Dear SAISD Staff:

It is important to celebrate each other’s successes, especially in times like this where highlights can quickly be overshadowed by the stresses of a pandemic. I want to take a moment to share some recent good news we’ve learned and experienced.

Last week, almost 500 of our employees were able to receive the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccinations as a result of our partnership with local health agencies – this first distribution was made available by University Health. We also are expecting additional opportunities through our collaboration with South Texas Allergy & Asthma Medical Professionals (STAAMP Allergy). 

I am so grateful this process is underway. Please be on the lookout for future notifications and opportunities to register for appointments. Following federal guidelines, we must prioritize those who are at least 65 years of age or are in high-risk health groups, which is why these questions were part of the survey we sent out earlier this month.

I look forward to the day when all individuals in our District who want and need the vaccine have received both doses. I trust that it will happen sometime this year.

Also last week, we held a press conference to announce three new Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) programs at Edison, Highlands and Lanier high schools. Beginning in the fall, we will have five of these industry-focused options in the District, following the programs at Sam Houston and Fox Tech high schools. Each are focused on in-demand, high-wage industries, preparing our students for college and career success. Not only were we the first in Bexar County to launch this type of innovative program, we now have the greatest number of them! 

SAISD also hosts the largest number of International Baccalaureate (IB) and IB-candidate schools throughout Bexar County – totaling nine campuses. This month we are celebrating Huppertz Elementary School, which just earned its authorization as an IB World School. This marks the seventh one within our family of IB World Schools, and we anticipate our final two IB-candidate campuses – Fenwick Academy and Woodlawn Hills Elementary School – to be joining the ranks soon, too. 

Options are important to our parents and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive, all-embracing family of schools for all families. We are dedicated to providing a high-quality education and experience – from culturally rich neighborhood schools to campuses built around specific models, such as Montessori, single-gender, dual language, and more. If you haven’t already tuned into our virtual Experience SAISD event to see all the schools, resources, services, and initiatives that we currently offer, please do so! 

In addition to strong academics, part of our students’ experience is their participation in a vast array of opportunities in the areas of fine arts, athletics, and JROTC/LOTC.

On this note, I am excited to share with you that the Burbank High School Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Hector Trevino, has been invited to perform for the 2021 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Clinic/Convention, the largest music educators convention in the nation. Hundreds of ensembles applied for this distinction, and Burbank was one of only three selected – and the only one from the San Antonio and South Texas area. 

The event, which is being held virtually this year, takes place in three weeks on Feb. 11-13. Earlier this month, Burbank pre-recorded a half-hour concert for TMEA at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. 

Next month, we’ll be celebrating National School Counseling Week during the first week of February and, for all of February, Black History Month and Career and Technical Education Month. 

Let the recognitions and celebrations continue!

Sincerely,
Pedro