Pillar 3: Engaged and Well-Rounded Students

NATHAN PENISTEN

7th Grade: Being Involved at SMS

What activities do you participate in at SMS?

I play football, basketball, and run track. I play baritone saxophone in the SMS Blue Band. I am also in National Junior Honor Society and Destination Imagination.

What activities are you involved in outside of school?

I play 7 on 7 football, and I am involved in my church youth group.

What volunteer work are you currently involved in?

I often help my teachers like Mrs. Coats and Mr. Novak clean or organize in the summer or before and after school. I helped with the warm clothing drive at SMS and various projects through NJHS.

How do you balance your busy schedule?

I always make sure that I plan to be early to anything I have to do. I follow a daily routine, so I have plenty of time scheduled for school, sports, homework, and free time.

How do you keep your grades up?

I think the most important things that I do are listen and actively participate in class. I set high expectations for myself and work hard to meet them.

What does it take to have the heart of a Raider?

Raiders are kind and have good attitudes. They care about success and work hard to achieve it.

WHAT PROGRAMS DO STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN?

ATHLETICS FINE ARTS

Choir, Band, Art, Theater ACADEMIC UIL

SHS 263 241 60

SMS 162

SIS

SES

N/A

N/A 315 112

40

Honor Choir

44

Art Club/Sunny Singers 67

15

2nd Grade Only

This information is based on student course enrollment.

In addition, each SIS and SES student attends Music, Art, MakerSpace, and Library on a weekly basis, and P.E. on a daily basis.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SIS AND SES STUDENTS TO BE INVOLVED IN SCHOOLSPONSORED ACTIVITIES

SES: Spanish Club Art Club Sunny Singers Academic UIL

SIS: Honor Choir FLL (First Lego League) Junior FFA Journalism Club Academic UIL

UNDERSTANDING SCHOOL CULTURES

Encouraging students to have a voice in campus initiatives is a priority for SISD. SMS and SHS created campus culture and leadership teams so that students could authentically share their ideas and concerns with campus administrators.

“The goals of creating the campus culture teams is to allow students to not only have a voice, but to encourage them to help evaluate the campus culture from the students’

TO WHAT DEGREE: …Are students contributing to their school and community in a positive way? …Are students engaged in school activities both inside and outside the classroom ,that contribute to …passions and interests? …Are we celebrating and embracing the diverse cultures of our students? …Are students provided opportunities to develop effective communication and collaborative skills?

ATHLETICS FINE ARTS

All varsity athletics teams advanced to postdistrict play in 2021-2022. Junior Emma Tindall took 5th Place at the state track meet in Pole Vault.

10 students signed to play in college

programs: • Jake Pecina – Football, Augustana University • Brent Winfree – Football, United States Air Force Academy • Joey Bruszer – Football, Southern Methodist University • Cearria Traylor – Volleyball, Brookhaven College • Takoya Stallings – Basketball, Bethany College • Isaiah Sims – Track, United States Merchant Marines Academy • Kate Van Vessem – Cheer, Dallas Baptist University • Janae Green – Cheer, Hardin Simmons University • Matthew Leavitt – Baseball, Brookhaven College • Emma Melvin – Softball, Ottawa University

ACADEMIC UIL

All SISD campuses were the Academic UIL District Champions. At SHS, three students placed in state in their events: • Morgan D’Elia - Competed in State Lincoln Douglas Debate • Blake Patterson - Competed in State Prose and Poetry • Third Place State Science Team: Nathan Beard, Chinaza Onungwa, Lester Uy, Bronia John • Nathan Beard - 1st Place Chemistry, 1st Place Biology, 1st Place Physics, 1st Place Overall (Individual) The Class of 2022 earned 6,300 hours of community service during All SMS and SHS Band and Choir Varsity Ensembles Received a 1st Division Sweepstakes Award this year. their high school career. UIL One Act Play was District Champion and advanced to Regional Tournament. SHS Fine Arts also produced six Texas All-State Musicians: • Grayson Gardner - Choir • Weston McWhorter - Choir • Blake Patterson - Choir • Jonathan Williams - Choir • Joshua Das - Flute • Mia Vaughan - Trombone SHS had two Texas State Solo and

Ensemble Contest Outstanding

Performers: • Sidney Williams - Vocal • Lily Yang - Flute SHS Art student Kayln Capps advanced

to state VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic

Event) in the 3D Sculpture Category.

perspective. We want to give students space to discuss and communicate ideas to help make our campuses more inclusive and accepting,” District Crisis Counselor Melissa James said.

The Campus Culture Team is comprised of student representatives from Student Council (Raider Nation at SMS) and the Superintendent’s Crew. The team meets once per quarter in the library at SHS and in the calming room at SMS. The groups are supervised by Mrs. James, the campus principal, the campus counselor and Director of Special Programs Erica Lawless. It’s important to note that the ideas from the team are student-driven.

“The Campus Culture Teams have been able to share their voices on topics of culture, discipline, kindness and have share ideas on how to encourage their peers on how to respect and appreciate others’ differences,” James said. “They have introduced a ‘Kindness Club’, and future ideas include hanging up flags from countries of origin, scheduling coffee with the principal and inviting speakers to campus.”

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