Expert Voice: Lt. Col. (Retired) Jerry Cheatom, JROTC Director

Lt. Col. (Retired) Jerry Cheatom is a member of the Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers Association. He is available to be interviewed regarding the history and significance of the Buffalo Soldiers, U.S. Army regiments of African American soldiers created by the U.S. Congress for peace-time efforts following the end of the Civil War in 1866. The regiments were formed to serve in the American West and became some of the most elite and highly decorated units in the U.S. Army. Highly revered by Native Americans for their fierce fighting skills and physical attributes, they were nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers.”

Calendar items

Feb. 19 (Mon) – SAISD schools and offices closed for Presidents Day
SAISD offices and campuses will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19 in observance of Presidents Day. Schools and offices return to normal business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Note to high school students: Alamo Colleges schools are open Monday.

Feb. 20 (Tues) – SAISD Board Meeting 
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.

Feb. 22 (Thurs) – Innovative Learning Lab unveiling
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Whittier Middle School, 2101 Edison Drive, 78201
A new high-tech lab will offer middle school students a futuristic type of learning that will elevate their knowledge around topics such as augmented and virtual reality, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence. The lab is sponsored by Verizon, through a partnership with Heart of America and J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University.

Feb. 24 (Sat) – “Beyond the Book Club” event 
10 a.m. to noon, Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, 78209
Students in the Wilson Elementary Book Club will read books aloud for museum guests to enjoy. 

Feb. 24 (Sat) – Gardopia Gardens and Big Green Learning Garden grant kick-off 
11 a.m. to noon, Madison Elementary, 2900 W. Woodlawn Ave., 78228
Gardopia Gardens and Big Green will announce a joint investment of $250,000 to boost school garden initiatives at 22 SAISD schools. During this kick-off workshop, educators from the recipient schools will cultivate a garden, gaining hands-on experience building and teaching in a Learning Garden and empowering them to lead their own garden kick-off activities at their own campuses.