Dear SAISD Family Member,
It is truly an exciting time to be in SAISD. We have experienced many magical moments with many more to come. As we reflect on the countless blessings we encounter across our 79 square miles of excellence, it is clearly evident that we are surrounded by exceptional students, outstanding employees, supportive parents, a visionary Board of Trustees, and a community that truly values the importance of education and career opportunities for all students.
As my assignment as your Interim Superintendent of Schools concludes on April 29, and as this will be my final employee message, I would like to recognize some amazing “SAISD PROUD” moments that have genuinely captured my heart.
First and foremost, we could never imagine a world without teachers. Our amazing teachers inspire students to think outside the box, outside the classroom, and most importantly, to become the individuals we aspire to be. They allow our students to experience a future of hope and endless possibilities as they listen to the heart of our students, and not just the words spoken.
During the week of May 2, we will be observing Teacher Appreciation Week in SAISD. We are extremely proud of our teachers for taking the risk of being great. Their efforts on a daily basis continue to make us the extraordinary school district that we aspire to be.
Additionally, this week, KSAT 12 surprised Burbank High School teacher Amanda Neary as its Educator of the Month. This is a tremendous and much deserved recognition. Please join me in congratulating Amanda on receiving this extremely prestigious honor. We are so proud of her efforts to serve as a difference maker in the lives of our students and for reminding us that “teachers inspire even the smallest of hearts to grow big enough to change the world.”
Wonderful examples of our exceptional students exceeding expectations can be found in the following paragraphs:
Congratulations to our Lanier High School Automotive Technology Magnet program on graduating its first cohort of Automotive Voks through St. Philip’s College. Once again, our exceptional teachers guided these students to success, and these students are now earning an industry certification after completing a 17-hour college program. In honor of this amazing achievement, our high school students will be crossing the stage with graduates of St. Philip’s College on May 13.
Furthermore, last Thursday, all of our high school bands and the Fox Tech-ALA-CAST Tech mariachi performed in the annual Battle of Flowers Band Festival, the largest event we hold at Alamo Stadium. Among the 37 local high school bands competing, four of our groups were recognized. Our mariachi ensemble gave the prelude performance, and the Jefferson High School band was one of only three featured bands. The Highlands High School band placed second in its class, and the Sam Houston band placed first in its class with the Chairman “Crowd Pleasing” Overall Award. This beautiful event was witnessed by over 17,000 fans and was a flawlessly coordinated effort by our band and mariachi directors, the video production crew from Brackenridge High School, and a multitude of departments including Fine Arts, Athletics, Police, Technology, Child Nutrition Services, Transportation, and Facilities.
David Starr Jordan once stated: “Today is your day and mine, the only day we have, the day in which we play our part. What our part may signify in the great whole we may not understand. But we are here to play it, and now is the time.”
On behalf of our Board of Trustees and the entire SAISD, thank you for your commitment to making every moment count in the lives of our students and in the lives of each other.
We truly appreciate you and all that you do.
I am and will always remain “SAISD PROUD.”
Have a “Terrific Thursday” and a very enjoyable Easter weekend.
"Dr. J"
Robert Jaklich, Ed. D.
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
~Mahatma Gandhi