SAISD SPOTLIGHT: UTSA Architecture students share ideas for SAISD's Facilities Repurposing initiative. 
 
Last year, the SAISD Board of Trustees voted to close 15 campuses, in response to ensuring equity and access to quality learning, programs and resources.  SAISD then implemented a community-based process to determine how the buildings would be used and hosted several community events to explain the repurposing process and its timeline.
 
Students at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) School of Architecture and Planning will present (see below) their semester-long projects, showcasing their innovation and creativity to advance SAISD’s Facilities Repurposing Process. The students spent the fall semester researching and exploring neighborhoods surrounding three district facilities, gaining valuable insights for their projects.
 
Community members are encouraged to help create positive change by taking the short interest survey in English or Spanish at www.saisd.net/frpsurvey.
 
Calendar items? 

Dec. 9 (Mon) – UTSA Architecture students share visionary ideas for SAISD facilities
4 p.m., SAISD Central Office, 514 W. Quincy St., 78212
The community is invited as UTSA Architecture students will make final presentations on a semester long project of reimagining the future of closed SAISD schools and the neighborhoods that surround them. These projects, which are independent of SAISD's Facilities Repurposing Process and will not directly inform its outcomes, was led by UTSA Architecture Adjunct Professor Ryan Marchesi.

Dec. 10 (Tues) – Highland Hills Elementary Candyland
5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Highland Hills Elementary, 734 Glamis Ave., 78223
Highland Hills Elementary invites the community to a candy land themed event for parents and students to join in academically aligned activities with candy! These Candyland games relate to Math, Science, and Reading. Of course, Santa Claus will be visiting the campus, along with partners from Community First, H-E-B, Dutch Bros and the Doseum leading activity stations. It promises to be a fun filled night!

Dec. 11 (Wed) – Inspire Award winner Bobby Perez returns to Jefferson High School
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Jefferson High School, 723 Donaldson Ave., 78201
Bobby Perez is the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for Spurs Sports & Entertainment. He is also a proud graduate of Jefferson High School and was part of the SAISD Foundation Inspire Awards Class of 2024. Now the former San Antonio city councilman is returning to his alma mater at Jefferson HS to tour the school while also making a presentation to Mustang students.

Dec. 12 (Thurs) – Highland High School Bond 2020 ribbon cutting
4:15 p.m. to 6 p.m., Highlands High School, 3118 Elgin Ave., 78210
For six decades, Highlands High School athletes have played in the same competition gym, with few modifications over the years. Now the school will usher in a new era of competition with a community-wide celebration to mark the completion of the largest portion of Bond 2020 work at the campus: a new competition gym to replace the 1958 gym, a secondary gym and athletic support spaces. The $49.6 million in bond funds allocated to Highlands High School is paying for the renovation of 31,000 square feet of existing campus space and a 43,000-square-foot athletic addition.
· Existing campus space was renovated to new locker rooms and coaches’ offices
· The addition includes the new competition gym, as well as a new secondary gym, weight rooms, locker rooms, trainer rooms, seminar rooms and coaches’ offices
· Additionally, the school’s band pad was relocated and the bus loop rerouted
· HVAC was installed in the new or renovated areas of the school

Dec. 12 (Thurs) – SAISD 9th Grade Family Night
6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center, 110 Tuleta Ave., 78212
The SAISD Office of Access and Enrollment invites families with current 8th graders to the 9th Grade Family Night. This event aims to provide a family-friendly environment where students and their families can explore the wide array of enrollment options for students making the jump from 8th to 9th grade. Both Choice and neighborhood schools will be onsite to provide information to families on the many program options and career pathways available to choose from.