Dear SAISD Staff:

We have made it to the last week of school. This is a time for celebration on many levels. What we have gone through as a district, a community, and a nation is unprecedented. Yet we pulled together as one team of staff, students and families – and we conquered this school year. Not only have you persevered, but you have done amazing things amidst the most difficult circumstances. I admire you, and I appreciate you.

As we wrap up this school year and look toward summer break, it becomes the time for restorative mental health and well-being. You have been strong for so long, and now it is time to rest. I hope you will put your feet up and relax this summer. You deserve it! Taking the time for a breather will make us even stronger when we come back for our students, whether in July for Summer Jumpstart or in August for back to school.

This District is here for you. We commit to providing you the resources you need and to continue listening – really listening – to you, our families and our students. This year we have gathered input from you on safety procedures, student assessment and testing, the percent of students returning in person, and how to spend federal COVID-relief dollars. We will continue our conversation on these topics and more. 

Most recently, we gathered the thoughts and insight from among our SAISD community members on the distribution of monies allocated through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, and we will present your responses to Trustees at our June 21 Board meeting. Allocations will be forthcoming over the next four years, and we will be persistent in seeking your feedback throughout this time, and in multiple ways, because these funds are critical to getting our teachers and students back on track after this pandemic.

In legislative news, the 87th State Legislative Session came to a close at the end of last month. Overall, it was a good session for public education and SAISD. The commitments made in House Bill 3 last session were fully funded, and we were able to work together with our delegation toward better public education policies. Among the bills passed were Representative Diego Bernal’s initiative to provide extra flexibility in the Individual Graduation Committee process for this year’s graduating seniors. Another approved bill will allow our 1882 Partnership elementary schools to receive both 1882 funding as well as Additional Days School Year funding. Finally, a major piece of legislation that passed was a bill outlining accountability ratings and due process around sanctions. Our team will be keeping a close eye on upcoming special sessions that could happen as early as next month to see if funding for virtual learning might gain some traction. 

We’ve had many accomplishments within our District this year, too.

Despite over a year of disruption, our students have made significant achievements. We had more students than ever earn prestigious scholarships that will help them reach their dreams – a record number of Dell Scholars (20) and a record number of QuestBridge Scholars (6). Our students also surpassed the $100 million threshold in scholarships earned.

Our largest-ever bond program – $1.3 billion – was approved by voters in November. Already, architectural firms have been selected, and campus-based Project Advisory Teams came together last month to meet with their school’s firm, our facilities team and District leadership. This summer, we will begin hosting design charrettes during which the architectural firms will seek broader community input into each school design. Look for invitations soon about this information-seeking phase of the bond process – we are excited to tap into the collective imaginations of all of our stakeholders.

Now, during this final week of school, I hope you join me in recognizing and applauding our students’ progress – from promotion to the next grade level to graduation from high school. These milestones were hard fought this year.

I have been enjoying attending our seniors’ commencement ceremonies at Alamo Stadium and Alamo Convocation Center. We celebrated four graduations last week and have 10 more scheduled between now and June 22. I love that each ceremony is unique because of the personality of each high school. These ceremonies make me so proud, and I stand in awe of each of our graduates, especially after the challenges of this past year.

You, too, make me proud. I am grateful for your hard work and dedication in the face of so many unknowns this year. I see each and every one of you as valuable members of our SAISD family. Thank you for your perseverance. Now, as this school year ends, I wish you much rest.

Sincerely,
Pedro