NISD Lessons - Northside Independent School District

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NISD goes mobile – See page 6 February 2013

Northside Independent School District • San Antonio’s Premier School District

School shooting shocked us all The recent school shooting in Connecticut shook all of us to our core. Whether we are charged with keeping students safe at school or as parents taking care of our children at home, the news images and accounting of what happened are horrific. Similar to many of you, I watched n By Brian T. Woods, Ed.D., Superintendent with horror the events in Newtown, CT. As an educator and a parent the event was particularly painful. We all grieve for those involved in this tragedy. In Northside, many have asked about our security procedures and some have expressed interest in more security measures being installed. I wanted to update you on the measures we have in place and where we plan to go in the future with respect to school safety. There is always a balance to be drawn between increasing security and creating a welcoming atmosphere for students, parents and the community. We debate that balance on a regular basis and certainly have in the wake of the Newtown incident. An aggressive plan to outfit all elementary schools with “School safety surveillance cameras was approved by the School Board. is a job for In addition, every NISD the entire elementary campus is equipped with the Raptor identification community.” system. This system provides staff the ability to scan a driver’s license or other form of ID and run that person’s information through various sex offender databases. This is one more way that we are attempting to control the people who enter our buildings. In addition to technology, the most powerful weapon in the effort to improve school safety is a sense of community within our schools and the neighborhoods they serve. As I said in my weekly message to staff, our willingness to watch out for each other and to report unsafe conditions or behavior is our best defense. We constantly send this message to our students and count on our parents and community to help in this way as well. School safety is a job for the entire community. Please know that the NISD Board of Trustees and our staff have student safety as our top priority. We understand that a student who does not feel safe cannot learn. Also know that we have and will continue to review our security procedures and the ways technology can assist us in improving school safety. n

All elementary schools get surveillance cameras;

Massive project begins now A

ll Northside elementary schools will have digital security surveillance cameras and access controls installed over the next 18 months. The $13.4 million project was approved by voters in the School Bond 2010 election. In the wake of the recent shootings at a Connecticut elementary school, this project takes on added urgency. All Northside high schools and middle schools have had security cameras for a few years. Those were funded out of School Bonds 2004 and 2007. “This technology gives us a tool to make schools safer, “says Leroy San Miguel, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities. “It’s important that we move on it as soon as possible.” He describes the security deployment as massive as NISD has 73 elementary schools of various designs which have been built since 1950. “As much as we would like to make this happen overnight, it’s just physically impossible,” he adds, referring to the 18-month installation timeline. The high definition system will include an undisclosed number of perimeter cameras per school, as well as provide

access control and integrate intrusion alarms and fire alarms into one system. Because of security concerns, not all details of the placement of the cameras will be published. The camera system will also be used in conjunction with the Raptor system, currently in use in all NISD elementary schools, which requires that visitors swipe their driver’s license to get a visitor badge. n

NISD’s police officers work to protect students and staff 24-7 ith about 90 officers, Northside ISD has one of the largest school police departments in Texas working to keep students and staff safe all day, every day. The role of a school district police department has evolved greatly in the last 10 to 15 years, partially because of the increase in school shootings nationwide and also because of the increase in the value of school buildings, which now house thousands of dollars worth of electronic equipment, said NISD Police Chief Charlie Carnes. Northside School District police officers are licensed peace officers, just like any member of the San Antonio Police Department or Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. And just like every police officer in the state, school police officers must abide by the rules and regulations of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). In Northside, at least one uniformed and armed officer is assigned to every middle school, and at least two officers are assigned to each high school.

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NISD patrol officers are not assigned to a specific campus and help direct traffic, transport suspects, catch motorists speeding in school zones, and respond to safety issues at elementary schools. The police department’s fleet of vehicles includes several unmarked cars, so the police presence is even greater than the public may realize, Carnes said. Patrol officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. “Our primary role is the safety of our students and staff and our community members who are visiting our campuses,” Carnes said. In addition, every NISD police officer has completed an “active shooter rapid response” course, which trains officers to deal with a shooter inside a school. The police department has four certified instructors on staff to teach the active shooter rapid response course to new officers and to keep existing officers at a high level of training. Please see Police protect students, page 3 E

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Northside School District • San• Antonio’s Premier School District NorthsideIndependent Independent School District San Antonio, Texas

February 2013

Legislators: Do the right thing for Texas school children T

NISD School Board. Karen Freeman (center, seated) serves as president.

Other officers are Lynn Britton, (seated, left) secretary, and Randy Fields, (seated, right) vice president. Other trustees are (standing l-r) Katie Reed, Bennie Cole, M’Lissa Chumbley and Bobby Blount. Seated second from right is Dr. Brian T. Woods, superintendent.

Legislators need to hear from you The Legislature is in session now, and that means there is much work ahead for all of us. Recently the NISD Board of Trustees together with n By Karen Freeman, Dr. Woods met with legislators who represent NISD School Board to discuss issues, challenges, and successes of public President education with an emphasis on how they relate to NISD and how this session may impact our students and staff. We had a good discussion but it is clear that all of us – Trustees, staff, and parents – must convey the message that education is our priority. More than one legislator mentioned that they need to hear more from the parents and even our students. We need to tell the stories about how decisions made in Austin impact our schools and our children. We need to share the success stories of our school children and about how specific teachers have had an influence on them. Most recently, comments by parents to legislators made a difference when waivers were granted so that the End of Course Exams had no effect on a student’s Grade Point Average. YOU truly make a difference. We hear and read misinformation often about our schools and public education, and it is difficult for most people to sort it all out. It is then a challenge for staff and Trustees to inform the public of the facts. The Bexar County School Board Coalition, composed of School Board members from across Bexar County, is leading a campaign to help educate and rally the public to recognize and support the critical role that the school districts serve in educating children. The campaign will center around Texas Public Schools Week, March 4-8. NISD Trustee Bobby Blount is president of the Coalition and the Northside Board of Trustees will be active in this effort. To help you sort out the facts check out this website initiated by the Texas Association of School Boards: www. truthaboutschools.org The Northside Board of Trustees is appreciative of the continued support of the residents of this district and we look forward to working with you and our legislators to improve the state of public education in Texas. Please see the list of NISD’s elected officials printed on this page. They represent us/you in Austin. Please contact them and ask them to do the right thing by the children in Texas by restoring the budget cuts they forced on us last legislative session. n

he 83rd Legislative Session convened last month and Texas lawmakers will have tough decisions to make about school funding, accountability, and testing. Superintendent Brian T. Woods said Northside ISD staff and Trustees are communicating regularly with Bexar County’s delegation of senators and representatives to make sure they have the information they need as they vote on legislation that affects students and schools. “Over the next few months, legislators will pass laws that could have a dramatic and far-reaching impact on Texas public schools,” Woods said. “We will do everything we can to make sure they understand the repercussions of their decisions.” Before each new Legislative Session, the NISD Board of Trustees traditionally adopts “legislative priorities” in the areas of finance, governance, assessment, and accountability. Here are Northside’s 2013 Legislative Priorities:

Finance

• Support legislation that would fund student enrollment growth and recognize the challenges of the diversity of student populations. • Support legislation that provides funding for Fast Growth Adjustment. • Support a school finance system that calculates district revenue based on prior year values and fully funds current law provisions protecting districts that experience a rapid decline in property values. • Support legislation that improves funding for facilities (Existing Debt Allotment & Instructional Facilities Allotment) to include a higher percentile of students. • Support legislation that allows school districts to set maintenance and operations tax rates without voter approval. • Support measures to maintain a defined benefit plan for the Teacher Retirement System. • Support legislation that links state accountability standards and funding formulas. • Support legislation that eliminates the 50 cent test that is used to evaluate new bond sales before the bonds are approved by the Attorney General. • Oppose private school vouchers, tuition tax credits, or any private program funded with public tax dollars. • Oppose cuts to the general revenue public education budget. • Oppose any legislation that limits a district’s ability to maintain a healthy fund balance, penalizes healthy fund balances, or dictates the use of fund balances. • Oppose the use of the Permanent School Fund to provide funding, credit enhancement, or financing for Charter School Facilities.

Governance

• Support legislation that returns control over calendars to local boards.

Assessment

• Use the assessment results as a diagnostic tool to inform instructional decisions that support individual students. • Support the permanent repeal of using the EOC tests as 15% of a student’s grade. • Support funding for the actual cost of providing any and all programs required in legislation, rules and/or regulations. • Support the reduction of mandatory testing by any of

Who represents you in Austin? These nine Representatives & three Senators do

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n the wake of the 2011 legislative session when more than $5 billion was slashed from public education, the current legislature has an opportunity to fix that wrong. Let them know how you feel.

Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer, 512-463-0616 [email protected] Rep. Philip Cortez, 512-463-0269 [email protected] Rep. Lyle Larson, 512-463-0646 [email protected] Rep. Mike Villarreal, 512-463-0532 [email protected] Rep. Jose Menendez, 512-463-0634 [email protected] Rep. Justin Rodriguez, 512-463-0669 [email protected] Sen. Carlos Uresti, 512-463-0119 [email protected] Sen. Donna Campbell, 512-463-0125 [email protected] Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, 512-463-0126 [email protected] several means, including a reduction in the number of subjects and grade levels tested, and lessening the mandatory retesting associated with EOC tests.

Accountability • Support an accountability system that is understandable and provides meaningful and relevant information. • Allow for independent school districts to use accountability information to hold themselves accountable to their communities rather than a onesize-fits-all state mandate. n

inside northside

Lessons

Northside Independent DistrictSchool • San Antonio’s School District Northside School Independent District Premier • San Antonio, Texas

Police protect students 24/7 Continued from page 1 E

February 2013

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Hatchett students share acts of kindness L

ike many other educators around the nation, Hatchett Elementary School third grade teacher Susan Garcia wondered how she was going to talk to her students following the tragic school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. She saw a tweet from NBC News’ Ann Curry about performing 26 acts of kindness to honor the 26 children and teachers killed at Sandy Hook Elementary. When she talked to her students about it, they loved the idea and started brainstorming what kinds of good deeds they could do for their fellow students, teachers, parents and siblings. Ideas included giving someone a hug or smile, throwing someone else’s trash away in Pictured (from l-r) are Juliana Keller, Miranda Fuentes, and Aaron Gamboa showing their random the cafeteria, and playing with someone with acts of kindness trackers for the week. whom they don’t usually play. The students tracked their acts of kindness, many other schools have also embraced the effort. and at the end of the first week, they had performed 115 acts of Curry and NBC News got wind of the students’ efforts, and kindness. The initiative will continue throughout the year, and their story was broadcast nationally: http://tinyurl.com/ar3urax n A school police officer’s No. 1 priority is law enforcement, but counseling and educating students also are priorities, Carnes said. One of the biggest differences between school and municipal policing is the relationships school officers build with students and staff, particularly those officers assigned to a campus. “In order to be a successful campus officer, you have to have a rapport with students and staff,” Carnes said. “There has to be a trust factor.” The police department also monitors Safeline, the District’s anonymous tip line, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any member of the community can report a safety concern to Safeline by calling 397-SAFE (7233) or by sending a text message to [email protected]. For more information about the NISD Police Department and Safeline, go to: www.nisd.net/police n

Text your safety concerns Staff, students, parents, and community members may send text messages to Safeline, the District’s anonymous tip line. To report a safety concern to Safeline, send a text message to [email protected] or call 397-SAFE (7233). When either calling or texting Safeline, be sure to include as much information as you can to assist the dispatchers in following up on the issue. n

Planning for the future – Strategic Plan taking shape

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hat are the core beliefs of the Northside ISD community? What should we be working towards over the next five years? Those are questions that more than 500 NISD parents, staff and other community members are asking themselves as they work through the writing of the 2013-2108 Strategic Plan. “It is so important,” says Superintendent Brian T. Woods, “that we have a clear road map of where we want to be in the next five years, as well as know what is important to our community.” Parents representing every school in Northside are meeting over a two-month period with community leaders, school administrators, teachers, counselors, students and others to have meaningful discussions about how to position the District to best serve the needs of students in the state’s fourth largest public school system. An online survey was posted in early February on the NISD website and gave thousands more parents and other interested

people an opportunity to provide input. “It is challenging,” says Dr. Marissa Pena, School Improvement Specialist, “because of the diversity of this school district and because some of the future is unknown. So the plan has to be forward looking and flexible, and always have the interests of all our stakeholders in mind.” “But mostly,” Pena says, “it must be dynamic and meaningful. It is not a document that sits on a shelf, but rather it is the core beliefs that generate action plans to achieve goals that are set forth.” The current plan (2008-2013) was also penned by hundreds of community and staff members who undertook a similar process five years ago. “That plan has served us well,” says Woods. “NISD has become a premier school district because of the forethought and hard work of the folks who crafted that strategic plan,” he adds. Once adopted by the Board of Trustees in April, the document will be posted at www.nisd.net n

NEF creating alumni directories for Jay, Marshall, Holmes and Clark

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o help connect NISD graduates, the Northside Education Foundation is creating alumni directories for Jay, Marshall, Holmes, and Clark high schools. The directories will include comprehensive biographical listings with contact information, career overviews, and family highlights. To ensure the directories are as up-to-date as possible, NEF’s publisher, Harris Connect, is contacting alumni to verify that the information to be published is accurate.

Over the next few months, NISD graduates may receive postcards, emails, or phone calls from Harris asking for updated contact information. All updates are returned to the Northside Education Foundation so that the database remains current. Harris Connect is only collecting information for purposes of the directories. Please call the NISD Partnerships Office at (210) 397-8964 for more information. n

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Northside Education Foundation Annual Report

Igniting Innovation

NEF Leadership

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ormer San Antonio resident Cassandra Miranda returned to the city and started with Northside ISD on Jan. 7, to succeed long-time NISD Partnerships

Director Bonnie Ellison who retired in December. Miranda has been the Communications and Internet Services Supervisor at the NASA Johnson Space Center since 2007. With an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Communications degree from UTSA, Miranda also has corporate and nonprofit leadership experience with UPS and the American Heart Association. She has successfully led award-winning teams and supported many positive community relations programs and business development campaigns. n

Merry K. Raba, President, Corporate Employee Services Manager, RabaKistner Consultants, Inc.

Wade Cleary, President-Elect, Managing Principal, Cleary Zimmermann Engineering

Cassandra Miranda, NISD Director of Partnerships & NEF

Record-Setting Innovation R

ecord numbers of NISD staff members applied for and received financial support for innovative projects in 2012. A total of 512 NEF grant applications were submitted and 390 grants were awarded for a 76 percent rate of awards to

applications. To keep up with the growth, the NEF Prize Patrol added a third mascot, Apple Eddie, Jr., to its Prize Patrol family that already included Apple Eddie and Apple Annie. n

Sparks Fly High

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EF was named the top public school foundation in Texas and No. 12 in the nation by Dewey and Associates, a Florida-based management consulting firm. The study analyzes the effectiveness of the foundation at generating and sustaining financial resources to serve the students of the school district. The study (the first since 2005) factored in the role of volunteers in the organization, and NEF earned a high score for its 300 involved Friends of the Foundation who pay no dues but volunteer countless hours of time, energy and expertise. Although NISD is 31st in the nation in size (number of students), NEF ranked No. 6 in the nation for investment income, No. 11 for volunteer involvement, No. 14 in amount awarded in grantsper-student and No. 14 in assets-per-student. n

Jay Pastwa, Sams Club-DeZavala Manager, surprised a NEF Prize Patrol team in September, presenting a $500 check from the Walmart-based firm. NEF’s Apple Eddie and Apple Eddie, Jr. (r) joined NEF Board member Brad Ward and NEF President-Elect Wade Cleary before heading out to award innovation grants to staff.

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February 2013

Lessons 5

NEF by the Numbers Raised Visit www.nisd.net and click on Apple Eddie for more information.

2011 2012 $1,012,889 $1,151,725

Awarded

$605,463 $820,227*

Assets

$3.13M $3.56M

*Includes 450 NEF Grants-to-Teachers totaling $373,449 and 40 scholarships totaling $53,190 from restricted investments totaling $393,588.

NEF Fundraisers

2012 Pillars Gala $160,208 134,882* Employee Pledges 5K Run/Walk 22,413 26,502 Six Flags & SeaWorld Golf Tournament 70,047 Total $414,052

Buy your collectible Fiesta medal for 2013!

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or the third year in a row, the Northside School Museum Association is selling Fiesta medals. These limited-edition collectibles can be purchased at the Partnerships Office. The colorful medal, which features the Spirit of Northside theme, is being sold for $5 as a fundraiser for the School Museum, located in the old Leon Valley School at Bandera and Grissom roads. The medals went on sale Feb. 1, and have sold out each year, so order early. For more information, call 397-8599. n

NEF News of Note • In December, the NISD School Museum was awarded a $6,000 grant to be used for preservation training and supplies. This award will help members learn how to more properly handle and preserve museum items, as well as be used to purchase storage supplies for museum collections. • NEF annually selects six NISD graduates to represent the district’s “Pillars of Character.” Nominations are now being accepted until May 1, and can be made by anyone. Nominees must be Northside graduates. Nominations can be submitted at www.nisd.net/foundation. For more information, please call (210) 397-8599. • NEF is selling Six Flags/Fiesta Texas one-day tickets for $31. This ticket may be upgraded to a season pass. SeaWorld tickets also are being sold for $41 (adults) and $36 (children 6-9), as well as Fun Cards for $60 (adults) and $52 (children). For more information, please call (210) 397-8599. n

*4,598 NISD employee donors

Where it Comes From 22% Other foundations 1% Memorials and honoraria 16% Employees 56% Business & community 5% Investment income

Where it Goes 5% Scholarships (40 for $53,190) 5% Operations 29% Classroom grants 36% Donor-restricted other programs 25% Endowment Growth*

*required by policy

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End of Course 15 percent rule waived

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exas Commissioner of Education Michael L. Williams recently announced he is deferring implementation of the 15 percent grading requirement for End of Course tests for the 2012‑2013 school year. The semester grade earned for EOC English, Math, Science, and Social Studies courses will be based solely on the average of a student’s six‑weeks grades and final exam. Additionally, the EOC test score will not count in a student’s grade at the end of this year or be calculated into the grade point average. This is the second year this requirement has been deferred for high school-level courses. For more information about EOC exams and the state’s new testing system, visit the District’s STAAR website: http://www.nisd.net/staar/ n

NISD Digital Library now open District-wide

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NISD goes mobile orthside ISD launched an iPhone app to provide N community members a quick, easy, and mobile phonefriendly way to access information about NISD schools and services, including campus phone numbers and addresses, cafeteria menus, and district news and events. The app, which currently is available only for Apple devices, can be downloaded for free through the App Store. n

February 2013

t’s the ultimate library. Students and staff never have to worry about getting an overdue notice, and the library is always open. As of this school year, Northside ISD’s Digital Library, which began at Stevens High School in 2010, is now available Districtwide. That means students and staff can download eBooks, audiobooks, music, and videos using their personal computers, tablets, smartphones, eBook readers, and MP3 players. About 5,000 titles currently are available through the District’s digital library provider, OverDrive. “It’s broadened our collection,” said Terry Palin, the librarian at Stevens High School. “It’s made it available 24/7/365. That’s what makes it so great. This is where the market is going,” added Palin, who has been a librarian for more than 30 years. “Kids today are more tech-savvy.” Students and staff can find pleasure reading, professional reading, classics, and much more, including music and videos, said Joyce Stevens, the recently-retired Director of Academic Technology, Library & Textbook Services for NISD. Most titles can be checked out for a 14-day period, although music and video titles have a shorter loan period. Items cannot be renewed, but they can be checked out again once the loan

period has expired. So far, students and staff have checked out 7,000 items. Not to worry, though, Northside’s school libraries remain alive and will continue to offer hard copy books and materials to students. “Having both digital and print items provides access for all students, and some students enjoy listening to an audio book while reading along in the print format,” Stevens said. “In addition, while a growing number of titles are available in a digital format, many are not.” To raise awareness about the District’s Digital Library, OverDrive brought its “digital bookmobile” to Hector Garcia Middle School and Stevens High School recently. Students learned how to download materials and had an opportunity to ask questions and explore the Northside ISD Digital Library. Kirsten Taylor, a senior at Stevens, said she’ll use the digital library to check out books she needs for class. Being able to access the books from her phone through the OverDrive app is very convenient, she said. “I don’t have a lot of time to go to the library, but I always have my phone,” she said. To visit the NISD Digital Library, go to: http://nisd.lib.overdrive.com n

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Lessons

Northside Independent DistrictSchool • San Antonio’s School District Northside School Independent District Premier • San Antonio, Texas

Cielo Vista South area elementary school

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orthside, the fourth largest public school system in Texas, has an official enrollment for 2012-2013 of 99,372 students. Another 2,500 students are expected in the Fall and each year thereafter. That means more classrooms will need to be constructed and that means a likely new bond election in 2014. While there has been no Board action on a new bond issue, the influx of new students continues and new subdivisions continue to be built. NISD already delayed a bond election that had been tentatively scheduled for 2013, but Trustees felt we could at least wait one more year before bringing another election before the voters. Next year, an additional 152 total new classrooms will open at Folks Middle School, Franklin Elementary School and McAndrew Elementary School. They are among a dozen or so projects that continue to be built or designed from the voter-approved School Bond 2010. Here is a brief status report of some of those projects. More detailed information can be found at www.nisd.net/bond/2010.

• Dr. John Folks Middle School is about 84% complete and is scheduled to open with 1,200 students this summer. It is located at 9855 Swayback Ranch. • Dr. Sara McAndrew Elementary School will also open in summer

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2013 with a capacity of 540 students. It is about 62% complete and is located at 26615 Toutant Beauregard. Kay Franklin Elementary School is located at 9180 Silver Spot and will open this summer. It is around 63% complete and has a capacity of 660 students. “Stevens Ranch area” middle school has not been named yet. It is located at 14045 Bella Vista Place and is scheduled to open in summer 2014. The 1,200-student school is around 15% complete. “Cielo Vista South area” elementary school is also not named yet. It is located at 7132 Oak Dr. The 800-student school is scheduled to open in summer 2014. “Redbird Ranch area” elementary school is also not named yet but is scheduled to open in summer 2015 on Hollimon Pkwy, although an exact address is not yet available. The 660-student school is in the design phase. The Kelly Smith Technology Center will open in Spring 2013. It will house the District’s employees that manage the District’s technology infrastructure and initiatives. It is located at 5734 Farinon. The Northside Tennis Center is located at 12045 Leslie Rd and will open in late spring 2013. It is around 56% complete. The Northside Swim Center is located at 8400 N. Loop 1604 W next to Farris Stadium. It is scheduled to open late this spring as well. n

Dedication dates announced for three new schools, one new facility new facility during school year 2013-14. Dedication ceremonies are scheduled:

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Stevens Ranch area middle school

More students means more classrooms, new bond election

growth, NISD T owillkeepopenpacethreewithnewtheschools and one

February 2013

• Dr. Sara B. McAndrew ES, 26615 Toutant Beauregard – Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, 6:30 p.m. • Kay Franklin ES, 9180 Silver Spot, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, 6:30 p.m.

• Dr. John M. Folks MS, 9855 Swayback Ranch, Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, 6:30 p.m. • Kelly Smith Technology Center, 5734 Farinon, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, 6:30 p.m. n

Remember!

2012-13 Graduation dates Held at Paul Taylor Field House

• June 5 at 7 p.m. – Reddix Center • June 6 at 7 p.m. – Health Careers HS

Held at the Alamodome

• June 11 at 3 p.m. – Jay HS/Jay Science & Engineering Academy • June 11 at 7 p.m. – Stevens HS • June 12 at 3 p.m. – Taft HS/ Communications Arts HS • June 12 at 7 p.m. – O’Connor HS • June 13 at 3 p.m. – Warren HS/ Construction Careers Academy • June 13 at 7 p.m. – Holmes HS/Business Careers HS • June 14 at 3 p.m. – Brandeis HS • June 14 at 7 p.m. – Marshall HS • June 15 at 3 p.m. – Clark HS • June 15 at 7 p.m. – Brennan HS

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Pictured with McLaughlin (center) are the current and former principals of Ross Middle School (l-r), Deonna Dean, Lisa McConoghy, Harold Maldonado, and Veronica Garcia.

Library dedicated for visionary community partner newly-renovated Ross Middle T heSchool library (which was funded by

the voter-approved School Bond 2010) was officially named the John McLaughlin Library to honor a man who has spent the last 18 years working to enrich the lives of students at the campus. McLaughlin, now retired senior vice president and co-general manager of The Capital Group Companies, approached NISD in 1995 because he wanted his company to develop a meaningful partnership with a school. They chose Ross Middle School, and since then, McLaughlin and The Capital Group Companies have nurtured a unique partnership that has touched the lives of every single student at the campus. Dedication ceremony speakers included Marcy De La Garza, a former Sul Ross Scholar recipient and current employee with The Capital Group, who currently serves as a mentor to present-day Sul Ross Scholars. n

Board of Trustees

Administration

Karen Freeman President Randall H. Fields Vice President George Lynn Britton, Jr. Secretary Bennie L. Cole Trustee M’Lissa M. Chumbley Trustee Robert Blount, Jr. Trustee Katie N. Reed Trustee

Brian T. Woods, Ed.D. Superintendent

Northside Independent School District

Oscar Cardenas Deputy Superintendent for Business & Finance

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

5900 Evers Rd. San Antonio, TX 78238-1699 www.nisd.net

Ray Galindo Deputy Superintendent for Administration Linda Mora, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction

February 2013

San Antonio, Texas Permit No. 1975

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ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER

is published by the Northside ISD Communications Department. Call 397-8550. Printed on 100% recycled paper.

2012 history: The Spirit of Northside prevails Barry Perez

Brenda Gallardo

De’Ann Upright

J.J. Perez

Katherine Lyssy

Veteran principals tapped to lead Northside ISD schools

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s Northside ISD continues to grow, well experienced school administrators have been tapped to lead schools and fill vacancies. They are:

• Barry Perez will be the principal of Dr. John M. Folks Middle School which opens this summer. He is currently principal at Pease Middle School. • Brenda Gallardo will be the principal at Kay Franklin Elementary School when it opens this summer. She currently is the principal at Villarreal Elementary School. • De’Ann Upright will be the principal at Dr. Sara McAndrew Elementary School, which opens this summer. She is currently the principal at Powell Elementary School. • J.J. Perez will be the principal at Linton Elementary School upon the retirement of long-time principal Emilio Landeros. Perez is currently the vice principal at Mead Elementary School. • Katherine Lyssy is the principal at Pease Middle School. She replaces Perez, who moved to Folks MS. n

Woo-hoo!

Congratulations Panthers! High School’s football team advanced to O’ Connor the semifinals of the 5A Division 1 State Playoffs

with a record of 12 and 3. This marks the 1st time in the school’s 15-year history that the team advanced to this level of competition. While they did not make the finals, Coach David Malesky praised the efforts and sportsmanship of the team and acknowledged the support of their families and the entire O’Connor community. “It was truly a special year to watch these players grow into the team that they became and watch the Northside and O’Connor community join forces to support the great effort of all involved,” he says. n

012 was a year of great change for NISD as Dr. John Folks retired after a decade as superintendent and handed over the reins to Dr. Brian T. Woods, formerly the Deputy Superintendent for Administration. The retirement of Dr. Folks served as a reminder that even though the District’s leadership may change, the “Spirit of Northside” always will endure. The Spirit of Northside, which is the District’s theme for this school year, was evident in a number of achievements and initiatives throughout 2012. To read about them, as well as the District history going back to 1949, check out the NISD history website at www. nisd.net/community/history. n

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