District News
Toyota Donates $50,000 to Southside ISD for STEM Education
The Toyota Motor Manufacturing Plant of Texas unveiled it’s all new 2022 Tundra and announced a $50,000 donation to Southside ISD. In its announcement, Toyota said It wants to expand access to STEM education and workforce development with a specific focus on San Antonio’s South Side. Southside ISD is one of six San Antonio-area school districts who will each receive the $50,000 donation. Additionally, Toyota also made a $100,000 donation to the San Antonio Food Bank which is a major partner of Southside ISD.
Help Us Plan a Park Dec. 1 at Menchaca ECC
New Southside Tradition: Lighting of the S Unites the Cardinal Community
The Southside ISD’s first Lighting of the S celebration turned into a large-scale and successful community event. Student groups from every campus marched in a parade that wound its way into Southside Stadium. Family and friends filled the home-side and cheered on the students. For their part, students waved to the cheering crowd and soaked up the excitement. The entire purpose of the Lighting of the S and parade was to showcase our students, highlight their accolades, and bring in the community. “Everyone from students, staff, and the community thoroughly enjoyed this event,” said Superintendent Mr. Rolando Ramirez. The night ended when the Southside High School Senior Class of 2022 took to the field and watched the S light up while the Mighty Cardinal Band played the Alma Mater. “One faculty member told me this should have happened years ago,” said Mr. Ramirez. The Lighting of the S is on the books to become an annual tradition at Southside ISD. Click here to see pictures.
Nurse Siebert Revolutionizes Student Eye Exams
The Texas state law states that we are required to perform vision and hearing screenings on all of our PK4 and Kindergarten students within 120 calendar days of admission to school. Schools use what’s called the HOTV chart, which is the only approved eye chart for the age of our students. The issue with this is that most of our students do not know their letters within the first 120 days, even when the teachers review them to prepare for the vision screening. Also a factor is the students don’t really understand what they’re supposed to be doing and it is difficult to be accurate. With 700 students to screen in 120 days, this is a very time consuming process with potentially inaccurate results.
According to the American Optometric Association, up to 75% of school screenings miss vision problems. Vision is such an important part of education; if a child can’t see properly, they are less likely to perform to their full potential, have behavioral issues that mimic ADHD, and can impact their learning for the rest of their lives. Vision issues affect reading, writing, and even perception while running or walking which leads to injuries. Fewer than 15% of preschoolers get professional eye exams, which makes the screenings we do at Menchaca even more important for accuracy and thoroughness. For our students with special needs, using a chart is nearly impossible and we nearly always have to refer our students for an outside exam.
The Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener is very accurate in not only detecting the typical vision issues such as near- and far- sightedness, but can also detect issues including pupil size and alignment and astigmatism, which we cannot do with our chart screenings, but can impact vision in negative ways. The screener purchased is considered a “best practice” screener by the Prevent Blindness Organization. Southside ISD purchased the vision screener to better equip our nurses in testing students who receive special education services or are under the age of 6. At Menchaca, this has allowed Nurse Heather Siebert to test almost every child with this amazing tool. It is because of Nurse Siebert that our district now has the amazing tool as she researched, contacted professionals in optometry, and appealed to our district and Lead Nurse to acquire.
Our students deserve not only the best teachers and resources for in-class education, but they also deserve an investment in best health practices, as well. Early detection of vision problems is one way we can assist our children in their educational needs. The Southside ISD nurses do have resources for our children who are referred for doctor care.
Lighting of the S
Southside ISD Presents “Lighting of the S” and Parade.
Come one come all to the first-ever Parade and “Lighting of the S”
This is an event for family and friends to celebrate our seniors and academic success. We will also be cheering on our athletes. There will be prizes, entertainment, and more! There will be signs and police to help direct traffic on the main campus.
The event starts at 5:30 pm sharp. The event will be held in the High School Stadium.
19190 US Highway 281: Entrance will be at the guard gate on the main entrance in front of the high school guiding traffic. Please see below for Parade Line and Route.