connections fall13 w
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N ORTH EAST CO NNECTIONSFall2013
A Publication of the North East Independent School District
Inside this Issue Technology Gets An Upgrade Teacher Flips Classroom Students Achievements Volunteer And Business Spotlights
Fall2013
Every year, technology advances by leaps
and bounds. Most of today’s rst graders
were born the same year the rst generation
iPhone was released to the public -- and
many could operate one before starting pre-
kindergarten. This change in how children
relate to their environment has changed
the way they learn in the classroom, andit is up to education leaders to evolve with
these changes.
“We need to prepare our students for an ever-changing world,” said Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, superintendent of
schools. “While we are making progress toward transforming the classroom, we have a long way to go before all North
East ISD classrooms provide every student, every day with the opportunities they need to reach their goals. We need
input from parents, students, employees and the community to effectively prepare our students now and in the future.”
NEISD “Transforming the Future” is a strategic design project that requires involvement from the community to
build a revised educational foundation for the betterment of our children. This rethinking of how our approximately
68,000 students learn will include, but is not limited to advanced technology, teaching strategies and philosophies. Once nalized, the district’s strategic plan will be presented to the NEISD Board of Trustees for approval at a board
meeting in January 2014.
NEISD administrators will lead implementation with clear timelines and
alignment to district/state objectives.
The Transformation ProcessThe four-month process began in September and concludes in December.
Involving community forums, focus groups, action team meetings and strategic
design team sessions, the process is separated into ve key steps.
ENGAGE
COLLABORATE
DESIGN
CREATE
LEAD
Students, parents, employees and community members attended sixcommunity forums in September to begin the conversation regarding the
initiative. An online survey was also available for feedback.
NEISD students, parents, community members and staff met in focus groups
in early October to gather additional input on how to move instruction forwardin the district.
A strategic design team of staff, parents, students, and community members
works to design a framework for decisions that will focus district resources
and systems.
Action team leaders will dedicate their time in creating action plans aligned to
the New NEISD Vision and House Bill 5 components.
NEISD asks
you, “How
do we move
instruction
for our
students in
the next fve
to 10 years?”
Group presentations and small group discussions at severalcommunity forums help solicit input about the needs of our 21stcentury students.
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The 2011 North East ISD bond program dedicated $64 millionto technology in and outside the classroom, and efcient business
decisions allowed the district to save $2.1 million in the process.
The technology portion of the bond program is allowing
NEISD to deploy iPads and SMART Boards, as well as replace
ceiling-mounted digital projectors and computer labs in schoolsacross the district. It is also improving network infrastructure
through equipment replacement in the district’s Data Center and
hub campuses.
One of those projects is being boosted by a partnership between
two NEISD departments. NEISD’s Construction Management iscurrently in the process of replacing all chalkboards in the district- which are known to trigger symptoms in students with asthma.
Working together, Technology Services and Construction are
installing SMART Boards or SMART Interactive Projectors in
place of the chalkboards being removed.
SMART, the company that manufactures the devices, offered a
combined package of boards and projectors because of the district’shigh demand, which resulted in a savings that contributed to the
overall technology savings of approximately $2.1 million.
Both devices are utilized the same way, so all students will haveaccess to this form of interactive technology. When this project is
completed, around August 2014, more than 3,200 SMART Boards
and Projectors will be installed for student and staff use. SMART boards and projectors allow students to use their
ngers or a digital stylus to write, draw and interact with content
on the surface of their classroom whiteboards. This technology
makes instruction more interactive and engaging for students.
As these devices are implemented, the learning environment in
NEISD schools will continue to transform the classrooms to better
serve our 21st century students.
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Technology upgrades
bring nancial savings
Bush Middle School’s Danielle Smith is coming off an action
packed year. The Texas History Teacher, Campus Technology
Committee Chair and 2014 NEISD Secondary Teacher of the Year
implemented the “ipped” classroom method of instruction last
school year with her students. She was even given the opportunity
to present a dramatization of a ipped classroom to approximately
9,000 district employees at this year’s Convocation presentations
at the start of the school year.
The ipped method of teaching involves “blended learning,”
where students can watch video lectures at home or in class,
with traditional homework completed in class, giving the
teacher freedom to offer personalized instruction, instead of justlectures. This teaching method is known to go hand-in-hand with
technology implementation, as it utilizes a variety of electronic
devices to enhance the learning experience.
“I believe that my students responded well,” said Smith. “I
found the ipped method to be best at allowing students to work
at their own pace. Students enjoyed the video method as well.
I found it easier to get my students to do their homework when
I was handing them an iPad and saying watch this video, then
when I asked them to get out a worksheet.”
Smith and many other teachers in NEISD are helping to
pioneer this new way of educating students. With technology
being one of the main ingredients, she looks forward to the
possibilities ahead.
“In a dream world, I would love to have a one-to-one ratio
of iPads for my students,” said Smith. “Given the right apps,
students would be able to take notes, complete worksheets and
turn them in electronically -- and utilize other apps that are
applicable to history.”
Bush teacher “ips” her
class instruction
Bush teacher Danielle Smith (left) is able to provide more personalized
instruction using the ipped classroom method.
Project Manager
Ricky Reyes
inspects one
of the SMART
projectors
recently installed
in the district.
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Blessings from a Castle Hills rst grader
Star speech student named to San Antonio’s “It List”
A six-year-old North East ISD student armed with a purse and pile of T-shirts is on a mission to help the homeless.
“I just want to help them have stuff that we have and they don’t
have,” said Bella Curry, founder of Bella’s Blessing Bags.
The Castle Hills Elementary School rst grader started the
organization to help the homeless with donations of items like
shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorants and snacks. For more than a year,
she has been lling up homemade T-shirt bags with donations from
friends and family and giving them away to those in need through
the “Church Under the Bridge” and “Dress a Girl Around the World” programs.
Bella is a triplet, and while her two sisters support and help her,
Bella is the one with a true passion for this cause.
“I just thought I could do something for the homeless,” said Bella.
Bella and her mom started cutting old T-shirts and turning them
into bags. They are happy to accept donations of supplies and shirts
from anyone who would like to help. A local Bahamas Buck’s store
even hosted a donation drive for Bella’s Blessing Bags and gave
money to help support her cause.
“She is constantly thinking of ways to help others because sheis just so compassionate and caring,” wrote her teachers Hannah
Cooper and Morgan Tondre. “She is an inspiration, and I only hope that we can all learn from her kindness.”
For more information or to donate, contact Bella’s mom Candice Curry at [email protected] or call her at (210) 896-9039.
Bella Curry started “Bella’s Blessing Bags” as a way to help the homeless.She makes bags out of old T-shirts, then stuffs them with needed itemslike shampoo, toothbrushes and snacks.
In the past ve years, the Speech and Debate program at Lee High School has grown from just a
handful of students to a team of 50. One of those students is a shining star who was recently named
to San Antonio Magazine’s “It List” as one of the 50 people in San Antonio “building buzz and
leading the Alamo City.”
Cosmo Albrecht, 17, is the captain of the debate program at Lee. Over the summer, he placed third
in Extemporaneous Commentary at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Birmingham,
AL. He is a 2014 Tournament of Champions qualier in Extemporaneous Speaking. He is a member
of distinction of the International School of the Americas Model United Nations program. He is also
active in theater and president of the Spanish Honor Society.
Albrecht is very committed to growing the debate program at his school and works hard to
recruit new members. He knows Lee has a long-standing history of being a debate powerhouse and
wants to be a part of bringing that back.
“This isn’t just for me. It is for my school,” said Albrecht. “I feel obligated to give back to my
community. I am pretty motivated.”
Albrecht wants to put his abilities to good use in the future and get involved in policy making.
He hopes to study political science after high school and go into political analysis or consulting.
Cosmo Albrecht poses with a trophyhe earned at a recent nationalcompetition in Alabama.
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Churchill JROTC captureschampionship The Churchill High School JROTC
teams competed in this year’s rst Mini
Raider Competition at Camp Bullis
capturing rst place in both male and
female varsity teams and third place in
male junior varsity.
The event consisted of three
physically grueling stages: buildingand crossing a rope bridge, an obstacle
course, and running a 1.5 mile course
carrying four 35-pound rucksacks.
Lee teacher awarded NEAFoundation grant Lee High School Social Studies
teacher Kevin Veroneau was awarded a
$5,000 Student Achievement Grant from
the NEA Foundation. With 18 years of
teaching experience, Veroneau impressed
grant reviewers with his innovative ideas
for instruction.
He will purchase three sets of
Spark 360 (RF) Student Response
Systems and a Mobi Student-Centered
Learning Pack™ to enhance the learningexperience for his students. The Spark
360 (RF) is a multiple-choice clicker
system that provides students with instant
feedback on an LCD screen. The Mobi
Student-Centered Learning Pack creates a
student-centered learning environment by
making it possible for multiple students to
participate in lessons simultaneously.
North East Recognitions
NEISD schools surprisedwith OfceMax donation Janice Pundt of Jackson-KellerElementary School and Yvette DeBoltof Windcrest Elementary School weresurprised with $1,000 in school supplieson Oct. 1 as part of the OfceMax “ADay Made Better” program.
“I was very surprised,” said Pundt.“When someone recognizes you fordoing a good job and provides all thestuff that you want for your class that isnot always easy to get – it’s a very nicething.” The teachers were presented withowers and a giant orange box with “ADay Made Better” stamped on the top,which was lled with tons of teaching
gear. From pens and pencils to a KindleFire and digital camera, both teachersand their students are excited about thenew items for their classrooms.
Encino Park student runsin Junior Olympics Encino Park Elementary School
student Rocky Hansen is fast -- and not
just for a third grader. This summer,
Rocky’s speed qualied him to compete
in the AAU Junior Olympics.
In May, Rocky prepared by practicing
with the Johnson High School Junior
Jaguar track team. He advanced fromthe South Texas District Meet in both the
1500m and 800m runs. At nationals, he
earned a gold medal in the 1500m and a
silver medal in the 800m. This qualied
him for the AAU Junior Olympic Games
in Michigan in July.
“We were so proud of him for holding
to his times despite the bigger venue and
steeper competition,” said Molly Hansen,
Rocky’s mother. “He’s one determinedlittle man.”
Encino Park teacherhonored by Texas PTA Encino Park Elementary School
teacher Neil Shelby was named the
Elementary Teacher of the Year as part of
the 2013 Texas PTA Educator Awards. The
focus of the awards is to recognize teachers,
principals and superintendents known for
“Building A Child’s Tomorrow.”
“The PTA has been an essential part of
my success as an educator,” said Shelby.
“Through the support of the PTA I have
seen the implementation of programs,
activities, and lessons that have benetted
my classroom and my schools.”
Churchill cadets manuever through threestages of competition to win rst place.
Jackson-Keller Principal Anna Nicolaicongratulates teacher Janice Pundt on herOfceMax award.
Windcrest teacher Yvette DeBolt is veryexcited to see all the goodies OfceMax isgifting her for her classroom.
Encino Park student Rockey Hansen is infull stride at the AAU Junior Olympics.
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North East Recognitions
Windcrest celebrates 50years of excellence This year marks the 50th anniversaryof Windcrest Elementary School. On Oct.4, the school held a celebration for thecommunity to commemorate the milestone.
The City of Windcrest helped sponsorthe event that began with a breakfastreception and ceremony with Windcrestofcials and the Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Brian G. Gottardy. Following theceremony, students and staff paraded
throughout the city to celebrate 50 yearswithin the Windcrest community. The dayconcluded with curriculum activities relatedto traditions and celebrations.
Two schools namedseminalists for SpursTeam Up Challenge Harris Middle School and Vineyard
Ranch Elementary School earned $2,500
from the Silver and Black Give Back’s
initiative -- The Team Up Challenge.
Twenty seminalist teams were invited
to the AT&T Center on Oct. 7 for the
presentation, and each received $2,500for their projects.
The Green Team at Harris will use
the grant money to grow a community
garden and host gardening classes and a
farmer’s market.
Vineyard Ranch’s team will use its
money for a service project called Love
Note Pillows. Students will make pillows
stuffed with a note, poem and picture for
children in the hospital.At the event, students were greeted
by R.C. Buford, general manager of the
Spurs, and Chuck Cureau, Spurs’ in-arena
host. There was a video message from
Spurs player Matt Bonner. Silver Dancers,
and mascots TBone and the Fox were also
there to cheer on the seminalists.
Silver and Black Give Back is a
public charity that supports youth-ledservice programs in San Antonio and
South Texas. The Team Up Challenge is
the service based learning initiative of
the Silver and Back Give Back.
Jackson-Keller receivesdonation from Rotary Club Jackson-Keller Elementary School
recently received a generous book
donation from the San Antonio North
Central Rotary Club. After receiving the
books, the campus prominently displayed
them in the library.
Jackson-Keller is fortunate to have
the Rotary Club as a supporter whounderstands the importance of early
reading and its role in the success of
students. The library now has books that
would not have been available without the
help of the North Central Rotarians.
H-E-B donates to threeNEISD schools H-E-B donated more than $3,000
to three North East ISD schools that
participated in the Primo Picks Premiere
Night on Oct. 2.
Vineyard Ranch Elementary School,
and Bush and Jackson middle schools
each received $1,000 plus $100 giftcards for each of their student groups
who participated, including the science
group, safety patrols and choir.
The students volunteered at the
event by greeting customers and helping
with gift bags.
Windcrest students enjoy a great day withthe community during their 50th celebration.
Jackson-Keller students are thrilled withthe new books donated to them by theNorth Central Rotary Club.
Harris students and staff pose happily withtheir $2,500 check.
Vineyard Ranch students can’t wait to begintheir project with the help of this grant.
Shoppers enjoy an H-E-B sampling eventwith the help of NEISD students.
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The North East Educational Foundation presents a new fundraising opportunity with the help of the San AntonioSpurs. Through this special offer, the foundation will receive $3 per ticket purchased to the games listed below. Just usethe instructions below to order your tickets and help the students of North East ISD.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 • 7:30 p.m.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013 • 7:30 p.m.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 • 7:30 p.m.
6
North East Connections is a community newsletter mailed to all residents of the district three times a year. Content is edited and prepared by North East ISD Communications.
For more information, visit www.neisd.net or call (210) 407-0040.
Golf tournament raises $70,000 for NEISD schools
How to Order Online: Six Easy Steps1. Go to www.spurs.com/schools2. Select school district name
3. Enter the offer code: Schools4. Create a new account (or use your existing one if you’ve orderedthrough this link before)5. Select seat location6. Print tickets at home (no Ticketmaster fees apply)
The rain couldn’t keep golfers away from the 8th annual
North East Educational Foundation (NEEF) Golf Tournament
on Sept. 20, 2013. A record number of attendees braved thedownpour to support a good cause.
Paul Wildeman and his company, Daktronics, was one of
the tournament sponsors.
“NEISD has been good to us--super good partners. We feel
they are a quality district and we’re a company that believes
in quality and in not cutting corners,” said Wildeman. “My
four daughters go to North East schools and I believe it’s the
best district in San Antonio.”
There were 130 golfers in total on hand, representing 35companies. Through the event, these community members
helped raise more than $70,000 for the foundation.
The title sponsor of the tournament, Randolph-Brooks
Federal Credit Union (RBFCU), was instrumental in the
event’s success.
“I’m a proud product of NEISD and we love to do anything
that helps this district succeed,” said Ralph Rodriguez of
RBFCU.
The NEEF Board of Directors also worked hard to provide
breakfast, door prizes and goodie bags that helped to makethis day an enjoyable event for everyone involved.
All of the funds received by NEEF will go toward grants
to fund innovative projects for classrooms across the district.
For more information on the NEEF, visit
www.northeastfoundation.org or contact NEISD Partnerships
Director Amy Lane at (210) 407-0555.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Title Sponsor: Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union
Eagle Sponsors: Joeris
Split Eagle Sponsors: First Southwest Securities/Cabrera Capital Markets;
OCO Architects/Alpha Consulting Engineers; Terracon/Moy Tarin Ramirez Engineers
Underwriting Sponsors: Diamondback Promotions; Education Facility Advisors;
Raba Kistner; WJE Associates; Taco Cabana
Birdie Sponsors: Alpha Building Corporation; Blue Cross Blue Shield; Central
Electric Enterprises; Combs Consulting Group; Computer Solutions; Daktronics
Incorporated; Frost Bank; Garza Bomberger & Associates; Jaster-Quintanilla;
Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLC; Padilla Poll; Pape Dawson;
PBK Architects; Puger Associates Architects; RBC Capital Markets; Reagan
Diamondbackers Sports Association; RVK Architects; Sattereld and Pontikes
Construction; Southwest Securities; The Darr Family
Partner Spotlight: San Antonio Spurs
A little rain didn’t stop these golfers from playing for a good cause.
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Volunteer dedicates 26 years toNorth East ISD students
Omar G. Rios didn’t grow upwith a TV, car or computer. He didhave books -- and for the past 26years, he has been sharing his loveof books with students in NorthEast ISD.
Rios, 79, retired in 1986 asthe Deputy Chief of the WesternDistrict of Texas. He served fouryears in the U.S. Navy and is aKorean War Veteran. He attendedBrigham Young University andreceived his Master’s Degree inSociology in 1962.
When he retired, he could havetaken a much deserved break. Butinstead, he began volunteering atRidgeview Elementary School,where his wife retired and his
daughter still works as a teacher. This year, he starts his 27th school year at Ridgeviewworking with third graders who need some extra attention with their reading. He alsohelps to motivate them to be proactive learners. “What’s our motto? Think and do,” said Rios. “ If you think and do, it is going to leadyou to success. I am trying to get my kids to think.” Every group hears the motto and they know it by the end of the year. He explainedthat he wants his students to think ‘I am going to do this homework when I get home.’And then go home and actually do it. “When I was in school, I didn’t learn to think,” said Rios. “We were taught to repeatand rehash. I try to get them to think outside the box.”
At the start of the school year, Rios was greeted by everyone from the custodians tothe principal to the students who were all excited to see him back on campus. He said hehas been volunteering his entire life, but recognizes that it takes special individuals totake on the special task. “In order to give, you must rst have. You have to have it in you to volunteer,” saidRios. It’s clear to everyone at Ridgeview that Mr. Rios has what it takes and then some.
North East ISD is now on Facebook!
North East ISD launched its ofcial Facebook page
on July 8, 2013. Visitors to this page receive updates
regarding the latest accomplishments and events taking
place throughout the district. Everyone is encouraged to
‘Like’ and follow the district to connect with 144 square
miles of news on your phone, computer or tablet.
Omar Rios has worked with students at RidgeviewElementary School for the past 26 years.
SHERRY RANTZ, LCSW
7410 BLANCO ROAD
Counseling Children and Adolescents
with anger management, depression, anxiety,
low self-esteem, school and family problems
210.286.6448 20 Years Experience
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Brian G. Gottardy, Ed.D.
Superintendent of SchoolsRon Clary
Associate Superintendent for Operations
Janna Hawkins Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Technology Services/CIO
Donna Newman, Ed.D. Associate Superintendent for
Campus Administration and Human Resources
Dan Villarreal, CPA Associate Superintendent for Business Services/CFO
Aubrey Chancellor Executive Director of Communications
Executive Staff
Non-Proft Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
San Antonio, TX
Permit No. 399
North EastIndependentSchool District
8961 Tesoro DriveSan Antonio, Texas 78217
www.neisd.net
ECRWSSPOSTAL CUSTOMER
Printed on recycled paper
North East ISDBoard
of Trustees
Shannon Grona
District 5
Trustee
James Wheat
District 4
Trustee
Sandy HugheyDistrict 1
Secretary
Letti BresnahanDistrict 6
Vice President
Susan GalindoDistrict 3
President
Edd WhiteDistrict 2
Trustee
Brigitte Perkins
District 7
Trustee
Volunteer SpotlightRussell Green and Jay Strawn
“Having Mr. Strawn and
Mr. Green, along with
the other Watch D.O.G.S.
out front has helped me
to create a more orderly
environment during
dismissal,” said Anne
Cook, assistant principal.
“I can’t express the
feelings of relief and
happiness when I head
out and see them at the
crosswalk. They are a
huge help to me and the
Eisenhower community.”
Russell Green and Jay Strawn have been instrumentalin continuing and growing the Watch D.O.G.S. Program at
Eisenhower Middle School. Ike Watch D.O.G.S provide a
much needed services for the school.
They help monitor students, assist with trafc ow and
work on much needed projects around the school.
Russell’s son, Braeden, is an eighth grader at Eisenhower.
Jay has a sixth grader, Savannah, and an eighth grader,
Kenneth, attending Eisenhower.
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.
Place your advertisement in
this newsletter. Call 407-0396
for more information.
NORTH E AST CONNECTIONSFall2013
Fall2013