Woods’ KudosNorthside Independent School District, San Antonio TX 78238-1606

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March 7, 2018

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Evers pride shines during 25th anniversaryWhen Evers ES opened 25 years ago as the 37th elementary school in NISD, the entire District had an enrollment of almost 54,000 students. The area was primarily pasture land and two-lane rural roads.

Today, with a District enrollment of more than 106,000 and 78 elementary schools, the campus and community came together to celebrate their silver anniversary and to show their Evers Unicorn pride.

Highlights of the celebration included a performance by the Evers Encore Choir, and a speech by Marissa Martinez, a former Evers student, past PTA President, and current Evers teacher.

Pictured are two original staff members who still work at the school. They are (from l-r) LaLa Carmona (Miss Lala), instructional assistant; and Ralph Martinez (Mr. Ralph), formerly a custodian but now longtime crossing guard.

Teens click with seatbelt message and win contest

Four Advanced Video students from Communications Arts HS have won first place in the Safe Kids Coalition, “Take It From a Teen” video challenge. The video was created by seniors (pictured from l-r) Sophia Urena, Mya Godley, Keonnie Barber, and Xavier Guzman. It features teens using many languages to convey the universal message of “put on your seatbelt.” The group won $100 and will now advance to the National Safe Kids Worldwide competition in March, for a chance to win $1,000 and have their video recreated by a team of professionals for national distribution.

Driving clean air buses results in special awardThe NISD Transportation Department was awarded the only U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Diesel Grant in the city of San Antonio. EPA designed this rebate program to encourage school bus fleet turnover so more children can ride buses with the cleanest emissions standards or buses that have been retrofitted to reduce emissions. The award will allow the District to replace ten diesel school buses with new alternative fuel buses.  

Meet the 2017-18 Pillar of RespectAs a Marshall HS student, Mark Langford sort of had a life plan: He was either going to be a doctor or a radio DJ. Then, he joined the Marshall HS newspaper staff, caught the photography bug, and the rest is history.

The famed newspaper and commercial photographer has worked professionally for 37 years. He’s produced

six coffee table books filled with photos of his beloved San Antonio and its residents. Langford credits his success to his Marshall HS teachers and having the opportunity to work for a local paper during his years at high school.

But Langford has another passion -- storm chasing. He says he loves watching a storm come in and photographing it.

Langford is a true Northside product who attended Oak Hills Terrace and Glenoaks elementary schools and Pat Neff MS. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Brooks Photography Institute. He and his wife, Jennifer, who is the Director of Library Services at NISD, are the proud parents of two daughters.

To learn more about Langford, watch this video.

In previous issues, you have met this year’s Pillars of Character, each a successful Northside HS graduate with a story to tell.

OF THE WEEK

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Grant of the Week

Discounted Six Flags and SeaWorld ticketsSpring Break is next week! The Northside Education Foundation (NEF) is selling Six Flags Fiesta Texas single-day tickets for only $39, as well as SeaWorld San Antonio single-day tickets for $62 and SeaWorld/Aquatica 2-Park Flex tickets for $67. A portion of the proceeds benefit NEF.

Students read across Northside ISDIn the words of Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know; the more that you learn, the more places you will go!”

Students across Northside participated in Read Across America, an event that takes place annually honoring Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2.

“This day is about developing a love of reading which our teachers do every day,” says Dr. Janis Jordan, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “This special day is a fun way to show students that reading is exciting and can take them to all kinds of magical places.”

Here are a few examples of what schools did to “Read Across Northside.”

“This is Northside” gets out of the classroom and into science at one Northside elementary school, showcases how NISD students are helping others replace cherished memories and lost items during Hurricane Harvey, and steps inside the rehearsal as a group of choir students prepare to perform with rock and roll legends. Click here for this week’s “This is Northside.”

Ezra Jack Keats Foundation mini-grantsAn EJK Mini-Grant offers funding of up to $500 and the opportunity to design and implement a creative program for your school or library. Click here for more information on EJK mini grants, or contact the Grants Department at 210-397-8562.

Kallison ES (above) Pictured are members of the Rotation Specialist Team at Kallison ES (from l-r) Carrie Lewis, Valerie Martinez, Raven Moreno, Karla Rodriguez, and Annette Braun.

Locke Hill ES (above) Head Custodian Sammy Maggard at Locke Hill ES regularly greets students each morning at the front door, but on Read Across America Day, he had an extra surprise and received lots of extra smiles. He is pictured with kindergarten student Riley Wright.

Franklin ES (above) Pictured are first grade teachers showing their love for Dr. Seuss by dressing as characters from “The Lorax.” They are (from l-r) Christine Mascorro, Sandy Anderson, Anthony Soler, Alyssa Moreno, Kami Davidson, Tara Deleon, and Beverly Reyes.

Aue ES (left) Pictured enjoying green eggs and ham are Aue ES students, Paisley Nielson, kindergarten; Bianca Mohr, second grade; and Jillian Maldonado, kindergarten.

Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour this Saturday night, March 10.

Have a happy and safe

Spring Break!