EXPERT VOICE: Danielle Salgado, Carvajal Elementary Teacher
Salgado can speak to how a class pet evolved into something powerful that enhanced her students’ learning and growth.
Last year, Carvajal Elementary fifth grade teacher Danielle Salgado wanted to reward her class for good behavior, and they decided on a classroom pet. Students researched different pet options, including fish and rodents. The class finally settled on a bearded dragon. “Charzard” the bearded dragon is now 11 months old and has been in Salgado’s classroom since March. Salgado says he has been a game changer.
“I saw empathy really rise in my classroom not only toward him but toward each other,” Salgado said. “He’s great at keeping volume levels down because he has very sensitive hearing.” The lizard is also a loyal reading buddy for students who are nervous about reading out loud. Charzard has been such a big hit, that a second class at Carvajal added another bearded dragon to the campus.
Call us to arrange a time to see the impact Charzard the bearded dragon is having on his Carvajal Elementary classmates.
Calendar items
Sept 23 (Sat) – Harris Middle School 100 years celebration
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Harris Middle School, 325 Pruitt Ave., 78204
Six of the original SAISD junior high schools are celebrating 100 years of educating San Antonio students in 2023. Harris Middle School originally opened its doors back in 1923, and now is ready to celebrate a century of excellence and a future of possibilities! The historic campus is inviting the community to celebrate its 100th birthday with student performances, school tours, food, music and a trip down memory lane.
Sept 23-29 (Sat-Fri) – SAISD Rightsizing Community Meetings – Second Round
San Antonio ISD is holding a new round of neighborhood meetings on its rightsizing initiative, focusing on parent, staff and community feedback around the initial recommendation released Sept. 18. Meetings are being held at campuses impacted by the recommendation to hear firsthand the insight and feedback from these specific school communities. From the very beginning of this initiative, the district has fostered a culture of engagement, making its community a crucial partner in this journey.
• Sept 23 (Sat) – 10 a.m., Lowell Middle School, 919 Thompson Place, 78226
• Sept 25 (Mon) – 6 p.m., Beacon Hill Academy, 1411 W. Ashby Place, 78201
• Sept 26 (Tues) – 6 p.m., Collins Garden Elementary, 167 Harriman Place, 78204
• Sept 27 (Wed) – 6 p.m., Douglass Elementary, 318 Martin Luther King Drive, 78203
• Sept 28 (Thurs) – 6 p.m., Martin Luther King Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King Drive, 78220
• Sept 29 (Fri) – 6 p.m., Steele Montessori, 722 Haggin St., 78210
Sept 28 (Thurs) – Democracy Prep “Mi Gente” Celebration
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Democracy Prep at Stewart, 1950 Rigsby Ave., 78210
The community is invited to this annual “Mi Gente” celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage month. Participants will experience the Latino cultures and traditions that unite the San Antonio community. There will be student performances, music, art and other fun activities for the whole family.