
Southwest ISD Points of Pride
August 22nd, 2023

Nov. 17, 2023
Welcome to Points of Pride, our weekly district e-newsletter featuring highlights from around Southwest Independent School District. If you have a story or highlight that you would like to submit, email communications@swisd.net.
SWISD Student Spotlight: Resnik Band
Congratulations to all of our Resnik Band students who competed at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region Band Auditions this past Saturday! Your Jets competed individually against 750 other top middle-school musicians in the region. Each TMEA Region hosts contests in which individual middle school students can audition for the opportunity to rehearse together and perform in a Regional Band Concert.
The competition is tough each year, and SWISD is very proud of each student who went to compete and would like to send a special congratulations to the following students who placed in the band and will be performing at Somerset High School’s new Performing Arts Center:
Ner Moo - 2nd Chair Oboe,
Eduardo Leja - 12th Chair Trumpet,
Orlando Tovar - 11th Chair French Horn,
San Kae - 12th Chair Percussion,
Noah Lynn Gloria - 12th Chair Alto Sax (District Band),
Emely Salazar - 24th Chair Trumpet (District Band),
Julian Aguilera - 10th Euphonium (District Band).
We would also like to individually recognize two Reznik Musicians for a special achievement.
Matthew Jose - 1st Chair Trombone
Chris Chavez - 1st Chair Baritone Saxophone
Resnik had the most 1st chairs out of any school! Way to go, Jets!
STEM Extravaganza Was A Night Of Creativity And Exploration
CAST STEM High School lit up on Wednesday night as it hosted the SWISD STEM Extravaganza, welcoming students, families, and the community. SWISD elementary and secondary schools organized STEM Stations featuring activities such as magnet marble painting, slime making, and DIY lava lamps, to name a few.
Snippets spoke to Gerard Kriewald, a 4th grader at Elm Creek, who expressed his enthusiasm for the creativity associated with STEM, especially when incorporating math and science.
Scobee 8th Grader Megan Medellin told Snippets that STEM has introduced her to new experiences, like flying drones through obstacle courses which is her favorite STEM activity.
The STEM Extravaganza provided all attendees with a night of fun-filled creativity and exploration.
Thank you to all SWISD campuses for their STEM contributions to make the STEM Extravaganza a success with special appreciation to CAST STEM for being exceptional hosts.
Thanks to Gerard and Megan for speaking with us on this edition of Snippets.
Spanish Spelling Bee
Earlier this week, elementary, middle, and high school students participated in the Spanish Spelling Bee at Legacy High school. Congratulations to the winners of each category!
Elementary
1st place - Luis Ponce (Big Country Elementary)
2nd place - Ian Mendoza (Hidden Cove Steam Academy)
3rd place - Gael Guevara (Medio Creek Elementary)
4th place - Brian Boffil Morales (Big Country Elementary)
5th place - Iker Fuentes (Sun Valley Elementary)
Middle School
1st place - Danna Hernandez (Scobee Middle School)
2nd place - Orlin Aguilar (McAuliffe Middle School)
3rd place - Axel Garcia (McAuliffe Middle School)
4th place - Jose Perez (Resnik Middle School)
5th place - Arlette Verdugo (McNair Middle School)
High School
1st place - Dante Cortez (Southwest Legacy High School)
2nd place - Monique Trevino (Southwest High School)
3rd place - Karen Briacho Millan (Southwest Legacy High School)
4th place - Jose Espitia (Southwest Legacy High School)
5th place - Abril Resendiz (Southwest High School)
SWISD Teacher Feature: Rosanne Castro
Welcome to the SWISD Teacher Feature, where we take a ‘behind the curtain’ look at some of the amazing teachers in the district.
On this week's Teacher Feature, we visit with Indian Creek Elementary 5th grade teacher Rosanne Castro as she shares her story of making connections with her students that lead to their with success.
The Future Is In Good Hands
This week's Scoreboard episode is all about the future of SWISD. We talk basketball, elementary athletic programs, and player interviews from our top volleyball and football student athletes at Southwest High School!
Homegrown: David Perez
We are proud of our SWISD graduates and want to share their great accomplishments. ‘Homegrown' is our weekly segment where we highlight successful Southwest ISD alumni who grew up in the SWISD community. We also look at how SWISD ignited their success, goals, and career. This week we interviewed David Perez, Math teacher at McNair Middle School.
Perez shared how past teachers helped shape him as an educator, "I did have a high school teacher, she really showed me how building relationships with your students, creates the focal point of the student teacher relationship." Perez is also proud of the district for offering many opportunities for our students. "What I love about this district is there a lot of opportunities for kids."
If you know of alumni that work in the SWISD district that you would like to nominate to participate in this segment, please email Dr. Sam Ruiz at sruiz9098@swisd.net.
Lab Coats On, Cameras Ready: Indian Creek Elementary and KSAT 12 Explore Chemical Reactions
Sarah Spivey and David Sears from KSAT 12 news stopped by Indian Creek Elementary to explore the chemical reactions between baking soda and vinegar to make spaghetti dance! Students really enjoyed the experiment and had a fun time throughout the live segment.
Marching With Pride: Southwest High School NJROTC in the Spotlight at San Antonio's Veteran's Day Parade
The marching bands and the ROTC units from Southwest High School and SW Legacy High School marched in the Veterans Day Parade in downtown San Antonio on Saturday, November 11. The approximate combined number of 300 students honored to celebrate our veterans on Veterans Day. Thank you to all the students and parents who took time out of their weekend to remember those who served and to be a part of this parade.
Sizzle, Smoke, Support: FFA BBQ Team Fundraiser
The Southwest High School FFA BBQ Team had a delicious beef fajita plate sale this week that helped fundraise for the organization! We hope you were able to come support and eat some delicious fajitas!
The FFA students have been busy. Last week, at the AG Barn in the Southwest ISD Complex, our students had a fantastic practice session showcasing their animals. Around 50 students practiced showing their pigs, lambs, goats, breeding heifers, and dairy cattle. The sessions gives them a chance to perfect their presentations ahead of the Bexar County Junior Livestock Show and other big shows across Texas this Spring.
KRSA PTA Receives Golden Apple Award
Kreiwald Road School of the Arts has done it again! Their PTA has been honored with another Golden Apple from Texas PTA for an exceptional achievement: 100% staff enrollment in PTA and a remarkable increase in PTA membership! This marks the 10th consecutive year receiving this prestigious recognition!
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Discounts
To Purchase: www.ticketmaster.com/RTC Unlock Code: KAYRIC
If you are looking to go to a Stock Show & Rodeo event, please visit the link provided. Each ticket purchased through the given link and unlock code will positively impact the show’s sales goals for scholarships for the youth of Texas. Offers are valid now - Tuesday, February 6, 2024
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has grown to one of the largest, most prestigious single events in the city of San Antonio, with approximately 1.3 million visitors entering the fairgrounds each year. The success of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is attributed to over 6,000 volunteers who give countless hours to the organization. With community, donor, sponsor and volunteer support, the organization has committed more than $243 million since inception. Through scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock auctions, calf scramble program and show premiums the event impacts over 21,000 youth in Texas annually.