MATADOR PRIDE

A JOINT PRODUCT OF THE SEGUIN ISD AND THE SEGUIN GAZETTE • NOVEMBER 2017 • VOL 6: ISSUE 1

2 - NOVEMBER 2017 · MATADOR PRIDE

MATADOR PRIDE

A JOINT PRODUCT OF THE SEGUIN ISD AND THE SEGUIN GAZETTE • NOVEMBER 2017 • VOL 6: ISSUE 1

ON THE COVER: Congratulations to Marlana Ledesma, 2017 Seguin High School Homecoming Queen and Jonathan Barton, 2017 Homecoming King. Marla and Jonathan were named during Homecoming halftime festivities of the Oct. 21 football game.

Parents and guardians can monitor their student’s progress through a click of a

mouse by using the Parent Self Serve Portal at http://buff.ly/1EZi9l4.

To sign up, watch this MATTECHTV tutorial (http://buff.ly/1EVHOLy) that will guide you step by step through the registration

process.

Questions about using Parent Self Serve Portal may be directed to the SISD

Technology Department at (830) 401-8642.

KEEP UP WITH GRADES

Greetings, Seguin ISD. It is a pleasure to update you on good news and initiatives in our November issue of Matador Pride.

First, I would like to thank our friends at at Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union for generously donating funds for breakfast tacos to recognize the Seguin ISD Transportation Department staff on Oct. 18 as part of National School Bus Safety Week. All of our Transportation staff is to be commended for doing a great job. Namely for safely transporting nearly 2,500 Seguin students about 6,000 miles each and every school day. Keep up the great work, Transportation staff.

Recently I have had the opportunity to take student lead tours at McQueeney, Rodriguez, Briesemeister, Weinert, Koennecke and Barnes. These tours were conducted by members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Team and have proven to be very insightful to see how students perceive their campus and infrastructure. I look forward to touring all of our schools to see our classrooms firsthand from a student’s perspective.

On Oct. 19 it was a privilege to experience Matador Pride at the Homecoming parade and community pep rally. I enjoyed seeing various student groups along the parade route (the Destination Imagination students had an extraordinary float) and it was exciting to experience the lighting of the M in Matador Stadium. I would like to thank Seguin High School teacher Tori Beutnagel for her hard work toward a successful Homecoming weekend. Also, congratulations to Seguin High School students Marlana Ledesma and Jonathan Barton for being named 2017 Homecoming queen and king by their peers.

90 Day Plan updateRecently, four new Task Forces, comprised of 10

members each, met for the first time to develop a plan of action to address areas of opportunity in Special Education, Multilingual and Bilingual Education/ English as a Second Language, GT/Advanced Academics and Post Secondary Readiness. The Task Forces are led by Curriculum and Instruction directors under the guidance of the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. Educators and community members serve on the four committees.

On the evening of Oct. 23, more than 40 community members who serve on the Key Communicators committee met so that we can better celebrate the positives that are occurring each day in all of our campuses. My goal is to have these individuals become ambassadors for the district to help us promote our success.

I am pleased with the support and interest by the individuals on these committees. It tells me that the

community is extremely passionate about education and preparing students for life after Seguin High School.

A team from the Texas Association of School Boards is in the process of conducting an independent facilities assessment of our campuses and buildings. This will serve as a template for future dialogue as our Facilities Committee becomes engaged.

Two community forums are scheduled to glean public input on our school system. The meetings are Nov. 1-2, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Seguin ISD administrative offices located at 1221 E. Kingsbury St.

Primarily I am looking for feedback from Seguin ISD stakeholders to gather their impressions about our schools. Community input is imperative as we embark upon our strategic planning process. My goal is to use this feedback to help identify strengths and weaknesses in Seguin schools and ultimately create the vision, mission and goals for the strategic plan.

I invite our parents, families and students to drop by one of the scheduled community forums to share thoughts and ideas.

Additionally, I will host a state of the district presentation to interested community members on Nov. 6 in the Seguin High School Performing Arts Center from 7-8 p.m. Educate Seguin has pledged to co-sponsor the event by providing refreshments. Businesses or organizations interested in sponsoring a future state of the district event are invited to email shoffmann@seguin.k12.tx.us or call (830) 401-8609.

Ultimately, the collective work of all these groups will be instrumental in designing a strategic plan to guide the district for the next five years. I will share additional updates to our 90 Day and Strategic Planning in future editions of Matador Pride and during our monthly school board meetings.

I’ll close with congratulating the Matador volleyball team for advancing to the playoffs once again. While we don’t have playoff details as of press time, we are proud of these young ladies and their coaches as they represent Seguin in the post season.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community’s most precious resource, our children.

Super Words

Dr. Matthew GutierrezSuperintendent of Schools

MATADOR PRIDE · NOVEMBER 2017 - 3

SEGUIN, Texas (Oct. 4, 2017) – Seguin High School student Roman Ruiz has been named a Commended Student in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program according to Principal Hector Esquivel.

A Letter of Commendation from Seguin High School and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) was presented by Seguin ISD Superintendent Dr. Matthew Gutierrez to the scholastically talented senior on Oct. 4.

About 34,000 Commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2018 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2018 competition by taking the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“In being named a Commended student, Roman has demonstrated outstanding

potential for continued academic success. He represents a valuable national resource. We recognize his accomplishments, as well as the key roles his teachers play in his academic development, for the continued advancement of academic excellence in Seguin High School, Seguin ISD, Texas and across the nation. We hope that Roman’s success will help broaden his future educational opportunities as he continues his journey toward academic excellence,” Esquivel said.

In March, Ruiz was selected as a National Hispanic Scholar under the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program. He earned an invitation to apply for the prestigious program after scoring in the top 2.5 percent of Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT exam takers in the region.

Roman is a member of the Matador Band and National Junior Honor Society. His parents are John and Lorie Ruiz of Seguin.

Roman Ruiz a Commended Student in 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program

New PriNciPalAmber Gonzales, Briesemeister Middle School principal, was off and running on Oct. 20, her first day on campus. Welcome to Seguin ISD, Mrs. Gonzales!

NatioNal Bus safety weekSeguin ISD bus drivers and Transportation staff enjoyed tacos provided by Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union as part of National School Bus Safety Week. Thank you RBFCU for the tacos and Seguin ISD Transportation for always putting the safety of our students first on campus. Welcome to Seguin ISD, Mrs. Gonzales!

4 - NOVEMBER 2017 · MATADOR PRIDE

leadershiP classMr. Holt, Seguin ISD trustee, recently visited with student’s in Coach Hernandez’s 6th grade Leadership class. He shared his story with these Briesemeister Middle School students and also left them with inspiring words of advice.

GraduatioN JeoPardySeguin High School Senior Counselor, Natalie Austin, guides twelfth graders through “Graduation Jeopardy” in preparation for June 2018.

Physical educatioNJefferson Elementary kindergarten students enjoy playing Ghostbusters while on their scooters during PE class.

studeNt couNcilVogel Elementary student council members engaged in an activity to become better acquainted during their first meeting after school.

MATADOR PRIDE · NOVEMBER 2017 - 5

Book challeNGeJefferson Elementary students and staff have taken on the Reading 20,000 Book Challenge. During the first reading goal period they cumulatively read 3,799 books. Way to go!

fifth Place Congratulations to Faith Irwin, Seguin High School senior, for placing fifth at the State Fair of Texas.

NOW YOU HAVE A CHOICE

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cross couNtryBriana Adams finished her middle school cross country career with a strong sixth place finish at the District meet with a time of 13:31.

6 - NOVEMBER 2017 · MATADOR PRIDE

Adan Zuniga Third Grade

Abriale GarciaFourth Grade

Gabriela RosasFifth Gradekoennecke elementary school

Alaina SeppalaKindergarten

Phaedra DouglasFirst Grade

Matthew Marr-Clancy Second Grade

Samantha Pineda Third Grade

Dalia LoeraFourth Grade

Madison VillanuevaFifth Grade

Leah GutierrezKindergarten

Sophia SmithFirst Grade

Valeria GonzalezSecond Grade

Patlan elementary school

Jaivi GarciaKindergarten

Yelitza VazquezFirst Grade

Ilyjah Cardona-TristanSecond Grade

Sarah Elliott Third Grade

Mia OchoaFourth Grade

America CamposFifth Grade

rodriguez elementary school

Josiah Lombrana-SalazarKindergarten

Syda RiojasFirst Grade

Juliana QuinonesSecond Grade

Annisa RangelThird Grade

Michael FloresFourth Grade

Esmeralda ArroyoFifth Grade

Jefferson elementary school

mcQueeney elementary school

Jay RodriguezKindergarten

Eva MunozFirst Grade

Julissa Meza Second Grade

Jerric Garcia Third Grade

Justin OntiverosFourth Grade

Angel MartinezFifth Grade

Ball early childhood

center

Vivann Quinonez

Jeremiah Garcia

Star Students are selected by their teachers for their character, dedication

and willingness to go above and beyond expectations in Seguin ISD schools.

WAY TO GO, STAR STUDENTS!

SEGUINGAZETTE

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As a service to our community, the Seguin Gazette is now a

RETIRED FLAG DROP-OFF SITESimply drop o� your worn, faded, torn or soiled

American Flags at our o� ce at 1012 Schriewer and American Legion Post #245 will pick them up and dispose of them properly.

Megan DemuthSeventh Grade

Arturo MendozaSixth Grade

Jonathon Washington Eighth Grade

Madison LopezSixth Grade

Rosemarie PenaEighth Grade

Pablo VasquezSeventh Grade

MATADOR PRIDE · NOVEMBER 2017 - 7

Vogel elementary school

Jazzlyn Albert-PayneKindergarten

Mark GonzalesFirst Grade

Gabriella BalderasSecond Grade

Houston HerreraThird Grade

Jewellee RodriguezFourth Grade

Lizette VarelaFifth Grade

Jaime FloresKindergarten

Gabrielle MirelesFirst Grade

Kamille JeffersonSecond Grade

Oscar EspinozaThird Grade

Rylie WilkeFourth Grade

Joseph RamirezFifth Grade

weinert elementary school

Barnes middle school

M’Kayla FloresSeventh Grade

Christian BrooksSixth Grade

Anthony EstradaEighth Grade

Briesemeister middle school

seguin high school

Julianna WilleminNinth Grade

David KingNinth Grade

Valeria HernandezTenth Grade

Tanner SchuehleTenth Grade

mercer-Blumberg learning center

Morgan Schmidt

Natalee OrtaSixth Grade

Emily DeLaRosaEighth Grade

Leroy MarionSeventh Grade

Sarah JacksonEleventh Grade

Joshua SanchezEleventh Grade

Amber RamosTwelfth Grade

Michael GrandysTwelfth Grade

Isaiah Gutierrez

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8 - NOVEMBER 2017 · MATADOR PRIDE

seGuiN liBeriaNsSeguin ISD librarians recently attended the ESC Region 20 Library Round-Up. They learned to negotiate and navigate school libraries, listened to young adult author Jeff Zetner speak and much more.

PumPkiN math Ball Early Childhood Center students measured the circumference of pumpkins in a fun fall math activity.

SEGUIN, Texas (Oct. 4, 2017) – The

Seguin ISD Board of Trustees approved the

following new hires during an Oct. 4 special

meeting.

Amber Gonzales, principal,

Briesemeister Middle School

Ms. Amber Gonzales obtained her

Bachelor’s from UTSA in Interdisciplinary

Studies and her Master’s Degree from

UTSA in Arts in Education, Reading and

Educational Leadership. She holds an

Elementary Self Contained (1-8) certificate

along with a Master Reading and Principal

EC-12 certification. Ms. Gonzales started

her career over 14 years ago as a middle

school reading teacher with Northside ISD

and was soon named vice principal at Colby

Glass Elementary for three years.

In 2015, Ms. Gonzales was promoted to a

principal position with Northside ISD and is

currently serving in that capacity. She stated

that her heart has always been at the middle

school level and is thrilled about joining

the Briesemeister Middle School team.

She has a strong instructional background

with an emphasis in reading and writing

and is a proponent of professional learning

communities for all staff members. She

believes that building relationships with

students, staff and parents will nurture

a culture of trust and confidence. Ms.

Gonzales is impressed with Seguin ISD

and is excited to become a team member to

guide, support and challenge the staff and

students at Briesemeister.

Cassie Koehler, assistant principal,

Koennecke Elementary School

Cassie Koehler obtained her Bachelor’s

Degree from TLU and her Master’s Degree

in Educational Administration from Lamar

University. Ms. Koehler holds a teacher

certification EC-4 and a Principal EC-12

certification. She has been a classroom

teacher for six years and has spent the past

two years as the Instructional Coach at

Rodriguez Elementary. As an Instructional

Coach, Ms. Koehler has gained experience

with curriculum planning, state testing, data

disaggregation and mentoring new teachers.

She has been a part of many campus and

district level committees that focus on overall

needs assessments, intervention support,

curriculum writing and student discipline.

Cassie is honored for this opportunity and

is excited to begin a new role in supporting

Seguin ISD.

Andrea Jaramillo, PK-12 English/

language arts coordinator

Ms. Andrea Jaramillo obtained her

Bachelor’s Degree from the University of

North Texas in Interdisciplinary Studies

with a minor in English as a Second

Language. She earned her Master’s Degree

from UNT in Education in Curriculum

and Instruction. Ms. Jaramillo currently

maintains an ESL Generalist (EC-6) and her

principal certification for grades EC-12. She

has 12 years in education with the last three

years serving as an Instructional Coach and

New Teacher Liaison with Plano ISD. Ms.

Jaramillo is very excited about her new role

with Seguin ISD and is looking forward to

supporting teachers district wide.

Seguin ISD new hires, Oct. 4, 2017

MATADOR PRIDE · NOVEMBER 2017 - 9

Guided readiNG Karnes City primary teachers visited

Weinert Elementary to observe how they successfully implement Balanced Literacy

(also known as guided reading).

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#stomPoutBullyiNGStudents throughout the district wore blue on Oct. 2 to show their commitment to #STOMPOutBullying and bring awareness to Bully Prevention Month.

10 - NOVEMBER 2017 · MATADOR PRIDE

chess tourNameNtFirst through sixth place finishers in the Oct. 16 Seguin ISD chess tournament at Koennecke Elementary were, front row left to right, Bang Hua Pan, Melanie Poe, Ben Rodriguez, Ethan Velasquez, Cody Canales and Conner Kopplin. Participants included Sammy Bode, Jovan Vasquez, James Conoway, Donovan Canales, Sean Salinas and Bang Luo Pan.

Peter PaN Jr.The Seguin High School Theatre Arts Department hosted community performances of Peter Pan Jr. on Oct. 25-26 in the brand new Performing Arts Center.

red riBBoN weekSeguin ISD partners with the Guadalupe County Sheriffs Office and Seguin Police Department to help keep the schools safe and drug free. Deputy Guarnero and Lorby of the K-9 unit helped with this task during Red Ribbon Week.

MATADOR PRIDE · NOVEMBER 2017 - 11

thaNk you seGuiNThank you to the Seguin community for attending the annual Homecoming parade and pep rally on Oct. 19. Your Matadors appreciate your support!

custodial aPPreciatioN dayBarnes Middle School faculty, staff and students observed Custodial Appreciation Day on Oct. 2 by presenting goodie baskets to their amazing custodial staff.

tlu VoluNteersMembers of the TLU Men’s Soccer team are volunteering at Rodriguez Elementary as mentors for the 2017-2018 school year.

Phi theta kaPPaSeguin Early College High School seniors Hunter Stiles, Heston Bugai, Cassandra Leal and Kayla Sanchez were invited to join the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at St. Philip’s College. Membership is based on superior academic achievement, at least 12 college hours completed and a minimum cumulative 3.5 grade point average.

12 - NOVEMBER 2017 · MATADOR PRIDE

MISSINGMATADORSMATTER