Jan. 22 (Sat) — Elementary UIL contest awards ceremony
2 p.m. at Edison High School, 701 Santa Monica Drive, just off Blanco Road
Awards will be presented to the top-placing students in competitions testing knowledge in categories including: dictionary skills; maps, graphs and charts; music memory; number sense; oral reading; storytelling; and social studies. The contest involving students from 18 District schools will begin that morning at the host campus, and the afternoon awards ceremony will be the only public event.

Jan. 22 (Sat) — smARCHITICTURE photo competition reception
6 to 9 p.m. at the SMARTart Project Space, 1906 S. Flores St.
First, second and third place winners in grades 6-8 and 9-12, along with 26 merit photographers, will be honored for their pictures showcasing the architecture of historic SAISD schools. Contestants were students from the District’s Jefferson High School, and Longfellow and Wheatley middle schools whose photos were judged by a panel composed of professionals representing the fields of architecture, the fine arts and photography. Winners were selected based upon originality, technical skill and personal voice or vision. Contest sponsors are SAISD, the SAISD Foundation, SMART, the Southwest School of Art and Architecture Foundation of San Antonio.

Jan. 25 (Tues) — Fine Arts in Education Coalition general meeting
7 p.m. at Edison High School, 701 Santa Monica Drive, just off Blanco Road
Patrons interested in supporting fine arts education in SAISD are invited to attend. Topics for this first meeting of 2011 include upcoming fund raisers and events. Coalition members comprise a group of parents, students and music educators who advocate improving all aspects of the fine arts.

Jan. 25 (Tues) — Financial Aid Night
7 p.m. at Edison High School, 701 Santa Monica Drive, just off Blanco Road
Representatives from Project STAY Inc. will present college-bound students and their parents information on the application process, entrance exams, financial aid and scholarships.

Jan. 26 (Wed) — ‘Lasso Ladies’ reception
3:30 p.m. at Jefferson High School, 723 Donaldson Ave.
Past members of San Antonio’s most famous rope twirlers – featuring those from the 1940s and ‘50s - will be recognized. The reception is sponsored by the Lasso Alumni Association.

Jan. 28 (Fri) — Cowboy Breakfast
8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Mission Academy, 9210 S. Presa St.
Entertainment for this breakfast celebrating the annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo will include performances by pre-kinder to 2nd-graders, and dancing by the school’s safety patrols and the senior citizen Golden Star Line Dancers.

Jan. 28 (Fri) — ‘Rope a Good Book’ reading rodeo
8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Maverick Elementary School, 107 Raleigh Place
Students dressed as cowboys and cowgirls will enjoy a variety of fun Old West-inspired activities in the gymnasium that will be transformed into a dude ranch. Prizes for participation will be books provided by the Reading is Fundamental child literacy organization. That morning, members of the Jefferson High School Lariats and Wranglers will perform in honor of the occasion.