EXPERT VOICE: Veronica Hellamns and Janet Hester, SAISD Directors for Reading-Language Arts
Hellamns and Hester can talk about SAISD promoting its diversity through our “Reading Across Las Americas” initiative

We all have heard about “Read Across America Week.” The San Antonio ISD Literacy and Biliteracy Departments are teaming up to rebrand “Read Across America” week as “Read Across Las Americas Week” from March 6 to March 10 to celebrate reading while also showcasing our diverse community and student population. “Read Across Las Americas Week” will help students discover their own voices and learn from the voices of others.
On the list of highlighted books is “La Cancion de Cambio” by Amanda Gorman, “Happy Little Dreamer” by Peter Reynolds, “Paletero Man” by Lucky Diaz, “The Magician’s Hat” by Malcolm Mitchell, “La Luna Mango” by Diane de Anda, and many more. The district is placing a spotlight on a variety of diverse authors, reinforcing to students that all voices and perspectives matter. Including their own. 

Calendar items
March 7 (Tues) – Culturingua/Highlands High School Hearing Impaired Student Presentations
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Highlands High School, 3118 Elgin Ave., 78210
In a partnership with Culturingua, Highlands High School students have worked online with students from Libya in creating business enterprises. The catch? These proposed businesses must conform to the United Nations sustainability goals for saving the planet. The two schools on opposite sides of the world, connected by the Internet, will be presenting their projects together through Zoom. Among the Highlands students making presentations are students who are hearing impaired; they will be assisted by an interpreter during the session. Inspiring, uplifting, and informative. All at the same time.

March (Wed) – Briscoe Elementary students get FREE shoes
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Briscoe Elementary School, 2015 S. Flores St., 78204
The Assistance League of San Antonio are gifting each student at Briscoe Elementary a brand-new pair of shoes. Kids love trying on a new pair of sneakers, from lacing them up and test driving them with a few steps. Students running faster and jumping higher? That is our prediction of how the scene at Briscoe Elementary will play out.

March 9 (Thurs) – SAISD Bond 2020 Bus Tour
6 p.m. to 8 p.m., SAISD Central Office (starting point), 514 N. Flores St., 78212
The SAISD Bond Bus Tour is ready to roll! Join the SAISD Bond team on a tour of major Bond 2016 improvements that were made at Burbank High School, Lanier High School and Rogers Middle School. Board Trustees Patti Radle and Art Valdez will join the Citizens Advisory Committee on brief walking tours of the new or renovated campuses. The SAISD Bond Bus will depart Central Office at 6 p.m. to begin the tour.

March 10 (Fri) – Smith Elementary 21st Century Learning Showcase  
8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., Smith Elementary School, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 students at Smith Elementary recently went into research mode. Some students learned about people who help others in the community. Other students went with studying a business owner. They all will have box representations, be dressed up accordingly, and be ready to talk about their project and what they learned.

March 13-17 (Mon - Fri) – SAISD Spring Break
All SAISD campuses and offices will be closed for Spring Break from Monday, March 13 through Friday, March 17. Schools and offices will resume normal hours on Monday, March 20.