Summer 2014 - North East Independent School District

Summer
2014
North East Co
nnections
Summer
2014
A Publication of the North East Independent School District
Congratulations to NEISD Class of 2014
vv More than 4,600 graduates
vv 15 National Merit Finalists
vv 16 National Merit Semifinalists
vv 57 National Merit Commended Scholars
vv 69 National Hispanic Scholars
vv 2 National Achievement Scholars
Take a look at some of our graduates as they look toward the future and reflect on the past.
COURTNEY
EILEEN
KIOLBASSA, 18
After graduation,
I will attend Texas
A&M University to study Business in
the Mays Business Honors program.
I would like to pursue a career in
International
Business,
Human
Relations, or Advertising. What I liked
most about NEISD was the fact that the
district offered so many opportunities to
succeed in academics and arts.
ANJALI KHATRI, 18
After graduation, I will
attend the University of
Texas at Austin to study
International Relations/
Global Affairs along with Arabic. I would like
to pursue a career in nonprofit work doing
conflict resolution abroad. What I liked most
about NEISD was the wide variety of classes
and programs I was allowed to take to expand
myself. Unique classes like Discovering the
Middle East have had a part in shaping my
wishes of the future.
MARTE FLORES
GONZALEZ, 18
After graduation,
I
will
attend
UTSA to study
Computer Science. I would like
to pursue a career in Software
Engineering. What I liked most about
NEISD was that all the teachers
helped me to learn English when I first
came to the U.S. two and a half years
ago. Without their help and support I
wouldn’t be where I am right now.
CHRISTINA
ASHLEY
WERCKLE, 18
After
graduation,
I will attend Texas
Tech University to study Human Sciences.
I would like to pursue a career in nursing.
What I liked most about NEISD was the
community involvement and encouraging
support from teachers, parents and
coaches to be a part of something. So
many organizations in NEISD are the
origin of our best memories and valued
relationships.
ZACHARY
THOMAS LOPEZ,
18
After graduation,
I will attend A&M
University College Station to study
engineering. I would like to pursue a
career in helping people. What I liked
most about NEISD was the accessibility
to go above and beyond traditional
schooling and the encouragement to
keep setting your bar higher and higher.
JEANNA
MULLEN, 18
After graduation, I
plan on attending
the University of
Texas at El Paso to play soccer and
study Business Economics. My goal is to
pursue a career in the medical field. I’m
thankful that NEISD has always provided
its students with the best opportunities
possible to be ready for life after high
school. Whether it's in the classroom or
in extra-curricular activities, the NEISD
staff always goes the extra mile.
TESSA NICOLE
VAUGHAN, 18
After graduation,
I will attend Texas
Tech University
to study Global Studies. I would like
to pursue a career in international
relations. What I liked most about
NEISD was how passionate each of
my teachers was about their subject
and their students’ success.
CORY M.
JOHNSON, 18
After
graduation,
I
will
attend
Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) to study
Computer Science. I would like to pursue
a career in the emerging technology
field as a programmer and potentially
a business leader. What I liked most
about NEISD was the emphasis on
deeply involved extra-curricular activities,
including the choir I sang in at Longs
Creek, Madison’s TASC-member Student
Council, and the Orchestra program.
Inside this Issue
 New middle school is ready for students  Wheelchair competition begins  Students earn high achievements  Volunteer and businesses get the spotlight
NEISD’s newest school David Lee “Tex” Hill Middle
School is ready for students and staff
Newly-constructed Hill Middle School offers a foundation of
success for students
The amount of detailed coordination, planning, and timing, along
with the immense challenges and constraints that come with building
a public school can be tremendous. These factors make the recent
construction of North East ISD’s fourteenth middle school, David
Lee “Tex” Hill Middle School, worth celebrating. Located at 21314
Bulverde Road, the new middle school could be considered a “model
project,” as the process came with few major obstacles and epitomizes
NEISD’s drive for top quality design.
The school, which has stayed on budget and schedule throughout
its construction, is set to open for students in fall 2014.
Designing a welcoming and timeless campus
From the student drop-off area to instruction areas, Tex Hill is
designed to inspire learning.
“It requires a unique combination of the best design team; bringing
in experienced architects that have a passion for designing facilities
that will stimulate learning,” said Jorge Cabello, senior director
of Construction Planning and Design. “These facilities need to be
welcoming to students –especially with the middle school age group.”
Sitting on an 80.75 acre site, the 214,711 square foot campus with
a capacity of 1,500 students and 65 classrooms gave designers plenty
to work with. The design team consists of a group of architectural and
engineering professionals who are in charge of taking construction
management’s vision and making it a reality. District personnel from
all major divisions including: technology, operations and campus
administration are included in this process.
Creating an environment that promotes learning and discovery
From the color of the walls to the school logo at center court of the
gymnasium, how students feel about their school psychologically can
make a difference academically. Centered on the theme of science and
technology, Tex Hill has been designed to entice school pride, inquiry
and discovery throughout the campus.
Before even entering the classrooms, students will be exposed to
scientific processes; earth and space science; and force, motion and
energy. School signage will be displayed throughout each corridor
where students will read various science and technology fun facts.
Students are sure to enjoy a brass Foucault pendulum, which will
serve as an instructional design element in the school.
Students will enjoy a “greener” school
Although the school colors are red and blue, Tex Hill will be
considered a green school thanks to being built according to LEED
(Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver ratings
standards. Part of building a school to this standard includes energy
efficient HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units,
energy efficient artificial lighting and efficient air filtration systems.
2
The covered parent drop-off area, inviting classrooms, colorful
gymnasium and lots of natural lighting are just some of the features
of the new David Lee “Tex” Hill Middle School. A brass Foucault
pendulum will also serve as a unique instructional design element.
NEEF Starlight Gala raises record amount
The 2014 North East Educational Foundation (NEEF) 23rd Annual
Gala was a major success and will be remembered as the most succesful
in the foundation’s history raising more than $202,000 - an increase of 48
percent over the previous year’s total. It is also notable as the first time the
silent auction took place through a smartphone bidding system.
“We kicked it up a notch by implementing a new bidding system in the
hopes that it would make it easier for guests to bid,” said Co-Executive
Director Patti Mezzatesta.
Mezzatesta, along with NEEF board members and Co-Executive
Director Susan Achterberg, put in long hours to raise foundation funds
because they believe in supporting North East ISD.
“I am a graduate of the district, my three daughters are graduates of
the district, and two are now teachers at elementary schools in NEISD,”
said Achterberg. “Volunteering is my way of giving back to the district
that I love and am so thankful for.”
The NEEF Gala raises funds through sponsorships, a live auction and
a silent auction. Funds raised go toward classroom enrichment projects in
NEISD. Project examples include new Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM) library books, instruments, gardening materials,
reading intervention kits and robotics programs. Projects must enhance
learning and serve purposes outside of district-funded curriculum, and are
often not possible without these grants.
The foundation held its Starlight Gala on March 1, 2014 and
would like to thank all of the contributors and sponsors who made
this event such a success.
Diamond Level
Energy Testing & Balance
Joeris General Contractors
Garza Bomberger &
Associates
Gold Level
Norton Rose Fulbright
Josten’s High School
Achievement
JQ Consulting Engineers
Laurel Ridge Treatment
Center
Linebarger Goggan Blair
& Sampson
Moy Tarin Ramirez
Engineers
Pfluger Associates Architects
Gold Level cont’d
Professional Service
Industries
RVK
Schulman, Lopez & Hoffer
Silber & Associates
Consulting Engineers
Wiss, Janney, Elstner
Associates
Southwest Securities
Silver Level
Pape-Dawson Engineers
PBK
R-S-C-R
Partner Spotlight: Zachry Corporation
Moving to a new location can be an overwhelming task for an individual or a family, and it is even
more so for a large business. It is impressive then, that volunteering was among the first items on Zachry
Corporation’s to-do list when they moved last year.
“We knew immediately that we wanted to plug in and support “When I was a child, I had a
a local elementary school,” said Rachael Ferrera, head of the
Zachry Volunteer Council. Over the past year, Zachry has shown tutor who made a difference
that they truly believe in their corporate values: “This is more in my life and it’s always
than a job, every person matters and together we can do great stuck with me.”
things.”
Zachry Corporation donated more than $6,000 worth of uniforms and school supplies to Larkspur
Elementary School over the course of this school year. In addition to giving monetarily, 21 Zachry
Corporation employees tutored second-grade Larkspur students each week.
Sandi Bouchard is one of the Zachry
“When I was a child, I had a tutor who made a difference in my life and it’s always stuck with me,” said
Corporation volunteers who works
Ferrera. “At work there are days when you are really busy and think you don’t have the time to tutor, but
with students at Larkspur.
each time afterward you come back to work energized because you know you made that child’s day.”
Their investment through funds and tutoring has made a lasting impact. The second-grade student Ferrera reads with has gone up five
reading levels since the fall when Ferrera began working with her.
Keli Pena, the Family Specialist at Larkspur, says Zachry’s Volunteer Council is greatly appreciated because they are always willing to
help and provide support for the needs of the campus.
If your business is interested in giving back to North East ISD schools, please contact Director of Partnerships Amy Lane at 210-407-0555.
3
NEISD’s wheelchair competitor blazes the trail
North East ISD has entered a new race in athletics for Texas schools -wheelchair competition. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) has
started a pilot program for wheelchair athletes, and NEISD has an inspiring
student leading the way.
“I’m ecstatic! My teammates were shocked the first time they saw me on
the track,” said Wyatt Struxness, a sophomore at Reagan High School. “They
think it is great to see me on the track with them.”
Wyatt, 16, has cerebral palsy, a
“My physical disability disorder that causes physical
disabilities. He competed in his first
doesn’t define me.”
UIL race at the NEISD Invitational
Track Meet in April. He competed
against runners and competitors in the 100m, 400m and Shot Put. He was the
only one in a wheelchair.
“People didn’t know what to expect,” said Mary Ann Struxness, Wyatt’s
mother. “I was at the end of the race watching him. The crowd started cheering
Struxness is the district’s first wheelchair athlete thanks
for him. I was crying. Others were crying. He introduced the wheelchair Wyatt
to a new program of the University Interscholastic League (UIL).
athlete to this crowd. It was so exciting.”
Wyatt has sprung to the challenge and enjoys being a trail blazer.
UIL is experimenting with the wheelchair division pilot program, and is
offering three events for wheelchair athletes: 100m, 400m and shot put. “Schools have been approaching us with those ideas for about nine
years,” said UIL Assistant Athletic Director Traci Neely. “We just want to see what the response is.”
Wyatt trains once to two times a week and is currently working to become a U.S. paralympic athlete. He’s competed in the Endeavor
Games in Oklahoma for five years, and in 2012, he was named Junior Athlete of the Year.
“My physical disability doesn’t define me,” said Wyatt. “I hope they see we are competitors. People with disabilities can do sports just
like their peer groups.”
District welcomes new member to Board of Trustees
On Saturday, May 10, North East ISD Board of Trustees had three
positions scheduled for election. Voters turned out and re-elected Edd
White in District 2. This will be White's sixth term on the board. Board
member Brigitte Perkins, District 7, ran unopposed and retains her
position as a trustee. Board President Susan Galindo, did not run for
re-election in District 3, so candidate Sandi Wolff will take over in that
district. Wolff is the only new member of the board this term.
On Wednesday, May 14, a special meeting was held to certify the
election results, have candidates take their Oaths of Office and elect
new board officers. The district welcomes its new member and officers
to the NEISD Board of Trustees:
Letti Bresnahan, President, District 6
Shannon Grona, Vice President, District 5
Sandy Hughey, Secretary, District 1
The next scheduled
election will be for
Brigitte Perkins, Trustee, District 7
Districts 1, 4, 5 and 6
Jim Wheat, Trustee, District 4
in May 2016.
Edd White, Trustee, District 2
Sandi Wolff, Trustee, District 3
4
Dr. Brian G. Gottardy (back center) joins the new NEISD Board of
Trustees certified after an election on May 10.
North East Recognitions
Roosevelt JROTC receives
Superintendent’s Trophy
On May 13, Dr. Brian G. Gottardy
presented the Superintendent’s Trophy
to the Roosevelt High School JROTC.
The special award and honor is presented
annually to the most outstanding JROTC
unit in North East ISD.
Numerous awards and 35,000
hours of community service make the
Roosevelt JROTC worthy of this year’s
recognition.
“It is a true testament to your
hard work, your dedication, your
perseverance – just the overall
performance that you exude here,” said
Gottardy as he presented the trophy
to Battalion Commander Evan Pape
and Battalion Executive Officer Tanja
Ojeda.
and the DoSomething organization. She
also organized a “jeans for teens” drive
on her campus that raised more than one
hundred pairs of jeans that were donated
to those in need.
The grant application process
is administered by The Community
Foundation for the National Capital
Region with guidance from The Laura
Bush Foundation’s Advisory Committee.
Tejeda student wins VIA’s
“Best of Show”
ATA students win first
place in state competition
Paola Flores, eighth-grade student
at Tejeda Middle School, has won the
“Best of Show” award presented by VIA
Metropolitan Transit for her artwork.
She was recognized at an award
ceremony on May 14 which included a
luncheon and presentations from SAPD
Chief William McManus and esteemed
officials Alex Briseno and Charles
Gonzalez. Paola’s design won her a cash
award and Santikos movie tickets. In
addition, her work is featured larger than
life and displayed around the city as it
travels on the side of the featured bus.
Roosevelt cadets accept the Superintendent’s
Trophy from Dr. Brian G. Gottardy at a special
ceremony on May 13.
NESA student selected
Volunteer of the Year
Kristy Tijerina, of North East School
of the Arts (NESA), is the recipient of
this year’s Student Volunteer of the Year
Award. Selected by the district’s Volunteer
department, Kristy exemplifies the
district’s model of a 360-degree student.
She is a dancer at NESA, a member of the
National Honor Society and a dedicated
member in the PALS (Peer Assistance
Leadership and Service) organization.
She is a volunteer for the San Antonio
Children’s Museum, Habitat for Humanity
Tejeda’s Paola Flores wins “Best of Show” from
the VIA Metropolitan Transit for her artwork
which will now be featured on the side of a bus.
Two
Automotive
Technology
Academy (ATA) students, Derek
Thompson from MacArthur High School
and Matthew Arnst from Churchill High
School, competed against nine other
teams and took first place on May 2 at the
State Ford AAA competition held at San
Jacinto College near Houston.
Derek and Matthew have been training
for this event for the past month with a car
donated by Jordan Ford. Juan Martinez,
their sponsor and the academy’s other two
Instructors Armen Nazarian and Dan Izzi
have all been working as a team getting
ready for the competition.
All of their hard work and training paid
off when Derek and Matthew competed
and came in first place to take home the
winning trophy. Both students received a
$10,000 scholarship to UTI and several
Snap On Tools sets.
Derek and Matthew, along with
Martinez, will fly to Deerborne, Michigan
on June 8, to compete in the National Ford
AAA competition.
Ed White wins $5,000
Laura Bush grant
Ed White Middle School was selected
to be one of only 219 schools chosen
nationwide to receive a $5,000 Laura
Bush Grant. The money will be used to
develop the library collection, including
developing a Spanish language collection
for the school’s bilingual students.
5
Derek Thompson and Matthew Arnst win first
place at the State Ford AAA competition and
each win a $10,000 scholarship.
New state requirements for high school graduation
The 83rd Texas Legislature changed graduation requirements
for first time ninth-grade students in 2014-2015 and thereafter. The
new graduation plan, called the Foundation High School Program,
requires 22 credits to be earned in:
Foundations
High
School
Program
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
English (4 credits),
Mathematics (3 credits),
Science (3 credits),
Social Studies (3 credits),
Physical Education (1 credit),
Languages Other than English (2 credits),
Fine Arts (1 credit), and
Elective courses (5 credits, including 0.5
credit of Health as required by NEISD)
The Foundation High School Program also provides options for
students to earn an endorsement, a distinguished level of achievement
and performance acknowledgement. An endorsement is a program
of study that reflects students’ interests. There are five endorsement
options: Multidisciplinary Studies; STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math); Business and Industry; Public Services; and
Arts and Humanities. Students will pursue an endorsement by earning
one additional math credit, one additional science credit and two
additional elective credits for a total of 26 credits. Each endorsement
includes a complete list of courses from which students can choose to
fulfill endorsement requirements.
When a student earns an Algebra II credit with an endorsement, he/
she will also earn the distinguished level of achievement designation,
which will be used to determine automatic college admission to public
universities in Texas. North East ISD believes that most students will
be able to attain the distinguished level of achievement and will begin
all incoming ninth-grade students on the pathway to earn it so that all
options will be available to them after graduation.
Finally, students may also earn performance acknowledgements
for outstanding performance: in dual credit courses; in bilingualism
and biliteracy; on an AP exam; on the PSAT, SAT, or ACT test; or with
a business or industry certification or license.
Please visit www.neisd.net/staar/high-info.html for more
information on these requirements.
Harris student turns situation into inspiration
It’s hard enough being 15, but some
times young people that age also have to
deal with incredible circumstances while
in school. This was the case for Harris
Middle School student Kayla Sinclair
who despite an abusive parent and family
health problems, has turned her situation
into an inspiration.
“Yeah, my life has been hard,” said
Sinclair. “ You can still achieve so much
if you set your mind to it. To me, it’s
just that I have to strive to be better than
student
Kayla
my parents to hopefully live up to my Harris
Sinclair turns her past
[guardians’] expectations of me.”
experiences into motivation
Kayla was removed from her home to help others.
a year ago because of abuse. She’s now
living with her younger brother and guardians Arthur and Carol
Scarbrough. Kayla says they give her stability and inspire her to live
up to her potential.
Currently, Kayla spends time as a peer tutor at Wilshire Elementary
School in the “Reading Together” program. She is also in the Peer
Assistance Leadership and Service (PALS) program.
She had a student mentor help her through some tough times, and
she feels compelled to return the favor. Today, she’s able to talk to kids
with parents going through a divorce or just having a tough time.
“I remember how much it hurt being the person who was abused.
I looked at my brother and saw
how much it was hurting him
and how much it was hurting “You can still achieve
me,” said Kayla. “Somebody so much if you set your
needs to step up. So it was me
mind to it.”
who had to step up.”
That’s why her volunteer
work doesn’t end at school. Her guardian and father figure has cystic
fibrosis and volunteers as a security guard for the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation. Kayla started volunteering at monthly events with him to
help others.
With aspirations to attend Yale, Harvard or Stanford in the future,
she’s putting no limits on what she can accomplish. “Hopefully I can
make a good impact on the world,” said Kayla.
“She’s a trooper,” said Art Scarbrough. “She’s been able to hold it
all together, do well in school, and help others in the process.”
6
Volunteering does a body good
Volunteering for others often provides
lying in bed.
the greatest reward to those being helped.
Owens loves to help teachers in the
Even more often, however, the reward
classroom and at fundraisers. She also enjoys
is felt most by the volunteer. Oak Grove
organizing and working on events. Olveda has
Elementary School has three grandmothers
been a consistent face on campus for more than
who regularly volunteer, and everyone is
nine years and loves working with teachers and
grateful.
helping with projects. Morlett is a retired reading
“These grandparent volunteers are
specialist and tutors kindergarten students who
invaluable to our school,” said Adriana
need a little extra attention with reading.
Rivera, family specialist at Oak Grove.
“We do Bingo with them to help them
“They help in the classroom, workroom,
learn their sounds,” said Morlett. “They are just
tutoring and going on field trips.”
having fun with me, but it works.”
Among the benefits, these grandmothers Grandparents Yvonne Olveda, Bindy Owens and Ana “You don’t know what you are missing,”
say volunteering at Oak Gove is actually Morlett are retirees who found out that volunteering said Olveda. “Parents really need to get
is the cure for what ails them.
good for their health.
involved. More parents should be here.”
“It is therapy for
The women said they love the opportunity just to have those
me,” said Eva “Yvonne” “These grandparent
special moments with their grandchildren and watch them grow up.
Olveda, 55. “I take the volunteers are so
“During the holidays, the kids were singing Christmas carols in the
good days and come to
cafeteria,” said Owens. “It was a special moment. I just started crying
invaluable
to
our
school.”
work. It keeps my mind
seeing my grand kids and how big they were.”
busy.”
The women said they know the teachers work hard and appreciate
Belinda “Bindy” Owens, 60; Ana Morlett, 71; and Olveda all the help, but they admit they themselves benefit greatly from being
retired for medical reasons. Now, instead of focusing on their ailments, able to stay busy and keep their minds focused on the positive.
they spend time with their grandchildren and friends at school. They If you are interested in being a volunteer at your child’s school
said they’d rather be busy helping students and teachers instead of next year, contact the district’s Volunteer department at 407-0309.
Elementary students display skills at
largest robotics showcase
On May 17, more than 40 schools and approximately 700 students participated in the 2014
North East ISD Elementary Robotics Showcase held at Churchill High School. This extraordinary
event highlighted students as they collaborated in teams to program their robots to perform various
tasks at different stations. It was the biggest showcase in the district’s history.
Students displayed their unique robotic designs during the inventions portion of the showcase.
They were also responsible for designing poster board models for the robotics to run through
for each task. An awards program was held in both the morning and afternoon to celebrate their
incredible achievements in robotic design and performance.
Hundreds of students gathered at Churchill High
School on May 17 to take part in the district’s
largest Elementary Robotics Showcase.
(210) 826-3015
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ATTORNEY AT LAW
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Volunteer Spotlight
Vicki Bass
Summer
2014
North East Connections
North East
Independent
School District
8961 Tesoro Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78217
www.neisd.net
“I think it’s important to volunteer to be present in my children’s
lives. I like that I have built relationships with the people they see
everyday; from staff to teachers to the kids in their classes.”
Vicki Bass has been a parent volunteer for seven years.
She will serve as the 2014-2015 President of the Longs Creek
Elementary School PTA.
Summer
2014
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
San Antonio, TX
Permit No. 399
ECRWSS
POSTAL CUSTOMER
She has also served as the Used Book Sale Coordinator,
Enrichment Committee Chair, Grandparent’s Day
Coordinator, Bike Rodeo Chair, Room Parent, and a library
and copy room volunteer.
Vicki and her husband Hunter have three children: J.R., a
13-year-old student at KSAT; and Jaycie, 9, and Katie, 6, both
at Longs Creek.
North East ISD
Board
of Trustees
Printed on recycled paper
NOTICE
The North East Independent School
District does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, religion, gender,
national origin, age or disability.
Letti Bresnahan
District 6
President
NOTICIA
Place your advertisement in this newsletter.
Call 407-0396 for more information.
El Distrito Escolar Independiente
del Noreste no discrimina por raza,
color, religión, género, origen nacional,
edad, o incapacidad.
Executive Staff
Shannon Grona
District 5
Vice President
Sandy Hughey
District 1
Secretary
Brigitte Perkins
District 7
Trustee
Brian G. Gottardy, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Ron Clary
Associate Superintendent for Operations
Janna Hawkins
Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Technology Services/CIO
Donna Newman, Ed.D.
Associate Superintendent for
Campus Administration and Human Resources
Dan Villarreal, CPA
Associate Superintendent for Business Services/CFO
Edd White
District 2
Trustee
James Wheat
District 4
Trustee
Sandi Wolff
District 3
Trustee
Aubrey Chancellor
Executive Director of Communications

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