ALAMO HEIGHTS ISD
SCHOOL 2021 VIEWS Spring
more than a snow day It is rare for students and teachers in San Antonio to have school cancelled for a Snow Day! In mid-February, schools were closed for more than one day, as temperatures dropped well below freezing and snow began to fall across Texas! In a year like no other, our Alamo Heights students, staff and families, made the best of the closure, marking the historic event creating moments and making memories!
REMOTE READ IN
IN THIS ISSUE From Superintendent.................................................................. 2 Community Based Accountability.......................................... 3 Equity................................................................................................4 School Life...................................................................................... 7 #ExtraordinaryAHISD Staff.......................................................8 Trustees at Work...........................................................................9 Under Construction................................................................... 10 Mule News, Bits & Briefs...........................................................11 Alamo Heights School Foundation.......................................13
Snowed in? Alamo Heights ISD found creative ways to encourage reading among students and staff during time away from schools during a unique and rare winter blast. The district launched a Remote Read In, asking students and teachers to share photos of themselves reading remotely during the coldest and greatest snow fall in decades in the San Antonio area and across Texas. Students and staff alike, shared their favorite books, what they were currently reading, and their cozy reading spots while snowed in!
Images in this publication of students or staff without masks have been taken with social distancing protocols in place.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Dana Bashara, Superintendent of Schools Heart of the Community
Many of us are looking back to this time last year when we began to experience the beginning of what became widely referred to as “unprecedented times.” It was then that we engaged in work characterized by an energy of innovation, creativity and responsiveness as our team stood up incredible plans for what we called AHISD Continuous Learning in a virtual environment that no one had any experience with prior to this time. Out of the uncertainty of that time, emerged a new identity of the collective AHISD character. And with certainty, we demonstrated through our actions that in AHISD, we are all about our core values of humility, empathy, courage, resiliency, and dignity. We took care of our students and their families, and we took care of each other. This identity will forever be a foundation for the way we turn times of challenge into times of opportunity, and the way we persist to always be the heart of the community.
Continuous Learning And, as we come to the final nine weeks of the 20202021 school year, it only seems appropriate to acknowledge all that we’ve accomplished this school year. Through careful and thoughtful planning, we successfully opened our doors to students in our classrooms for face-to-face instruction as well as those students who opted for the Heights at Home platform. Due to the careful protocols and planning, our students experienced incredible learning opportunities both in the classroom and through their engagement in extracurriculars and athletics.
#EXTRAORDINARYAHISD Dr. Dana Bashara takes us “On Loc ation” to learn about the AH-mazing students, staff, ideas and intitiatives, that make AHISD extraordinary. Pictured: A few of Cambridge Elementary’s Kindess Captains, Principal Jana Hawlkins, and Counselor Lauren Bohyer. Tune in to our YouTube Channel to get a glimpse into the AH-mazing programs that make up our extrao rdinary Alamo Heights ISD! students. It is through the dedication of our teachers, our school staff, our cafeteria workers, bus drivers and custodians that each one of our students has been given an amazing opportunity for learning, socialization, interaction, and connectedness. I am also so grateful for our AHISD families and the partnerships that have been formed along the way throughout this journey to contribute to this success. I look to the future with anticipation and eagerness of all that we can accomplish having proven with certainty, over the course of the past year, that together we are at our best!
hries
Better Together
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Photo Co
urtesy of
Mark Hu mp
I continue to be so grateful for each one of our amazing AHISD team members and their unwavering commitment to our
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CBAS uses a multiple measures approach to educational outcomes developed at the local level. This means the inclusion of data sources traditionally overlooked in statewide accountability systems, like surveys, open-ended responses, classroom assessments, budgets, and attendance rates. This CBAS also includes data reflective of our entire student population, rather than the limited scope of state accountability. The data included in this document provides concrete evidence of the progress toward the educational outcomes that our Alamo Heights community determined are in the best interest of their children.
COMMUNITY BASED ACCOUNTABILITY CBAS Now Available The AHISD Community Based Accountability System (CBAS) digs deeply into the values of our local community and the Alamo Heights School District – the heart of the community whose passion is excellence. It articulates so much more than the A-F state system of accountability that measures our district based on a snapshot of one test on one day for our students. This AHISD CBAS measures all that we aspire for the students of our schools. This is what we dedicate the mission of our daily work to everyday. Here is a quick look at just a few of the items featured in this year’s report. To see the entire report, visit www.ahisd.net and select About AHISD, District Publications.
ACCOUNTABILITY SUMMARY
Pillar 1 Student Learning and Progress
• The percent of AHISD third grade students that score “Meets Grade Level” or above will increase to 65% in reading. • The percent of AHISD third grade students that score “Meets Grade Level” or above will increase to 60% in math.
Pillar 2 Student Readiness
• AHISD will offer a free school day SAT exam to all Junior s. • Industry certification exam opportunities will be embedded into Level II Career & Techn
THE SEVEN PILLARS
Pillar 3 Student Wellbeing and Safety
The CBAS is organized around seven pillars. Within each pillar there are key questions for district leaders, in partnership with community members, to strive to answer. The answers from the key questions serve as signals to guide future district goals and activities.
ical courses.
• AHHS and AHJS will explore master schedule options.
• A guaranteed and viable curriculum will be developed for
class meetings and advisory lessons.
Pillar 4 Engaged, Well-Rounded Students
Pillar 1: Student Learning & Progress
• AHJS will explore feasibility of providing COGAT and Iowa Exams and GT testing for all 8th grade students.
Pillar 2: Student Readiness
• AHISD will identify high potential students for additional academic counseling to encourage participations in advanced academic pathways.
Ensure academic success for all students
Ensure students are well prepared for their next level of education
Pillar 3: Student Wellbeing & Safety
Pillar 5 Community Engagement
Ensure students are educated in an optimal environment that is safe, secure, and conducive to learning
• AHISD will create new community advisory groups.
Pillar 4: Engaged, Well-Rounded Students
Engage students in a way that contributes to their overall development and future well-being
Pillar 6 Professional Learning & Quality Staff
Ensure that local citizens are a meaningful, integral part of the schools
Pillar 7 Fiscal and Operational Systems
Ensure that every student has high quality teachers and adults in the schools
• AHISD will explore the feasibility of continuing remote
Pillar 5: Community Engagement
Pillar 6: Professional Learning and Quality Staff
• AHISD will develop new professional learning opportunitie s.
• AHISD will closly monitor the fiscal impact of the pande
Pillar 7: Fiscal & Operational Systems
mic on school funding.
learning beyond the 20-21 school year.
Ensure the district is using its resources to further its mission
AHISD Scho ol Views Spring 2 0 21
Art Courtesy of Micah Gem Norma Gentles.
How It Works
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Our district’s focus on equity and access continued into the fall of 2019 when AHISD engaged in an updated strategic planning process. As a result of the input from our community through the district-wide survey, 50 focus groups, and community volunteers who met several times, our community called us into action around four updated goal areas, which included one goal focused around belonging and equity. In July 2020, our AHISD Trustees passed a resolution to prioritize the formation of an AHISD Equity Council to continue this work, encouraging a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion to be apparent in our organizational structure and in the school experience for every one of our students and staff. With a district-wide invitation to all stakeholders in October 2021, the Equity Council was formed and included all parents, staff and students who wanted to be a partner in this important work. In an attempt to identify areas to improve equity, the council worked to review multiple data sources. Upon review of the data, and with the AHISD beliefs and parameters at the core, three strategy areas were developed to include:
VISION 2020Strategic Action Goal
Equitable Academics: The disaggregated data on academic achievement should show high comparable performance for all identified groups of learners
Belonging & Equity
Equality and equity are not the same thing. Equality in education is achieved when all students are provided exactly the same opportunity, treatment, access and resources. In contrast, equity is achieved when all students receive what they need, when they need it, so they are college, career and life ready. For example, some kindergartners need extra support to learn to identify letters while other kindergartners are already reading and need enrichment. Equality is giving every student the same book to read at the same time while equity is matching the level of the text to the reading level of the student. In AHISD, equity means promoting a deep sense of belonging for all students and creating the conditions in which everyone can participate, prosper and reach his or her full potential. Promoting equity and belonging has been at the core of our work in Alamo Heights for many years. In 2008, AHISD’s Strategic Plan, a comprehensive, community-wide effort to map out our strategic direction, included a strategy about equity and access. At that time, the focus was that every AHISD student had equity of access to our programs, resources, and academic services. Many positive outcomes for our students grew out of this work. Our district began a late bus service so all students could stay after school to participate in tutorials and activities. Library hours were extended beyond the school day so students had access to computers and the internet to complete their school assignments. At that time, the district also revised the policies around enrollment in advanced course work so all students, who were willing to dedicate the time and are able to meet the minimum required grade average, could participate in Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre-Advanced Placement (PAP) courses. Over the years enrollment in AP courses has increased and student achievement on AP national exams has likewise increased. We can trace the roots of our award-winning dual language program as an enrichment model of bilingual education to our strategic planning process. Our autism and inclusion offerings for students were similarly strengthened.
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Equitable Access: Records of student participation should show unobstructed entrance, involvement and full participation of all identified groups of learners in courses, programs and activities Equitable Treatment: Students and staff perceptions and observed patterns of interactions between individuals should be accepting, valuing, supporting, and safe so that all students feel challenged and engaged Members of the three different work teams will come together on May 7 and 8 for a synthesis meeting to articulate strategic action recommendations. Progress of the AHISD Equity Council will continue to be shared through our district communications and publications.
Members of the Equity Council Wo rk Teams met to identify areas to imporve equity, reviewing multip le data sources, with the AHISD beliefs and parameters at the core, developing three strategy areas, noted above.
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2021 Teachers of the Year
Alamo Heights ISD announced the Campus Teachers of the Year for each of the district’s five campuses. Honorees were selected by their peers and will represent their campus throughout 2021. Honorees included: Bryan Stanton, Alamo Heights High School; Michael McElrath, Alamo Heights Junior School; Carly Leech, Howard Early Childhood Center; Mariana Medaris, Cambridge Elementary; and, Barbara Iverson, Woodridge Elementary. The district honored these outstanding teachers during the board meeting in February, announcing the district-level Teacher of the Year, Bryan Stanton, in an announcement also presented live on Facebook and YouTube. Meet AHISD’s extraordinary Campus Teachers of the Year!
BRYAN STANTON Theater Arts Teacher, Alamo Heights High School “I have the unique honor of being able to help students find their voice and passion. I tell students, in this space, you are allowed to be your authentic self, unapologetically. This an environment where you are free to take risks and explore. As you grow into yourselves, as an actor, technician, and person, you will explore characters and social situations that may be different from your own. This allows you to use your character acting experience to understand the perspective of others in the world. One distinct difference between my theatre class and others you may have experienced is that your learning will be applied realistically by doing philanthropic theatre work in which we tie non-profit organizations to our curriculum and performances. This bridge allows you to not only make an impact on the greater community but grow in your empathy for fellow human beings and the natural world. By doing this, our AHISD “Profile of a Learner” comes to life.” AHHS Principal, Cory Smith, shares,“Bryan has found a way to connect theatre to philanthropic work in both the local and global communities through his work, and as a result has received recognition from Character.org. Mr. Stanton makes himself available for students and colleagues alike, understanding the importance of social-emotional well-being and the role it plays in academic success. He has become the “go-to guy” on campus; a reliable, trusted professional and friend to many in these uncertain times. Bryan Stanton has added a bright spark to our Theatre department, one that continues to spread through his example of kindness, inclusion, and compassion.”
Bryan Stanton represents Alam as the 2021 D istrict Teacher oo Heights ISD f the Year AHISD Honor eee for Trinity P rize for Seconda AHISD Nom ry Education inee for Region 20 ESC Teacher of the Year Principle Auto’s Car-4-All-Seaso ns Teacher of the Y ear
MICHAEL MCELRATH Texas History Teacher, Alamo Heights Junior School Football & Track Coach, Alamo Heights High School “I believe one of the most important aspects of teaching is building relationships and rapport with my students and colleagues. It is important to first establish a solid base of trust and mutual respect to build the educational process upon. I want to be known for my ability to motivate and teach any individual into their best performance and version of themselves. Teaching makes me better and I am blessed to give that back to my students.” Principal, Laura Ancira, shared, “Michael models and practices his values and beliefs every day with a caring heart. This speaks volumes about his teaching philosophy: respect, love, empathy, courage, dignity, resilience and humility, are the values he models and teaches all of his students. Not only does he passionately teach his content and coach sports, he also teaches students about the soft skills they need to survive and thrive in our world.”
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CARLY LEECH Campus Bilingual Coordinator/Bilingual Interventionist, Howard Early Childhood Center “I became enthralled by the idea of bilingual education, which eventually led me to San Antonio in pursuit of a career helping English learners reach high levels of achievement, bilingualism, and biliteracy in English and Spanish. In addition to my passion for supporting emerging bilingual students, I have become deeply involved in weekend volunteer work supporting families seeking asylum in the United States. I work with the Interfaith Welcome Coalition (IWC) to help immigrant families who were approved by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to plead their cases in court in order to be released from Texas family detention centers to travel to their sponsors. “ Principal, Susan Peery, shares, “ As an Interventionist, Carly has embraced our children with special needs and persevered to provide extra support in reading from a general education perspective. She demonstrates passion, persistence and seeks help and support from her colleagues in special education so she can best serve the children. When identifying her core values, Carly embraces love and advocacy. She leans into these two values in all that she does. She has a gentle strength and a loving heart for children, their families and her colleagues.”
MARIANA MEDARIS Campus Bilingual Coordinator/Bilingual Interventionist, Cambridge Elementary “An outstanding teacher seeks to understand and know their students. An exceptional teacher creates a culturally inclusive classroom learning environment where students become compassionate, confident citizens with a strong sense of identity and worth. An exceptional teacher inspires lifelong learning by offering engaging, challenging and culturally relevant experiences where students feel successful and empowered.” Principal, Jana Hawkins, shares,“When we have new English Learner (EL) families that register at Cambridge, Mariana spends time with them and helps develop their sense of belonging. Starting with her very first introduction she builds a relationship with the family. She makes great classroom placement decisions based on student abilities that ensure the student the best start to their learning at Cambridge. She has taken a personal interest in making sure that all of our EL Families are fully informed and feel comfortable with their child’s learning. Her heart for helping students, teachers, and families is genuine. She has a passion for making sure that there is equity in their opportunities and learning.”
BARBARA IVERSON Physical Education Teacher, Woodridge Elementary “Physical Education (PE) teachers are fortunate in that we have the privilege of serving the entire student body. For me, building relationships with every child that enters my gym and embracing opportunities to support the integration of whole group game instruction and differentiated skills stations to meet the needs of my students, allows them to be successful, challenge themselves to step outside of their comfort zones, and, most of all, have fun! I love watching my students engage and grow physically and socially while enjoying new, innovative activities.” Principal, Gerrie Spellmann, shares,“Barbara Iverson makes an impact on the lives of her students in PE. She not only works to develop skills within the physical realm but fosters relationships with students. She makes PE fun and exciting no matter the time of year! She is a team player in every sense of the word. She helps develop innovative initiatives from which all students can benefit and is always dependable and well organized. She is conscientious, dedicated and one that serves our students and school community with an upbeat attitude and big heart.”
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
ALAMO HEIGHTS ISD
School Life
Winning the Year
AHHS Journalism won the UIL Award of Distinctions Merit for the 2020 Yearbook. This is the state’s highest honor and the gold medal in publishing. This is the 13th year in a row the school has won the award. This award is even more special to the students and their sponsor, Kristin Cade as they completed 217 of the 399 pages while away from the school during the pandemic! #MulesUp
TS CAVALIER ARTIS
idge Elementary rs awarded Woodr ie al av C s xa Te e Th District , the City Council th pe ge ed H ax M student, r Parade Art xas Cavaliers’ Rive Te e th of r ne in W itt as 10 d Brinley Dell Leav re no ho p ou gr e Th Contest. are under the ir of fifth graders pa e Th . p -U er nn Ru . acher Anika Blanco direction of Art Te ner As a first-place win ceive Hedgepeth will re a check for $3,000 d which will go towar the school’s art program. Leavitt k will receive a chec for $1,000, which will also go toward the school’s art s program. Congrat ts! to these two artis Pictured: Max Hedgepeth with his winning art.
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Aiden Gamez
Cambridge 5th grader Aiden Gamez has been described as,“ a cool and creative kid, who is hysterically funny and artistically talented,” by Cambridge Elementary’s Kelly Masters. Masters had an opportunity to see Aiden’s artwork and was so imp ressed, she immediately told the art teachers abo ut him. She reached out to Aiden’s Mom to ask if it was okay to share his work on social media and learned that the pair often collaborate on their art, selling it through an online gallery! Mom, Kathleen Day, is also an artist and was thrilled to share Aiden’s work with Masters and the district. To enc ourage his talent, Masters brought a keyboard into the classroom and Aiden immediately wrote his own three-pa rt music and played it! Master’s sees this artistic duo as a grea t example of the distirct’s Profile of a Learner at wor k, sharing, “ Students are expressing themselves in unique ways and we love to learn about these talents and encoura ge them to be their best selves.”
STEM SKILLS Students in Alamo Heights Junior School’s STEM prog ram started fabrication on 3D topographic maps, adding skills to content, building their 21st century skill set, under the direction of teach er Jeff Wheatcraft. Studetnts and staff have fully embraced and utilized the new STEM space at AHJS, which is inspiring some new course creativity and innovation!
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POWERING THE PROFILE
A Presidential Scholar’s Most Influential Teacher
Healthy Sense of Self
Alamo Heights High School’s Colin Lang was nominated by AHHS Presidential Scholar and 2020 graduate, Christopher Lloyd and has been recognized nationally as one of only 5,000 teachers from across the nation for this distinction.
Anna Duce and Libby Perez of Howard Early Childhood Center embrace the Profile of a Learner, powering it for their students to help them develop a HEALTHY SENSE OF SELF. When you step into their neighboring classrooms, you are pulled into their lessons right along with the students! Students are engaged in self-reflection, thinking about responsibility and personal choice, actions and mistakes. Take a peek into their classrooms through our Powering the Profile series to see how a lesson in character helps students develop and strengthen their HEALTHY SENSE OF SELF. See this duo, and the other outstanding teachers noted below, in action on our district YouTubeChannel: Alamo Heights Mules.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Presidential Scholars have the opportunity to nominate an outstanding teacher for the Presidential Scholars Distinguished Teacher Recognition Program. Christopher immediately thought of Colin Lang.
Seek Knowledge & Understanding Melissa Meza embraces the Profile of a Learner as a Teacher and powers it for her students through her enthusiasm for learning. When you step into her classroom, you are pulled into her lessons through her energy and excitement about her content. She helps her students SEEK KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING because she has a true desire to do the same, exhibiting intellectual curiosity and in such, showing the value of her own learning. In this lesson, you will see how she maximizes resources used in today’s social media world, to expand her student’s knowledge of the past.
Christopher shared, “During my time in the rocketry program, I saw Mr. Lang give nothing less than his full attention, loyalty, and dedication to his students and our mission. Whether it was staying late on a Friday so we could have a few extra - and crucial - hours in the shop, or the constant reassurance that when things inevitably go wrong (as his famous saying tells us) there is always a solution to be found, he always demonstrated a commitment to his students and enthusiasm for the rocketry program. He taught me how to bridge the worlds of scientific theory and practical engineering, exposed me to industry practices, introduced me to professionals, and pushed me to become the leader, thinker, and problem solver that I am today. Now, a proper speech wouldn’t be complete these days without a reference to our beloved pandemic, but in this case, it really is appropriate. When our shop was shut down last spring, we faced a problem: we had a rocket - or rather the materials for a rocket - locked in a building we couldn’t safely access, and a shrinking time frame to achieve a goal that most of us had been pursuing throughout all of high school. Once again, Mr. Lang rose to solve the problem, as he always taught us to do, and gave countless hours of his valuable time and dedication to our team as we finished over the summer.
Employ Skills for Life Alamo Heights Junior School special education teachers Charley Gilbert and Darci Woods continue to set the precedent when EMPLOYING SKILLS FOR LIFE for their students. Meet the duo that engages students from the moment they walk in the door.
I wish I could be there with all of you celebrating his accomplishments and terrific career as a teacher, but it’s Mr. Lang’s success and achievements as an educator that helped put me at a place like Duke. I wouldn’t trade my experiences with him for anything else. Congratulations! You deserve it!” Colin is one of only 161 teachers nationwide nominated by students for this honor in 2020. He is one of only four distinguished teachers in Texas.
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TRUSTEES AT WORK What is it about belief that makes it such a powerful motivator? For years, scientific wisdom proclaimed the human body could not break the four-minute barrier when running a mile. Roger Bannister dared to believe something different, to have hope that the barrier could be broken, and to risk embarrassment in trying. He achieved this monumental milestone in 1954, and now tens of thousands of runners have since joined him on the other side of that four-minute barrier. Consider also President Kennedy’s challenge to this nation in 1962 to put a man on the moon before the end of that decade, or Mahatma Gandhi’s bold belief that India could achieve independence from Britain through a nationwide, peaceful movement. These people, and many others throughout history, whether famous or not, began with a bold belief that likely looked foolhardy to many of their contemporaries. Undeterred, they persevered in their bold belief and attained achievements that astonished their communities, even the world. At Alamo Heights, we hold the bold belief that a focus on continuous improvement will propel us forward in finding better ways to equip and empower our students to be the world changers we know they are capable of being. This focus on continuous improvement, though, requires a firm foundation of belief in our mission and belief in each other; lifting up someone does not necessitate bringing down others. Companies like Toyota have adopted similar belief systems in transforming themselves through continuous improvement to become responsible industry leaders. We have proved this, too: in understanding that engaged students produce better outcomes, we developed innovative new programs like Rocketry, the Business Incubator, STEM, and Principles of Manufacturing. None of these innovations detracted from the success of our existing courses. We also have achieved this in other ways: we have emphasized extracurriculars without detracting from academics. Continuous improvement also requires the adoption of a growth mindset. This at first seems straightforward, but a closer look suggests otherwise. A student with a fixed mindset might say “I’m really good at football” or “I’m terrible at math,” phrases which feel normal and unassuming. The growth mindset, though, compels the same student to say, “I can get better at football” or “I can improve at math.” How often do we implicitly place limits on ourselves by the simple words with which we communicate? With this beginning understanding of continuous improvement, we are confronted with the question of how to model this behavior which we aspire to inspire in our students and in our broader community. We begin with ruthless self-examination, which we must protect from the destructive forces of shame and the complacent forces of pride.
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AHISD Board of Trustees ( l to r) : Bonnie Giddens, member; Brian Hamilton, Assistant Secretary; Lisa Krenger, member; David Hornberger, President; Stacy Sharp, member; Ryan Anderson, Secretary; Dr. Dana Bashara, Superintendent; and, Perry Shankle, Vice President.
Photos Courtesy of Mark Humphries
David Hornberger, President
This has led to the creation of our Community Based Accounting System, or CBAS, which you can find online on our web site at www.ahisd.net under About the District. Take a look—although we are excited the state of Texas assigned us an A rating as a school district, we recognize that such a rating does not further our goal of continuous improvement. Instead, we rigorously evaluate, solicit feedback, and develop action steps for improvement. CBAS shows that we have much to celebrate but also to improve. Several trends appear aligned with demographic lines, and while demographics alone likely are not the root cause, we—as educators entrusted with the development of our community’s children—cannot sit idly, feeling justified by focusing only on our positive outcomes and our A rating from the state. Instead, your board of trustees resolved to create a council of community stakeholders to investigate and measure differing outcomes among our students. Every community member with a child in our schools was invited to apply to participate. This important work is ongoing, will not be rushed, and will continue for an extended time period. We will not be satisfied with preconceived conclusions; we aspire to solutions, not political appeasement. Our work is grounded in the hope that we in fact will solve community problems that much of our country faces. If our students can create the technology that powers every smartphone on the planet (Klein Gilhousen, class of 1960), then certainly we have a shot at doing this, too. Personally, I hope to inspire our community to solve this and other community problems, to calm the fires of political division, and to prevent shame and fear from holding us back from collectively becoming greater. That hope may seem foolish, but certainly no more foolish than using hunger strikes and peaceful protests to liberate an entire country, or galvanizing a nation to overcome a common enemy by landing a man on the moon. It may seem hard, but to paraphrase President Kennedy, that is precisely why we choose to do these things— because they are hard. Indeed, “why does Rice play Texas?” It has been my distinct honor to serve as your board president during this past year. Many would note all the hardships we endured, but I would point to the heightened sense of local community that I witnessed during this time, and its reminder to me that hope is moving in the right direction. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything else, and I am excited to see what heights we choose to attain next...together.
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AHISD Natatorium
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
e On m a G S IC T E L H AT ue through is expected to contin
2017 Bond at Work
e in June of 2019, and mplex at AHHS. Th Co m iu ad Construction began St d an s m Box. the new Gymnasiu including the Press e, et September 2021 for pl m co % 95 e randstands ar Sky Gym rly April 2021. The Athletics Complex G ea in n ga be ld fie d second art soon. In the Work on the track an the floor is set to st of g in ish fin re The e th d ls are being installed. ne is being repainted an pa al et m d an e et rk is compl installed. The Gymnasium, brick wo d windows are now an s or do l al d an ith on gin so are 95% complete wh s om gym flooring will be ro er ck lo s irl G ork has installed. The 70% completion. W ceiling grid is being at g tin sit , nd hi be r s not fa the Boys locker room parking lot. started on the North
Construction continues at Alamo Heights High School. Here is an overview of the most recent work that has been completed. The district maintains a bond update page that serves as a source of information, complete with photos, renderings and more. See the latest updates by visiting the Bond 2017 Updates page, found under the About the District tab at www.ahisd.net. If you have questions regarding the bond projects set for a specific campus or site, please contact the principal for each campus, or contact AHISD Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, Mike Hagar.
NATATORIUM -
AHHS STEM, Gymnasium & Culinary Arts Buildings
Ready to Swim
Diving Platforms
The natatorium is now comple te and operated by the district. Co nstruction began in November 2019 an d was completed in January 2021. Students enjoyed their first swim on Fe bruary 1. The district has garnered great interest in the new facility an d is excited to share this new spa ce with our community. Check out pa ges 11-12 of this publication to lea rn more about the diverse and creati ve plans for our new natatorium! #M ulesUp
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MULE NEWS, BITS & BRIEFS
The National Cheer Association (NCA) has a tradition of awarding the Go Be Great award at NCA High School National competitons. The Go Be Great Award is presented to a coach, team or program who goes above and beyond to make the world a better place, outside of cheerleading. You guessed it, this year’s Go Be Great winners were Alamo Heights High School Cheerleaaders, honored for leading with kindness in their communities. This program of young leaders kicked off the holiday season by collecting gifts and raising funds for a local ministry serving more than 850 children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities. It didn’t stop at the holidays for this cheer team. This group also gave back to their wonderful school custodians and district nurses by raising over $2,000 to provide gift cards to their local grocery stores right before the holidays amid a pandemic. The girls credit their peers on the Spurs Dance Team and the Churchill Cheerleaders for their help and support in earning the Go Be Great award.
News from the Field, Sidelines & Stands Most Decorated In Texas You work hard, day in and day out. You face challenge with hope and continue to pursue your goals, even when it is difficult. These are just a few of the ways that the Alamo Heights High School Cheerleaders persevered in a year like no other. The Alamo Heights Cheerleading Program is now considered the most decorated in Texas history! To date, the teams have earned four Gold State Medals/State Rings and two State Silver Medals over the history of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Spirit Championships! The squad earned the Silver Medal in the 5AD2 Division in 2021.
Coach Ashley Johnson says, “Community is important to our program. We see the value that service teaches, acquiring life skills and knowledge beyond the scope of your own team or school. I’m beyond blessed to work with a group of young ladies that want to give back and see that being a cheerLEADER means being a leader beyond the team, into the larger community.”
The teams have taken their talent to the national stage, competing annually with top teams from around the country, making a name for themselves, ranking consistently in the Top Ten. The teams earned the Bronze Medal in the Junior Varsity Game Day routine, 7th Place in the Large Varsity Game Day routine, 4th Place in the Small Varsity and 4th Place in the Junior Varsity Performance categories.
Johnson earned her own accolades this year, named the Texas UIL Cheer Coach of the Year and National Federation of High School Coaches, Texas Girls Spirit Coach of the Year. #MulesUp
DANCING THEIR WAY TO THE TO
All-State Alamo Heights High School Band members Kaia Santos and Abby Golden have earned spots in the Texas All-State Band, a top honor for high school musicians in Texas. “We are so proud of their hard work and tenacity,” shared Band Director David Stephenson. Congrats to Choir member Lili Gnam and Orchestra member Daniel Halff for earning spots in their respective areas of performance at the state level! #MulesUp
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The AHHS Spurs Dance Team took the stage by storm as they competed in the Showmakers of America national dance contest. The team earned the coveted Sweepstakes and Judges Awards, along with top honors in Showmanship and Choreography in all three of their routines! They earned distinction in Technique in HipHop and Pom, Precision accolades in HipHop, with an overall 4th Place ranking in HipHop, and a 2nd Place ranking in Pom. Their coach, Jessica Marie Sanchez calls them, “The most competitive, resilient team she has had the pleasure to coach!” #MulesUp
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STATE SWIMMERS On March 2, the girls swim team competed at state alongside 58 teams from across Texas. The Mules tied for 4th Place and earned a coveted state banner. Coach Norm Collins shared, “This was truly a team effort. With eight girls participating in eight events, six individual and two relays, no place or point could be spared. I am extremely proud of their accomplishments!” Sophia Carroll was recently selected as an Academic All-American by the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association. The boys team competed a week earlier, earning a Top-Ten finish, taking 8th Place out of 63 teams to compete. The seven team members competed in four races, two individual and two relay events. Swimmer Connor Foote earned State Swimmer of the Meet, along with two Gold Medals in the 100-yard Freestyle and Backstroke. Foote was recently named the San Antonio Express-News Swimmer of the Year.
AHISD Athletics is excited to share the offerings available in our new Natatorium:
HS Swimming, Diving, Water Polo Tryouts held April 22, 4:30-5:30 pm
Club Swimming, Diving, Water Polo These competitive programs are for those who want to swim or dive or play water polo year-round. Swimming, diving and water polo lessons are also available. Information: www.teamunify.com/team/txaaaa/page/home
On Location
Swimmers Jake Borowski and Maia Young share their experiences “On Location!” Watch it on our YouTube Channel: Alamo Heights Mules
SPORTS BRIEFS
Swim Lessons Begin May 3 and include lessons for those who need to learn to swim/be safe in the water for 4 years and up. Will also provide lessons for those who can swim but want to swim better. Lessons will be 30-minutes per day, M-Th, for two weeks.
Summer Swim League
Basketball
Boys Basketball led an exciting season, topping it off with a first round playoff appearance! All players earned Academic AllDistrict honors!
The AHISD Natatorium is going to be a satellite pool for the Pool Sharks summer league. The Alamo Heights outdoor pool will host the early group, 7-9 am, and the AHISD Natatorium will host the late group, 9-11 am. For information: ahpoolsharks.swimtopia.com/.
Technique Tune Up
Golf
Both Boys and Girls teams are headed to state after the girls team took 1st Place and the boys took 2nd Place at the district competition and qualifying honors at the regional competition.
Track
Track and Field competitions continue with several athletes earning district and regional accolades, moving forward with eyes on state.
Soccer
Both the Boys and Girls Soccer teams had great seasons, earning trips to the playoffs, with two outstanding first-round appearances. We loved watching them play and compete!
210-824-2483
NEW NATATORIUM MAKING A SPLASH
This is a bridge program for those who have competed in summer swim league but need a little help before making the jump to year-round swimming. Email Technique Coach, John Ryan, at jryan@trinity.edu.
Open Swim/Lap Swim Lap swimming opened April 12. It runs daily, 11 am to 1 pm. Cost is $4/day for adults and $3/day for children 16 and under. A punch card will bring that cost down to $3 for adults and $2 for children, with cards available for purchase at the front desk from 11 am to 1 pm. AHISD students are $1/day. Gold Card members are free. Questions? Contact Norm Collins, AHISD Aquatics Coordinator, Swimming, Diving, and Water Polo Coach, via email at ncollins@ahisd.net.
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www.AHISD.ne t
Our Children.
Our Teachers.
Our Schools.
Our Community.
ALAMO HEIGHTS SCHOOL FOUNDATION
Help AHSF Close the Gap
Help the Alamo Heights School Foundation provide the district with another million dollars this year. 100% of your donations stays in Our Community, backs Our Teachers, and helps ensure Our Children have continued access to the highest quality public education in the state! Visit ahschoolfoundation.org to make your donation to #backteachers!
Cookie Drop
In February, the Alamo Heigh ts School Foundation decided to further their appreciation and support by doing a cookie drop to every campus! Thank you, Cookie Cab, for this swee t treat and thank you to our tea chers and staff for persevering through the pa st year.
#WeBackTeachers
“What a sweet and unexpe cted treat from our Alamo Heights School Foundation! Thank you, we appreciate you!” ~ Charlotte Dolat, Alamo Heights High School
Show the Love Campaigndation strives to raise money
o Heights Foun Today and every day, the Alam support of s of AHISD as well as ongoing ed ne al on ati uc ed al tic cri et dation to me Alamo Heights School Foun the , ary bru Fe In . nts de stu s able to its teachers and n. Together, our community wa aig mp Ca ve Lo the ow Sh to the launched ank you for coming together Th al! go 0 ,00 $5 r ou ss pa back teachers and sur show the love.
“Thank you for treating us to some delicious Cookie Cab! You all definite ly made my morning.” ~ Blanca Taboada, Cambrid ge Elementary “I didn’t “need” these yumm y cookies from Cookie Cab, but I sure enjoyed every single bite. Thank you AHSF for this delicious treat.” ~ Kimberly Culp, Alamo He ights High School
of the many and counselor are just some rse nu te, ca vo ad d, en to fri “Teacher, s year. They’ve stepped up thi ar we to ers ch tea r ou unity.” hats we’ve asked to be part of the AH comm d ou Pr ! me so m the d an au the challenge ~ Elizabeth Greehey Marce our amazing and at the top of our list is t give “We are all about the love, d the teachers and staff tha an ict str Di ol ho Sc ts igh Alamo He possible!” kids get the best education my re su en to y da y er ev their all ~ Catherine Olson Bishop
rs. Our Schools. Our Children. Our Teache
AHISD Scho ol Views spring 2 0 21
Our Community.
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TRANSFORMING LEARNING Schools Transforming Learning (STL) helps publicly share the stories of outstanding Principals’ Institute (PI) campuses and recognize those leading the work. It is an avenue for those both in and out of the PI network to collaborate and inspire transformational learning through virtual and/or in-person STL campus tours. In 2020, Woodridge Elementary was selected as a School Transforming Learning. Alamo Heights Junior School earned this distinction in 2018.
Summer’s Coming! Got Camp? Enrichment and fun in a summer camp setting...that’s Summer at Heights! Designed for students Kindergarten through 8th grade, SAH hosts courses provided by AHISD and other certified teachers in the area, as well as some of San Antonio’s leading professionals.
Campers experience new adventures, expand existing horizons, arouse curiosity, exchange ideas and products, stimulate creativity and enjoy lots of fun in the process!
GOALS
A new season of summer fun has been designed and is open for registration!
•Identify and recognize schools led by former and current PI participants that are transforming learning to a high degree based on one or more of the concepts/articles of Creating a New Vision for Public Education in Texas (Visioning Document).
Check out the Summer at Heights Online Guide at http://www.ahisd.net/news/ what_s_new/summer_at_heights_open_for_registration to learn more about the variety of camp offerings that are sure to engage young campers this June.
•Share a description of each designated campus’ work.
•Identify designated campuses as schools to visit.
Summer Day Care-Camp Style
Right at School will be hosting summer day care this summer for school age students currently enrolled at Howard Early Childhood Center, Cambridge and Woodridge Elemantary Schools. The program currently operates as an after school care program, providing a safe and fun enrichment program for students right after school! Right at School will offer this same great day care setting throughout the summer months, opening Monday through Friday from 7:30 am until 6 pm. The summer sessions will alternate every two weeks between Howard and Cambridge. Busing will be available for students enrolled in Summer School.
The Principals’ Institute (PI) was established in 2010 with an emphasis on operationalizing the work of the superintendents’ Visioning Institute and its product, Creating a New Vision for Public Education in Texas (Visioning Document). PI is a year-long professional development series that provides a unique opportunity for principals to understand why transformation of public education is necessary, and develop the knowledge and skills required to lead and build the capacity to sustain transformation over time. The future of Texas public schools depends on the quality of its leaders. Attending PI allows principals to experience one of the most noteworthy professional growth opportunities in their career and collaborate with the innovative PI network that now stretches nationwide. In 2017, PI introduced Schools Transforming Learning, a designation program recognizing campuses led by PI principals that are making exceptional strides toward transforming learning for students. See the video: http://www.n2learning.org/stl2020tour/woodridge-es.aspx
The Right at School team has fun and engaging plans for those long summer days including lots of games, hands-on and outdoor activities, and some special in-house field trips featuring special guest presenters!
Partnering for the Love of Reading
Love a good book? These mini libraries are full of great ones, thanks to the Alamo Heights Rotary Club! The club recently installed these at each of the AHISD elementary schools with the hope of encouraging reading at all ages.
210-824-2483
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Right at School works diligently to keep students safe and healthy while students are under their care. Their enhanced protocols align with AHISD practices. Want to learn more? Ready to register? Visit: www.rightatschool.com
Want to Enroll at AHISD?
Alamo Heights ISD is open for spring enrollments. For information, call the AHISD Administrative Offices at (210) 824-2486.
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HOW TO REACH US write: Alamo Heights Independent School District 7101 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209 call: 210-824-2483 fax: 210-822-2221 email: info@ahisd.net surf: www.ahisd.net APP: iTunes: AHISD video: YouTube: Alamo Heights Mules learn more: www.WeGoPublic.com
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COOKING UP SCIENCE AHHS Physics Teacher, Roger Dillard, joins Emily Rangel, Culinary Arts Teacher, in a lesson mashup using liquid nitrogen to create a sweet culinary treat! #ExtraordinaryAHISD
#ExtraordinaryAHISD