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Edgewood ISD’s annual Cinco de Mayo event will be held this year on Sunday, May 4.

Cinco de Mayo is being held on a Sunday due to Edgewood ISD hosting the University Interscholastic League One-Act Play Regional competition Saturday, May 3. Th is is the competition that determines which One-Act Play teams advance to State in Austin.

Hosting this UIL competition for the fi rst time is an honor for Edgewood.

Th e One-Act Play Regional

competition will be in the Edgewood Fine Arts Th eatre. Edgewood’s Cinco de Mayo events include a festival on the Fine Arts Academy campus, just outside the Fine Arts Th eatre.

Th is year’s theme is Edgewood: Making a World of Diff erence.

Activities include a CincoK (5K) run/walk beginning at 8 a.m. Th e CincoK will start at the Central Offi ce, go south on 34th Street, turn right on Eldridge Street, go through the Fine Arts Academy campus, go through Cuellar Park, proceed east on

Lance Street, go north on 34th Street to the Central Offi ce.

Entry fee is $10 per person. Th e entry form and Pay Pal information are on the District web site. Th e entry deadline to receive a T-shirt is April 18.

Th e Cinco de Mayo parade begins at 10 a.m. from the Central Offi ce; lineup starts at 8 a.m. Th e parade entry deadline is April 18.

Food and game booths, and student exhibits and performances will be at the Fine Arts Academy starting at 11 a.m.

The

Edgewood’s Cinco de Mayo event

planned for Sunday, May 4

District earns TASBO PEP AwardTh e District received the Texas Association of

School Business Offi cials’ TASBO Performance Excellence Program Achievement Level II Award.

Each year, TASBO builds a team to review districts’ processes, best practices and methods for continuous improvement. Th is is the third TASBO PEP award to Edgewood ISD in the past four years.

“Edgewood provides Texas schools with a glowing example of how districts can make the most out of existing resources by striving for excellence and demonstrating continuous improvement in their policies and procedures,” TASBO Executive Director Tracy Ginsburg said. “Th ey deserve a lot of credit for completing this process two years in a row.”

Picking up the TASBO PEP Level II Award were James White, Eddie Ramirez, Sally Andruzzi, Fernando Moreno, Brenda Nagelhout, Jose Ibarra, Felix Lopez, Susan Forthman, and Melinda Valverde-Guel.

Texas School Public Relations AssociationSilver Star Award Winner

E-Newsletter Internal (10,000 to 30,000 students)

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Words from the

Superintendent

By Dr. José A. Cervantes

H e l l o , E d g e w o o d ISD employees and friends! It appears San Antonio is coming out of the unusually long cold weather and moving into the warm spring season.

I hope you enjoyed a restful spring break and caught up with family and home projects. It is crucial to have a healthy balance between work and home.

As we approach the eye of the STAAR testing season, it is vital that all of us are strong in body, mind and spirit to move forward, work hard, and do our best. Edgewood ISD had a great start to the school year with the awesome Convocation, and now it is just as important to be energized and fi nish strong.

Th is is the time of year when employees are considering their options for the next school year. Great things are happening in Edgewood ISD and we look forward to having you stay with our team if you are committed to providing a solid foundation with a World-Class

E d u c a t i o n .

Our district will soon have facilities off ering e d u c a t i o n a l choices other than Edgewood

ISD. Th ese choices of non-public schools will be available to our students and employees.

To our students and their parents, I emphasize that Edgewood ISD, unlike these new facilities, off ers complete services in special education, fi ne arts, extracurricular activities, athletics, and the gamut of a total educational experience. If you are not in Edgewood, you are missing out!

Th ese non-traditional educational facilities do not and will not accept certain students. Edgewood’s doors are open to all students who live within the district.

To our employees, especially teachers, you work on contract and have a fair grievance process. Th e new school facilities do not off er contracts to teachers or due process.

Th e choice is clear: Edgewood is the place to be! Go Public - Love your Edgewood ISD schools.

Edgewood ISD’s Teacher of the Year, Maria Contreras, Loma Park ES 4th grade bilingual teacher, is the recipient of the KENS5/San Antonio Credit Union ExCEL Award.

Along with the ExCEL Award golden apple, Contreras received a $1,000 cash prize. She was featured on a KENS5 newscast and her story is posted on www.kens5.com. Contreras’

accomplishment is displayed at SACU branches.

She has worked in Edgewood ISD since 1994. Contreras has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s University.

Contreras serves on the Bilingual Advisory Committee, Math/Science Textbook Committee, and District Writing Committee.

She is originally from Eagle Pass.

Loma Park teacher wins

KENS5/SACU ExCEL Award

Frank Burk, Chairman of San Antonio Credit Union Board of Directors; Deborah Knapp from KENS5; and Gloria Martinez, Loma Park ES Principal, stand with Maria Contreras, Edgewood ISD’s Teacher of the Year and KENS5/SACU ExCEL Award winner.

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Th e “Superintendent’s Student of the Month” recognition program started this school year to honor students who show exceptional character and leadership in academics, attendance, behavior, and citizenship.

One female and one male student per grade level at each campus will be selected for the monthly recognition, which is a bumper sticker as shown on the right.

Students are selected by teachers.

Th e students selected for this recognition program in February are:

Burleson ECC - Alexander Longoria, Natalia Rubio, Rene Hernandez, Sagrario Flores-Hernandez, Hailey Jimenez, Frank Riojas, Erika Salinas, Luis Aguilar

Cardenas ECC - Jonathan Ramon, Jade Richardson, Kayla Salazar, Joshua Posada

Staff ord ECC - Gabriel Reyes, Aubrey Martinez, Isabella Zazueta, Sergio Gael Zamora

Cisneros ES - Delia Espinoza, Onesimo Sanchez, Isaac Lozano, Julianna Preciado, Xavier Garza, Zoe Portillo, Yazmin McIntosh, Adolfo Salas, Brisa Rosales, Francisco Gonzales, Jose Martinez, Renae Mann

Gardendale ES - Giovanni Castañeda, Chole Reynolds, Isaiah Villarreal, Sadie Aguirre, Gabriel Perez, Melany Soto, Richard Castañeda, Mary Dewitt, Juan Ramirez, Alissandra Arriola, Gabriela Romero, Michael Gallegos

Gonzalez ES - Miranda Favela, Juliana Arredondo, Cayden Irvin, Angel Rodriguez Lopez, Destiny Castillo, Joshua Nabers, Candy Rodriguez, Isaias Jaramillo, Nyma Peña, Adrian Aguilar, Nicolas Leal, Ashly Lopez

Johnson ES - Avery Balderas, Anfernie Lozano, Noah Cardona, Honesty Lozano, Angel Mann, Lexi Guevara, Robert Deleon, Yasille Hernandez, Daisy Garza, Rury Garcia Gomez, Emmanuel Funez, Itaty Vega

Las Palmas ES - Lucas Zamudio, Chasity Romero, Ariel Puente, Sadie Garcia, Julian Rubio, Destiny Lopez, Jerry Sandoval, Sarah Ramirez, Paul Zamorano, Mercedes Lopez, Brandon Hernandez, Giselle Rico

Loma Park ES - David Tabares, Alizay Rodriguez, Rianna Natal, Santiago Vidales, Araceli Ramos, Noah Aguilar, Ana Villa, Larry Ramirez, Kaycie Peguero, Francisco Garcia, Gabriela Sandoval, Roberto Gonzalez, Aleksy Mata, Ashley Garces

Perales ES - Sebastian Hernandez, Violet Hernandez, Kaleb Leyva, Daysia Hullaby, Julius Tellez, Savannah Maldonado, Joseph Silva, Raquel Gaspar, Christopher Gutierrez, Vanessa DeLeon, Jose Robledo, Victoria Velasco

Roosevelt ES - Mario Treviño, Ariana A. Gonzalez, Juan Pablo Palos Valenzuela, Amelia Castillo, Jose Sandoval, Jazmine Torres, Nicholas Rodriguez, Johanna Estrada, Ryan Medrano, Clarissa Acuña, Ariel Davila, Sebastian Bardales

Staff ord ES - Pablo Saenz, Regina Garza, John Rodriguez, Denisse Villarreal, Alejandro Martinez, Destiny Velasquez, Joshua Rodriguez, Gabriella Zamarripa, Felipe Martinez, Celeste Ponce, Jonathan Herrera, Aracely Arriola

Winston ES - Jayla Gomez, Julian Olivarez, Hazel Gutierrez, Enemencio Garza, Monica Guerrero, Sebastian Vega, Priscilla Rodriguez, Samantha Calderon, Ayden Almaguer, Priscilla Ruiz, Jesus Moreno

Brentwood MS - Gregory Cruz, Gabriella Martinez, Maritza Buckner, Th omas Kelly, Savanah Hernandez, Joseph Alvarado

Gus Garcia MS - Kimberly Galvan, Raul Vidal, Berenice Dominguez, Joseph Garcia, Cassandra Cardoza, Isaiah Ramirez

Wrenn MS - Kelly Arzola, Roland Resendez, Jennifer Rojas, Jesus Duarte, Axel Gomez, Lesley Rico, Christopher Vega

Kennedy HS - Destiny Garcia, Jose Martinez, Emmanuel Ruiz, Maria Martinez-Aguilera, Layla Rios, Ricardo Herrera, Adela San Miguel, Martin Galvan

Memorial HS - Noah Perez, Felicity Villanueva, Omar Garcia, Valerie Barboza, Michael Calderon, Madison Sweeny, Linda Moreno, Eduardo Lopez Campos

Superintendent’s ‘Student of the Month’ recognition continues

Co n g ra t u l a t i o n s t o t h e Co n g ra t u l a t i o n s t o t h e

S u p e r i n t e n d e n t ’sS u p e r i n t e n d e n t ’s

‘ S t u d e n t o f t h e M o n t h’ ‘ S t u d e n t o f t h e M o n t h’

h o n o re e s !h o n o re e s !

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Several hundred community members and students attended the fi rst-ever Edgewood World-Class Neighborhood Meeting on the evening of February 20.

Th e meeting was held in the 2700 block of Lombrano Street with the Esparza Family serving

as hosts. Th e feature schools were Loma Park and Roosevelt elementary schools, Gus Garcia MS, and Memorial HS.

Edgewood ISD is developing and implementing a parental engagement model designed to help families fi nd their voice and to engage all families in meaningful ways that will enhance the academic success of their children.

District buses were available at the feature schools to transport families to the meeting site. Th e Memorial HS Culinary Arts prepared and served refreshments.

Th e next World-Class Neighborhood Meeting is scheduled for March 27 at 2654 Arbor Place with the Cruz Family as hosts. Featured schools will be Burleson ECC, Cardenas ECC, Roy Cisneros ES, and Las Palmas ES.

Future neighborhood meetings around the District are scheduled in April and May.

Stars come out for DAMAS

Dr. Patsy Torres sings to girls and their signifi cant female adult at the 2nd annual DAMAS (Daughters and Mothers Achieving Success) conference on February 22 in the Edgewood Fine Arts Th eatre. Dr. Torres, an award-winning Tejano entertainer, was the opening speaker at the conference. She was among the dozens of female community leaders who brought powerful and positive messages to Edgewood ISD middle school and high school girls.

Hundreds attend neighborhood meeting

Minutemen compete in basketball playoffsEdgewood ISD congratulates the Memorial HS boys basketball team for competing in the state playoff s. Memorial played against Calallen High School. Th e District thanks the Memorial fans for supporting the team this season. Th e Head Coach is Jonathan Sanchez. Th e assistant coaches are Kemmie Lewis, Varsity Assistant; Paul Rodriguez, JV Coach; and Carlos Vasquez, Freshman Coach.

TOP PHOTO: U.S. Army 1st Lt. Veronica Perez, a Kennedy HS graduate, delivers an ‘If I Can, You Can’ message at the DAMAS conference. She talked about the hard work to become an offi cer. B O T T O M P H O T O : C o n f e r e n c e attendees spend time together working on a project.

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Th e Memorial HS Minutemen Band hit all the right notes at the University Interscholastic League Solo and Ensemble Competition on February 21.

Students garnered a total of 14 Solo medals and 54 Ensemble medals. Of the medals earned, 34 students qualifi ed for the UIL State Solo and Ensemble competition.

“Playing and competing with Solos and Ensembles

not only enhances a student’s musical ability, it raises their awareness of the importance of each individual’s contribution to the whole and teaches team work and personal responsibility,” Memorial Band Director Melba C. Alejos said.

“We are truly proud of the accomplishments of our band students,” Alejos said. “Medal or not, all of them learned valuable lessons. We look forward to continued hard work and success.”

Memorial Band wins numerous awards Royalty at Las Palmas

El Rey Feo LXVI, Jimmy Green, greets students at Las Palmas ES on February 26. Rey Feo Green urged students to do their best in school and in life. Th e royal visit means Fiesta is just around the corner. Th is year, Fiesta runs April 10-27.

Kennedy mock trial team going to national competition

Th e Kennedy HS Criminal Justice Youth & Government club Mock Trial team presented a winning case and is headed to Chicago for national competition in July.

Th e team, under the direction of Edgewood ISD Police Offi cer and Criminal Justice Instructor Joshua Gutierrez, competed against 20 other teams and placed 3rd, which qualifi ed for State competition.

Kennedy’s Team 1 fi nished in 4th at State and advanced to the national contest. Team 1 consisted of Brenda Cortez, Aaron Davallos, Anali De La Rosa, Brianna Torres, and Lanell Correa.

Team 2 placed 7th out of 39 teams at State. Th e top fi ve

teams earn an invitation to the National Judicial Competition. Team 2 members were Daphne Barrera, Freiederike Davis, Angelica Aguilar, Liliana Gomez, Sean Gomez, and Miguel Zamarripa.

Kennedy also won premier delegation, which is awarded to a team that displays excellent sportsmanship; observes character values of the YMCA: caring,

honesty, respect and responsibility; arrives on time to their trials; and obeys all rules.

Angelica Aguilar won Premier Delegate for Kennedy for her commitment, dedication and character.

Currently, Kennedy HS is the only mock trial team in San Antonio.

“Th is was only possible because of the support of Youth and

Family Director Robert Cavillo from the YMCA and Sonia Gonzalez for introducing, funding and supporting our students,” Offi cer Gutierrez said. “Th is year we have been very blessed to have a community who is invested in our youth by helping in many forms.”

Students’ suits were purchased by the community organization, ¡PRESENTE!. District 5 City Councilwoman Shirley Gonzalez off ered her offi ce for practice and Attorney Jessica Estorga volunteered many hours to coach and mentor the teams.

“Many supporters helped in organizing this team,” Offi cer Gutierrez said. “However, this could not have been possible without the overwhelming support of Principal Dalila Garcia.”

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Edgewood ISD had three winners in the Texas Cavaliers River Parade Art Contest.

Th e City Council District 6 winner was Jasmine Estala from Staff ord ES. Her art teacher is Regina Waid. Th e District 7 winner was Reyna Olguin from L.B. Johnson ES; the art teacher is Michael Wilburn.

Th e District 6 runner-up was Arly Guerrero from Staff ord.

Students received a check for $1,000, which will go toward the school’s art supplies. Th ey also have a one-week summer scholarship to Southwest School of Art.

Stafford, LBJ students are

finalists in art contest

Collaborative art project

Th e Edgewood Fine Arts Academy Career & Technical Education Graphic Design students created posters for the ‘Read Across America’ event held at Staff ord ES the week of February 24. Th e project was a collaboration between the Staff ord Reading Committee and the Fine Arts Academy students. Th e students painted their digital renderings of Dr. Seuss characters in Photoshop, which were then printed in large format. Th e posters will be used at Staff ord for the event in years to come.

Dance Team wins three awardsTh e Edgewood Fine Arts Academy’s Rock Stars

Dance Team, under the direction of Lanay Balli, competed in a dance competition at New Braunfels High School.

Th e team received two fi rst place trophies and one plaque. Th e trophies were for Varsity Small Group Team Pom Champions and for Varsity Small Group Team Novelty Champions. Th e plaque was for Outstanding Performance.

In collaboration with San Anto Cultural Arts, Professor Jack Groan and his crew from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi visited the Fine Arts Academy. Th ey shared their foundry equipment and techniques with students and casted tiles out of melted aluminum. Th ese tiles will be part of a public art piece for the City of San Antonio. It was a great learning experience for students and an opportunity for them to witness something unique.

Cultural arts event

Spring is here!Spring is here!

WATCH D.O.G.S.

program kicks off

Edgewood ISD’s fi rst-ever WATCH D.O.G.S. program has started at Staff ord ES.

Th e K-12 program invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father fi gures to volunteer at least one full day at their child’s school during the school year. More than 100 men attended Staff ord’s kickoff in February.

After enjoying pizza, the students went to father-themed activities while the men listened to a presentation on the WATCH D.O.G.S. program.

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March - National Social Worker Month

25th - Board of Trustees meeting, 6:30 p.m., Loma Park ES

27th - Edgewood World-Class Neighborhood Meeting, 6 to 7:30 p.m., 2654 Arbor Place

28th - End of 9-week session

31st - Start of 9-week session

Calendar of Events

March 2014

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Joseph M. Guerra, PresidentTina Morales, Vice President Johnny R. Perez, SecretarySonia Elizondo, Trustee Mary Lou Mendoza, TrusteeJohn A. Morales, Trustee Velma Peña, Trustee

SUPERINTENDENT

Dr. José A. Cervantes

The Edgewood Word is produced by the

Office of Communications & Public Relations:

Rolando E. Martinez, Public Relations OfficerYvonne M. Peña, Writer Jason Gatell, District Webmaster

Marivel Insall, Secretary

Edgewood Independent School District

5358 W. Commerce St. San Antonio, Texas 78237

Phone: 210-444-7955 Fax: 210-444-7962

www.eisd.net

Edgewood ISD provides a solid foundation with a World-Class Education.

Happy smiles

Th e American Dental Association began the Give Kids A Smile program in 2003 and is observed annually in February. Th is program allows dentists to connect with the community in providing dental services to children. Edgewood ISD has been in partnership with UT Health Science Dental School since 2003. Dental faculty, staff , and students provide dental care and a dental hygiene goody bag for each student who participates.

Students who require more extensive or urgent care are referred to a dentist and given a voucher if the student does not have insurance or is underinsured. Th is year, 673 2nd-grade students participated. Th e students were transported via EISD school buses to the UT Health Science Dental School paid for by a partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc. Th e total cost of the value of the dental services provided to Edgewood students was $187,550 and the cost of supplies used was $17,516, all because of the eff orts of community partnerships to benefi t students.

Staff ord ES was selected for one of the “Wild Card” slots for the state Texas Computer Education Association robotics competition in Deer Park on April 12.

Staff ord U.S.A.R. Crusaderbots earned third place at the Region 20 qualifi er earlier this year.

All 1st and 2nd place teams get an automatic invitation to state.

Th e rest of the scores throughout the state are then ordered and 20 additional wild card slots are given, based on average score.

Staff ord will join Loma Park ES in representing Edgewood ISD at the contest in April.

Good luck to Staff ord and Loma Park!

Stafford, Loma Park headed

to state robotics competition

Bad weather

make-up day:

Friday, April 18