Subject Expert: East Side students help kick off National STEM Day
  
Expert: Johnny Vahalik, assistant superintendent for college, career and military readiness.

Davis Middle School and M.L.K. Academy students will explore the world of bioscience and entrepreneurship when VelocityTX, a subsidiary of the Texas Research and Technology Foundation, Communities in Schools and SAISD kick off National STEM Day on Nov. 8. Vahalik will be available to discuss how the initiative is working to develop the next generation of workforce in the fields of bioscience and healthcare.

Contact: Ryan Loyd, 210-554-2263 to coordinate interviews and stories. This item coincides with the calendar item below, National STEM Day.

Calendar Items:

Nov. 6 (Sat) – 15th Annual RockIt into the Future Science Festival
9 a.m.-2 p.m., CAST Med High School, 2601 Louis Bauer Dr., 78235
CAST Med High School will host the Girls, Inc. RockIt into the Future Science Festival, a day of hands-on, minds-on fun that celebrates science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This free event is open to the entire family to explore STEM through dozens of activities, experiments and demonstrations. The day’s activities are designed and executed through the city’s STEM community that includes universities, corporate partners and research centers.

Nov. 6 (Sat) – Jefferson IB World School fall beautification event
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Jefferson High School front lawn, 723 Donaldson Ave., 78201
Jefferson administration, faculty, staff, athletes, spirit groups and service organizations will take part in a campus-wide event to spruce up the landscape around Jefferson High School. Gloves, rakes, good vibes welcomed along with all alumni and neighbors.

Nov. 8 (Mon) – SAISD Board of Trustees – Board Meeting A
5:30 p.m., SAISD Central Office, 514 W. Quincy, 78212
The Board of Trustees of the San Antonio Independent School District will meet in the boardroom at the district’s central office location beginning at 5:30 p.m. Masks are required to attend the meeting.

Nov. 8 (Mon) – National STEM Day and STEM program kickoff for Davis Middle School and M.L.K. Academy students
Davis Middle School, 4702 E. Houston St., 78220
The kickoff for National STEM Day will include educational curriculum for students at Davis Middle School and M.L.K. Academy that teachers can implement in their classrooms. The following will take place at Davis Middle School:
• Nov. 8-10, classroom curriculum
• Nov. 10, family STEM night from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Nov. 12, program culminates with hands-on interactive workshop at VelocityTX Innovation Center.

The program will repeat at M.L.K. Academy the week of Nov. 15.

Nov. 9-10 (Tue-Wed) – School improvement input sought
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9Ic8urTo94tg2ahdgX1vPWcLM7Ix2kcjdHwnoLyShRQbzgg/viewform 
Campus families and surrounding community members are invited to give input into school improvement projects as part of the SAISD Bond 2020 program. Meetings begin with a general session and then dive into more in-depth conversations about specific campuses.
• Nov. 9 (Tue), 6-8 p.m., Highlands High School, 3118 Elgin Ave., 78210 – Highlands High School, CAST Med High School, Rogers Middle School
• Nov. 10 (Wed) – 6-8 p.m., Sam Houston High School, 4635 E. Houston St., 78220 – Gates Elementary, Smith Elementary, Carroll Early Childhood Education Center

Nov. 11 (Thu) IB Night Fall Showcase
5:30-7 p.m., Huppertz Elementary, 247 Bangor Dr., 78228
Students will showcase the work they are doing in their IB units of inquiry. The program will begin with a tribute to veterans. Jefferson students will present the flags followed by a speech from a fifth-grade student. 

Nov. 11 (Thu) – Veterans Day activities and ceremonies
Various times and locations.
• Highlands High School Veterans Day Ceremony, 3118 Elgin Ave., 78210, 8-8:35 a.m., school auditorium. 75 cadets from Highlands High School will be part of the ceremony, and the Highlands High School band and choir will perform.
• Miller Elementary, 207 Lincolnshire, 78220, 8:30 a.m. Students will learn about the importance of the day with a show of patriotism. The program will include singing of the national anthem, recognition of veterans, readings and other music. Students will also demonstrate folding of the flag, sign language, and showcase a light show.
• Kate Schenck Elementary Drive Through Parade, 101 Kate Schenck Ave., 78223, 9-9:30 a.m. Route will be along Goliad Street. Eight JROTC Cadets from Highlands High School will participate to provide a Color Guard and service flag detail. This is the school’s annual parade but modified for outdoors.
• Sam Houston High School students will participate in a Veterans Day Ceremony at the San Antonio National Cemetery, located at 517 Paso Hondo St., 78202, at 1:30 p.m. Armed Color Guard, Unarmed Saber Team, ushers and a standing platoon will be present for the ceremony.
Huppertz Elementary Veterans Day tribute, 247 Bangor, 78228, 5:30 p.m. A ceremony will recognize those in the community who served.