Subject Expert: Día de los Muertos: Bringing culture to life 
   
Expert: Elizabeth Morales, family and community engagement specialist, Burbank High School 
 
On Monday, Nov. 1, beginning at 5 p.m., Burbank High School students will start creating individual Día de los Muertos altars for judging. Elizabeth Morales, family and community engagement specialist, is available to speak about how the school’s Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebration is the launch of Burbank’s year-long cultural initiative to pay tribute to different cultures each month. Through practicing traditions, students are learning about diversity and building stronger communication in their communities. These lessons give the students a better understanding of who they are as individuals. 
 
Subject Voice: Students pay tribute to grandparents 
 
Burbank High School students: Jasmine Soto, 9th grade; Angelina Ochoa, 12 grade; Zoey Estrada, 9th grade 
 
Students will build their altars to honor their grandparents, using four main themes this year: wind – represented by a moving object; earth – represented by crop; water – represented with a container in order for the soul to quench its thirst after the long journey to reach the altar; and fire – represented by a wax candle. Burbank High School students are available to speak to the concepts behind their individual altars.  
 
These items coincide with the calendar item, Día de los Muertos altars display and judging, taking place at Burbank High School starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 1. Contact: Ryan Loyd, 210-554-2263 to coordinate interviews and stories. 

 

Calendar items:

 

Oct. 30 (Sat) - Oktobinfest, A San Antonio Celebration!
Event is from 2-7 p.m., with SAISD student performances from 2-3 p.m., Will Naylor Smith Plaza and Logia Stage at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, 78205
Bonham Elementary Folklorico and Conjunto students will take part in this free educational event exploring the relationship between German and Mexican music. Bonham Ballet Folklorico will perform at 2 p.m. on the Will Naylor Smith Plaza. Bonham's Conjunto students will perform at 2:30 p.m. on the Logia Stage. Both locations are in the outdoor area just outside of the main building between the Tobin Center, Tobin administration building and the San Antonio River Walk.

 

Oct. 31 (Sun) – SAISD Police Department Trunk or Treat and Community Event 
6-8 p.m., Sarah King Elementary, 1001 Ceralvo St., 78207 
The SAISD Police Department is hosting a free community event for neighborhood trick or treaters in the Sarah King Elementary School area. The event will be held in the school’s parking lot, and all are invited to enjoy a safe and happy Halloween experience.  
 
Nov. 1-4 (Mon-Thu) – School improvement input sought 
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9Ic8urTo94tg2ahdgX1vPWcLM7Ix2kcjdHwnoLyShRQbzgg/viewform  
Campus families and surrounding community members are invited to give input into school improvement projects as part of the SAISD Bond 2020 program. Meetings begin with a general session and then dive into more in-depth conversations about specific campuses. 
• Nov. 1 (Mon), 6-8 p.m., Highlands High School, 3118 Elgin Ave., 78210 – Highlands High School, Highland Hills Elementary, Kate Schenck Elementary, Steele Montessori Academy 
• Nov. 2 (Tue) – 6-8 p.m., Tafolla Middle School, 1303 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd., 78207 – Tafolla Middle School, J.T. Brackenridge Elementary, Irving Dual Language Academy 
• Nov. 3 (Wed), 6-8 p.m., Fox Tech High School, 637 N. Main Ave., 78205 – Fox Tech High School, CAST Tech High School 

Nov. 1 (Mon) – SAISD JROTC to celebrate America’s Military in opening ceremony  
11 a.m., Alamo Plaza, 78205 
The Brackenridge High School JROTC Color Guard will perform a presentation of colors during the 51st annual Celebrate America’s Military opening ceremony in Alamo Plaza. The event is the largest and longest running series honoring our military service members, veterans and their families in the United States. Speakers include San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, former Congressman Will Hurd, and United States North Commanding General Lieutenant General John R. Evans, Jr.  

Nov. 1 (Mon) – Día de los Muertos altars display and judging 
5-6 p.m., Burbank High School, 1002 Edwards, 78204 
At least 30 students will participate in the Día de los Muertos display to celebrate the cultural tradition of honoring deceased loved ones. Students will build individual altars, which will then be judged on creativity, meaning, and final display. Students will set up their altars at 5 p.m. and judging will begin at 5:30. This will be the start of a year-long cultural celebration observed throughout this school year, paying tribute to different cultures each month. Burbank’s Mariachi students, along with the new Folklorico Club, will perform. Pan de Muerto and Mexican hot chocolate, made by students, will be available. 

Nov. 3 (Wed) – Facilities Services grand job fair 
1-4 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212 
Registration/RSVP: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsS-i1EJBuxoSSGEvTyHzYgehNVSmVlCSAd1-ciZySsFoQUw/viewform 
SAISD is hosting a Facilities Services Grand Job Fair for custodians, construction helpers, painters, carpenters, journeyman electricians, journeyman plumbers and journeyman HVAC. Interviews will be conducted onsite. Participants are asked to register in advance.  

Nov. 4 (Thu) – Jefferson High School JROTC service learning project
9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fenwick Academy, 1930 Waverly Ave., 78228 
The Corps of Cadets of Thomas Jefferson High School JROTC will be conducting its annual service learning at Fenwick Academy. The Cadets will provide students in grades 1-5 lessons from the Junior Achievement Program, which empowers young people to take ownership of their personal economic success. Jefferson Cadets will teach Fenwick students age-appropriate lessons in financial literacy and lifelong skills in financial management. 

Nov. 5 (Fri) – Woodlawn Academy Fall Fest
3:30-6:30 p.m., Woodlawn Academy, 1717 W. Magnolia Ave., 78201
Woodlawn Academy is inviting community members to its Fall Festival. Tickets will be sold for $1 each starting Nov. 1. Community members can then redeem tickets for food and games on the night of the Fall Festival with prizes and giveaways available.  

Nov. 6 (Sat) – 15th Annual Rockit into the Future Science Festival 
9 a.m.-2 p.m., CAST Med High School, 2601 Louis Bauer Dr., 78235 
CAST Med High School will host the Girls, Inc. Rockit into the Future Science Festival, a day of hands-on, minds-on fun that celebrates science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Girls will have the chance to explore STEM through dozens of activities, experiments and demonstrations. The day’s activities are designed and executed through the city’s STEM community that includes universities, corporate partners and research centers.