Cardinal Spotlight

Cardinal Spotlight 5/15/2023

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This week’s Heritage Staff Spotlight is our STEAM Teacher, Carol Calderon.  Ms. Calderon is such a pleasure to work with because she is always willing to help and it is with a positive attitude too.  She has been at Heritage for 13 years and has worked as a 3rd grade teacher, math specialist, home school virtual teacher during COVID, and now as our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) teacher.  An example of her willingness to help came up this Spring.  Because of her extensive and varied experience, she was asked to step in and assist with 5th grade.  Ms. Calderon jumped right in and made a difference for many students.  Now she is jumping back to STEAM like it’s “just any other day.”  Thank you for your easy going nature and dedication to our students and congratulations on being named the Heritage Staff Spotlight!

This week we are honoring Amado Gonzalez for his tremendous efforts in his education and contribution to the Heritage campus. He is a hardworking 5th grade student who has a unique way of getting things done. During the day, you can find Amado using a pair of headphones to minimize the noise around him but strengthen the concentration in his assignments. He is intelligent, creative, and loves to give hugs. If you are ever having a bad day, Amado will find a way to brighten it up. With this being his first year here at Heritage, we are so lucky to have had the opportunity to learn about humbleness from him. Before you leave us for Matthey, just know we are proud of you!  Amado, congratulations on being the Heritage Student Spotlight this week.

Cardinal Spotlight 5/1/2023

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This week’s Heritage Staff Spotlight is Venessa Cerda.  Ms. Cerda is an experienced teacher with close to 20 years of service. She serves as team lead for first grade and is also the lead for a campus committee. Ms. Cerda is a strong advocate for her students and always does what is best for them.  Her active involvement in campus initiatives is ongoing. Over the years, Ms. Cerda has been awarded several grants for our outdoor learning area and for our school beautification initiative.  She is a dynamic teacher and serves as a role model for her colleagues.  Currently, she is the Heritage Teacher of the Year.  Ms. Cerda, thank you for all you do for your students, our school, and the community.

Our 5th Grade Spotlight Student for the week is Zyanya Guerrero. Zyanya is one of many hard working and dedicated students here at Heritage. She started attending Heritage in the 3rd grade, and we have watched her grow and excel in her academics. When first arriving at Heritage, she was shy and struggled to even come to school.  Now she is a confident and happy student who serves in our student leadership program.  Zyanya loves shopping for clothes and all sorts of jewelry. One of her other favorite things to do is draw, which she says comes from her dad’s love of drawing.  Zyanya lets us know on a daily basis how much she enjoys coming to school, meeting new friends, and getting the help and support she needs.  Zyanya’s smile and her contagious energy will be missed as she moves on to Matthey Middle School. Zyanya, congratulations for being selected as our Cardinal of the Week.

Cardinal Spotlight 3/23/2023

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This week’s Heritage Staff Spotlight is one of our amazing Special Education Paraprofessionals, Mrs. Leticia Rodriguez.  She joined us from another campus a few weeks into the school year, but has made her presence known.  She is a quiet, gentle addition to our campus.  Mrs. Rodriguez has excellent attendance and is very dedicated to her students.  Because she has worked hard building relationships with them, they respect her and follow her lead.  Fellow staff members also enjoy working with Mrs. Rodriguez because of her easy going attitude and teamwork mentality.  Thank you for all your hard work and congratulations!

This week’s Heritage Student Spotlight is James Markham.  He loves his family and spends a lot of time with them playing video games like Fortnite, as well as Nintendo Switch games like Kirby, Super Smash Bros.  When he isn’t playing video games with his family, James enjoys watching scary movies like IT, any of the Harry Potter movies, or anime like Naruto, Attack on Titan, Goku, or Dragon Ball Z (his dad’s favorite.)  More than anything, James enjoys visiting his Grandfather downtown and attending St. Mary’s church with them.  James, congratulations on being our Cardinal of the Week.

Cardinal Spotlight 2/27/2023

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The Heritage Staff Spotlight this week is our Science Lab Paraprofessional, Jasper Gonzales.  Mrs. Gonzales is a new employee to the district, but not new in any sense of the word.  She has been involved at Heritage for many years as the leader of our PTO.  We are so happy to have her join our team full time this year.  She works hard to maintain an organized Science Lab and assists with the classes that come through for labs.  Mrs. Gonzales also helps out in one of the 5th grade classrooms with small group instruction.  Students are happy to be greeted with her smile in the mornings and as they leave in the afternoons.  Congratulations on being our employee spotlight for the week! We are fortunate to have this wonderful employee as part of our team!

Santana Venegas is new to Heritage this year, but has proven to be a very intelligent, fun-loving, polite, and engaging fifth grade student.  His hobbies include video games like Fortnite and Call of Duty. Santana’s favorite subject is Math and he loves country music.  As quickly as Heritage took to him, he has taken to us, though he frequently jokes that he is leaving… In spite of this, Santana will miss the Science experiments, especially  the ones on circuitry.  Santana, congratulations on being our Cardinal of the Week.

Cardinal Spotlight 1/30/2023

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Our Staff Cardinal Spotlight this week is Edward Anthony Gomez.  Mr. Gomez is the new Instructional Coach for Heritage.  Mr. Gomez was a 3rd grade teacher at Gallardo prior to joining the Heritage team in January.  Mr. Gomez hit the ground running on his first day at Heritage.  He has a passion for helping others be successful. He truly has a servant leadership mindset.  Mr. Gomez has done incredible work in the short time he has been here.  Thank you for joining our team and making a difference.

Ashley E. Martinez is a respectful and diligent 5th grade student at Heritage.  Observant and cooperative, her favorite thing to do is learn. She especially enjoys Math, her favorite subject.  At home, she also enjoys jumping on the trampoline.  As a 5th grader, Ashley is most looking forward to being on the same campus with her older sister.  However, she will miss her Heritage teachers.  We will miss her, too!

Cardinal Spotlight 1/17/2023

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Our Staff Cardinal Spotlight this week is 5th grade teacher, Mr. Gabriel Morin.  He is a veteran teacher with many years of experience and even previously taught here in Southside.  He returned to our A rated campus this year as a 4th grade dual language teacher, but when classes needed to be rearranged; he happily moved to where he was needed, in 5th grade.  Mr. Morin is a proud United States Army veteran and an Eagle Scout.  These experiences have helped him become the passionate teacher he is and build strong relationships with his students.  Science is his favorite subject to teach and his students benefit from his excitement.  Welcome to the team and congratulations!

Amerie Aranda is a wonderful 5th grade student at Heritage Elementary. A pleasure to have in class,  Amerie is an exemplary student who always gives her best effort. Although she is typically quiet in class, her peaceful demeanor and kindness speaks volumes.  Her favorite subject is math.  Dancing is her favorite pastime.  Although she is looking forward to meeting new teachers as a 6th grader, she will miss her favorite teacher, Mrs. Monroy. When she advances to 6th grade, Heritage will miss her, too.