SW Spring Wire 2011.pdf - Southwest ISD

SWISD Lighthouse Picnic
The Lighthouse mentor program held its first annual picnic on Friday, April 8, 2011 and was a representation of building positive
relationships between students and adults. The Lighthouse Program was initiated during the 2010-2011 school year and currently
has 60 mentors that meet on a weekly basis with 9th grade students.
The picnic was held at the river bottom located by Southwest Stadium. The natural scenic background, the picnic lunch,
the games, and the weather all created a perfect setting for the mentor picnic. The mentees and mentors enjoyed mariachis,
food, games, laughter and bonding as a team. The most memorable and the toughest activity was the parachute flip which
incorporated stratigizing as a team. As a token of gratitude & appreciation, all the mentors were given a bright green T-shirt
with a rising star logo symbolizing the mentee that is touching their heart.
The laughter and energy filled activities allowed everyone to continue to form healthy and strong relationships. Mentees
commented on how much they enjoyed the picnic and interacting with their mentor in a different setting. Mentors commented
that they enjoyed the opportunity to get to be with their mentee in a
relaxed setting. There were many mentors that pitched in and helped
with the event. The united effort to make the picnic a success is exactly
the positive energy that surrounded the day. SWISD thanks each of the
mentors for being with their mentee, these interactions make a difference
to our students. We would love to have you as one of our mentors. If you
are interested in mentoring please call 622-4351 for details on future
training opportunities or visit www.swisd.net. There is a student waiting
for YOU!
SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL’S T.A.F.E.
HOSTS EASTER EGG HUNT
On Thursday, April 21st, the Southwest High School’s Texas
Association of Future Educators , or T.A.F.E. members hosted an
Easter Egg Hunt for the students and staff of Bob Hope Elementary.
Throughout the day, T.A.F.E. members hid over 3,000 eggs for an egg
hunt. Students in Pre-Kinder thru 5th grade received candy and/ Five Big Country
or trinkets for each egg found. T.A.F.E. members held a special hunt Elementary students
for the Special Education and Life Skills students. This marks the 6th
annual Easter Egg hunt presented by T.A.F.E.
had a “pawsitively”
Members who took part in the event included (in the picture): Back -
Valeria Ordorica, Judith Sandoval, Rachel Gutierrez, Brittany Rangel.
Middle Row – Tanya Martinez, Samantha Hernandez, Yesenia
Cardenas, Katherine Moreno, Martha Alvarez, Tiffany Lolfin, Erin Ruiz,
Maria Flores, Janice Ibarra. At Table – Kaesha Newton, Cindy Silva,
Daisy Hernandez, Bonnie Cantu, Kristen Bahn.
Also participating, but not in the picture were: Ashley Flores, Alexis
Garza, Cheyanne Gonzalez, Cindy Gutierrez, , Briana Herrera, Ceprisa
Ingram, Destiny Martinez, Marivel Morales, , Carmen Paredes,
Jonathan Rowley, , Maleny Sauceda, , Cynthia Trejo, Monica Valencia,
Victoria Vara, Mierya Ramirez, Victoria Sanchez, and advisor, Mrs.
Deborah Jarvis.
Big Country Story Tails
great year with a
little help from the
Therapy Animals of
San Antonio. They
participated in Storytails, a weekly reading program that
encourages fluency and comprehension with the help from a
pet partner. This year there were 2 volunteers who met with
the students and brought along their canine helpers. Sissy,
an adorable Shih-tzu, and owner Mary Mutz met with second
graders. Cerina Zamora, Big Country’s fourth-fifth grade
Bilingual teacher, and Bailey, a rough Collie who resembles
“Lassie”, read with third & fifth graders. Southwest ISD is one
of three school districts to integrate the program with Big
Country being the first. They look forward to next year and
hope to add more students to this inspiring program.