may-june 2013 - eastside promise neighborhood

NEWS AND UPDATES FROM EASTSIDE PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD | Issue 3

Keeping

the

Promise

MAY-JUNE 2013

MAY-JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

Reaching for the STAARs

Our EPN schools went all out to pump students up to take the year-end STAAR. EPN was proud to add our encouragement with a shirt to boost unity within the six EPN schools. We’ve been touched to see so many students walking through the neigh-borhood wearing them with pride!

Here’s What Brown Can Do For You

UPS Inside Sales, a San Antonio subsidiary of the international shipping company, donated $20,000.00 to United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County in May. A portion of the proceeds were set aside for Eastside Promise Neighborhood.

CREATING A PATHWAY FOR SUCCESS IN EDUCATION AND LIFE

Summer is here and we could not be more

excited about what’s in store! We’re hosting

summer learning festivals in July and August

that little ones are going to love. There’s a

Kinder Prep Academy for children and par-

ents so they know what to expect when

school starts in August.

It’s so important for youth to have rich op-

portunities to learn and play when school is

out. That’s why EPN is partnering with seven

organizations to bring summer programming

to the Eastside. From learning how to build

robots to exploring the neighborhood we

love and live in, students will get a chance to

have fun, make friends, and expand their

horizons. We’re offering scholarships to EPN

students for the hugely popular summer pro-

gram from San Antonio’s Park and Recreation

department at Bowden and Washington.

With the Spurs and Silver Stars putting on a

thrilling show year in and out, this town is

basketball-crazy for good reason. We’re add-

ing to the mayhem with the second year of

EPN’s Midnight Basketball. Building on last

year’s success, this summer the tournament

adds a young women’s division!

This Summer, EPN is Helping Children and Families to Dive into Fun and Learning

We’re bringing something new to the

neighborhood this summer, too, a set of

opportunities for high school students. EPN

is establishing fifty internships to give

young men and women a chance to work

in professional settings and build their re-

sumes for college. And we’re taking that

concept to heart , adding four Summer

Ambassadors to the team to help ensure

our summer programs are successful.

Beginning in June, many of you will be con-

tacted by interviewers to take part in an

Eastside survey. Your voice matters and is

an essential part of the work. We encour-

age you to share your views.

Yours in Service,

The Eastside Promise Neighborhood Team

News & Updates

From

An Initiative Led By United Way of San Antonio and Bexar

NEWS AND UPDATES FROM EASTSIDE PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD | page 2

The build teams arrived on Saturday, May 11th with the sun

still sleepy on the horizon. All the long months of planning,

down to the tiniest detail, were about to pay off. The play-

ground began with the dreams of neighborhood children

equipped with clean sheets of paper, crayons, and their own

imaginations.

New Playground at Woodard Community Center

Gives Children an Amazing Place to Play

More than 400 volunteers helped bring that concept to reality at

Woodard Community Center in a coordinated frenzy that took 8

hours start to finish. The project was led by funding partner Blue

Cross and Blue Shield of Texas in partnership with KaBOOM!, the

City of San Antonio Parks and Rec Department, and Eastside

Promise Neighborhood.

Parents and caregivers—looking for something fun and en-

gaging for your children or youth this summer? Check out

EPN’s 2013 Eastside Guide to Summer Fun and Wellness.

A Promising Look New EPN Website Focuses on Results

The new site features news and events, newsletters, photos,

and more. A special section focuses on the 10 Promises.

Viewers can zoom in to see results, strategies and measures

of performance. The website is fully functional on personal

computers, laptops, tablets, and smart phones.

“We’re proud to launch our new website,” says Tony Lever-

ett, Director of the Eastside Promise Neighborhood. “Folks

from the neighborhood want to know what and how we’re

doing. This site’s an important step in making that infor-

mation accessible to everyone.”

Visit www.eastsidepromise.org to learn more!

2013 Eastside Summer Guide

Offers Great Ideas for

Parents and Families

You’ll find all kinds of

great ideas to keep

their minds active

and feet moving dur-

ing the long summer

break.

Visit the new

EPN website to

download a copy

today!


It’s always good to keep a promise, especially when it’s

made to neighborhood children. For the seventy-three

three and four year olds who participated in the pilot year of

EPN’s Pre-Kindergarten at Miller Child Development Center

and Ella Austin Community Center , early returns point to a

promise well-kept.

Part of a program to create SAISD satellite classrooms at

Miller and Ella Austin, the EPN Pre-K program sought to

instill quality early learning experiences for children who

had never been in a formal educational setting. SAISD ad-

ministered the Frog Street Kinder-Readiness Diagnostic to

understand how students developed between the begin-

ning and end of year. The district looked at twelve different

categories that are necessary for kinder-readiness, includ-

ing vocabulary, sorting, shapes, and approaches to learning.

The data reveals that EPN Pre-K is improving kinder-

readiness for students new to formal learning settings.

They’re recognized by their red bomber jackets, respected for their

commitment to turning the curve, and loved for their energetic

power greetings. Now City Year Corps members have another way

of being recognized – as a catalyst for reducing chronic absenteeism

at Wheatley MS and Sam Houston HS. Concentrating their efforts

on students identified as chronically absent from school, City Year’s

end of year findings showed sustained improvement during the first

three quarters of 2012-2013 when compared to the previous year.

At Wheatley, 41 percent of Wheatley’s eight grade students were

chronically absent during 2011-2012. That number dropped to only

12 percent for the same period in 2012-2013. Almost half of the 9th

grade students at Sam Houston (46%) were chronically absent dur-

ing the second quarter of 2011-2012. Only one in five students were

chronically absent in quarter two of 2012-2013, a fifteen percent

improvement. Given the ties between school attendance and stu-

dent performance, the District hopes to see marked improvement

in terms of coursework. End of year data was not available at the

time of this newsletter’s publication.

Whether it’s Kinder Readiness

or Chronic Absenteeism, EPN is

helping SAISD produce results

Who is NOT Kinder ready by End of Year?

0.15

0.38

0.46

0.570.6

0.680.7

0.76

0.89 0.91

0.23 0.230.2

0.09

0.39

0.2

0.43

0.36

0.63

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

Not Kinder Ready at Start of School Year

Not Kinder Ready at End of School Year

Is Chronic Absenteeism Dropping?

Seve

nth

Gra

de

Chronic Absenteeism, 2011-2012

Chronic Absenteeism, 2012-2013

Eigh

th G

rad

e

Nin

th G

rad

e

Dreaming of Financial Security?

She’s Got Your Back, Eastside! Heidi Renteria is one of four financial counselors serving Eastside residents through the Finan-

cial Empowerment Center. Eastside Promise Neighborhood recently caught up with her for in-

sight into her work. Her mission? To help families on the road to financial security.


An Initiative Led By United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County

Tell us about your work in the Eastside. Who do you serve in the neighborhood?

The Financial Empowerment Center is located at the Claude Black Community Center at 2805

East Commerce, so our initial outreach focused on this particular area. But we’re definitely

reaching out to Eastside residents. We operate a satellite office at the Wheatley Courts one day a

week. Having that satellite office has given me the opportunity to get to know Wheatley resi-

dents as well as the staff. I’ve been very fortunate that the Wheatley Courts have taken me in, so

to speak. I’ve been there 6 to 8 weeks.

How does someone move past living from paycheck to paycheck?

Well, a big part of it – and I’m not saying every case is like this – comes down to the choices that

we make. Sometimes we may be out of practice with what it is we need to do. Or maybe it’s

something we really haven’t had a chance to learn yet, because it is a set of skills. For some folks,

making financial decisions can have a fear factor. Maybe it reminds somebody or could be a trig-

ger of something that happened in the past. So a lot of it is getting past that and implementing

good choices, particularly when it comes to our finances, our spending and our money.

Is financial security only meant for someone who earns a lot of money?

Absolutely not. It doesn’t matter what your paycheck looks like – whether you earn minimum

wage or two hundred thousand a year. You’ve got to learn to live within your means. If we don’t

make that a conscious effort, there’s a lot of risk there. We’ll be living outside of our means and

overextend ourselves.

What’s the earliest age parents should talk with their children about finances, and why?

It really needs to start at a very young age. The reality is that children already have some under-

standing of money. If you give a child a dollar he or she will get really excited. They understand

what it represents and that it’s a way for you to get rewards or meet basic needs. Obviously, the

way you address a teen is different from the way you engage a younger child. So you have to find

ways to talk with children or youth that are appropriate to their stage of growth.

Describe some of the typical issues you find people are struggling with. How do you help to ad-

dress them?

I kind of see it as a spectrum. But the biggest issue by far is debt - old debt. By that I mean some-

one charged up the credit card and they’ve been making the minimum payment for years. Often

times their money is stretched out. They’re also trying to cover for their basic needs – to keep a

roof over their heads, electricity… those types of things. If they just pay the bare minimum their

debts will become difficult to manage. That’s where the FEC can help. We help residents come

up with a plan I like to call snowballing. That means making a larger payment on one debt to pay

it off, then moving on to pay the next debt down, and so on. It’s coming up with a game plan and

sticking to it. Heidi’s passion for long distance running

taught her the importance of discipline.

“It’s important to have goals in life.”

THE FEC IS LOCATED AT THE CLAUDE BLACK

COMMUNITY CENTER, 2805 E. COMMERCE,

ROOM 18. TO SCHEDULE A FREE APPOINT-

MENT OR FOR INFO CALL (210) 352-7087


An Initiative Led By United Way of San Antonio and Bexar Coun-

They came in shorts or jeans, running shoes or boots, pushed strollers or

used walking canes. Some meandered or strolled. Others flashed by in a

quest to beat personal times. Many ran for Bowden Elementary, others

for Pershing or Washington. But the children and families who participat-

ed in the 2nd Annual Bowden Elementary Family Fun Run/Walk all had one

vital thing in common – a deep pride in the Eastside.

The 5K drew an estimated 600 participants, a 74% increase over the first

year. Race organizer Gregorio Velazquez viewed the run/walk as highly

successful. The definition of success goes well beyond the number of

sneakers that crossed the finish line.

“Sure, walking or running was a major part of the race, but we also just

wanted kinship between parents and students. Our hope is that the 5K

gives families quality time with each other.”

Participants began with a set of group

exercises to limber up, punctuated by a

power greeting from City Year Corps

members. After the event the San An-

tonio Public Library, Alamo Colleges,

Café College, and Baptist Health Sys-

tem and other organizations talked

with runners who stopped by their ta-

bles with questions about services.

“We had a blast,” said one finalist as she

handed her daughter and sons water

bottles to re-hydrate. “It was really well

organized. We’re definitely doing it

again.” Participants who visited six in-

formation tables or more were given a

free commemorative shirt from the 5K

plus a free book. Everyone who ran or

walked also received a sports bag filled

with health information and healthy

snacks.

For the second straight year, the Bowden Elementary

School Family Fun Run 5K is a Runaway Success

When NASA establishes a base of operations in San Antonio’s Eastside, it

can be traced to the seeds sown through a new project by the Boys and

Girls Club of San Antonio. On Saturday, May 4th, a small group of budding

mathematicians, engineers, and software developers converged at the

Boys and Girls Club Calderon Branch to demonstrate their skills in build-

ing and manipulating robots.

Two teams from Bowden Elementary and one from Wheatley Middle

School competed with seven other teams.. Teams guided their robots to

complete a series of maneuvers and were judged on accuracy and speed.

While the concepts seem complicated, the program is not just for stu-

dents strong in math and science.

“Kids will always surprise you with what they can do,” says Leslie Walker,

Boys and Girls Club Program Associate. “The only real criteria are wheth-

er students have enough time and if they’re interested. It’s really about a

group of kids working as a team to come up with a way to get around an

obstacle, and all kids have experience with that.”

The Wheatley team’s robot simulated medical procedures, including a

skin graft, the removal of a blood clot, and replacing a stint in a clogged

heart artery. To be sure, the skin is represented by a switch plate and

small Lego pieces are stand-ins for the blood clot and the stint, but the

concept of building a medical robot visibly sparks students’ imaginations.

Elizabeth Reyna, a 6th grade science teacher at Wheatley Middle School,

agrees. “It definitely involves a lot of innovation and understanding the

manipulation of the materials.” Ms. Reyna worked to teach the students

from her school’s robotics club, now in its first year. “In the beginning it

was slow. But after learning how to manipulate the robots, the students

are really excited about it. They can’t wait for next year.”



Boys and Girls Club’s Robotics Contest Inspires

Bowden and Wheatley Students, Programs

It takes focus and dedication to get

as far as the NBA Finals, which

makes it all the more impressive

that the San Antonio Spurs took

time to give back to the Eastside

during the month of June. Combin-

ing with NBA Cares, State Farm

Insurance, SAISD, and United Way,

the Spurs built a Learn & Play Cen-

ter at Wheatley Middle School, in

the heart of the Eastside Promise

Neighborhood.

The center includes new computers,

books, furniture and board games.

The school gym is also getting a

major facelift.

“This Learn & Play Center is going to

give students a great opportunity to

come and learn on the computers,”

says Mae Olison, Wheatley Middle

School principal. “They’ll be able to

read novels and increase their litera-

cy so they can pass our state test

and improve their self-confidence.”

Spurs, NBA Cares Combine to Build New

Learn & Play Center at Wheatley Middle School

That’s what EPN students made on Saturday, May 4th during

Global Youth Service Day. 119 students worked with 27 City

Year Corps members to complete Legacy Projects at Washing-

ton Elementary, Wheatley Middle, and Sam Houston High

School.

Do you have a child who will start Kindergarten this coming

school year? Bring them to these fun events for a running

start to make their first year a terrific one!

School Readiness Festival

Games, music, and literacy activities

Special appearances from school principals

Attend both events & win a backpack of school supplies!

July 13 Lincoln Park 9 AM to 12 Noon

August 17th Pershing Park 9 AM to 12 Noon

A World of Difference

For most Corps members the end of the 2012-13 school year

also meant they completed their term of service with City Year.

The Legacy Projects are a chance to leave something tangible

behind for the neighborhood.



Time to Get Ready!

The project at Washington created an outdoor classroom and

bird houses, wind chimes, and stained glass for the school’s

new garden. The Wheatley team beautified the courtyard

with 20 murals and hosted a school fair. At Sam Houston, City

Year members and volunteers laid the foundation for a sculp-

ture garden made of found art objects.

Kinder Prep Academy

For four-year olds starting at Bowden, Pershing or

Washington

Exploration of school campus, what’s expected

Parents get to visit with teachers

July 22 through August 9

Register your child now! Email Jenny Garcia at

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Promising Opportunities Good Things Happening In Your Neighborhood

Keeping

The Promise

News & Updates from Eastside Promise Neighborhood

601 Lamar St., Building 6

San Antonio, TX 78202

(210) 352-7142

Learn more about the work at: www.eastsidepromise.org

Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/eastsidepromise

Follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/E_Side_Promise

Out of School Time Committee Community partners review data and landscape of Out-of-School Time programming and provide recommendations on needed and promising practices for EPN youth.

For more info contact Liz Arevalo [email protected]

Financial Empowerment Center Free financial counseling for neighborhood residents. Reduce debt, repair credit, and build savings & assets.

M- Th 8:30 - 6 PM, F 8:30 – 5 PM Claude Black Community Center 2805 E. Commerce

M 8 AM – 3 PM Ella Austin Community Center 1023 N. Pine

Th 8 AM – 5 PM Tynan Early Childhood Center 925 Gulf

W 9 AM – 4 PM Goodwill Good Careers Academy 226 W. Commerce St.

T 8—5 PM Wheatley Courts Community Center 906 N. Mittman

Goodwill Job Counseling Free to residents from the neighborhood. Get one-on-one job counseling from a Goodwill professional

W 9:00 – 4:00 PM Claude Black Community Center 2805 E. Commerce

Health Initiatives EPN is engaging partners in the communi-ty that are focused on improving access to quality health services for families.

For more info contact Noemi Gonzalez [email protected]

Early Education Committee Practitioners and community members develop and implement strategic plan impacting early learning outcomes in the neighborhood.

For more info contact Jenny Garcia [email protected]

To schedule a FREE appointment or for more

info call (210) 352-7087

http://www.eastsidepromise.org

http://www.facebook.com/eastsidepromise

http://www.twitter.com/E_Side_Promise

may-june 2013 - eastside promise neighborhood

Documents