Ceremony Photos | February 2008
Volunteers
The following volunteers from throughout the district were recognized: Emily Borden, Mona Frymire and Michelle Vahalik.
Emily volunteers at Longs Creek Elementary School. As of December 12, 2007, she had accumulated 181 hours of service. Emily's assistance in the PTA's newly implemented copy program for teachers has made this project a success. On most days, you will find Emily busy in the workroom making copies for teachers.
Mona volunteers at Driscoll Middle School where she is always helping out the band and showing support for athletic events. Most recently, Mona helped gather donations for the Academic Pep Rallies. Last year, she spearheaded efforts to gather donation items for the Driscoll Spring Fling, and the amount collected was staggering.
For Harris Middle School, Michelle coordinated the Red Ribbon Week events, which proved to be positive, memorable activities for the students. To reward students for participating in the week's activities, Michelle secured donations from area businesses. She also received posters, wrist bands and ribbons from different organizations, and worked with the Spurs to schedule a Coyote visit. After contacting Senator Wentworth's office, Michelle received a proclamation for Harris, and scheduled a visit from the Senator for their awards program.
Breaking New Ground
Finding new opportunities to build relationships with students takes innovation and creative thinking. The following individuals were recognized for bringing new programs to their schools: Rita Jensen and Sherri McShane.
Rita helped Harris Middle School find a unique way to address a major concern for the community. Rita organized a club called the Animal Benefit Club. The goal of this 20 member club is to bring attention to the plight of neglected, abused and abandoned animals in the community. Also, the club supports local organizations that medically treat and care for these animals by making donations of needed items and holding fundraisers.
In December, the club created Cat Condos, Dog and Cat Beds, Animal Toys and baked Gourmet Cat and Dog Treats. All of the items were donated to the Animal Defense League.
In addition to teaching first grade at Northwood Elementary School, Sherri is also a Master Gardner. She created a gardening club for the students at Northwood. In the club, the students participate in many activities, such as "grow cards" as gifts, and preparing beds for spring planting.
Sherri is also planning an end of the year feast with the students, where they will eat the vegetables they have grown in their garden. In one year, club membership has doubled from 15 to 30, making it quite a success.
Comforting
As school employees, we must all be prepared to have a listening ear when it comes to our students. Sometimes, that opportunity to listen may be just what a student needs to survive a difficult situation.
A MacArthur High School student’s mother was recently hospitalized in the intensive care unit, and not expected to live through the night. While sitting with an aunt in the hospital, the student kept talking about the comforting words heard from Carla Ramos. The aunt asked if Carla was a friend from school, the student replied: "Miss Carla is my bus driver. She Talks to me every day about my mom. This gives me the strength to make it through the day."
This is certainly an experience and relationship the family will remember for a lifetime.
Event Planning
Events take extensive time, effort and planning to be successful. The next five groups to be recognized all worked hard to develop great events to enhance the education of our students.
Event Planning - Volunteers from GIS Day: Jennifer Bollinger, Eric Bowen, Lani Cabico, Lynne Christopher, Pam Colby, Rusty Dickson, Jeremy Donald, Rell Fowler, Lance Freeman, Mike Garza, Dennis Heath, Eric Lomeli, Cecilio Martinez, Diana Molina and Adam Pitman.
(More Photos: 1 | 2)
These individuals come from organizations around the city, and worked to carry out GIS Day 2007 this past November. This event introduced students in the San Antonio area to careers related to GIS, or Geographic Information System.
Hosted at the Community Learning Center, the event included more than 500 students, 120 teachers, 100 volunteers and 15 corporate sponsors from the greater San Antonio Area. The success of this event is directly attributable to the efforts and professionalism of these individuals. One teacher, who has attended all four GIS Days, commented: "Of the four sites, this was the best."
Event Planning - Family Fun Night
The following individuals organized a Family Fun Night at Bulverde Creek Elementary School: Amanda Alldredge, Ruben Arce, Lisa Clark, Carol Coley, Julie Faulstich, Angela Leonhardt, Mary Ruth Lynch, Javier Melendez, Rebecca Miller, Sheri Stanush, Nan Vorhes and Shirl Walter.
(Photos: 1 | 2)
Students, teachers, parents and even grandparents all gathered in the school's cafeteria to learn various types of dance. The purpose of the night was to involve the school's community in a learning activity.
Event Planning - History Fairs
Gerardo Mendez, Ana Ruiz-Brown and Kim Stelter helped conduct the annual Nimitz Middle School History Fair. This campus-wide event, showcasing more than 200 exhibits, 45 web site entries and nine documentaries, relies on a large number of faculty and staff.
The International School of the Americas conducted its second History Fair in January. Kathleen Pedder was the architect and driving force behind this effort. She organized campus competition and procured judges to evaluate and rank the students' work.
Krueger Middle School also conducted its second History Fair in January. Michael Pitts led the school in planning and organizing the event. Michael spent the first semester preparing and encouraging students to perform their best in the fair. In addition to organizing the campus competition, Michael acquired judges to evaluate and rank the students' work.
Event Planning - Academic Pep Rally
In response to their principal's challenge to build relationships and team pride at Driscoll Middle School, these individuals put together the school’s first Academic Pep Rally: Lucia Arguello, Elizabeth Cuellar, Rebecca Ochoa and Amanda Stark.
(Photos: 1 | 2)
For the pep rally, Driscoll became Disco Middle School as teachers dressed up in theme and performed the hustle. Team awards were given to students who personified the ideals of good citizenship and excellent achievement. In addition to their teaching duties, these individuals spent numerous hours organizing the event. With three more pep rallies already scheduled for the year, these ladies are truly making a difference in the lives of all the students.
Event Planning - Turkey Trot
The following individuals, comprised of both staff and volunteers, developed Tejeda Middle School’s first Turkey Trot: Susie Blucher, Amy Brooks, Dave Cope, Ken Dawson, Colleen Donovan, Cheri Franklin, Christina Freeman, Laura Garza, Chandra Lovelace, Lee Miller, Jackie Parades, Kim Piccirilli, Marilu Ramey, Bill Rocheleau, Kym Rushing, Julie Schievelbein, Dana Stolhandske, Beth Troilo and Lisa Vooletich.
(Photos: 1 | 2 | 3)
The idea evolved because the school wanted to do something to involve the entire student body, faculty and staff. Once sold on the idea, the date was set and a t-shirt was designed, sold, ordered and distributed. Even Tejeda's own T-Wolf showed his support at the Trot wearing his best turkey gear, specially designed by PTA Volunteers.
Students walked around the track as many times as possible during their 45 minute AIM class. The Turkey Trot supports the district's Wellness Program and the Susan G. Komen Foundation's fight against breast cancer. Proceeds from the t-shirt sales totaled more than $400. Members of the Tejeda Student Leaders in Action organization will present the money to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
New Opportunities
Teaching often yields new opportunities to step out of the daily routine and showcase your lessons.
Desiree Kloza teaches dance classes daily at Tejeda Middle School to seventh and eighth grade students. The classes are an introduction to the basic dance forms: ballet, jazz, "hip-hop" ... as well as technique skills and choreography. Desiree was asked to have some of her students participate in the NESA production "Steppin' into the Holidays: Holiday Memories" Concert of Dance. This was a special invitation since the event usually showcases high school students.
Desiree accepted. She choreographed and directed 65 young ladies in a dance entitled "Candy Canes" performed to the music of "The Peppermint Twist." Desiree spent countless hours before and after school practicing the routine. The girls were excited, energetic and did an outstanding job.
Bernard Rosenberg, the band teacher at Tejeda, came to the rescue of the Reagan High School Band on Saturday, November 17, 2007.
The Reagan football team had made it to the regional playoffs, but the band was committed to a national competition in Indianapolis. Reagan needed a half-time show quick. Bernard organized 63 Tejeda band students and 31 Reagan students and equipment, arranged for transportation, informed parents and obtained permission slips. On top of that, he planned the routine and music to be played at the game.
Heroism
School employees are the shepherds of each campus, and work hard to keep our students safe. When a student is missing, the school does not rest until the student is found.
John Segovia is the head custodian at Northwood Elementary School, and has held this position for 17 years. On January 8, a student ran away from school. After the school called the police, John volunteered to help in the search. While school administrators searched one street, John searched another.
After an hour of searching, Administration met John walking back to the school, with the student. The student was extremely distraught, but listened to John and agreed not to run away.
The care and compassion shown by John is a lesson to us all. This student is blessed to know that someone really cared about him.
Asthma Blowout
The district has made it a priority to educate our students and parents on asthma and its dangers. The following group of staff members and volunteers who played a part in the Asthma Blowout at Lee High School last October:
Alejandro Aguirre Christina Barker Yolanda Blagg Kerry Bramlett Noel Braswell Idolina Calvillo Rodolfo Casas Esther Cisneroz Minerva Cortinas Shannon Darilek Kim Davis Margarita de Santos Meg Domas Kim Duncan Leo Enriquez Ruben Espinoza Tara Fifer Gail Finn Dr. Ted Freeman Mary Fritscher Robert Garcia Mark Glasser Laura Gomez Santos Gomez Dottie Gonzalez |
Victor Gutierrez Sarah Hall Cesar Hernandez Ralph Hernandez Xavier Hernandez Donna Hunsicker Cassandra Jimenez Michael Keranen Chrissie Kolb Rita Lambert Jerry Lamping Debi Long Eddie Lopez Rosa Lopez Katie Mahoney Lupe Martinez Vicente Martinez Maureen Mazur Mary Medrano Brad Moore Javier Munoz Briann Murphy Rachel Naylor Lisa Neal Susan Nielsen |
Liliana Ortiz Dr. Tarak Patel Ernest Paz Ramon Perez Dr. Paul Ratner Tiffany Reed Becky Rendon Frausto Reyes Diane Rhodes Mary Roszell Jose Sanchez Jennifer Schaefer Debbie Shodrock Dr. Kelly Smith Roseline Soto Sheri Sowa Paula Spriggs Andrea Terrazas Sandra Torres Laura Valdes Claudio Velasquez Patty Wampler and Rocke Whitney |
This group is even larger than what is listed. Some planning participants have already received Superintendent's Awards this year or they donated items for the Blowout packets.
Numerous individuals planned and successfully implemented the District's first Asthma Blowout for families impacted by asthma. Countless hours were spent coordinating the event to encourage families to participate. Approximately 150 individuals were able to benefit from the information shared by physicians, respiratory therapists and nurses. Furthermore, families were provided the opportunity to speak with these physicians.
The evening concluded with everyone sharing a meal together. This event was so successful that another Asthma Blowout is scheduled for spring 2008.
(More Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5)
