SAISD Senior Spotlight: Jefferson High School senior Abigail Villarreal is the inaugural recipient of the first-ever Youth Champion Award from the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD). She will receive the award in Los Angeles in early June.

Villarreal was born with Phenylketonuria, or PKU, a rare disease that prevents her body from properly digesting protein. Most people haven’t heard of it, beyond knowing that babies get tested for it with a heel prick days after being born. Two years ago, she began her advocacy about rare diseases at Jefferson High School on Be Rare Spirit Day. She also took her advocacy off campus asking local businesses to “Light Up For Rare” by installing pink, blue green or purple lights on those evenings. Alamo Quarry, Frost Bank Tower, the convention center and hospitals were among those organizations that participated. Additionally, she received a proclamation from the City of Balcones Heights acknowledging National Rare Disease Day. Two members of San Antonio City Council also recognized her efforts. Villarreal graduates from Jefferson High School on June 6 and be presented with the Youth Champion Award in Los Angeles on June 8.

Calendar items? 
 
May 24 (Fri) – Nelson Early Childhood Education Center Walk the Halls event
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Nelson Early Childhood Education Center, 1040 Waverly Ave., 78201
The community is invited to Nelson Early Childhood Education Center for a final “Walk the Halls” event. Families can enjoy some quality time on campus and in the classrooms with their children before the schools closes its doors.
 
May 27 (Mon) – SAISD closed for the Memorial Day Holiday
All SAISD campuses and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 for the Memorial Day holiday. Normal school and business hours resume on Tuesday, May 28.
 
May 28 (Tues) – Gonzales Early Childhood Education Center Final Graduation
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Gonzales Early Childhood Education Center, 518 E. Magnolia, 78212
Gonzales Early Childhood Education Center is hosting its final Kindergarten graduation ceremony. Gonzales ECEC will be a part of Mark Twain Dual Language Academy next school year.
 
May 28 (Tues) – Douglass Elementary Family Hour with Leah’s Legos
1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Douglass Elementary, 318 Martin Luther King Drive, 78203
In what will be the final school presentation for Leah’s Legos, SASID Family and Community Engagement will demonstrate effective ways for families to support their children's learning at home. Participants will build capacity in literacy and STEM through hands-on activities. Each student and their family will receive a literacy guide and free books to enhance their home library, followed by a collaborative STEM activity where they will build a Lego kit together.
 
May 29 (Wed) – Douglass Elementary Grad Walk
2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Douglass Elementary, 318 Martin Luther King Drive, 78203
SAISD seniors from the Class of 2024 will return to Douglass Elementary one final time as they make their way down the hallways of the historic campus in their caps and gowns for a Grad Walk.
 
May 29 (Wed) – Farewell to Gates Elementary
4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Gates Elementary, 510 Morningview Drive, 78220
Memories will fill the hallways of Gates Elementary as the campus holds a special farewell event. Former students and staff are invited to Gates Elementary to peruse through old photos and memorabilia. Gates Elementary first opened their doors in 1965.
 
May 29 (Wed) – Martin Luther King Academy Legacy Night
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., MLK Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King Drive, 78220
Before the campus gets a complete renovation, Martin Luther King Academy invites the public to a special Legacy Night. The school is partnering with the MLK Commission for this event. There will be a full lineup with guest speakers and loads of nostalgic MLK Academy memorabilia to explore.
 
May 30 (Thurs) – Madison Elementary Perfect Attendance Bike  
9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Madison Elementary, 2900 W. Woodlawn Ave., 78228
Madison Elementary is going to end the school year right. 16 Madison Elementary students will be presented with a brand new bike for achieving Perfect Attendance during the school year. Madison Elementary wants to thank the Christ Episcopal Church for supporting these attendance incentives.
 
May 30 (Thurs) – Steele Montessori Academy “Moving Onward” Parade 
9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Steele Montessori Academy, 722 Haggin St., 78210
Steele Montessori Academy will move to a new home next year. Before the move though, the Steele Montessori familia wants to soak in their last memories in their current facility with a “Moving Onward” parade. Families are invited to line up along the parade route on Haggin St. to cheer on students as they prepare for new beginnings at the new location at Forbes Elementary in August.
 
June 1 (Sat) – Douglass Elementary “Memory Walk” 
1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Douglass Elementary, 318 Martin Luther King Drive, 78203
The historic Frederick Douglass Elementary campus was established back in 1915 as Douglass High School. In 1969, Douglass transitioned into an elementary school. Now as the campus will close its doors for good, the community is invited to bask in the rich history at a special “Memory Walk” event. Former students and staff are welcome to walk the hallways, look over old yearbooks, take final photos and share memories of a place that was pivotal in the educational history of San Antonio.
 
May 31 to June 2 (Fri to Sun) – SAISD Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremonies
*Various times (see schedule), Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Drive, 78212
SAISD is proud to celebrate the graduating Class of 2024. The first weekend’s set of high school graduations will take place in the Alamo Convocation Center. Graduation schedule:

May 31 (Fri) – Young Women’s Leadership Academy Graduation 
10 a.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
May 31 (Fri) – CAST Med High School Graduation 
1 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
May 31 (Fri) – Adult & Community Education Graduation 
4 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
May 31 (Fri) – Cooper Academy Graduation 
7 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
June 1 (Sat) – Fox Tech High School Graduation 
10 a.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
June 1 (Sat) – Travis Early College High School Graduation 
1 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
June 1 (Sat) – CAST Tech High School Graduation 
4 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
June 1 (Sat) – Healy-Murphy Center Graduation 
7 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
June 2 (Sun) – Advanced Learning Academy Graduation 
10 a.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
June 2 (Sun) – St. Philip’s Early College High School Graduation 
1 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212
 
June 2 (Sun) – Young Men’s Leadership Academy Graduation 
4 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Dr., 78212