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More than 1,000 women and girls from Edgewood ISD’s three middle schools and two high schools will come together for a day of inspirational messages about health, life, and futures.

Edgewood ISD is planning its second annual DAMAS (Daughters and Mothers Achieving Success) conference on Saturday, February 22, at the Edgewood Fine Arts Academy, 607 S.W. 34th Street.

Th e school district reached out to community leaders who will bring strong messages to women and girls in the Edgewood community.

Th e conference’s goal is

for girls in middle school and high school and their mothers – or grandmothers, aunts, godmothers, or signifi cant woman in their life – to the attend the event, which will have several breakout sessions with female leaders in public service, education, government, media, the medical fi eld, the arts, engineering, and other areas.

Registration will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Th e opening keynote begins at 9 a.m., with conference sessions starting at 9:45 a.m.

More information is available on the Edgewood ISD web site – www.eisd.net.

The

DAMAS conference

set for February 22

Superintendent Dr. José A. Cervantes and Loma Park ES Principal Gloria Martinez stand with Maria Contreras, Edgewood ISD’s Teacher of the Year.

Edgewood ISD is proud to congratulate Maria Contreras, Loma Park ES 4th grade bilingual teacher, as the District’s Teacher of the Year.

Contreras has worked in Edgewood ISD since 1994. She serves on the Bilingual Advisory Committee, Math/Science Textbook Committee, and District Writing Committee.

Nominations of the campus teachers of the year were reviewed by members of the District Educational Improvement Council (DEIC), who selected Contreras as the District Teacher of the Year.

Contreras has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s University. She is a founding board member of the Andy Mireles Charitable Foundation, where she has served since 2006.

She is originally from Eagle Pass.

Loma Park teacher namedEISD’s educator of the year

Students and mothers have fun in a cooking class at the fi rst DAMAS conference. Similar sessions are planned for the 2nd annual event.

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Words from the Superintendent

By Dr. José A. Cervantes

G r e e t i n g s , Edgewood ISD employees and friends!

Th is school year is certainly moving very quickly. Stay focused as we head into the busy stretch of the spring semester.

February is the month where we exchange cards, fl owers, and special messages with our loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Th at day, and every day for that matter, should remind us to open our hearts to others and to put our best eff ort into everything we do.

Edgewood ISD recently celebrated School Board Recognition Month. We thanked our Board of Trustees - Joseph Guerra, Tina Morales, Johnny Perez, Sonia Elizondo, Mary Lou Mendoza, John Morales, and Velma Peña - for the crucial role they have in our community and schools. Th e Board members are extraordinary people who voluntarily tackle the enormous job of governing our school district.

Th is year’s theme was “Hearts

& Hands for Kids.” What an appropriate theme, as our School Board has the District’s best interests at heart.

Th e School Board Recognition Month festivities included a video in which seven campuses thanked the

Board members for their service. Th e schools performed cheers and dances, and brought messages to a specifi c Board member.

Th e seven schools in the video were Gardendale, Henry B. Gonzalez, Loma Park, and Winston elementary schools; Wrenn MS; and Kennedy and Memorial high schools. Th e Board members truly enjoyed the tribute in their honor.

Th ank you to Yvonne Peña, Public Relations Writer, for shooting the video segments, and Marvin Jimenez, Instructional Technology Facilitator at Las Palmas ES, for editing the video.

Th e special treat of School Board Recognition Month was a skit produced by the Edgewood

Fine Arts Academy and performed by students from Staff ord ECC, Las Palmas ES, Brentwood MS, and Fine Arts Academy. Th e skit, titled, “Andy Goes to Edgewood,” showcased the many enhancements and improvements the School Board approved in the last year.

Similar to the “Toy Story” movies, students played the parts of Board-approved items that come to life, including free backpacks and school supplies, the new activity buses, security cameras, iPads, police cars, new cosmetology facility, baseball fi eld improvements, elementary chess club, strings program, and so much more.

Fine Arts Academy and Kennedy HS senior Katherine Prado wrote the script. Claudia Casso, Th eatre Arts Director at the Academy, held auditions and directed the students. Th ank you, cast and crew!

It is gratifying to see our Board, staff , and students putting their heart into all that we do. From the bottom of my heart, I say, “Th ank you, Team Edgewood!”

Th e Biggest Loser contest is off and running.

Th e contest kicked off with the Health and Wellness Fair on January 17. Th is year’s theme is “Buddy Up for Your Health!” since the contest is comprised of two-person teams - male, female, and co-ed.

Th ere will be a prize for the individual with the greatest overall weight loss.

Participants will weigh in at their same location throughout the contest. Th e end of Stage 1 weigh-in is February 17-21. Th e contest ends April 17. Edgewood ISD employees visit one of the vendors at the Health

and Wellness Fair on January 17.

Health Fair helps kick off

Biggest Loser competition

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Th e “Superintendent’s Student of the Month” recognition program started this school year to honor students who show exceptional character and leadership in academics, attendance, behavior, and citizenship.

One female and one male student per grade level at each campus will be selected for the monthly recognition, which is a bumper sticker as shown on the right.

Students are selected by teachers.

Th e students selected for this recognition program in January are:

Burleson ECC - Brandon Moreno, Melanie Rodriguez, Mercedez Laredo, Miguel Berrones, Valeria Lugo, Giselle Torres, Erik Martinez, Pedro Garza

Cardenas ECC - Hilda Rios, Samuel Garcia, Dylan Saenz, Lily Martin

Staff ord ECC - Dartanyon Brown, Alexis Escudero, Dayana Iruegas, Diego Escatel, Jon Saucedo, Raelani Hernandez, Isabella Castellanos, Alex Rodriguez

Cisneros ES - Th iago DeLeon, Joli Valle, Dalila Ibarra, Brandon Galvan, Miguel Salas, Bailey Hernandez, Ismeralda Mendez, Abel Villa, Sophia Aguilar, Gabriel Mata, Gino Rios, Diamond Cortinas

Gardendale ES - David Ortiz, Prisas Maldonado, Angel Marchan, Marissa Santillan, Robert Tenerias, Starleen Rodriguez, Joshua Castillo, Everlee Rodriguez, Marissa Constancio, James Hewitty, Ricardo Cardova, Alyssa Leos

Gonzalez ES - Kenneth Vela, Amestie Cano, Justin Aguilar,

Bela Moncivais, Nathaniel Hansel, Amily Rodriguez, Carlos Moya, Sirena Gomez, Mark Brainard, Madeline Badillo, Draven Guillen, Isabella Huizar

Johnson ES - Marco Ramos, Leah Rodriguez, Christian Sanchez, Karina Leija, Carolina Valdez, Noah Gonzales, Robert DeLeon, Katye Valdez, Avigail Sifuentes, Joe Carmona, Katherine Espinoza, Kaleb Carrillo

Las Palmas ES - Carlos Arenas, Naveah Gonzales, Emanuel Gutierrez, Esmeralda Uribe, Xavier Juarez, Ferrah Hernandez, Félix Rodriguez, Stefania Lozano, Giovanni Galindo, Madison Cruz, Joshua Amador, Malyssa Cortez

Loma Park ES - Victoria Morales, Fabian Hernandez, Sebastian Valdez, Natalia Lozano, Jacqueline Rodriguez, Junior Hernandez, John Sabedra, Jenissa Revillas, Genesis Gonzalez, Raul Garcia, Lidamarie Mayoral, Saul Jiron, Amerous Jimenez, Samuel Balderas

Perales ES - Jayden Huerta, Destiny Palm, Nathan Casarez, Diamond Barrera, Harley Bravo, Bianca Treviño, Alex Fabela, Alessandra Gonzalez, Malekai Delgado, Juanita Renteria, Edward Castro, Mia-Jai Barron

Roosevelt ES - Cristian Saldaña, Natalie Sanchez, Josiah Hernandez, Stacy Neira, Manuel Magee, Abbi Gil, Angelina Farris, Vincent Delgado, Jacob Ruiz,

Janessa Garcia, Matthew Garcia, Haleigh Muñiz

Staff ord ES - Daniel Martinez, Jennifer Lopez, Andrew Diaz, Maeleen Rocha, Geronimo Rios, Penelope Medellin, Tobias Suarez, Lezbeth Abrego, Alexander Morales, Kennedee Lampkin, Aden Casarez, Jenasis Garcia

Winston ES - Roberto Rosales, Evangelina Gonzales, Natalie Alvarado, Ryan DeLeon, Esthefany Lugo, Jeremy Ytuarte, Nicole Elizondo, Isaiah Sifuentes, Rebeckah Hernandez, Jacob Rodriguez, April Pryor, Matthew Oviedo

Brentwood MS - Alejandro Alex III, Alathea Tijerina, Karime Cisneros, Matthew Donias, Melissa Flores, Rogelio Mireles

Gus Garcia MS - Emerald Garcia, Dominic Rojas, Fernando Vasquez, Vanessa Vela, Crystal Jalomo, Jacob Tijerina

Wrenn MS - Osvaldo Moreno, Fatima Hernandez, Adiel Mozqueda, Yamilet Isidoro, Rene Gutierrez, Amy Aleman

Kennedy HS - Crystal Peralta, Victor Villegas, Gayle Talamantez, Marco Vasquez, Leeann Ortiz, Michael Macias, Maria Ortiz, Mario Ramirez

Memorial HS - Areli Amador, Joe Contreras, Anthony Donel, Vanessa Mares, Eva Valdez, Tristan Russo, Daniel Ibarra, Esmeralda Marines

Superintendent’s ‘Student of the Month’ recognition continues

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District adds Edgewood ALERT to its safety measuresEdgewood ISD is

one of the safest and most secure school districts in Bexar County and in Texas with the numerous improvements and renovations to its schools, facilities and buses in the last two years.

Now, the District has added Edgewood ALERT, a new online reporting application that allows the community to report threats or

unlawful behavior in just a few clicks. Edgewood ALERT allows students, employees, and

community members to report drug and alcohol, fi ghting, personal crisis, safety risks, threats,

vandalism, bullying, and weapons in a matter of moments.

Th e new app became available February 12 in conjunction with the “Take A Stand” meeting where parents and students will learn about the new anti-bullying curriculum that is being implemented in K-12 at all Edgewood ISD schools.

Edgewood ISD is developing and implementing a parental engagement model designed to help families fi nd their voice and to engage all families in meaningful ways that will enhance the academic success of their children.

Th e District will hold its fi rst Edgewood World-Class Neighborhood Meeting in the

Esparza Family home at 2715 Lombrano St. Th e meeting is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Th ursday, February 20. Th e feature schools are Loma Park and Roosevelt elementary schools, Gus Garcia MS, and Memorial HS.

Buses will be available at the feature schools to transport families to the meeting site.

Refreshments will be served.

Future neighborhood meetings around the District are scheduled in March, April, and May.

Th e Kennedy HS JROTC competed in one of the most physically challenging events - the U.S. Open JROTC Raider Challenge, which consisted of a 5k run, obstacle course and confi dence course, building a bridge using only a rope that all team members had to cross, and each team had to negotiate a ¼-mile fi rst aid course with 100 pounds on the fi rst aid litter and each member carrying a 35-pound military style backpack. More than 50 schools from Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas attended the event at Camp Bullis. Th e Kennedy girls’ team earned 3rd place, which is a major accomplishment for a new team competing at this level. Th e Kennedy JROTC thanks the parents, restaurants, St. Mary’s University ROTC, and Edgewood ISD for their support.

Kennedy JROTCup for the Challenge

EISD inviting community to its first Edgewood World-Class Neighborhood Meeting

JFK cheer squad competes at nationals

Th e Kennedy HS co-ed cheer squad went to the National Cheerleading Association High School Nationals in Dallas and competed against 21 other teams. Kennedy earned 11th place. Th e squad also competed at the American Cheer Power Southern Classic Nationals in the Alamodome.

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February - African-American History Month

February - Career and Technical Education Month

17th - Two-Way Dual Language Program parent information meeting, Winston ES, 9 a.m.

17th - Presidents Day

17th to 21st - End of Stage 1 of Biggest Loser contest; weigh-ins to take place February 17 - 21

18th - Two-Way Dual Language Program parent information meeting, Las Palmas ES, 9 a.m.

18th - Board of Trustees meeting, 6:30 p.m., Guerra Development Center, 1930 Herbert

17th - Two-Way Dual Language Program parent information meeting, Loma Park ES, 9 a.m.

20th - Student Support Team meeting, 9 a.m., Guerra Development Center, 1930 Herbert

21st - Flexible Day

Calendar of Events

February 2014

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Joseph M. Guerra, PresidentTina Morales, Vice PresidentJohnny R. Perez, Secretary

Sonia Elizondo, TrusteeMary Lou Mendoza, Trustee

John A. Morales, TrusteeVelma Peña, Trustee

SUPERINTENDENT

Dr. José A. Cervantes

The Edgewood Word is produced by the

Office of Communications & Public Relations:

Rolando E. Martinez, Public Relations OfficerYvonne M. Peña, Writer

Jason Gatell, District WebmasterMarivel Insall, Secretary

Edgewood Independent School District

5358 W. Commerce St. San Antonio, Texas 78237

Phone: 210-444-7955 Fax: 210-444-7962

www.eisd.net

Edgewood ISD provides a solid foundation with a World-Class Education.

Anabel Toribio-Martinez, Visual Art Teacher at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy, had a three-month-long solo exhibition at the Southwest School of Art in San Antonio. Th e series, Interludes, explored the quiet moments of distraction that emerge in domestic spheres. Although her fi gures are never alone in the frame, they present themselves as apart, often lost in thought or engaged in technology. Th e image on the right is called ‘Uncouple,’ an oil on panel. Toribio-Martinez received her Master of Fine Arts from UTSA.

Academy art teacher holds solo exhibition

B a d w e a t h e r m a k e - u p d a y :B a d w e a t h e r m a k e - u p d a y :

F r i d a y , A p r i l 1 8F r i d a y , A p r i l 1 8