SAISD SPOTLIGHT: SAISD Board Trustee Stephanie Torres
 
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Trustee Stephanie Torres, a Jefferson High School graduate, experiences dyslexia. Trustee Torres can speak to the power of special education services from three perspectives: as a student, a parent and a board member.
 
The district ensures all students are properly tested and diagnosed to provide the services students need. Torres wants all families to know and understand the accommodations that are available to students with special needs.
 
Calendar items? 
 
Oct. 25-26 (Fri-Sat) – SAISD Disability Awareness Month Recognition Nights
5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Alamo Stadium, 110 Tuleta Drive, 78212
October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, break down misconceptions, and celebrate the strengths of individuals with learning disabilities and other disorders. SAISD is inviting students with disabilities and their families to be recognized prior to the district football games in Alamo Stadium. The goal is to help foster an environment of compassion, understanding, and opportunity for all.
 
Oct. 26-27 (Sat-Sun) – SAISD campus altars at Muertos Fest
11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Hemisfair Park, 434 S. Alamo St., 78205
A trio of SAISD schools will among the groups celebrating Dia de los Muertos by creating altars, or ofrendas, at the annual Muertos Fest celebration. The Young Men’s Leadership Academy, the Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Cooper Academy at Navarro art classes have produced altars to join one of the largest Day of the Dead celebrations in the nation.

Oct. 28 (Mon) – U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar to announce federal grant award for mental health services
11 a.m., Herff Elementary School, 996 S. Hackberry St., 78210
U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar is visiting one of the schools benefitting from a recent federal grant award that he helped support. Students in San Antonio ISD have more access to comprehensive emotional, psychological and social well-being care, following a $2,690,608 grant award from the U.S. Department of Education under the Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Demonstration program. The five-year project, titled Con Cariño: School Mental Health with Heart, is enhancing SAISD’s current “internship to employment pipeline” for Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSWs) and expanding it to include a newly developed pathway for counseling interns.

Oct. 28 (Mon) – Margil Elementary “Fall Into Reading” FREE Scholastic Book Fair
1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Margil Elementary, 1000 W Perez St., 78207
The Talking Rain Beverage Company has donated a full Scholastic Book Fair (9 cases) in which ALL Margil Elementary students will get to choose 2 FREE books. The company is also bringing Sparkling Ice drinks for the Margil staff, and they are going to honor a parent volunteer with a special prize. This book donation will help build strong foundational literacy skills across all grade levels at Margil.

Oct. 30 (Wed) – SAISD Dyslexia Parent Awareness Night
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., SAISD Central Office, 514 W. Quincy St., 78212
San Antonio ISD is hosting a Dyslexia Parent Awareness Night. The event is a great opportunity for parents to learn more about dyslexia and how San Antonio ISD addresses the needs of students with dyslexia. The event will include stations on the 5 pillars of literacy led by many of the district's dyslexia specialists. There will be kids' activities, snacks, and free dyslexia resources and giveaways. 

Nov. 1 (Fri) – Rodriguez Montessori “Muertitos Festival”
4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Rodriguez Montessori, 3626 W Cesar Chavez Blvd., 78207
Rodriguez Montessori invites to the community to their “Muertitos Festival” on campus to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The Lanier HS Mariachis will be among the performances scheduled. Think arts and crafts for the kids, good food, music and culture for all!