Expert Voice: Michelle Reyes, Director of Family and Community Engagement 
Michelle Reyes is able to speak to the importance of participating in the Cesar Chavez March for Justice on Saturday, March 23. Reyes leads the SAISD department that coordinates partnerships with families and the community, and the department recently was awarded for coordinating SAISD staff participation in last year’s Cesar Chavez march. The department was honored during the Texas Schools Public Relations Association (TSPRA) annual conference on Feb. 28. Her department is coordinating the effort again this year. She says “the SAISD Familia marches in the spirit of Cesar Chavez for justice because education doesn't end in the classroom – it extends to the streets where we stand for equality, dignity, and the rights of every individual.”? 
 
Calendar items
 
*CANCELLED* - March 22 (Fri) – Second build day for stackable twin beds 
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lanier High School, 1514 W. Cesar E Chavez Blvd., 78207
The event featuring Lanier HS students in the P-TECH Construction program holding the district’s second build day to assemble an additional 20 twin beds to benefit children has been cancelled. 
 
March 23 (Sat) – SAISD Familia joins annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St. (start) to Hemisfair Civic Park (finish) 
The SAISD Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) has organized the district’s participation in the annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice. District students and staff will join the multitude of San Antonians who march in unity to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez. Note: SAISD participants will meet at J.T. Brackenridge Elementary School, 1214 Guadalupe St. Look for the SAISD banner and flag. 
 
March 25 (Mon) to May 24 (Fri) – “Ride the Bus” with SAISD 
6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Various campuses (see weekly schedule below)
The SAISD Transportation Department invites families to see the planned 2024-25 bus routes for schools impacted by rightsizing at a series of ride-along events. At these events, parents and children will be able to board a school bus, see the safety features of the bus (seat belts, wifi, and cameras), and even have a chance to ride the actual route. Buses will be parked at the campuses listed below for the Ride the Bus with Us events. These events are open to any families who want to learn more about bus transportation and see the bus route information for next school year.
The ”Ride the Bus” program runs from March 25 through May 24, giving families ample time to explore the new routes for themselves. This week’s schedule is as follows:
March 25 to 26 (Mon and Tues) – M.L. King Academy, 3501 MLK Dr., 78220
March 25 and 27 (Mon and Wed) – Gates Elementary, 510 Morningview Dr, 78220
March 25 and 28 (Mon and Thurs) – Miller Elementary, 207 Lincolnshire Dr., 78220
March 28 (Thurs) – Lamar Elementary, 201 Parland Place, 78209
 
March 27 (Wed) – Smith Elementary Tiger Fest 
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Smith Elementary, 823 S. Gevers St., 78203
Smith Elementary is celebrating 120 years as a familia at Tiger Fest! It’s an early taste of Fiesta fun with food, games, music and prizes. Tiger Fest will also welcome students and families from Dorie Miller Elementary who will blending with the Smith community next year. Pre-K and Kindergarten students from both campuses will showcase their shoebox flair in a Fiesta float parade.
 
March 28 (Thurs) – Washington Elementary Helicopter Egg Drop 
1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Young Men’s Leadership Academy, 451 Gabriel St., 78202
The Easter Bunny is pretty cool, but he has nothing on the SAPD's "Blue Eagle" helicopter. All Washington Elementary students will be bussed to the Young Men’s Leadership Academy to take part in an Easter egg hunt unlike any other. The "Blue Eagle" chopper will be dropping plastic eggs filled with surprises from high above the YMLA field. Students will then gather the eggs with their personally decorated bags.
 
March 28 (Thurs) – “Night in Ole Jeff” at Jefferson High School 
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Jefferson High School, 723 Donaldson Ave., 78201  
The Jefferson High School community is not waiting around for Fiesta. “Night in Ole’ Jeff” will bring the fun and food of Fiesta’s “Night in Old San Antonio” – and that means YES to finding chicken-on-a-stick. All proceeds go to Jefferson HS student clubs and organizations. 
 
March 28 (Thurs) – “The Language of Courage” Dance & Art extravaganza
5:30 p.m., Young Women’s Leadership Academy, 2123 W. Huisache Ave., 78201  
The Young Women’s Leadership Academy will be celebrating both Women’s Art Month and Youth Art Month with a huge dance and art performance program. “The Language of Courage” extravaganza will feature the debut of original student fashion designs along with several dance performances.
 
March 28 (Thurs) – Wilson Elementary Selena Talent Show 
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wilson Elementary, 1421 Clower St., 78201
This annual event at Wilson Elementary packs the house and is a community favorite. Wilson students and staff honor the legacy of the “Queen of Tejano music”, Selena Quintanilla on the anniversary of the legendary singer’s death. This year participants will showcase their Selena skills in three categories: art, dance, and of course, singing. Trophies and medals will be awarded to the winners.  The talent show helps boost student confidence, promotes social inclusion, while also and creating opportunities for kids to show off the things they enjoy most.