Subject Expert: Thoughtful holiday gift giving - letters of recommendation for students
Expert: Frances Santos, ELAR Chair, Travis Early College High School
In this season of giving and receiving gifts, teacher Frances Santos can speak to a profound gift that adults can give to children who are applying for scholarships, honor programs, and colleges – the gift of a strong letter of recommendation. Santos is an expert in writing these types of letters and has earned a University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award for this skill and for her advocacy. In the past five years, she has written most of the Questbridge recommendations for Travis Early College High School students and countless others for other college admissions and scholarships. Santos can speak to the letter-writing system she developed that involves asking students the right questions to learn and tell their stories while also connecting these stories to the missions of the institutions receiving them.
Calendar items
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 free, fresh-looking hair cut 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.
Dec. 10 (Sat) - Pedal for Kids STEM event
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Raymond Russell Park, 20644 W Interstate 10, 78257
SAISD high schoolers from Edison and Jefferson will be attending the Pedals for Kids STEM event at Raymond Russell Park. The students will be competing in STEM challenges, but more importantly they will also build 20 bicycles that will be presented to elementary student winners in the SAISD Foundation's "Attend, Achieve and Win!" initiative. The SAISD Transportation team will first take the high school students to the event, and then Santa's helpers will drive the fully decorated Holiday Bus to deliver the bicycles to the homes of 20 student winners. Two winners from Arnold Elementary will be at Raymond Russell Park to personally pick up their bikes. Both Arnold Elementary students have great stories, including one student who emigrated from Honduras, but had to leave his bicycle behind in the process.
Dec. 12 (Mon) – SAISD Board Meeting B
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. 13 (Tues) - Green Santa visits Cooper Academy
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Cooper Academy, 623 S. Pecos La Trinidad, 78207
After a long absence due to COVID restrictions, the Senior Club at Cooper Academy is once again sponsoring a Giving Tree. The SAPD Park Police "Green Santa" will be joined by the Sentinels Motorcycle Club to deliver presents bought with proceeds from the Giving Tree to the kids in the Cooper Academy childcare center. Pictures with Green Santa will take place. The SAPD Park Police have been a sponsor for the SAISD Learning Center for the past 14 years. The San Antonio chapter of the Sentinels Motorcycle Club joined the cause as supporters two years ago. Everyone at the childcare center is grateful for the generosity of all.
Dec. 14 (Wed) - SAISD December Food Distribution
9 a.m., Alamo Stadium, 110 Tuleta Drive, 78212
Pre-Register: https://www.saisd.net/page/fooddistribution
All SAISD families are invited to take part in the SAISD Food Distribution for December. The drive-through distribution will take place at the parking lot of Alamo Stadium. Food will be available while supplies last.
Dec. 14 (Wed) - Business donates bikes for all Forbes Elementary students
10 a.m. to Noon, Forbes Elementary, 2630 Sally Gay Drive, 78223
SAISD schools are fortunate to build relationships with the business community in making moments magical for our students. Forbes Elementary has built this kind of partnership with Greenstone Electrical Services. The owner at Greenstone wanted to ensure every student had at least one present under their tree, so he donated bicycles for all 165 students at Forbes Elementary.
Dec. 15 (Thurs) - SAPD's Blue Santa visits Madison Elementary
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Madison Elementary, 2900 W. Woodlawn Ave., 78228
After checking his list twice, the SAPD's "Blue Santa" will be making a stop at Madison Elementary to continue the tradition of giving back to the community. Blue Santa will be handing out toys to the school's happy children. Madison Principal Lianna Cano says, "Having the SAPD bring blessings of good cheer to our students will be a memory they always treasure."
Dec. 15 (Thurs) - Wilson Elementary students go caroling
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., (Start at) Wilson Elementary, 1421 Clower St., 78201
Back after a two-year COVID absence, Wilson Elementary is once again ready to spread holiday cheer to their neighbors. Students and parents will meet at the Wilson Elementary cafeteria at 5 p.m. and then visit the surrounding neighborhood to sing carols. There are pre-planned stops along the way so the families can enjoy sweet treats like candy canes and cookies. The caroling will end at the home of a retired SAISD paraprofessional.
Dec. 16 (Fri) - Santa Claus surprises Margil Elementary students with presents for all
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Margil Elementary, 1000 S. Perez St., 78207
The spirit of giving is alive on the west side. Margil Elementary will get a special surprise visit from Santa Claus. Old St. Nick will be spreading holiday joy as he delivers a gift-wrapped present to each student! Due to the high number of students living at the SAMM Shelter, Haven for Hope or the Salvation Army, the Margil Elementary staff wanted every child to have at least one present to open up for Christmas. Margil staff and various donors have made it happen, purchasing a present for each student on campus.