Subject Expert: The urgent importance of letters of recommendation for students
Expert: Frances Santos, ELAR Chair, Travis Early College High School
Santos, who just received a University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award, believes in the urgent advocacy of writing strong letters of recommendation for students. “As we go into teaching and see these students grow into these incredible adults that they will become, that they already are, we are some of the catalysts that are non-negotiables for getting them there,” Santos said. “If we don’t advocate in the form of language and really explain to these institutions that our kids can make it, and will make it, and will do great things at their campus, who will?” A 29-year veteran of SAISD, Santos has developed a system for writing letters for students that involves learning and telling her students’ stories as they connect to the missions and specialties of universities. She also wrote the recommendation for this year’s Travis Questbridge Match Scholarship recipient, whose university match was announced Dec. 1.
Calendar items
Dec. 5 (Mon) – SAISD Board Meeting A
5:30 p.m., SAISD Board Room, 514 W. Quincy St., 78212 or online
Link: https://www.saisd.net/page/dis-board-videos
The SAISD Board of Trustees will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at the central administrative office.
Dec. 6 (Tues) - Mission Academy Winter Choir Concert
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Mission Academy, 9210 S. Presa, 78223
Mission Academy invites the community to their Winter Choir Concert as students sing the songs of the season. Refreshments will be served.
Dec. 7 (Wed) - Margil Elementary Community Museum Celebration
3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m., Mission Academy, 9210 S. Presa, 78223
Margil Elementary is hosting a grand opening of a special place. The creation of the "Margil Community Museum" was inspired by the children's story, "Milo's Museum," which tells the story of an African American student who doesn't see people from his community in the museum, so she made her own. Margil students and staff have worked hard curating a museum that tells the story of the school and the proud west side community. Food will be served. Visitors can tour the collected artifacts. Some in attendance will leave with free books with door prize giveaways.
Dec. 7 (Wed) - Hawthorne Academy Christmas Around the World
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Hawthorne Academy, 115 W. Josephine, 78212
Take a tour of holiday traditions around the globe without needing a passport. Hawthorne Academy's "Christmas Around the World" event features students presenting and performing what they have learned in social studies about customs, traditions and songs from different countries across the globe.
Dec. 8 (Thurs) - Sarah King Elementary Winter Wonderland Family Celebration
4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sarah King Elementary, 1001 Ceralvo St., 78207
Sarah King Elementary is transforming into a Winter Wonderland for holiday fun for the entire family and community. There will be food and refreshments, math and reading activities, and book giveaways! The Sarah King Elementary Choir will provide entertainment singing holiday songs for the event.
Dec. 10 (Sat) – Gates Elementary "Hair for the Holidays"
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Gates Elementary, 510 Morningview Dr., 78220
Gates Elementary teacher Alissa Royal is holding an event geared toward making students look their best for the holidays. Gates Elementary welcomes students to get a fresh-looking, free haircut at the "Hair for the Holidays" pop-up on campus. Hair stylists from around San Antonio have been recruited to provide free hair services for students.