Discover Magazine: Winter 2023

WINTER 2023 MAGAZINE

Artist helps inspire her students This Roosevelt teacher’s massive creations are beautifying cities around Texas.

NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Shannon Grona, President, District 5 Sandy Hughey, Secretary, District 1 David Beyer, Trustee, District 4 Steve Hilliard,Trustee, District 6 Marsha Landry, Trustee, District 7 Diane Sciba Villarreal, Trustee, District 3

EXECUTIVE STAFF Sean Maika, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools Dan Villarreal, CPA, Chief Financial Officer Anthony Jarrett, Chief Instructional Officer Rudy Jimenez, Chief of Schools and Leadership Anthony Mitchell, Ed.D., Chief Operations Officer Aubrey Chancellor, Executive Director of Communications

Contents Cover: Roosevelt art teacher Sandra Gonzalez stands next to her newest mural at the San Antonio International Airport.

Page 3: Did you know?

Learn some fast facts about our District.

Page 4: North East Briefs News and information from across NEISD. Page 5:

New NEISD early college high school coming soon!

Find out about this and other magnet programs currently accepting applications.

Page 6-7: Changing the landscape with art Art teacher creates beautiful murals across Texas and inspires her students in the process.

Page 8-9: NEISD dental students get high tech Read about how a NEEF grant made learning that much more clearer to diagnose.

No one is perfect...except these students Page 10: Find out what impressive feat each one accomplished.

Page 11: Way to go, Champ!

Josh Jung went from MacArthur to the major leagues.

Connect with us @northeastisd

@neisd

@northeastisd

North East ISD

Page 12: Two new inductees to NEISD Wall of Heroes More heroes among us Meet the community members who are making NEISD a safer and better place.

Page 13: NEISD high school graduation dates Find dates, times and locations.

About the back cover Meet our students on the back cover.

Classes for adults and children Page 14: Our Community Education department has programs for child and adult students.

Page 15: Back Cover:

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We have so much to be proud of at North East ISD Did you know?

Check out some of our great perks and programs we have for both students and staff.

DID YOU KNOW? NEISD is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers.

DID YOU KNOW? The graduating class of 2023 earned more than $87 million in scholarship offers.

Taxpayers aged 65+ and who live within the District boundaries get special perks to District events and facilities.

DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW? This year, NEISD gave its largest employee raise in more than 20 years.

DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW?

NEISD high school graduates can attend Alamo Colleges tuition free.

Narcan is available at every NEISD campus, to help combat the nationwide threat of fentanyl overdose.

DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW? North East ISD contributes up to 84% of employee insurance premiums.

DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? NEISD students earned nearly 2,400 industrybased certifications this year, making them highly competitive in the workforce.

DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW?

NEISD serves local Texas produce and products in our cafeterias.

DID YOU DID YOU KNOW? KNOW? 3

If you see something, say something.

Online or by phone.

North East Tip Line neisd.net/ tipline

NORTH EAST briefs North East Police Department Emergency Number 210-407-0911 Non-emergency Number 210-407-0925

SCHOOL CHOICE APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED Under School Choice, a parent or guardian can request his or her child be transferred to another school within North East ISD other than the one serving their family’s residence.

The School Choice application window for the 2024-2025 school year opened on Dec. 1, 2023 at 7:20 a.m. and will close at 4:45 p.m. on July 26, 2024.

For any new student enrolling in the District for kindergarten through 12th grade, the window for School Choice is open for five (5) school business days from the student’s verified enrollment date.

NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

apply online at:

neisd.net/schoolchoice BOARD OF TRUSTEES

For more information, please contact the Pupil Personnel department at 210-407-0070.

To find the latest information on our NEISD Board of Trustees, including maps, policies, meeting dates, videos and agendas, visit: neisd.net/board

Give your littles ones the best start...register soon!

Get your senior stars club card To qualify, you must be 65 years old or older AND live within NEISD boundaries.

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Get free use of NEISD swim facilities and tennis courts, and admittance to athletic and fine arts events.

Receive 20% discount on community education classes.

Call 210-407-0556 for more information.

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Registration for pre-K and kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year begins Jan. 2, 2024.

NEISD offers full-day, high-quality, pre-K for all 4-year-old students who live within our District.

We also accept 3-year-olds at our award-winning Pre-K Academy at West Avenue.

For more information, visit neisd.net/prek

New NEISD ear l y colle ge high s chool coming s oon!

North East ISD is excited to open an early college high school in the fall of 2024 that will be located on the MacArthur High School campus.

Our District is partnering with Alamo Colleges to allow students to graduate with up to 60 college credit hours and an associate’s degree that are transferable to a 4-year institution.

Students will also be able to earn Industry Based Certifications (IBC) that will make them extremely competitive in the workforce. Thanks to a grant and recent legislation, students can earn these college credits at no charge to them or their families.

Students will have the opportunity to focus their coursework on in-demand careers like teaching, accounting and the hospitality industry. For students interested in teaching, they will be able to get real-world experience by working with teachers at our elementary campuses. Students interested in business and hospitality will have opportunities to work closely with industry leaders in our area through internships and onthe-job training.

Plans and details are still being finalized, including an official name and logo. But please follow NEISD online and through parent messages for updates.

Our District will accept students for the early college high school for the 2024-2025 school year through a lottery system. You can apply now by visiting neisd.net/magnetprograms.

More information will be coming soon.

Applications to join NEISD magnet school programs in the 2024-2025 school year are now open. The application deadline is Feb. 5, 2024.

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“I feel fortunate to work as an art educator and muralist because it allows me to constantly create and inspire others to find their voice through art.”

SANDRA GONZALEZ NEISD ART TEACHER

PROFESSIONAL ARTIST AND MURALIST

Changing t he lands cape w it h ar t Sandra Gonzalez is passionate about art and challenging her students at Roosevelt High School to express themselves creatively. She hopes that by exposing them to some of her professional art projects outside the classroom, they can be inspired. It’s definitely making an impact, especially since her career has gotten big...in more ways than one.

If you’ve ever been to Laredo or Corpus Christi, you’ve probably seen some of her work. Sandra has painted several large-scale murals across those cities that represent the communities, culture and people.

She learned the technique while living in Philadelphia, where she was studying to get her master’s degree. But she made it back to the Texas as soon as she could, and specifically to San Antonio.

“I came here for a high school field trip when I was living in Laredo, for an art competition, and I really fell in love with the city,” said Gonzalez. “I always knew that some day I was going to end up here.”

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It was a high school art teacher who first inspired her to seriously pursue art, and now as a high school teacher herself, she wants to return the favor for her students.

“I teach my students to be persistent and disciplined. I tell them, this applies to any career you would like to pursue.

And I just encourage them.”

She invites them to work side by side with her on some of her murals so they can see it grow from an idea to planning and execution. They also get to see what type of impact the finished piece can have on a community.

Last year, she had the opportunity to paint one of the murals in Uvalde dedicated to the lives lost in the Uvalde school shooting. She was chosen to paint the mural in honor of teacher Eva Mireles.

“As a teacher and a muralist, it was important for me to honor the life of a teacher who was passionate about education and died as a hero.”

With the help of some of her students and fellow art teachers, Sandra completed the mural in five days. In the painting titled “Shine Bright Like a Diamond,” Mireles was surrounded by her favorite colors, flowers, glowing mountains and diamond hills.

Most recently, Sandra and her husband and fellow artist, Malachy McKinney, painted a mural for the San Antonio International Airport titled “Culture, Color and Traditions of San Antonio.” With more than eight million people traveling through that airport each year, it will likely have the biggest exposure of any of her pieces.

Another favorite is a mural she painted in Laredo titled “El Abrazo.” Meaning “the hug,” the picture depicts two young children embracing with one representing Mexico and one representing the United States.

“That’s a very special one to me, and it means a lot to the people in that community.”

Art has the ability to bring people together, communicate a feeling or thought, and even heal.

Her students are learning that while it is challenging, the benefits of creative expression are far reaching.

They are winning art competitions, getting accepted to colleges and enjoying successful careers. Along the way, they are also finding their voice, just like Sandra did.

Art helped Sandra express herself when she was first learning English as a child. It allowed her to process her grief when she lost her beloved grandmother. It gave her a chance to celebrate different cultures and communities. It even introduced her to her husband.

She knows that her students go through many life challenges as well, and by encouraging them to express themselves, they will hopefully find what inspires them.

So whether it is a mural taking up the entire side of a building, or a small canvas, like the one displayed in her classroom of her grandmother, Sandra will continue to create art and inspire the next generation of artists.

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NEISD dental students get high tech Advanced computer software that allows students to practice X-ray imaging as if they were in a real dental office is not common in most high schools. But thanks to a grant from the North East Educational Foundation (NEEF) in 2022, students in North East ISD’s dental assistant program are using this kind of software daily.

The Medical Professions Academy at NEISD is quite impressive. Students can choose from several pathways including EMT, CNA, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant and Dental Assistant.

Those in the Dental Assistant program have access to the dental chairs, lights and tools you’d find in any professional dental practice. Now, this imaging software is taking their learning to a whole new level.

Before receiving the $3,600 grant, students would view donated sample X-rays and rely on instructional videos.

After purchasing the new DEXIS Dental Imaging Software, students can interact with the X-rays and delve deeper into the bone, tooth and underlying structures.

“The software really helps me because I can see clear images, and it helps me to diagnose,” said Ella Carlson, who plans to pursue dentistry at Brigham Young University.

In addition to mastering class content, these students can walk away with valuable job skills and knowledge.

They also have the opportunity to earn dental assistant X-ray certification that they can use immediately in the workforce.

When you donate to NEEF, you donate to our students and innovative instruction. For information on how you can help, visit: northeastfoundation.org

WILL YOU SUPPORT A TEACHER?

This success is all thanks to innovative educational opportunities, investments in our programs, and skilled instructors like Sonya Brown.

Over the past five years, every one of Brown’s students taking the Registered Dental Assistant Exam has passed.

That’s a very impressive 100% pass rate.

NEEF works hard to seek and obtain revenue to expand educational learning opportunities in NEISD.

Scan QR code or click to donate!

Each year, teachers can submit grant applications for their innovative projects. If a project meets the criteria, NEEF will award them with a grant to help bring their idea to life. Will you help support NEEF and help teachers bring their ideas to life?

The North East Educational Foundation (NEEF) is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable corporation chartered in 1986. Its purpose is to develop and expand educational opportunities for students in North East ISD. NEEF underwrites projects and programs that enhance the basic required curriculum and broaden the range of students’ educational experiences.

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The North East Educational Foundation hosts several events throughout the year to help raise funds for NEISD.

In October, NEEF raised more than $120,000 at the Jerry Comalander’s Fore! The Kids Golf Tournament.

Help make their next event a success.

Be a part of and contribute to their Denim, Diamonds and Dreams Gala on March 2.

Scan the QR code to the right for more information. >> or visit northeastfoundation.org

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No one is perfect.... except these students

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Johnson High School senior Arthur Miller scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT. Less than 1% of test takers can claim this accomplishment.

Only one-quarter of 1% of all students who take the ACT earn a perfect score of 36. Reagan High School senior Avaneesh Pal is one of them.

Reagan High School senior Ania Valdez earned a perfect score on the Advanced Placement (AP) 3-D Art and Design Exam. She is one of only 52 in the world who earned a perfect score.

North East ISD is grateful for the educators, friends and family members who support our students so they can have the skills and confidence to accomplish their goals!

North East ISD is proud of the men and women who graduate from our District and go on to make a positive impact on the world.

Way to go, Champ!

Josh Jung is the third baseman for the World Series Champion Texas Rangers.

But just seven years ago, he was a senior at MacArthur High School.

His baseball coach, Tom Alfieri, has followed him this whole time, maintains a friendship and remembers him with great admiration.

“When he was young, you could tell his ceiling was so high, and he was going to get to that ceiling, and the best part was that his fundamentals were just so sound, so he had the best base to build off of,” recalls Alfieri.

His professional career shot off like a rocket. Josh was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year when he went off to play baseball at Texas Tech University.

Josh was drafted in the first round by the Texas Rangers in 2019, and he hit a home run in his first at-bat in the major leagues.

But ask any coach and they will tell you that athletics is about more than accolades and World Series rings.

It’s about being a leader off the field, too. Alfieri says Josh was always that. He isn’t just a standout baseball player, he’s a stand up guy.

“This couldn’t have happened to a better person.

Nothing was beneath him. He’s very down to earth.

He’s really, really humble. He’s just a really good person. And that comes from his family.”

There’s another special connection that Josh has to North East ISD. His mom works here. Mary Jung is the PE teacher at Redland Oaks Elementary School and has spent the past 27 years teaching in the District. Josh’s dad Jeff spent more than 20 years coaching baseball and football in our District as well.

“North East has been our family all along the way, too,” said Mary. “My co-workers and my students have been so excited during this whole journey.”

Congratulations to the Jung family for demonstrating that with hard work, a strong support system and dedication, you can make your dreams come true.

And the world can be your stage.

We always want to hear from our amazing graduates, so if you are a North East ISD graduate or know of one you want to tell us about, reach out so we can tell your story! Drop us a line at neisd.net/tellyourstory

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Two new inductees to NEISD Wall of Heroes American writer Joseph Campbell once said, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

That is exactly what Francisco San Miguel and Lili Vasquez did in their lives, and that is why North East ISD leaders inducted them to the NEISD Wall of Heroes in October.

Francisco San Miguel, also known as “Officer Frank,” is a retired San Antonio Police Department officer who has volunteered daily at Encino Park Elementary School for more than 30 years. In recent years, he added Regency Place and Longs Creek elementary schools to his volunteer duties. Whether it was before or after a shift, or now on his free time, he regularly monitors doors, helps with traffic, conducts campus safety checks and more.

Lili Vasquez was a beloved NEISD employee who also gave more than three decades to our District. During this time, she was the administrative assistant at Bradley Middle School. But ask anyone there and they will say she was much more. Her warmth and kindness were apparent from the first moment you met her. Lili’s selfless service and unconditional commitment to her Bradley Bears will forever be a part of her lasting impact.

Sadly, she passed away in 2022, but will always be remembered and honored by those who knew and loved her. She was represented at the ceremony by her family and former co-workers from Bradley.

made a positive impact in the lives of current and future generations. The Wall of Heroes provides the opportunity to enshrine noteworthy individuals with ties to NEISD.

North East Heroes Stadium received its name to honor and praise members of the District and community who

The next nomination period opens March 1, 2025. Visit our website for more information at: neisd.net/wallofheroes

More heroes among us

Safety specialists begin to fill their posts Approved by our Board of Trustees in August, our safety specialists play a vital role in maintaining the safety of our students and staff. They monitor school grounds, ensure doors are locked, security cameras are working and fencing and parking lots are secure. They will lead safety drills and training.

After a rigorous application and screening process, they are taking their positions at campuses throughout our District.

If you would like to apply, visit: neisd.net/careers

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North East ISD

2024 High School Graduation Dates Sunday, May 26, 2024 Alamodome (100 Montana St, San Antonio, TX 78203) MacArthur High School: 9 a.m.

Johnson High School: 2 p.m.

Churchill High School: 7 p.m.

Monday, May 27, 2024 Alamodome (100 Montana St, San Antonio, TX 78203) Legacy of Educational Excellence High School: 9 a.m.

Madison High School: 2 p.m.

Roosevelt High School: 7 p.m.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Alamodome (100 Montana St, San Antonio, TX 78203) Reagan High School: 9 a.m.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Laurie Auditorium (One Trinity Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212) International School of the Americas: 7 p.m.

For more information, visit: neisd.net/graduation

About the back photo If your student has a special interest, we probably have a program for them. We want to thank our students for taking part in our photo shoot and representing some of the diverse programs NEISD offers.

Thank you to our sponsor, Kathleen O’Shea of Keller Williams Legacy.

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL Madison Urrutia (Culinary) Eduardo Mendoza (Soccer) CHURCHILL HIGH SCHOOL Gabriela Jones (Dance, Speech and Debate)

REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL Kenneth Manuel (Basketball) Addie Burton (Choir) ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL Sienna James (Dance) Devin Garcia (Football)

MADISON HIGH SCHOOL Ava Ybanez (Mariachis) Maddie Carroll (Guide Dogs) Evan Moreno (Basketball) MACARTHUR HIGH SCHOOL Andrea Santos (JROTC) Michael Murach (Baseball)

JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL Kourtney Heinrich (Dance) Clint Motl (Football) JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Sophia Welch (Cross Country/Track/ Band) Gabriel Welch (Band)

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Expand your horizons with Community Education classes!

Whether you want to learn a new language, master culinary skills, enhance your computer literacy or dive into the refreshing world of swimming, we have something for you.

Step into a world of creativity and learning in our relaxed and inspiring environment.

Join us this spring for an enriching experience.

For a complete list of classes, visit our website or give us a call.

Register today for adult classes or our kids program!

https://neisd.ce.eleyo.com 210-407-0140, option 3

Enroll your children in our spring After School Program!

EVENING SPORTS ARE BACK! Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball

Classes located in more than 20 NEISD schools.

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Program are offered January through May.

Enroll in Art, Sports, STEM, Literacy and more!

(210) 826-3015

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In accordance with Title VI-Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX-Education Amendment of 1972, Section 504-Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992, the North East Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap.

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Kathleen O’Shea is proud to celebrate and support North East ISD as it opens doors for its students.

North East ISD 8961 Tesoro Drive San Antonio, Texas 78217

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