November 1, 2023

Dear AHISD Families-

There’s definitely a fall feeling all around us with this wonderful change in temperature! Since the time I sent my last message in October, there is much to celebrate. Some highlights include very successful events like Howard ECC Hay Day, Homecoming Howdy Night and Bonfire, and our Woodridge Carnival. Our AHHS Chorale performed as a guest of the San Antonio Chamber Choir’s fall concert, The Thirst of Youth, and our athletic teams celebrate successful playoff runs that continue into this month for volleyball, football and Cross Country state competition. These events provide our community with unique opportunities to share tradition and celebration around our incredible AHISD schools!

Academic Updates

Also this past month, we celebrated a record number of National Merit Scholars at AHHS and recognized them at our October board meeting. One in ten of our current seniors achieved National Recognition from the College Board!

111 students scored in top 20% of national seniors
55 students scored in top 10% of national seniors
24 students scored in top 5% of national seniors
5 students scored in the top 1% of national seniors
3 students scored in the top ½ of 1% are designated 2024 Commended Scholars

Additionally, all AHISD students' beginning of year screener data was shared with parents, and our teachers are diligently monitoring progress and adjusting instruction to ensure appropriate measures of academic growth for each AHISD student.

Early College High School

We are excited to launch an Early College High School program for enrollment next fall and hosted an initial parent information session for current 8th grade parents just a week ago. Early College High School at AHHS will provide those admitted with an opportunity to earn up to 60 college credit hours through dual credit course offerings, taught by AHHS teachers, free of charge. This program culminates in an opportunity to earn an associates of arts degree upon graduation from AHHS. This Early College High is a chance for students to blend high school and college in a personalized and rigorous program in partnership with St. Phillips College. Applications for the 2024-25 school year close the first week of December. To learn more, visit the Alamo Heights HS website.

Community Based Accountability

This month we focus on our CBAS Pillar III -Student Wellbeing and Safety- which promotes accountability to ensure that students are educated in an optimal environment that is safe, secure and conducive to learning. This area of focus also addresses our students' social and emotional needs to determine how we are meeting those needs in our schools. To measure our progress in these areas, we conduct a fall survey of all students grades 3-12. The survey questions were shared with all AHISD families in Monday Mail on 10/22 and 10/29. After the two week survey window is closed, we will present our results at the November Board Meeting for public presentation. The results of this survey will directly impact our improvement efforts to support all of our students.

Legislative Update

With a little less than a week remaining in this special called session, Governor Abbott expanded the call of the session yesterday to include important issues like school finance, teacher compensation, and accountability, in addition to the original call for education savings accounts (vouchers). It’s more important than ever to frequently call and reach out to legislators to increase the basic allotment for all Texas public schools to minimally address the rising cost of inflation. Our teachers deserve so much more and it is the collective responsibility of each one of us to champion their work and their dedication to our students.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a very special holiday in our district and all of our campuses will host Veterans Day celebrations the week of November 10. My father was a Marine and served in Vietnam and both my grandfathers served in World War II (one in the Marines and one in the Navy). It brings me great pride seeing the way our campuses honor our community veterans and highlight their service, valor, and dedication to our country. If you are a veteran or active member of the military, I encourage you to participate in our events on your child’s campus that day. Like me, you’re sure to be full of pride at the patriotic display of our students and staff members.

November always brings a renewed focus on gratitude and there is certainly much to be thankful for in AHISD!

Mules up!



Dr. Dana Bashara

Photo of the Month:


The doctors are in and performing word surgery at Cambridge! 4th graders in Analisa Arreguin's class worked together to solve problems and help their patients, Mr. Whole Numbers and Mr. Decimal. Both patients should make a full recovery!

Reminders:

Opt-In for School Text Messages: AHISD utilizes the School Messenger system to communicate important information to families through email, text, and/or phone calls. If any contact information has changed over the summer, like phone numbers or email addresses, families should contact their campus office to update in our student information system. In order to receive text messages, which the district sends only in emergencies, families must opt in to this service. Here's how to sign up for text messages. Those who have previously opted in do not have to complete again.

Grand-Mule/Senior Mule Event: Calling our “Grand-Mules & Senior Mules” to visit our district and learn from Dr. Bashara, district leaders, and students about our AHISD Profile of a Learner. Participants will hear about the educational experience in AHISD that highlights many of our innovative programs and practices. Those participants who are residents of AHISD and are 65 years old and older will receive their Gold Card for free admission to all athletic and fine arts events! We’ll conclude our morning together with a tour of a few classrooms to see learning in action. Choose to attend one of the three events that best fits your schedule: Monday, November 13, 2023, and Friday, February 9, 2024. Please email [email protected] to reserve your spot!

If you see something, say something! We ask all AHISD families to commit to having ongoing conversations with students about safety and security and to encourage the reporting of any concerns to a trusted adult on campus. Families can also report safety concerns on our website by clicking Students / Parents and then Safety Concerns.

Please stay connected with all things AHISD by visiting Heights Happenings and also following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Upcoming Events

Athletic Events

Visit Rank One for all sporting events.

Master Calendar Events

Monday, November 6 - Secondary Progress Reports Distributed
Wednesday, November 8 - District Staff Development - Early Release
     Howard: 11:45 AM,
     Cambridge: 12:15 PM
     Woodridge: 12:15 PM
     Junior School: 12:45 PM
     High School: 12:45 PM
Monday, November 13 - Grand-Mules & Senior Mules Partners Meeting - 9:30 - 11: 00 AM - Alamo Heights High School - Location: Barbara and Alan Dreeben Auditorium Foyer
Wednesday, November 15 - Regular Board Meeting - 6:00-9:00 PM - Location: Central Office Board Room
Monday, November 20 - Friday, November 24 - Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 30 - Secondary Progress Reports Distributed

PTO General Meetings

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 12:00-1:00 PM - Cambridge PTO Meeting - Location: Cambridge Elementary
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 - 12:00 - 1:00 - PM - Junior School PTO Meeting - Junior School Library
Tuesday, November 10, 2023 - 9:00 - 10:00 AM - High School PTO Meeting - Location: AHHS Library
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 - Woodridge PTO Meeting - Location: Woodridge Elementary, The Suzanne & Jimmy Goudge Auditorium

Thanksgiving Elementary Campus Lunches (refer to your campus Monday Mail for more details)

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 - Howard Thanksgiving Lunch - 10:45-1:35 PM - Location: Howard ECC
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 - Cambridge Thanksgiving Lunch - 10:00 - 2:00 PM - Location: Cambridge Elementary
Friday, November 17, 2023 - Woodridge Thanksgiving Lunch - 10:00 - 2:00 PM - Location: Woodridge Elementary

Greater Heights Night
Wednesday, November 8 - Greater Heights Night - 6:00 - 10:00 PM, Location: Witte Museum

Veteran's Day Programming (refer to your campus Monday Mail for more details)

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Junior School - 8:45 - 9:30 AM (6th); 9:35 - 10:20 AM (7th); 10:25 - 11:10 AM (8th)

Friday, November 10, 2023

Howard - 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Cambridge - 9:30-10:30 AM (1st & 4th); 10:30-11:30 AM (2nd, 3rd, & 5th)
Woodridge - 2-2:30 PM (1st & 2nd grade); 2:45-3:15 (3rd, 4th, & 5th)