Board of Trustees election brings together new team

NEEF awards $212,000 in teacher grants

Go Public Feature

Volunteer Spotlights

Bond 2011 Update

Business Partner Recognitions

On May 7, San Antonio voters re-elected Sandy Hughey (District 1) and Shannon Grona (District 5) to the North East ISD Board of Trustees. Running unopposed, Jim Wheat and Tony Jaso will fill the seats for Districts 4 and 6 respectively. They join current Trustees Brigitte Perkins (District 7), Sandi Wolff (District 3) and Edd White (District 2). Serving as the Board’s newest officers will be Grona as President, Perkins as Vice President and Hughey as Secretary. Combined, these District leaders have served as Trustees for the NEISD community for more than 60 years. Jaso is new to the Board, is an NEISD parent and has a background in banking and finance. He has been an active member of the PTA, Citizens Bond Advisory Committee and Leadership North East Class of 2015. “I believe in growing young leaders and inspiring our children to become life-long learners,” said Jaso. “I truly feel that North East ISD provides our children with the best opportunity to thrive and realize their full potential.” Exiting Board President Letti Bresnahan leaves behind a legacy of service after serving on the board for eight years. “She has a passion for education, a genuine love for our students and a great presence as a leader,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian G. Gottardy. “Her absence will be felt, but we wish her the best.” For more information on the Board of Trustees, go to the NEISD web site [www.neisd.net] and click the Community link.

North East ISD teachers received a record $212,000 in grants from the North East Educational Foundation (NEEF) at multiple surprise check presentations in May. That number increased $27,000 from last year. Each year, teachers can apply for these grants that fund a variety of projects that are not otherwise included in their school’s budget. Among the surprised teachers were Therese Shields and Sandra Suarez from El Dorado Elementary School. They received a $2,400 grant that will allow them to build a school community garden. “Developing a love for science really begins at those early grade levels,” said Shields. “And having an opportunity to get hands-on and get their hands dirty is incredible. Our kids will be so excited.” “My first thought when I saw the check was that our dreams were coming true,” said Suarez. NEEF is a private, non-profit charitable corporation that raises money to expand educational opportunities for NEISD students. The Foundation funds a wide range of innovative projects, including robotics kits, community gardens, science labs, and literacy and math programs. To learn how you can support the Foundation’s efforts, visit its web site at: http://northeastfoundation.org

The North East ISD Board of Trustees is made up of (top, left to right) Trustee Jim Wheat, Trustee Tony Jaso, Trustee Sandi Wolff and Trustee Edd White, (bottom, left to right) Vice President Brigitte Perkins, President Shannon Grona and Secretary Sandy Hughey.

El Dorado Instructional Coach Therese Shields (far left) and Teacher Sandra Suarez (in yellow) get emotional when they realize their garden project has been funded by the Foundation.

District Snapshot - Engaged couple returns to NEISD

Go Public: A family united in volunteering Meet the Alarcons. Jason and Naomi, and their children Bethany, Alexis and Camille, volunteer regularly in the Stone Oak community. While North East ISD can boast about having the best volunteers in town, it is not often that we see an entire family who are as committed as they are. Jason is a volunteer dad in the Watch D.O.G. program, and Naomi is an active PTA mom. Their children follow their example by volunteering at their schools, Reagan High School and Stone Oak Elementary School, as well as with various community organizations. Their lengthy list of activities also includes volunteering for groups, such as the Animal Defense League and Toys for Tots. “As parents, it is important to be a part of the day-to-day with our kids,” said Jason. “We have found that there are so many opportunities for us to get involved, and we take advantage of those opportunities because it keeps us close as a family and helps us navigate the public school experience for our girls.” Naomi is known as the “professional volunteer” by her husband and children. As the Stone Oak PTA President and as a newly elected North East ISD PTA Council member, there is not a single event at Stone Oak that Naomi doesn’t play a vital role in. “One of the main reasons we chose to move to San Antonio from Albuquerque, New Mexico was because of the North East Independent School District,” said Naomi. “This District is on the top as far as academics are concerned, and it was by far one of the biggest determining factors in our move.”

The couple describes the diversity of NEISD as the perfect learning environment to prepare their daughters for today’s society. “The experiences our girls go through in public school will prepare them to excel at the college level and in the ever-advancing working world,” said Naomi. “The quality teaching and mentoring that our children are receiving in NEISD is allowing them to rise to the top and to be prepared in every way for the real world.” Students all across NEISD are doing amazing things and this is greatly attributed to the support from volunteers, such as the Alarcons.

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Giving back and investing in education is a family affair for Naomi and Jason Alarcon and their daughters.

North East ISD is known for sparking a great number of creative minds, but it has also sparked a few hearts. Recently, two NEISD graduates came back to where it all began by getting their engagement photos taken at Northern Hills Elementary School – the place they met 14 years ago. In 2002, Nikole Pfaff was a student in Linda Wallis’ fifth-grade classroom. Right next door, in Carl Osuga’s fifth-grade classroom was student Cory Duli. Nikole and Cory quickly became good friends and remained close all these years. They started dating five years ago and recently became engaged, so Pfaff reached out to the current Northern Hills Principal Randy Barr to ask permission to take their engagement photos at the place where they met. “Northern Hills Elementary has such a huge significance in our lives, and if not for the school, I would not be marrying the man of my dreams,” said Pfaff. Pfaff, now 25, and Duli, 24, will graduate from college soon and plan on getting married in September 2017.

Former Northern Hills Elementary School students Cory Duli and Nikole Pfaff return to their old school to take their engagement photos. Photo courtesy of photographer Shelly Boykin.

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Hundreds of North East ISD students take part in athletics, where they develop good citizenship traits and an appreciation for sportsmanship. NEISD is excited to announce that starting August 2016 these students will accomplish this on a field with the latest safety technology. As part of the 2015 Bond Program, NEISD is installing Brock PowerBase underneath eight synthetic turf fields to help prevent injuries and keep student athletes safe. This industry leading shock pad and drainage layer has been proven to reduce G-max, the peak force of impact, which may reduce the risk and severity of a concussion. “All of the high school coordinators took a trip in December to look at different types of turfed fields and see if any had padding underneath the surface,” said Karen Funk, NEISD Executive Director of Athletics. “We were particularly interested in the cushioning of different types of turfed surfaces and those with pads. Turfed fields become hard over time, especially with multiple groups practicing and playing on the campus field. We were very interested in a pad that would cushion the body and the head. Brock PowerBase is the top of the line and thickest pad the panel was introduced to and all agreed this was the best for our students and athletes.” NEISD is the first school district in San Antonio to use Brock PowerBase, and the first in Texas to use it district wide. All seven NEISD high school main football fields and Comalander Stadium will have the shock pads installed by the start of next school year. With escalating concerns about concussions, football programs from high school to professional level are using the latest technological innovations to build state-of-the-art synthetic turf fields that mimic not only the footing of natural grass, but also its safety. “Brock PowerBase is made from Code 5 Polypropylene, the same material used in food container products,” said Dan Sawyer, CEO of Brock International. “There is no leeching, odor, chemicals, or heavy metals, and it will never go to a landfill, so NEISD has chosen the safest, most environmental approach to these fields.”

NEISD will use the same safety padding currently used by other successful programs. Currently, it is in a multipurpose, 12,000-seat indoor stadium and two outdoor fields used by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, City of Frisco and Frisco ISD. Brock fields are also used in Harvard Stadium, the University of Oregon Autzen Stadium and on the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals practice fields.

“It’s important to note that the inclusion of shock pads in this bond project, to enhance the safety of our sports fields, was achieved within the budget as approved by our taxpayers,” said Gary Sullivan, Executive Director of Construction for NEISD. “Capitalizing on the inclusion of new systems within our bond projects to help improve student safety at our District facilities is an obligation we take very seriously.” With its 25-year warranty, this sports surface is an investment that will save the District money in the future. NEISD athletes and their families can feel confident next school year knowing that they are playing on a safer sports surface that will increase safety without hindering performance.

NEISD leads the way with innovative new sports fieldsDistrict will utilize same material being used by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys

“It’s important to note that the inclusion of shock pads in this bond project, to enhance the safety of our sports fields, was achieved within the budget as approved by our taxpayers.”

Gary Sullivan, Executive Director of Construction Managment, NEISD

(Top) MacArthur High School takes on Madison High School in a football match up in this stock photo. (Bottom) Future NEISD students will benefit from safer playing fields thanks to a new state-of-the-art shock pad below the turf.

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North East Achievements

Lee senior named Volunteer of the YearReanna Robinson, of Lee High School, was named this year’s North East ISD Student Volunteer of the Year. Reanna exemplifies the District’s model of a 360-degree student. She is an officer of the National Honor Society and a member of the Peer Assistance Leadership and Service (PALS) organization.Reanna has dedicated more than 125 hours to her campus and community through different organizations. She is a volunteer at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital and for the Special Olympics swim program, Kinetic Kids. For the past five years, she has helped with the American Cancer Society and United Airlines Fantasy Flight to the North Pole program. This fall, Reanna will attend Millsaps College, where she will study medicine. Each spring, NEISD high schools nominate a student for the Volunteer of the Year award. The NEISD Volunteer Office reviews each nomination and the top three are selected for personal interviews. The District winner is selected for his or her contributions to the community and leadership skills.

NEISD School Healthy Advisory Council gets state recognitionNorth East ISD’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) has earned the 2016 IT’S TIME TEXAS SHAC Award for its outstanding committment to the District’s health and wellness efforts. School districts all over the state submitted nominations for the award and NEISD received one of the five awards given. NEISD’s SHAC will receive $300 toward their organization’s efforts and will be recognized at the 2016 IT’S TIME TEXAS Summit in August.Every independent school district is required by law to have a SHAC. The majority of SHAC members are parents not employed by the District. The program focuses on nutrition, health and wellness education, physical education, community involvement and more. IT’S TIME TEXAS is an organization focused on improving the landscape of health and wellness in Texas.

Colonial Hills awarded for health and fitness efforts Colonial Hills Elementary School was honored for its wellness program at the annual Fuel Up to Play 60 Award Banquet in May. Colonial Hills Physical Education Coach Terri Pitts and North East ISD Nutrition Education/Wellness Coordinator Katie Bowen accepted the award.Colonial Hills students have been innovative in their wellness efforts, creating a project involving recycling milk cartons for a garden project. They learned about composting from Green Spaces Alliance, as well as learned about tower gardens from a Master Gardener. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a for-youth, with-youth program empowering students to create healthy changes nationwide. It was created by the National Dairy Council and National Football League in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

MacArthur cuts ribbon on new JROTC facilityMacArthur High School JROTC celebrated its new JROTC facility at a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Saturday, May 14. Made possible by the 2011 Bond Program, MacArthur’s JROTC facility includes administrative offices, classrooms, eight-lane rifle range with observation area, arms room, supply room, laundry room, student locker rooms and marching quadrangle.

Colonial Hills Coach Terri Pitts and NEISD Wellness Coordinator Katie Bowen toast with milk after accepting an award for their health and wellness efforts.

Recognized at at Board of Trustees meeting in May, Reanna Robinson of Lee High School (center) is congratulated by Letti Bresnahan, outgoing Board President, and Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, Superintendent of Schools.

Assisting with the ribbon cutting were (left to right) Former Councilman John Clamp, Executive Director of School Administration Bill Boyd, Associate Superintendent of Campus Support and Human Resources Dr. Donna Newman, MacArthur Principal Peter Martinez, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, and MacArthur JROTC Instructor MAJ (R) Lawrence Garcia.

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North East Achievements

Roosevelt claims Superintendent’s Cup and Cadet of the YearNorth East ISD hosted the 2016 JROTC Awards Ceremony and Review on Saturday, May 14, at Blossom Athletic Center.Roosevelt High School’s JROTC earned the Superintendent’s Trophy for its outstanding performance during the 2015-2016 school year. This is the third year in a row for Roosevelt to take home the coveted trophy. Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, Superintendent of Schools, highlighted the many accomplishments the JROTC unit earned this year.The Scottish Rite of the Valley of San Antonio in the Orient of Texas recognized NEISD’s Cadet of the Year, Cadet/Lieutenant Samantha Bakaysa of the Engineering and Technology Academy at Roosevelt High School. She was honored for her outstanding leadership, proven academic record, and demonstrating the highest ideals of Americanism by deed and conduct.Samantha is a four-year JROTC cadet, the Battalion Commander of a 223 Corps of Cadets, a National Merit Scholar and member of the National Honor Society. She is number one in her graduating class of 610 students. She has completed many Advanced Placement classes and maintains a 4.0 grade average. Samantha is the Team Captain of the Precision Air Rifle Team and first District cadet to win the Civilian Marksmanship Programs National Junior Distinguished Marksmanship Badge. She was a member of the 2014-2015 National Qualifying JROTC Academic Team, and is a member of the Technology Student Association. Samantha will attend Harvard University on a full academic scholarship in the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Madison students honored for taking part in history-making guide dog training At a public meeting in May, the North East ISD Board of Trustees recognized the Madison High School Agriscience Magnet Program (AMP) for the development and implementation of an official guide dog training program. This program is the first of this type to ever be attempted by a high school in Texas.

AMP partnered with the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization. Students were selected after a screening process to raise puppies until they reach 16-18 months of age. After their training at Madison, the dogs will head back to California for training with the Guide Dogs for the Blind. They will then be matched with a person who is blind or has low vision.The program started last June with five students and five puppies. Just this past March, a second training class began with nine new students and puppies. The hope is that this program continues to grow in NEISD in the coming years.

AMP student awarded research position in Costa RicaDamaris Herrera, a senior at the Agriscience Magnet Program (AMP), has earned an all-expense-paid, eight-week, hands-on experience performing research in Costa Rica. The prestigious Borlaug-Ruan International Internship provides exceptional high school students the opportunity to work with world-renowned scientists and policy makers at leading research centers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Damaris has been working toward this through a series of competitions, presentations and interviews for the past 18 months.Twenty four interns were selected to travel this summer to Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, and Taiwan to get a firsthand view of food security and nutritional problems in poverty-stricken areas, and take part in ground-breaking field and laboratory-based research.Damaris will develop a research report documenting her personal experiences and the outcomes of her research projects, which will be posted later this year.

Cadet Samantha Bakaysa (center) is joined by her mother, Roosevelt Principal Melvin Echard, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian G. Gottardy and representatives from the San Antonio Scottish Rite as they present her with the Cadet of the Year trophy.

These AMP students are raising NEISD’s second class of puppies from the Guide Dogs for the Blind, who will eventually be paired with clients who are visually impaired.

AMP student Damaris Herrera will have a unique opportunity to learn about food and nutrition issues affecting Costa Rica.

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Sophia Jacobi is a first-grade student at Tuscany Heights Elementary School and, at the age of 6, already knows what she wants to do when she grows up – and she’s starting now. Her goal is to raise awareness and protect endangered animals, in particular rhinos. After overhearing a conversation between her mother and father, Tim and Adriana Jacobi, who were discussing the endangered species in Namibia, Africa, Sophia then 4, surprised her family when she said she wanted to help. “I recently visited Namibia, where I learned a lot about the horrible act of poaching that is driving our rhinos straight to extinction,” said Sophia. This past spring, the Jacobi family teamed up with the Oelofse family,

who are legendary conservationists in Namibia. Both families connected with their love of animals and their efforts for conservation. Sophia knew that her voice had to be heard in order to make a real impact. With the help of her family, Sophia stars on an educational website and YouTube channel detailing the lives of rhinos and the plight they face today. Sophia also had the privilege of caring for two orphaned baby rhinos while in Africa.

“I have learned that underneath their rugged skin and the mud they love to bathe in, rhinos have big hearts and are sensitive and have feelings,” said Sophia. Today, Sophia is an advocate for her beloved rhinos and is committed to educating people about the vital roles they have when it comes to protecting these animals. “I would like for people to understand that poaching is a real problem and if we each do a small part we can accomplish so much,” said Sophia. “There used to be over 500,000 rhinos and today there are only 25,000 left. When I get to be an adult there might not be any left.” Sophia radiates the traits and qualities of a determined and courageous leader and has become a role model for other students at Tuscany Heights and throughout North East ISD. For more information on how you can help, please visit: www.sophiasavesrhinos.com

Sophia is saving the rhinos

Tim and Adriana Jacobi have inspired their young daughter, Sophia, to make a difference in the world.

Sophia Jacobi has worked with rhinos in Africa and is helping to raise awareness of this endangered species.

Tesoro Corporation donates thousands for student robotics

Tesoro Corporation is being called the fairy godmother of robotics for students attending the STEM Academy at Lee High School. A group of about a dozen students make up the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team called Team Rosbots. Tesoro contributed $16,000 to go toward transportation and materials that allowed the team to compete in St. Louis at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship in April. “These donations are vital to our team’s survival,” said team coach Stefano Rosellini. Team Rosbots was able to compete on the international level against 600 teams, representing 39 different nations. “We’ve only been an active team for a couple of years, but we’re already very busy building, preparing and presenting at regional and national competitions,” said Rosellini. This competition exists to encourage students to embrace science, technology, engineering and math as educational and professional career paths. Thanks to Tesoro, Team Rosbot is one step closer to doing just that.

Il Diavolo was the robot that kicked off Robert E. Lee’s presence in FRC in 2015. Il Diavolo was designed and built by Team Rosbots.

If your business would like to join our Partners in Education program, please visit http://www.neisd.net/ts/PIE/

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Wilbur Newman is a volunteer at Coker Elementary School with an outgoing personality and compelling drive to understand the way things work. Newman has a lifetime of experience working with his hands, so it’s no wonder that he has become a staple at Coker ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. Newman started volunteering at Coker when his grandsons were enrolled at the school. At that time, one was in kindergarten and the other was in the third grade. They are now both in college. Volunteering gave Newman the opportunity to watch his grandsons grow up, while also becoming a regular at the campus. “I try to do anything that is asked of me. That may include making copies, laminating, trimming, dye cutting and collating,” said Newman. “I feel that whatever services I perform gives Coker staff and teachers a little more time to be with their students and family after school instead of standing at a copy machine or laminator.” Newman loves what he does and doesn’t do it for any type of recognition. “I don’t think of myself as a role model, just someone doing something that he enjoys,” said Newman. “I enjoy the feeling like I am helping someone else.”

Retired teacher Eunice Gernander has been volunteering for more than three years at Olmos Elementary School. Gernander relishes the fact that she is getting to “purely teach” without the responsibilities of grading, creating lesson plans, or attending parent teacher conferences and faculty meetings. Four days a week, she works with a small group of students on math concepts. The one-on-one attention she provides gives students the opportunity to ask questions and work through problems that they might feel timid asking in a larger classroom setting. While at Olmos, Gernander has worked with the same teachers which lets her to build relationships and gain trust and confidence with their students. The “one-on-one” interaction she has with her students fills her with satisfaction and joy. Another plus of working at Olmos is that her daughter is a Math Coach there, so they get to stay close. “I’ve always known the value of teaching, not just having a job,” said Gernander. “I gain so from doing this. I just wish more retired teachers would volunteer. If you have the time and desire, let the motivation be teaching.”

Wilbur Newman is a long-time volunteer at Coker Elementary School.

Retired teacher Eunice Gernander loves helping students develop an appreciation of math.

Senior volunteers give back to our schools

“I feel that whatever services I perform gives Coker staff and teachers a little more time to be with their students and family after school...”Wilbur Newman, Long-time Volunteer at Coker Elementary School

“I gain so from doing this. I just wish more retired teachers would volunteer. If you have the time and desire, let the motivation be teaching.”Eunice Gernander, Long-time Volunteer at Olmos Elementary School

Brian G. Gottardy, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schools

Ron ClaryAssociate Superintendent for Operations

Pauline Dow, Ed.D.Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Technology Services/CIO

Donna Newman, Ed.D.Associate Superintendent for

Campus Administration and Human ResourcesDan Villarreal, CPA

Associate Superintendent for Business Services/CFOAubrey Chancellor

Executive Director of Communications

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSan Antonio, TXPermit No. 399

North East Independent School District8961 Tesoro DriveSan Antonio, Texas 78217www.neisd.net

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North East ISD Board

of Trustees

Brigitte PerkinsDistrict 7

Vice President

James WheatDistrict 4Trustee

Sandy HugheyDistrict 1Secretary

Shannon GronaDistrict 5President

Sandi WolffDistrict 3Trustee

Edd WhiteDistrict 2Trustee

Tony JasoDistrict 6Trustee

Volunteer SpotlightJulie Delpho

“I can’t not volunteer. It’s somewhat of a compulsion. Before I know what I’m doing, my body is already jumping in and helping.”

Julie Delpho has been a parent volunteer for the past 10 years.She has been a PTA member at Clear Spring Elementary School, Krueger Middle School and Roosevelt High School. She has chaired multiple committees and assisted with teacher appreciation, volunteer and Christmas projects. She was also the Roosevelt PTSA President from 2014-2016.Julie and her husband Jon have a son Spencer who is a senior at the Engineering and Technology Academy at Roosevelt.

NOTICEThe North East Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender,

national origin, age or disability.

NOTICIAEl Distrito Escolar Independiente

del Noreste no discrimina por raza, color, religión, género, origen nacional,

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Executive Staff