MATADOR A JOINT PRODUCT OF THE SEGUIN

ISD AND THE SEGUIN

GAZETTE PRIDE

A JOINT PRODUCT OF THE SEGUIN ISD AND THE SEGUIN GAZETTE • MAY 2016 • VOL 4: ISSUE 7

2 - May 2016 · MaTaDOR PRIDE

ON THE COVER: Fifth grade reading students at Jefferson Elementary showcased their literary knowledge and skills at the annual Academic Night. Jefferson families representing all grade levels walked the hallways for skills demonstrations as the fifth graders became the educators, explaining and guiding others through various learning activities.

Parents and guardians can monitor their student’s progress through a click of a mouse by

using the Parent Self Serve Portal at  http://buff.ly/1EZi9l4.

To sign up, watch this MaTTECHTV tutorial (http://buff.ly/1EVHOLy) that will guide you step by step through the registration process.

Questions about using Parent Self Serve Portal may be directed to the SISD Technology

Department at (830) 401-8642.

KEEP UP WITH GRADES

Since our last issue of the Matador Pride community newsletter, our schools, students and staff have expe-rience several highlights that I would like to share with our Seguin ISD com-munity.

Seguin ISD is the proud recipient of a GVEC Power Up Grant for $6,120 that will provide Dremel Idea Builder 3D printers for all seven elementary campuses. The dis-

trict will contribute training to campus technologists, librarians, and other staff, plus printer supplies and necessary soft-ware or iPad apps. I would like to thank our Technology Department for sub-mitting the paperwork for the grant as well as GVEC for their generosity. This is an example of local business stepping forward and positively supporting our schools.

The State Destination Imagination tournament was held near Dallas ear-lier this month. We had six DI teams from Seguin ISD compete and I am proud to report that two of these teams have advanced to Global competi-tion in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 25-28. Congratulations to our teams from Briesemeister Middle School and Seguin High School for earning a spot to compete at the highest level. I would also like to thank the parents, sponsors and community for supporting these students. Please check out the photos of our DI teams on the back page.

Last week I had the pleasure to attend the annual Teacher of the Year dinner and award ceremony hosted by the Guadalupe Masonic Lodge. I can report that the pork chops were excel-lent and it was great to see our 13 cam-pus Teachers of the Year recognized by

the Masons and all of the family mem-bers who were in attendance. We great-ly appreciate the Masons at Guadalupe Masonic Lodge for their hospitality and generosity at this annual event.

In March our students and teachers began the first round of spring semester STAAR Testing. As you may recall dur-ing our last board meeting, I said that I am confident that our teachers have gone above and beyond to prepare our students for these exams and as a result our students will do a great job on this round of testing. On Thursday, we were the first district in the area to publicly release our results which showed that Seguin ISD has reversed the student performance trajectory from negative to positive. We received many positive comments from the community for our success.

Here is some of the good news:• Looking at fifth and eighth grade

Reading and Math scores, academic improvement is evident in 18 of 22 areas districtwide.

• All eighth grade reading scores are above 70 percent.

• Seventy more students passed the fifth and eighth grade Reading and Math STAAR compared to last year despite an increase in rigor on the exam.

• Reading scores increased in our African American cohort, from 54 per-cent after the second test administra-tion in 2015 to 71 percent after the first test administration last month.

• Based upon San Antonio area dis-tricts, Seguin ISD’s fifth grade students out-performed their peers in 9 of 16 districts that were published in the Express-News.

• McQueeney increased 21 percent-age points in Reading and 22 percent-age points in Math.

• Jefferson increased 17 percentage points in Reading and 18 percentage

points in Math.I would like to thank our teachers,

campus administrators, our families, our students and our school board for coming together to create this wave of success at our schools. Our teachers have done a tremendous job in teaching and motivating our students, helping them realize that they can succeed and achieve at the same level or better than districts in the greater San Antonio area.

A couple of days before we shared our scores with the community, I read the following on Facebook and in the newspaper: “Seguin ISD is failing to educate large numbers of children, and is not preparing our young people to achieve their potential.”

I took this statement as an insult to everyone I just mentioned who has col-laborated to make a positive impact on the academic success of our students. Statements like these serve to further cast a shadow over the image of our community’s schools. Statements like these keep businesses and development from choosing Seguin. Statements like these make it difficult for realtors to sell homes in Seguin.

Statements like these need to be a thing of the past.

We have taken the first step toward increasing academic performance in Seguin ISD.

However, in order for us to achieve our full potential, I invite everyone to join us in supporting our students and schools. Our students deserve our sup-port.

Go Mats!

Super Words

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MaTaDOR PRIDE · May 2016 - 3

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family camping trip at garner state parkMore than 80 campers from 20 Seguin ISD families took part in a free camping opportunity at Garner State Park on april 8-10. The outing was made possible thanks to a grant from the Texas Outdoor

Family program through the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Seguin ISD’s Pete Silvius, coordinator of P.E. and outdoor education, facilitated the camping workshop that included many first-time campers.

WOmens treBle cHOir eXcels at UilThe Seguin High School varsity Womens Treble Choir were rated 1-1-1 (Superior) in Concert and 1-2-2 (Excellent) in Sight Reading at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading contest on april 15. The young ladies are under the direction of Director Leonardo Garcia.

4 - May 2016 · MaTaDOR PRIDE

Seguin High School students Maya Clark, Stephen Garza and Callen Wessels earned honorable mention for their projects in the Texas State Science Fair in San antonio on april 2. “Our students did a wonderful job in the Science Fair competition where they represented Seguin High School. Maya’s

project was in the zoology division, while Stephen’s was in earth and environmental sciences and Callen’s project was in behavioral and social sciences. I am so proud of their accomplishments,” said Vicki Rosenwald, Seguin High School science teacher and science fair coordinator.

Maya Clark Stephen Garza Callen Wessels

state science fair Winners

Uil sUccessSeveral Seguin High School and MBLC

students recently competed in the 27-5a UIL academic Spring District meet with five advancing to Regional competition.

Students who placed in the event included (back, l-r) Israel Valdez, second place in

Computer Science and Regional qualifier, Ronnie Clark, fifth place in Ready Writing,

Quintin Poyner, sixth place in Social Studies and Jacob Rheil, fourth place in Computer

Science and Regional qualifier. Front (l-r) Ruben Hernandez, fourth place, Headline

Writing and Regional alternate, Brooke Sjoberg, first place in Feature Writing and

Regional qualifier, Samara Hernandez, second place in Poetry Interpretation and

Regional qualifier and Maritza Villegas, sixth place in Prose Interpretation.

MaTaDOR PRIDE · May 2016 - 5

miDDle scHOOl mariacHi traVels tO festiValOn april 16, Seguin ISD’s Middle School Mariachi program participated in the El Cotton Picker Mariachi Festival in Robstown. The all District musicians received a Division 2 score and second place in the Composite group category. Five students performed as soloists, with (l-r) Sirena Vela of Barnes Middle School taking second place in the Middle School division. Gabriella Beltran, Briesemeister Middle School, placed third in the Middle School division. Rodriguez Elementary student Camila Beltran finished second in the Elementary division. all three competitors earned Division 1 ratings for their performances. The community is invited to see these students perform at Rodriguez Elementary on May 25.

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6 - May 2016 · MaTaDOR PRIDE

Madison SotoThird Grade

Anahi SaucedoFourth Grade

Julian ArceFifth Gradekoennecke elementary school

Murilo Dias Kindergarten

Lilly ReeseFirst Grade

Montgomery BlevinsSecond Grade

Gideon LunaThird Grade

Dustin HenzeFourth Grade

Estella GalvanFifth Grade

Syriah PerezKindergarten

Tyrone UsseryFirst Grade

Analynda LealSecond Grade

patlan elementary school

Jesus MorenoKindergarten

Rianna RodriguezFirst Grade

Alma SelmaniSecond Grade

Zariah SaldivarThird Grade

Omar RicoFourth Grade

Dane JacobusFifth Grade

rodriguez elementary school

Colin GarciaKindergarten

Aaliyah HerreraFirst Grade

Arianna MolinaSecond Grade

Melanny RuizThird Grade

Xavier GarciaFourth Grade

Jared GuerraFifth Grade

jefferson elementary school

mcQueeney elementary school

Harlyi LeslieKindergarten

Michael MartinFirst Grade

Aubrey Garcia Second Grade

Jacob Casso Third Grade

Chloe SalinasFourth Grade

Christina SchumannFifth Grade

 

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MaTaDOR PRIDE · May 2016 - 7

Vogel elementary school

Connor Rohde Kindergarten

Kirra SchultzFirst Grade

Courtlynn WardSecond Grade

Adriana ReyesThird Grade

Abigayle Zurovec Fourth Grade

Erik SeguraFifth Grade

Ava MartinezKindergarten

Daven GarzaFirst Grade

Ella KenningtonSecond Grade

Bang Hua PanThird Grade

D Shyon HarrisFourth Grade

Madisyn MorenoFifth Grade

Weinert elementary school

Barnes middle school

Maria GarciaSeventh Grade

Peyton Silvius Seventh Grade

Ty StevensSixth Grade

A.J. YeomansSixth Grade

Dylan GonzalesEighth Grade

Jeffrey OrozcoEighth Grade

Briesemeister middle school

seguin High school

Sophie AndersonNinth Grade

Ryan RodriguezNinth Grade

Presley CarterTenth Grade

Garrett LuensmannTenth Grade

mercer-Blumberg learning center

Heaven Herrera

Samira PerezSixth Grade

Ashley Sanchez Sixth Grade

Norma ChapaEighth Grade

Lindsee MillerEighth Grade

Jordan RamirezSeventh Grade

Devin OrtizSeventh Grade

Magali LeijaEleventh Grade

Omar RendonEleventh Grade

Jessica ValerianoTwelfth Grade

Ricardo GuevaraTwelfth Grade

Peter Neria

Why is the NIE program so important?The Newspapers in Education (NIE) program provides teachers with access to newspapers during the school year, and, in turn, these teachers share the newspaper with students, exposing them to what is happening in Seguin, in Texas, in the United States and around the world. Studies have shown that students in schools with NIE programs score 10 percent higher on standardized tests. Furthermore, today’s students who read the Gazette are tomorrow’s literate, informed and productive citizens. They are more likely to vote, be civically engaged as adults and be better-educated consumers.

To � nd out how you can participate in the NIE program, please call Brenda at the Seguin Gazette at 379-5402 ext. 215.

8 - May 2016 · MaTaDOR PRIDE

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BOys all-District

sOccerBoys varsity soccer players from

Seguin High School recently received all-District honors. From left to right, Rosendo Chacon, Erik Lopez Montes and Eduardo Reyes earned

Honorable Mention. Hugo Ortiz is Second Team all-District, while

Silvino alvarez was named First Team all-District.

girls all-District sOccerall-District honors went to several Seguin High School varsity girls soccer players, including (l-r) Katharine Stephens, Honorable Mention, Kaylie Koenen, Defensive Player of the year, Codi Funderburg, Honorable Mention, ashley Burnett, Second Team all-District and alexandrea Seaton, First Team all-District. Not pictured is Tiffany Donhauser, Honorable Mention.

MaTaDOR PRIDE · May 2016 - 9

cOacH larry cOker Visits mats Coach Larry Coker won an NCaa football national championship with the Miami Hurricanes in 2001 and most recently served as UTSa’s first head football coach. On March 30, Coach Coker was in the Seguin HIgh School weight room upon invitation from Seguin ISD aD/Head Football Coach Travis Bush to serve as guest speaker during practice. Coach Coker stayed for the entire athletic period and provided words of encouragement to the Matador football team. Special thanks to Ishmael Flores, school board president, Craig Thomas, school board member and Stetson Roane, superintendent, for taking time out of their day to welcome Coach Coker to Seguin.

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state tOp 10 perfOrmance Seguin High School sophomore Brandon Palomares competed in the Boys State Powerlifting meet on april 2. He finished in the state’s Top 10 in the 148 pound weight class.

10 - May 2016 · MaTaDOR PRIDE

Mercer Blumberg Learning Center students recently participated in the LBJ National Park’s annual Reflection of the 1960s. The program included a reenactment of the sit-ins at the Woolworth lunch counter, a tour of the Texas White House, dance moves to 60s music with Mr. Clifton Fifer, and

thoughts from former National Park Service Director Robert Stanton on his experiences as an african american during the Civil Rights Movement. “This has become an annual field trip for my students and they all love it,” said Selma Kovars, MBLC Social Studies teacher.

mBlc stUDents Visit lBj natiOnal park

MaTaDOR PRIDE · May 2016 - 11

masOnic lODge fantastic teetH

prOgram Mike McCleary of Guadalupe Masonic Lodge 109

and school nurse Dora Perez hand out dental kits to first graders at Jefferson Elementary School. Masons distribute the packets as part of the Fantastic Teeth

program annually to four Seguin ISD elementary campuses. In addition to Jefferson, this spring first

grade students at Weinert, Rodriguez and Patlan elementaries will receive the kits along with a special

presentation on dental care.

tHeatre at Uil area Three Seguin High School thespians brought home honors at UIL area competition. From left, Monique Jordan was awarded all Star Crew, anthony Zavala earned all Star Cast and amber Mawande-Spytek received Honorable Mention.

12 - May 2016 · MaTaDOR PRIDE

Two Seguin ISD Destination Imagination teams advance to Globals

Two Seguin ISD Destination ImagiNation (DI) teams have advanced to Global competit ion following their performance at State competit ion on April 2 near Dallas.

This marks the eleventh year in a row that Seguin is represented at Globals, to be held May 25-28 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Advancing to Globals is the Weinert Elementary School team of Brylynn Baker, Christian Brooks, Carter Dunn, Shelby Just , Ell ie Kallus, Madison Kirchner (Koennecke Elementary student) and Ava Sauceda. The team also earned the highest score in the Central Challenge and Team Choice.

Leah Bohnenberger, Serenity DeLeon, Jonah Reilly and Jaden

Tovar of Seguin High School also advanced to compete against teams from around the world in Knoxville. The team tied for the second highest score in Central Challenge and received third highest score in Team Choice.

DI is an educational program where student teams solve open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments. In working to solve the challenges, teams learn important l ife skil ls l ike t ime management, collaboration, conflict resolution and creative and crit ical thinking. More than 125,000 students compete in DI each year.

Weiner t E lementary ’s Dest inat ion Imaginat ion team, Ser ious 7, wi l l be making the t r ip to Global compet i t ion in Knoxvi l le , Tenn. a f ter a f i f th p lace f in ish in the State tournament .

Af ter a f i f th p lace f in ish in Dest inat ion Imaginat ion s tate compet i t ion, the Seguin High School Seguin Treasure team is headed to Global compet i t ion in Knoxvi l le , Tenn.