SAISD SPOTLIGHT: SAISD marching bands doing the Fiesta Triple Play
The annual Fiesta parades attract thousands of people to downtown San Antonio to revel in the party with a purpose. SAISD’s seven comprehensive high school marching bands are front and center for BOTH parades. Every other school district in Bexar County selects whether they will march in the Battle of Flowers parade or the Fiesta Flambeau parade. SAISD is the only school district that has their bands march in both the day and night parades. 

The parades cap a hectic three-day Fiesta run for SAISD bands that starts on Thursday night with the Fiesta Battle of the Bands at Alamo Stadium. To follow that competition with an early morning parade on Friday and then repeat it again on Saturday night is a testament to the training the SAISD band students put in to prepare for the back-to-back Fiesta frenzy.

Lanier High School band director Jesse Orta is a veteran at this Fiesta game. Burbank High School band director Federico Cardenas is running the Fiesta gauntlet for the first time. Both can offer their different perspectives on preparing their students to shine their brightest on the Fiesta stage. Bands will be practicing after school Monday through Wednesday.

Calendar items? 

April 25 (Fri - TODAY) – Briscoe Elementary Brain Fair 
3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., S.M.A.R.T Project Space, 1906 S. Flores St., 78204
Briscoe Elementary invites the community to their inaugural S.M.A.R.T. Brain Fair! The purpose is to celebrate a year-long brain education initiative Briscoe Bear students have been participating in. Meet the enthusiastic third grade Brain Ambassadors while also diving into interactive art and science activities. 

April 29 (Tues) – Lanier High School juniors awarded direct admission to UTSA
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Lanier High School, 1514 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., 78207
The top 25% in the Lanier High School Class of 2026 will be rewarded for their hard work with direct admission to UTSA. A total of 91 Lanier juniors ranked in the top quarter will be presented with congratulatory certificates from UTSA, signifying their first college acceptance.

April 29-30 (Tues to Wed) – SAISD Foundation Book Buddies Bus at Hawthorne Academy
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hawthorne Academy, 115 W. Josephine St., 78212
The SAISD Foundation's Book Buddies Bus will visit Hawthorne Academy with a special delivery: FREE books! Every student from pre-K through eighth grade will receive six free books to take home. That’s nearly 4,500 books distributed in one school visit! Volunteers from the Pearl will be on hand to help students make their selections, reinforcing the importance of book choice in building strong, lifelong reading habits. Research shows that when children choose their own books, they’re more likely to read for enjoyment, boosting literacy and creating meaningful reading moments at home.

April 29 (Tues) – Brackenridge High School Drumline in NIOSA Vanguard parade
5 p.m. to 6 p.m., La Villita Historic Village, 418 Villita St, 78205
The Brackenridge High School Drumline will once again be a part of kicking off one of Fiesta’s biggest celebrations. The Eagle Drumline will be marching in the official opening vanguard for “A Night in Old San Antonio” along with city officials and Fiesta royalty. NIOSA is the vibrant celebration of San Antonio's diverse cultural heritage in the heart of downtown at La Villita. 

April 30 (Wed) – Schenck Elementary Fiesta Parade
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Schenck Elementary at Foster, 6718 Pecan Valley Drive, 78223  
The Schenck Elementary annual Fiesta parade will feature traditional shoebox floats from kindergarten to second grade, with third through fifth graders marching around with their unique Fiesta hat creations.

April 30 (Wed) – SAISD Bond 2020 Community Meeting at Madison Elementary
6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Madison Elementary, 2900 W. Woodlawn Ave., 78228  
The community is invited to this in-person community meeting which will provide an update on Bond 2020 renovation projects at Madison Elementary.

May 1 (Thurs) – Highland Hills Elementary Fiesta Parade 
9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Highland Hills Elementary, 734 Glamis Ave., 78223 
Highlands Hills Elementary invites the Eagles community to their annual Fiesta parade showcasing our student royalty with perfect attendance over the last month! SAISD Chief of Police Johnny Reyes and officers are marching with the students. The Highlands High School drumline, the cheerleaders, and “Hooty” the mascot will get things started with extra energy. Families are welcome to bring lawn chairs to cheer the parade on. It promises to be a fun Fiesta morning!

May 1 (Thurs) – Ogden Elementary 4th annual Neighborhood Fiesta Parade 
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Ogden Elementary, 2215 Leal St., 78207
This is the fourth year for Ogden Elementary to take their traditional Fiesta parade to the streets for families to enjoy.  And it’s getting bigger every year. Students march around the campus while people cheer them. The Ogden community making memories with the joyous children and their colorful Fiesta shoebox float designs.

May 2 (Fri) – SAISD at the Battle of Flowers Parade
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Downtown San Antonio
All seven SAISD comprehensive high schools will have their marching bands, cheer and dance teams participate in the annual Battle of Flowers parade. Also, SAISD Mariachis from elementary, middle and high schools will be marching as a large collective unit, leading the parade crowds in energetic singalongs.

May 3 (Sat) – SAISD at the King William Parade
9 a.m. to Noon, King William Neighborhood
SAISD is proud to bring multiple school groups to the always colorful King William Parade. The Brackenridge High School marching band leads the way for the district. Harris Middle School will bring its band, students and staff to march on the parade route. Bonham Academy will also be proudly representing their campus, as will the Young Men’s Leadership Academy marching band. 

May 3 (Sat) – SAISD at the Fiesta Flambeau Parade
7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Downtown San Antonio
SAISD is proud to help Fiesta San Antonio close out the fun by bringing back the students and marching bands of our comprehensive high schools for the Fiesta Flambeau Parade. SAISD JROTC and LOTC students lead the start with the opening sign. Hawthorne Academy students and staff will be riding in a float the campus created. The SAISD Familia that perform in this illuminated parade shine bright on the streets of downtown San Antonio. You can feel the pride from the thousands in attendance, many of whom are SAISD alumni.