A Tradition of ExcellenceThis year, Roosevelt High School and Churchill High School turn 50 years old.

Rough Riders Chargers

Principal: Melvin Echard2016 Enrollment: 2,890*Mascot: Rough RidersNamesake: Named after Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. President.

Fun Fact: Approximately 15 Roosevelt alumni have returned to the school to be teachers or administrators.

Fun Fact: Roosevelt was the last NEISD team to win a state championship in football. They were named champions in 1995.

“We have amassed a large and engaged alumni base over the last five decades. In looking back over the years, each group has made significant contributions to our overall success. I am so proud to be a part of this rich history.” -- Melvin Echard, Principal

Principal: Justin Oxley2016 Enrollment: 2,930*Mascot: ChargersNamesake: Named after Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister.

Fun Fact: Churchill has been designated a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education twice.

Fun Fact: Churchill Alum Jimmy Feigen won a Gold Medal in the 4x100 Relay at the Rio Olympics.

“The Churchill family, now many generations deep, has united to deliver 50 years of excellence. On behalf of the administration, teachers and student body we would like to thank you for your continued support of this fine educational institution.” -- Justin Oxley, Principal

Enrollment is approximation as of October 2016

Both schools are celebrating this important milestone throughout the school

year, but each also held celebrations on Oct. 27 and 28 with community events

and at their football games.Roosevelt holds a celebration on Oct. 27, its namesake’s birthday, with performances, refreshments and guided tours.

A dinner, memorabilia walk and pep rally brings the Churchill community together on Oct. 27 for a night of fun memories.

MacArthur home to three new major additions

North East ISD strives to foster the 360-degree student who excels in and outside the classroom. That mission couldn’t be more apparent at MacArthur High School where three new buildings are being added as part of the 2011 Bond. The school is already enjoying its new JROTC building, which opened its doors February 2016. Two more additions are just around the corner with a science building set for completion January 2017 and a new athletic addition set to open April 2017. “MacArthur overall is almost 80 percent complete,” said Larry Pearce, Senior Director of Construction Management. “A lot of work is currently taking place in the interior of the new science building. The science building is scheduled to be finished in mid-January, and will be occupied approximately by mid-February.” The science and classroom addition is replacing seven portables at the campus with eight science lecture-labs, four science prep rooms and 14 classrooms. JROTC cadets at MacArthur are already enjoying the program’s new facility. Instructors MAJ (R) Lawrence Garcia and SGM (R) Cristina Perales are incredibly proud of the new facility. “Everyone who has toured our facility has been awestruck at the design and aesthetics,” said Garcia. “Our program goal is ‘To motivate young people to be better citizens,’ and by teaching leadership and stressing the Army Values our cadets are better prepared to enter the workforce post-graduation. The facility itself attracts high caliber cadets and provides them a professional learning atmosphere with some of the best amenities and equipment available to cadets, such as the electronic targeting system used in Olympic competitions.”MacArthur athletes are looking forward to next spring with the new athletic facility addition opens. This 16,500 sq. ft. program will provide students with a football program athletic locker room area and equipment storage area. In addition to a brand new training room, storage area and laundry room, new office areas for the athletic directors and coaches will be included. The new athletic addition is in the early construction phase, and is on scope, cost and schedule. These three major additions at MacArthur will remain an integral aspect of the high school student experience for years to come. As the first NEISD school, the campus has seen a lot of changes over the years, but school leadership will tell you that MacArthur Brahma pride has remained strong since the doors opened in 1950. To learn more about the 2011 and 2015 bond programs visit www.neisd.net and search keyword: Construction.

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2016-2017 Coffee Talk ScheduleOct. 12 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Reagan High SchoolNov. 2 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Johnson High SchoolDec. 14 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Roosevelt High SchoolFeb. 8 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Madison High SchoolMarch 22 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. MacArthur High SchoolApril 26 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Churchill High SchoolMay 17 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Lee High School

This school year, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian G. Gottardy will once again host “Coffee Talk” sessions to meet with members of the North East ISD community in informal one-on-one visits. Parents and guests can talk to Dr. Gottardy and ask any questions they may have about the District’s current and future plans over coffee and breakfast in the school’s library. For more information, call 407-0040.

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NEEF Golf Tournament honors District leader and raises thousands for NEISD studentsThis year, the annual North East Educational Foundation (NEEF) golf tournament took on a new name for the same great cause: Jerry Comalander’s Fore! the Kids Tournament. A total of 122 golfers, representing 38 companies donated close to $90,000 to the 11th golf tournament benefiting NEEF. The golfers played 18 holes at the Canyon Springs Golf Club on Friday, Sept. 16.Comalander was most recently the Executive Director of Athletics for North East ISD. He retired in 2015 after serving 42 years at NEISD.“When I found out it would be named after me, at first I thought someone was playing trick on me,” said Comalander. “It’s a tremendous honor, I mean how proud can a person be to represent a Foundation that does great things for kids. We do a lot of things in the District and they’re all based around children, but the Foundation is exactly connected to children. I’m so proud to represent them.”The title sponsor of the tournament, Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) and RB Financial, gave of their time and funds to make the tournament a success."We have a phenomenal partnership with North East ISD, we believe in their staff and we love to do anything that helps this District succeed," said Steve Ynostrosa of RBFCU."I want to thank everybody for their time and contribution of money," said Mark Baublit, NEEF Chairman. "It means a lot that your heart is in line with our vision and that's to give back to the kids and to impact their world."All of the funds received by NEEF will go toward grants to fund innovative projects for NEISD classrooms. For more information on the Foundation, go to: www.northeastfoundation.org

TitleRBFCU RB Financial

EagleBartlett Cocke, LP.Computer SolutionsFirst SouthwestFrost BankGarza Bomberger & AssociatesHTS TexasJoerisLPA, Inc.Pfluger Associates ArchitectsThe Gordon Hartman Family Foundation

BirdieBOK Financial Securities, Inc.CDS Muery

Birdie cont’d Central Electric Ent & CoCleary Zimmermann EngineersDBR EngineeringHigh School AchievementsIESMoy Tarin Ramirez EngO'Connell RobertsonRaba Kistner Consultants, Inc.TerraconThe Darr FamilyZachry Corporation

UnderwritingBSN SPORTSFieldTurf & BeynonHorace Mann, Tim SmithLinebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP

Thank you to the following sponsors!

More than 100 golfers take their best swings at Canyon Springs Golf Club on Sept. 16 to participate in the NEEF Golf Tournament that raises money for the students and teachers of North East ISD. Proceeds help fund grants for educational enrichment activities.

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North East Achievements

Montgomery students win bikes for perfect attendanceIt was a lucky day for four students at Montgomery Elementary School who received a bike for their perfect attendance record. Patrick Reyna from Platinum Wealth Solutions donated the bikes to help the staff at Montgomery give an incentive for perfect attendance.“We plan to do this giveaway every nine weeks,” said Reyna. “I’m in awe of the teachers at Montgomery and their dedication to these students. We’re happy to be a part of anything that encourages students and helps the staff.”Students with perfect attendance were entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of the four bikes donated by Platinum Wealth Solutions.Assistant Principal Phillip Bennett noticed more students setting goals to be at school each day because of the possibility of winning a bicycle.“We are so thankful for the support we receive from Patrick and Platinum Wealth Solutions --having him as a partner really expands the opportunities we can provide our students,” said Bennett.

West Avenue and Colonial Hills receive literacy grantsOn Sept. 14, Bernadette and Edward Casseb of the Frankie Casseb Youth Literacy Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to West Avenue and Colonial Hills elementary schools to supplement their libraries.Bernadette and her husband Edward lost their 12-year-old daughter, Frankie Casseb, to a tragic drowning and started the Foundation to honor her life, with the mission to promote her favorite hobby, reading. The Frankie Casseb Youth Literacy Foundation aims to donate to elementary schools and middle schools that could use books or anything to help advance their reading. “As a Title I campus we are always short on resources so we are very excited to put this to use and to put books in the hands of kids,” said Colonial Hills Principal Jana Mascorro.

West Avenue Principal Victor Saldana was excited to introduce some of his students to the Cassebs. The students read one of their favorite short stories out loud to thank the Foundation for their wonderful gift.

El Dorado cuts ribbon on District’s newest SPARK parkOn Oct. 26, the El Dorado Elementary School community came together for a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new SPARK park. The park features two soccer fields with goals, with plans for bleachers and a walking track in the future. This project is a partnership between North East ISD, San Antonio Sports and the City of San Antonio to convert school playgrounds and recreational space into larger park areas that the surrounding school neighborhood can use.SPARK parks will be open to the public from sunrise to sunset on Saturdays, Sundays, and school holidays. The park will also be open during the week after school at 6:30 p.m. until sunset. El Dorado is NEISD’s fifth SPARK park. “We are so excited about this partnership,” said Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, Superintendent of Schools. “It allows us to enhance play areas for our students, while also welcoming the community into our schools.”

Four Montgomery students are surrounded by staff and family as they claim the bikes they won for perfect attendance.

West Avenue students love reading and show it as they read to Foundation members awarding the school a literacy grant.

George Block of SA Sports (center) cuts the ribbon on El Dorado’s new SPARK park, along with Councilman Mike Gallagher, Principal Chris Specia, Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, and members of the NEISD Board of Trustees and Executive Staff.

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North East Achievements

Garner holds ribbon cutting for new academic building The Garner Middle School community came together to celebrate the school’s new academic building with a special reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 20. The new two-story building has three separate wings and houses 42 classrooms, six conference rooms, three community learning centers, three teacher workrooms, as well as an art room. In addition, this school year marks the 55th anniversary since the doors of Garner opened for its first day of school.

Reagan wind ensemble wins national award The Reagan High School Wind Ensemble was recently named a national winner in the Foundation for Music Education’s Mark Of Excellence competition. The Mark of Excellence is a national school music competition that honors music programs and their ensembles for high standards in performance. Band programs that enter the competition are adjudicated by nationally respected collegiate-level band directors and music educators from across the country. This year, there were 236 entries from 36 different states. The Reagan Wind Ensemble also advanced to the State round of the TMEA Honor Band process in July and received straight Division 1 (Superior) ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest in April.

Former Canyon Ridge students win T-shirt design contestLast year, Canyon Ridge Elementary School students in the Peer Mediation program entered the Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center T-shirt design contest and won. Their design is featured on the new 2016-2017 Peer Mediation shirt. Their challenge was to create a design that promotes conflict resolution and appeals to students in grades 3-12. The students put together a design last year, with a superhero theme and submitted it to the Bexar

County AIM program. Canyon Ridge, along with a San Antonio middle school, won the contest and the two designs were combined to create this year’s new Peer Mediation T-shirt, which will be worn by all Bexar County students who participate in a Peer Mediation program -- more than 2,500 students. The San Antonio Bar Foundation sponsored the contest and provided the shirts.

Roosevelt students master art skills and fire safetySeveral Roosevelt High School students win big in this year’s Fire Prevention art contest. Each year, just prior to Fire Prevention Week, the San Antonio Fire Department and the Bexar County Fire Marshal Office sponsor a poster contest for San Antonio and Bexar County area schools. Children in pre-kindergarten through high school are eligible to create posters that convey fire safety and education messages. Art students from Roosevelt competed in the competition which had more than 800 entries. Three NEISD art students won all the prizes for Division 6 – the high school division – and also took home the overall award. The Overall Winner of Fire Prevention was Sarah Torres. The student winners were Daira Macias Navarro (third place), Sarah Torres (second place), and Kiana Williams (first place).The poster contest helps students and their families learn about fire safety while getting a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses and organizations. The awards were announced on Oct. 22 at the Health and Safety Fair at the Public Safety Headquarters downtown.

Garner administration, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, Executive staff and guests are on hand for the ribbon cutting of its new academic building.

These former Canyon Ridge students are back from Bush, Tejeda and Lopez middle schools to celebrate and catch up with each other at a pizza party.

Roosevelt’s Sarah Torres (left), Kianna Williams (center) and Daira Navarro are the top winners in this year’s fire prevention contest sponsored by San Antonio Fire Department and the Bexar County Fire Marshall.

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El Dorado grandmother is a regular on campus

Teresa Aguilar is using her daily presence and supportive disposition to help things run smoothly at El Dorado Elementary School.“I love working with the kids and enjoy helping staff anyway that I can,” said Aguilar.Since 2008, Aguilar has volunteered at El Dorado. Every school day she can be found helping out in the cafeteria with clean up duty, or running copies and distributing them to the staff. Tasks such as these become cumbersome to teachers who have so much on their hands, so Aguilar’s assistance and presence is most appreciated and valued.Milk spills, tray pick up, and cubby distribution are just a few things that call for Aguilar’s daily attention.“I have two granddaughters, one that has already left El Dorado, and one that is currently in Pre-Kinder. How blessed am I that I can be here and help while keeping a

watchful eye on them,” said Aguilar. “It is a joy to see the youngest, throughout the day and take her home with me when the day is done.” Aguilar spent many years in California raising her family and now at the age of 73, she wants to be closer to her granddaughters and children who are full-time working parents.“My English may not be all that good, but I manage to get my point across to staff and can figure out what they need most at that moment.”Aguilar plans to continue spreading her positive spirit and energy as long as she can do it.“What would I do in my home, simply sitting and watching the day go by,” Aguilar said. “This puts me to good use and makes me happy.”

Teresa Aguilar is a regular volunteer at El Dorado Elementary School and has done it for many years. She plans to continue as long as they need her.

Lee parent volunteer shines as a positive exampleAs Lee High School PTSA President, serving her community and volunteering has always been a large part of Belle Watson’s life. Volunteering is embedded into who she is and how she was raised. Watson is a product of public schools and supports all the work they do. She believes that as an advocate for Lee, she is also setting community and involvement standards for her children.“As parents, if we don’t have money, at least we have time,” said Watson. “And even though some of us run short on time, what better way to spend it than on the investment you’re making for your children. PTA says ‘back the future,’ but really we are making the future.”There was a time when Watson found herself working up to 65 hours a week as the former Vice President of Mutual Fund Operations. Later in life, she realized that her children were growing up so fast and a break from work was in order. Watson’s oldest daughter will graduate this year from the North East School of the Arts (NESA) on the Lee campus. Now as a consultant from home, Watson devotes much of her time to Lee. In fact, she’s there so often, everyone knows her simply as Miss Belle. “There is a huge sense of pride on this campus,” said Watson. “All the opportunity within the structuring of the restoration of the campus along with the magnet program act almost like a small college.”Watson believes the Lee community and District as a whole prepare students for academic rigor and the social side of life. She also encourages parents to get involved.“The teachers and schools can’t do it alone,” said Watson. “We all need to be involved and provide guidance to help shape these children.”

Go Public is a campaign led by

Bexar County’s 15 independent school districts to generate

better awareness of the facts about all of the

independent public school districts

and the wonderful, life-changing things

that happen in our schools every day.

To learn more, go to: www.wegopublic.com

Lee High School PTSA President Belle Watson attended public schools and is proud that her children are as well.

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McDonald’s sends Encino Park students on special trip

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If your business would like to join our Partners in Education program, please visit www.neisd.net/ts/PIE

The McDonald’s located at Evans and 281 made a memorable field trip possible for an Encino Park Elementary School Adaptive Learning Environment (ALE) class. The annual $500 grant from McDonald’s allowed students with special needs to explore Morgan’s Wonderland and participate in a safe and fun environment specifically

designed to accommodate all abilities. “Our students want what all students want – to be included and participate side by side, regardless of their disability, amongst their able-bodied peers,” said teacher Shelby Gabrielson. “McDonald’s provides this invaluable experience for our students.”This McDonald’s location is involved in other sponsorships for the campus, including providing breakfast for the Encino Park staff several times a year.“It is important for a business, like McDonald’s, to give back to their local school because consumers and potential employees are more likely to choose an establishment that gives back to its community than one that does not,” said Gabrielson. Encino Park Elementary School students make great

memories and friends on a field trip to Morgan’s Wonderland thanks to a grant from a local McDonald’s.

School nutrition: Bigger and better...and now on wheelsSchool nutrition has evolved into more than most adults today remember from their days in schools. Currently, North East ISD employs registered dietitians who plan and analyze menus, train staff, ensure meal program compliance, and promote good nutrition among students, staff, and community members. The District provides healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks to students during the school year and beyond. Over the summer, NEISD’s School Nutrition Services (SNS) took on a unique new project to ensure that students -- even when they are out of school -- are getting access to nutritious meals.For years, SNS has participated in the free summer feeding program where lunch is provided to children at no cost in select schools. This year, NEISD expanded on that program with a new mobile lunch initiative. “This summer, we launched the mobile Books and Bites program with the intent to reach children in communities that may not have access to our summer feeding sites,” said Sharon Glosson, Executive Director of School Nutrition Services. “We identified four mobile home communities and one city park location in our District that a bus visited four days a week.”The bus was donated by the NEISD Transportation department and renovated to provide booth-style seating and a place for simple meal prep. At each stop, children got on the bus to enjoy a nutritious meal. As an added feature, a librarian allowed students to check out books for summer reading. Additionally, free meals were provided at four public library locations across the city and at Morgan’s Wonderland on select days during the summer. All the feeding sites allowed the District to reach many more students than before. From June through August 2016, the District served 41,210 lunches, 69,559 lunches and 9,720 snacks. Thanks to this success, NEISD is looking forward to continuing the program next year.

Nearly 70,000 lunches are served over the summer thanks to NEISD’s summer feeding program and mobile lunch deliveries.

Brian G. Gottardy, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schools

Ron ClaryAssociate Superintendent for Operations

Pauline Dow, Ed.D.Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Technology Services/CIO

Donna Newman, Ed.D.Associate Superintendent for

Campus Administration and Human ResourcesDan Villarreal, CPA

Associate Superintendent for Business Services/CFOAubrey Chancellor

Executive Director of Communications

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSan Antonio, TXPermit No. 399

North East Independent School District8961 Tesoro DriveSan Antonio, Texas 78217www.neisd.net

ECRWSSPOSTAL CUSTOMER

Printed on recycled paper

North East ISD Board

of Trustees

Brigitte PerkinsDistrict 7

Vice President

Edd WhiteDistrict 2Trustee

Sandy HugheyDistrict 1Secretary

Shannon GronaDistrict 5President

Sandi WolffDistrict 3Trustee

Jim WheatDistrict 4Trustee

Tony JasoDistrict 6Trustee

Volunteer SpotlightLaura Talley

“I volunteer because I love it and it is the best way I can impact the future of our community. The hours I spend working in schools provides school faculty and administrators time and funding to expand the services they can provide to all students.”

Laura Talley is currently the President of the Churchill High School PTA. Over the past 16 years, she has served on multiple boards and held several offices at Churchill, Eisenhower Middle School and Huebner Elementary School. She’s also been a member of NEISD’s SHAC (School Health Advisory Council) and Leadership North East. Laura and her husband Chris have three children. Michael attends Auburn University, and Megan attends Baylor University. Their youngest Caroline is a senior at Churchill.

NOTICEThe North East Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender,

national origin, age or disability.

NOTICIAEl Distrito Escolar Independiente

del Noreste no discrimina por raza, color, religión, género, origen nacional,

edad, o incapacidad.

Executive Staff

FALL 2016