • Bexar County Constable's Office Precinct 5, commander deputy constable - 1996. • U.S. Air Force, security policeman - 1973-'93.

During the Aug. 15 School Board meeting, Trustees and Superintendent Pedro Martinez welcome recently hired police officers to SAISD including (center) Chief Joe Curiel.

Convocation 2016 launches 'Excellence by Design' theme

Guest speaker Dr. Douglas Fisher offers tips on engaging students in the learning process. He will return Sept. 10 for SAISD's first EPIC Saturday.

The morning begins with a mad dash inside the Freeman Coliseum as soon as the doors open so that employees can stake out the best spots to set up their banners and other displays of school and department spirit ...

SAISD’s quest to achieve unprecedented excellence was foremost when the District's more than 7,400 employees converged inside the Freeman Coliseum on Aug. 17 for Convocation 2016. The event with its pep rally-type atmosphere also provided the perfect venue for the debut of this year's theme, “Excellence by Design.” Highlighting SAISD's celebration of the start of the new school year were 2015-16 successes that have laid the foundation for those to follow. Speaking of them in his keynote address was Superintendent Pedro Martinez. He was preceded by special guest speaker and nationally acclaimed author Dr. Douglas Fisher, whose research-based instructional framework the District will be implementing this year. Rounding out the festivities were words of wisdom from Whittier MS teacher Laura Servin, a 2016 winner of the prestigious national Milken Award and recognition of Employee Champions by Toni Thompson, associate superintendent of Human Resources. The closing ceremony was the presentation of the annual Spirit Stick award recognizing the campus exhibiting the most school spirit at Convocation. Taking home the coveted prize was Woodlawn Academy. Runners-up (in descending order) were Longfellow MS and Kelly ES.

Superintendent Pedro Martinez provides an overview of SAISD success stories for 2015-16. Counted among them are the high school students seated behind him.

Laura Servin, a 2016 Milken Award winner and SAISD Employee Champion from Whittier MS, speaks on the qualities of great teaching.

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... and ends with the annual awarding of the spirit stick. Congratulating this year's winner, Woodlawn Academy, is Superintendent Pedro Martinez. Accepting on behalf of their school are teachers (l to r) Brian Derouen, Margaret Vasquez and Angela Davila.

Employees representing every SAISD campus express their allegiance by dressing in their school's colors.

SAISD's future Fighting Irish? Sam Houston HS class of 2016 member Yahterie-Anne Sykes Ortiz may someday count a few of her SAISD colleagues among classmates at Notre Dame University. Earlier this month she was accompanied by her fellow Hurricanes Kaeani Covington and Brandy Vargas, as well as Liz Moreno of Travis Early College HS and Lanier HS' Roger Palacios, as she settled in to her new college-campus home. In addition to touring Notre Dame, her traveling companions checked out the University of Chicago and Northwestern

University. Joining the teens were parents and Jason Mims of the MIMS Institute Fellows, Inc. The all-expenses-paid trip was the result of a collaboration between the institute, Students on the Rise and the SAISD Foundation. It was part of ongoing efforts to provide the District's high-schoolers with opportunities to preview some of the nation's top colleges outside Texas that they might not otherwise consider. All of the student travelers except Brandy, an 11th-grader, are seniors.

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Wishing Yahterie-Anne Sykes Ortiz (center) off to a great start at Notre Dame University are (l to r) Roger Palacios, Luz Moreno, Brandy Vargas and Kaeani Covington.

Getting a jump start on back to school

The Jefferson HS band entertains fans during Pass and Review, a parade featuring student spirit groups and athletes at the school's annual Ice Cream Social.

Anticipation of 2016-17 began early through a variety of events to help students and staff get excited about and prepare for the new school year. These are just a few examples.

National School Improvement Inc. representative Dr. Ron Kelley leads an "Improving Test Scores and Discipline" workshop at M.L. King Academy, where he is a partner.

Crockett ES staff (l to r) Yara Luna, assistant principal, Anna Garcia, principal, and Elizabeth Martinez, family liaison, greet students during an Aug. 19 back-toschool bash. The event included giveaways and a community barbecue.

Open enrollment period now underway Aetna will be SAISD's new health and dental insurance carrier effective Nov. 1. As part of this change, ALL SAISD employees must select and enroll in a new plan. There are three plans from which to choose and all will include rate increases. Employees can learn about them at the second of two benefit information sessions to be held next week at Central Office. Open enrollment sessions also are underway at a variety of locations and times, several days a week including Saturdays, until the Sept. 11 enrollment deadline for those needing assistance and more information. Flu shots also will be available at all of the open enrollment sessions while supplies last. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities in order to be well-informed on the upcoming benefits changes. An open enrollment calender of dates, times and sites was included in all information packets employees received earlier this month. The calendar also can be accessed at: http://agorabenefitssolutions.com/calendar.

8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (new ending time) in the Central Office Board Room, 141 Lavaca St. An email including times was sent to all employees on Aug. 15.

• Sept. 11 (Sun) - 11:59 p.m. deadline for employees to select benefits coverage. This will be the only opportunity to do so for 2016-17.



• October (paycheck) - Payroll deductions start. • Oct. 31 (Mon) - UnitedHealthCare no longer effective. • Nov. 1 (Tues) - New benefit elections effective. How to enroll The Benefits Harbor website is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week at: www.mybenefitharbor.com/saisd. Need more information? Refer to your annual open-enrollment packet or call the Human Resources Office of Employee Benefits, Risk Management, Safety, 554-8660.

Calling new teachers New Teacher Grants applications now are being accepted and need to be put in your campus pony by Sept. 8. These grants help the District's newest educators better equip their students for learning by providing $100 vouchers, which can be used at Learning Zone, Barnes & Noble or Gateway to enhance instruction. Applications can be downloaded at: http://www.saisdfoundation.com/applyfor-grants/.

Happy Labor Day!

All SAISD schools and most offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 5.

Have a safe Labor Day holiday!

Key 2016 benefit dates • Aug. 31 (Wed) - Information session, approximately every 30 minutes between

San Antonio Independent School District 141 Lavaca St. San Antonio, TX 78210 phone: 554-2250 fax: 299-5790 www.saisd.net

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

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