Connections Fall13 W

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N ORTH EAST CO NNECTIONSFall2013

A Publication of the North East Independent School District

Inside this Issue Technology Gets An Upgrade Teacher Flips Classroom Students Achievements Volunteer And Business Spotlights

Fall2013

Every year, technology advances by leaps

and bounds. Most of today’s rst graders

were born the same year the rst generation

iPhone was released to the public -- and

many could operate one before starting pre-

kindergarten. This change in how children

relate to their environment has changed

the way they learn in the classroom, andit is up to education leaders to evolve with

these changes.

“We need to prepare our students for an ever-changing world,” said Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, superintendent of

schools. “While we are making progress toward transforming the classroom, we have a long way to go before all North

East ISD classrooms provide every student, every day with the opportunities they need to reach their goals. We need

input from parents, students, employees and the community to effectively prepare our students now and in the future.”

NEISD “Transforming the Future” is a strategic design project that requires involvement from the community to

build a revised educational foundation for the betterment of our children. This rethinking of how our approximately

68,000 students learn will include, but is not limited to advanced technology, teaching strategies and philosophies. Once nalized, the district’s strategic plan will be presented to the NEISD Board of Trustees for approval at a board

meeting in January 2014.

NEISD administrators will lead implementation with clear timelines and

alignment to district/state objectives.

The Transformation ProcessThe four-month process began in September and concludes in December.

Involving community forums, focus groups, action team meetings and strategic

design team sessions, the process is separated into ve key steps.

ENGAGE

COLLABORATE

DESIGN

CREATE

LEAD

Students, parents, employees and community members attended sixcommunity forums in September to begin the conversation regarding the

initiative. An online survey was also available for feedback.

NEISD students, parents, community members and staff met in focus groups

in early October to gather additional input on how to move instruction forwardin the district.

A strategic design team of staff, parents, students, and community members

works to design a framework for decisions that will focus district resources

and systems.

Action team leaders will dedicate their time in creating action plans aligned to

the New NEISD Vision and House Bill 5 components.

NEISD asks

you, “How

do we move

instruction

for our

students in

the next fve

to 10 years?”

Group presentations and small group discussions at severalcommunity forums help solicit input about the needs of our 21stcentury students.



The 2011 North East ISD bond program dedicated $64 millionto technology in and outside the classroom, and efcient business

decisions allowed the district to save $2.1 million in the process.

The technology portion of the bond program is allowing

NEISD to deploy iPads and SMART Boards, as well as replace

ceiling-mounted digital projectors and computer labs in schoolsacross the district. It is also improving network infrastructure

through equipment replacement in the district’s Data Center and

hub campuses.

One of those projects is being boosted by a partnership between

two NEISD departments. NEISD’s Construction Management iscurrently in the process of replacing all chalkboards in the district- which are known to trigger symptoms in students with asthma.

Working together, Technology Services and Construction are

installing SMART Boards or SMART Interactive Projectors in

place of the chalkboards being removed.

SMART, the company that manufactures the devices, offered a

combined package of boards and projectors because of the district’shigh demand, which resulted in a savings that contributed to the

overall technology savings of approximately $2.1 million.

Both devices are utilized the same way, so all students will haveaccess to this form of interactive technology. When this project is

completed, around August 2014, more than 3,200 SMART Boards

and Projectors will be installed for student and staff use. SMART boards and projectors allow students to use their

ngers or a digital stylus to write, draw and interact with content

on the surface of their classroom whiteboards. This technology

makes instruction more interactive and engaging for students.

As these devices are implemented, the learning environment in

NEISD schools will continue to transform the classrooms to better

serve our 21st century students.

2

Technology upgrades

bring nancial savings

Bush Middle School’s Danielle Smith is coming off an action

packed year. The Texas History Teacher, Campus Technology

Committee Chair and 2014 NEISD Secondary Teacher of the Year

implemented the “ipped” classroom method of instruction last

school year with her students. She was even given the opportunity

to present a dramatization of a ipped classroom to approximately

9,000 district employees at this year’s Convocation presentations

at the start of the school year.

The ipped method of teaching involves “blended learning,”

where students can watch video lectures at home or in class,

with traditional homework completed in class, giving the

teacher freedom to offer personalized instruction, instead of justlectures. This teaching method is known to go hand-in-hand with

technology implementation, as it utilizes a variety of electronic

devices to enhance the learning experience.

“I believe that my students responded well,” said Smith. “I

found the ipped method to be best at allowing students to work

at their own pace. Students enjoyed the video method as well.

I found it easier to get my students to do their homework when

I was handing them an iPad and saying watch this video, then

when I asked them to get out a worksheet.”

Smith and many other teachers in NEISD are helping to

pioneer this new way of educating students. With technology

being one of the main ingredients, she looks forward to the

possibilities ahead.

“In a dream world, I would love to have a one-to-one ratio

of iPads for my students,” said Smith. “Given the right apps,

students would be able to take notes, complete worksheets and

turn them in electronically -- and utilize other apps that are

applicable to history.”

Bush teacher “ips” her

class instruction

Bush teacher Danielle Smith (left) is able to provide more personalized

instruction using the ipped classroom method.

Project Manager

Ricky Reyes

inspects one

of the SMART

projectors

recently installed

in the district.



3

Blessings from a Castle Hills rst grader

Star speech student named to San Antonio’s “It List”

A six-year-old North East ISD student armed with a purse and pile of T-shirts is on a mission to help the homeless.

“I just want to help them have stuff that we have and they don’t

have,” said Bella Curry, founder of Bella’s Blessing Bags.

The Castle Hills Elementary School rst grader started the

organization to help the homeless with donations of items like

shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorants and snacks. For more than a year,

she has been lling up homemade T-shirt bags with donations from

friends and family and giving them away to those in need through

the “Church Under the Bridge” and “Dress a Girl Around the World” programs.

Bella is a triplet, and while her two sisters support and help her,

Bella is the one with a true passion for this cause.

“I just thought I could do something for the homeless,” said Bella.

Bella and her mom started cutting old T-shirts and turning them

into bags. They are happy to accept donations of supplies and shirts

from anyone who would like to help. A local Bahamas Buck’s store

even hosted a donation drive for Bella’s Blessing Bags and gave

money to help support her cause.

“She is constantly thinking of ways to help others because sheis just so compassionate and caring,” wrote her teachers Hannah

Cooper and Morgan Tondre. “She is an inspiration, and I only hope that we can all learn from her kindness.”

For more information or to donate, contact Bella’s mom Candice Curry at [email protected] or call her at (210) 896-9039.

Bella Curry started “Bella’s Blessing Bags” as a way to help the homeless.She makes bags out of old T-shirts, then stuffs them with needed itemslike shampoo, toothbrushes and snacks.

In the past ve years, the Speech and Debate program at Lee High School has grown from just a

handful of students to a team of 50. One of those students is a shining star who was recently named

to San Antonio Magazine’s “It List” as one of the 50 people in San Antonio “building buzz and

leading the Alamo City.”

Cosmo Albrecht, 17, is the captain of the debate program at Lee. Over the summer, he placed third

in Extemporaneous Commentary at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Birmingham,

AL. He is a 2014 Tournament of Champions qualier in Extemporaneous Speaking. He is a member

of distinction of the International School of the Americas Model United Nations program. He is also

active in theater and president of the Spanish Honor Society.

Albrecht is very committed to growing the debate program at his school and works hard to

recruit new members. He knows Lee has a long-standing history of being a debate powerhouse and

wants to be a part of bringing that back.

“This isn’t just for me. It is for my school,” said Albrecht. “I feel obligated to give back to my

community. I am pretty motivated.”

Albrecht wants to put his abilities to good use in the future and get involved in policy making.

He hopes to study political science after high school and go into political analysis or consulting.

Cosmo Albrecht poses with a trophyhe earned at a recent nationalcompetition in Alabama.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Churchill JROTC captureschampionship The Churchill High School JROTC

teams competed in this year’s rst Mini

Raider Competition at Camp Bullis

capturing rst place in both male and

female varsity teams and third place in

male junior varsity.

The event consisted of three

physically grueling stages: buildingand crossing a rope bridge, an obstacle

course, and running a 1.5 mile course

carrying four 35-pound rucksacks.

Lee teacher awarded NEAFoundation grant Lee High School Social Studies

teacher Kevin Veroneau was awarded a

$5,000 Student Achievement Grant from

the NEA Foundation. With 18 years of

teaching experience, Veroneau impressed

grant reviewers with his innovative ideas

for instruction.

He will purchase three sets of

Spark 360 (RF) Student Response

Systems and a Mobi Student-Centered

Learning Pack™ to enhance the learningexperience for his students. The Spark

360 (RF) is a multiple-choice clicker

system that provides students with instant

feedback on an LCD screen. The Mobi

Student-Centered Learning Pack creates a

student-centered learning environment by

making it possible for multiple students to

participate in lessons simultaneously.

North East Recognitions

NEISD schools surprisedwith OfceMax donation Janice Pundt of Jackson-KellerElementary School and Yvette DeBoltof Windcrest Elementary School weresurprised with $1,000 in school supplieson Oct. 1 as part of the OfceMax “ADay Made Better” program.

“I was very surprised,” said Pundt.“When someone recognizes you fordoing a good job and provides all thestuff that you want for your class that isnot always easy to get – it’s a very nicething.” The teachers were presented withowers and a giant orange box with “ADay Made Better” stamped on the top,which was lled with tons of teaching

gear. From pens and pencils to a KindleFire and digital camera, both teachersand their students are excited about thenew items for their classrooms.

Encino Park student runsin Junior Olympics Encino Park Elementary School

student Rocky Hansen is fast -- and not

just for a third grader. This summer,

Rocky’s speed qualied him to compete

in the AAU Junior Olympics.

In May, Rocky prepared by practicing

with the Johnson High School Junior

Jaguar track team. He advanced fromthe South Texas District Meet in both the

1500m and 800m runs. At nationals, he

earned a gold medal in the 1500m and a

silver medal in the 800m. This qualied

him for the AAU Junior Olympic Games

in Michigan in July.

“We were so proud of him for holding

to his times despite the bigger venue and

steeper competition,” said Molly Hansen,

Rocky’s mother. “He’s one determinedlittle man.”

Encino Park teacherhonored by Texas PTA Encino Park Elementary School

teacher Neil Shelby was named the

Elementary Teacher of the Year as part of

the 2013 Texas PTA Educator Awards. The

focus of the awards is to recognize teachers,

principals and superintendents known for

“Building A Child’s Tomorrow.”

“The PTA has been an essential part of

my success as an educator,” said Shelby.

“Through the support of the PTA I have

seen the implementation of programs,

activities, and lessons that have benetted

my classroom and my schools.”

Churchill cadets manuever through threestages of competition to win rst place.

Jackson-Keller Principal Anna Nicolaicongratulates teacher Janice Pundt on herOfceMax award.

Windcrest teacher Yvette DeBolt is veryexcited to see all the goodies OfceMax isgifting her for her classroom.

Encino Park student Rockey Hansen is infull stride at the AAU Junior Olympics.



North East Recognitions

Windcrest celebrates 50years of excellence This year marks the 50th anniversaryof Windcrest Elementary School. On Oct.4, the school held a celebration for thecommunity to commemorate the milestone.

The City of Windcrest helped sponsorthe event that began with a breakfastreception and ceremony with Windcrestofcials and the Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Brian G. Gottardy. Following theceremony, students and staff paraded

throughout the city to celebrate 50 yearswithin the Windcrest community. The dayconcluded with curriculum activities relatedto traditions and celebrations.

Two schools namedseminalists for SpursTeam Up Challenge Harris Middle School and Vineyard

Ranch Elementary School earned $2,500

from the Silver and Black Give Back’s

initiative -- The Team Up Challenge.

Twenty seminalist teams were invited

to the AT&T Center on Oct. 7 for the

presentation, and each received $2,500for their projects.

The Green Team at Harris will use

the grant money to grow a community

garden and host gardening classes and a

farmer’s market.

Vineyard Ranch’s team will use its

money for a service project called Love

Note Pillows. Students will make pillows

stuffed with a note, poem and picture for

children in the hospital.At the event, students were greeted

by R.C. Buford, general manager of the

Spurs, and Chuck Cureau, Spurs’ in-arena

host. There was a video message from

Spurs player Matt Bonner. Silver Dancers,

and mascots TBone and the Fox were also

there to cheer on the seminalists.

Silver and Black Give Back is a

public charity that supports youth-ledservice programs in San Antonio and

South Texas. The Team Up Challenge is

the service based learning initiative of

the Silver and Back Give Back.

Jackson-Keller receivesdonation from Rotary Club Jackson-Keller Elementary School

recently received a generous book

donation from the San Antonio North

Central Rotary Club. After receiving the

books, the campus prominently displayed

them in the library.

Jackson-Keller is fortunate to have

the Rotary Club as a supporter whounderstands the importance of early

reading and its role in the success of

students. The library now has books that

would not have been available without the

help of the North Central Rotarians.

H-E-B donates to threeNEISD schools H-E-B donated more than $3,000

to three North East ISD schools that

participated in the Primo Picks Premiere

Night on Oct. 2.

Vineyard Ranch Elementary School,

and Bush and Jackson middle schools

each received $1,000 plus $100 giftcards for each of their student groups

who participated, including the science

group, safety patrols and choir.

The students volunteered at the

event by greeting customers and helping

with gift bags.

Windcrest students enjoy a great day withthe community during their 50th celebration.

Jackson-Keller students are thrilled withthe new books donated to them by theNorth Central Rotary Club.

Harris students and staff pose happily withtheir $2,500 check.

Vineyard Ranch students can’t wait to begintheir project with the help of this grant.

Shoppers enjoy an H-E-B sampling eventwith the help of NEISD students.



The North East Educational Foundation presents a new fundraising opportunity with the help of the San AntonioSpurs. Through this special offer, the foundation will receive $3 per ticket purchased to the games listed below. Just usethe instructions below to order your tickets and help the students of North East ISD.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors

Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 • 7:30 p.m.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013 • 7:30 p.m.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 • 7:30 p.m.

6

North East Connections is a community newsletter mailed to all residents of the district three times a year. Content is edited and prepared by North East ISD Communications.

For more information, visit www.neisd.net or call (210) 407-0040.

Golf tournament raises $70,000 for NEISD schools

How to Order Online: Six Easy Steps1. Go to www.spurs.com/schools2. Select school district name

3. Enter the offer code: Schools4. Create a new account (or use your existing one if you’ve orderedthrough this link before)5. Select seat location6. Print tickets at home (no Ticketmaster fees apply)

The rain couldn’t keep golfers away from the 8th annual

North East Educational Foundation (NEEF) Golf Tournament

on Sept. 20, 2013. A record number of attendees braved thedownpour to support a good cause.

Paul Wildeman and his company, Daktronics, was one of

the tournament sponsors.

“NEISD has been good to us--super good partners. We feel

they are a quality district and we’re a company that believes

in quality and in not cutting corners,” said Wildeman. “My

four daughters go to North East schools and I believe it’s the

best district in San Antonio.”

There were 130 golfers in total on hand, representing 35companies. Through the event, these community members

helped raise more than $70,000 for the foundation.

The title sponsor of the tournament, Randolph-Brooks

Federal Credit Union (RBFCU), was instrumental in the

event’s success.

“I’m a proud product of NEISD and we love to do anything

that helps this district succeed,” said Ralph Rodriguez of

RBFCU.

The NEEF Board of Directors also worked hard to provide

breakfast, door prizes and goodie bags that helped to makethis day an enjoyable event for everyone involved.

All of the funds received by NEEF will go toward grants

to fund innovative projects for classrooms across the district.

For more information on the NEEF, visit

www.northeastfoundation.org or contact NEISD Partnerships

Director Amy Lane at (210) 407-0555.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Title Sponsor: Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union

Eagle Sponsors: Joeris

Split Eagle Sponsors: First Southwest Securities/Cabrera Capital Markets;

OCO Architects/Alpha Consulting Engineers; Terracon/Moy Tarin Ramirez Engineers

Underwriting Sponsors: Diamondback Promotions; Education Facility Advisors;

Raba Kistner; WJE Associates; Taco Cabana

Birdie Sponsors: Alpha Building Corporation; Blue Cross Blue Shield; Central

Electric Enterprises; Combs Consulting Group; Computer Solutions; Daktronics

Incorporated; Frost Bank; Garza Bomberger & Associates; Jaster-Quintanilla;

Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLC; Padilla Poll; Pape Dawson;

PBK Architects; Puger Associates Architects; RBC Capital Markets; Reagan

Diamondbackers Sports Association; RVK Architects; Sattereld and Pontikes

Construction; Southwest Securities; The Darr Family

Partner Spotlight: San Antonio Spurs

A little rain didn’t stop these golfers from playing for a good cause.

http://www.neisd.net/

http://www.spurs.com/schools

http://www.northeastfoundation.org/

http://www.northeastfoundation.org/

http://www.spurs.com/schools




Volunteer dedicates 26 years toNorth East ISD students

Omar G. Rios didn’t grow upwith a TV, car or computer. He didhave books -- and for the past 26years, he has been sharing his loveof books with students in NorthEast ISD.

Rios, 79, retired in 1986 asthe Deputy Chief of the WesternDistrict of Texas. He served fouryears in the U.S. Navy and is aKorean War Veteran. He attendedBrigham Young University andreceived his Master’s Degree inSociology in 1962.

When he retired, he could havetaken a much deserved break. Butinstead, he began volunteering atRidgeview Elementary School,where his wife retired and his

daughter still works as a teacher. This year, he starts his 27th school year at Ridgeviewworking with third graders who need some extra attention with their reading. He alsohelps to motivate them to be proactive learners. “What’s our motto? Think and do,” said Rios. “ If you think and do, it is going to leadyou to success. I am trying to get my kids to think.” Every group hears the motto and they know it by the end of the year. He explainedthat he wants his students to think ‘I am going to do this homework when I get home.’And then go home and actually do it. “When I was in school, I didn’t learn to think,” said Rios. “We were taught to repeatand rehash. I try to get them to think outside the box.”

At the start of the school year, Rios was greeted by everyone from the custodians tothe principal to the students who were all excited to see him back on campus. He said hehas been volunteering his entire life, but recognizes that it takes special individuals totake on the special task. “In order to give, you must rst have. You have to have it in you to volunteer,” saidRios. It’s clear to everyone at Ridgeview that Mr. Rios has what it takes and then some.

North East ISD is now on Facebook!

North East ISD launched its ofcial Facebook page

on July 8, 2013. Visitors to this page receive updates

regarding the latest accomplishments and events taking

place throughout the district. Everyone is encouraged to

‘Like’ and follow the district to connect with 144 square

miles of news on your phone, computer or tablet.

Omar Rios has worked with students at RidgeviewElementary School for the past 26 years.

SHERRY RANTZ, LCSW

7410 BLANCO ROAD

Counseling Children and Adolescents

with anger management, depression, anxiety,

low self-esteem, school and family problems

210.286.6448 20 Years Experience



Brian G. Gottardy, Ed.D.

Superintendent of SchoolsRon Clary

Associate Superintendent for Operations

Janna Hawkins Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Technology Services/CIO

Donna Newman, Ed.D. Associate Superintendent for

Campus Administration and Human Resources

Dan Villarreal, CPA Associate Superintendent for Business Services/CFO

Aubrey Chancellor Executive Director of Communications

Executive Staff

Non-Proft Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

San Antonio, TX

Permit No. 399

North EastIndependentSchool District

8961 Tesoro DriveSan Antonio, Texas 78217

www.neisd.net

ECRWSSPOSTAL CUSTOMER

Printed on recycled paper

North East ISDBoard

of Trustees

Shannon Grona

District 5

Trustee

James Wheat

District 4

Trustee

Sandy HugheyDistrict 1

Secretary

Letti BresnahanDistrict 6

Vice President

Susan GalindoDistrict 3

President

Edd WhiteDistrict 2

Trustee

Brigitte Perkins

District 7

Trustee

Volunteer SpotlightRussell Green and Jay Strawn

“Having Mr. Strawn and

Mr. Green, along with

the other Watch D.O.G.S.

out front has helped me

to create a more orderly

environment during

dismissal,” said Anne

Cook, assistant principal.

“I can’t express the

feelings of relief and

happiness when I head

out and see them at the

crosswalk. They are a

huge help to me and the

Eisenhower community.”

Russell Green and Jay Strawn have been instrumentalin continuing and growing the Watch D.O.G.S. Program at

Eisenhower Middle School. Ike Watch D.O.G.S provide a

much needed services for the school.

They help monitor students, assist with trafc ow and

work on much needed projects around the school.

Russell’s son, Braeden, is an eighth grader at Eisenhower.

Jay has a sixth grader, Savannah, and an eighth grader,

Kenneth, attending Eisenhower.

NOTICEThe North East Independent School

District does not discriminate on the

basis of race, color, religion, gender,

national origin, age or disability.

NOTICIAEl Distrito Escolar Independiente

del Noreste no discrimina por raza,

color, religión, género, origen nacional,

edad, o incapacidad.

Place your advertisement in

this newsletter. Call 407-0396

for more information.

NORTH E AST CONNECTIONSFall2013

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