STUDENT ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM, INC.South Padre Island, Texas •June 15-17, 2011

8th Annual Conference

Dear Colleagues and Conference Participants,

Welcome to SAPI’s 8th Annual Summer Conference. As you know, we have had many changes throughout our organization since our first Summer

Conference. Some were not so easy, and some were really great; but they were all well worth the efforts we poured into them. We continue to grow, and still

have many achievements yet to see come to fruition. We will be having some difficult times ahead with the advent of budget cuts and legislative mandates;

however, we feel that with appropriate strategic planning and student enrollment increases, we will prevail in a cost effective manner ensuring financial solvency.

A lot of behind the scenes work went into the end product you will see here today and the next two days of the conference. Each year, our Planning Committee

invests a lot of heart and soul into this Conference.

We assemble in this manner for one purpose, and that is to bring our staff and Board of Directors together so that we can provide you with resources to improve

your performance on your campuses and in your classrooms, to remind you of our processes and procedures and the importance of following them, and to give us time

to reflect on our successes and our failures. Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” And that is what we are

here to do, continue and press on so that we can make a difference in the lives of our students and the communities that we serve.

I want to thank our Assistant Superintendent, Frances Berrones-Johnson for all of her dedication and hard work throughout the year. She represents each of you every day to the best of her ability and she has high expectations in return, as it should be. We are all

called to serve, and we are all here for one purpose: to empower each other to improve our students’ performances by challenging their minds, igniting their enthusiasm, and

giving them the tools they need to be successful. We must always stress the importance of higher education to each of our students. In the end, their success will ultimately be the

measure of our success. Always remember that commitment leads to achievement and achievement leads to success. Thanks for your continued commitment.

Sincerely,

Eduardo GutierrezFounder/CEO

Student Alternatives Program, Inc.

Welcome!Committed to provide continued

opportunities to students

EDUARDO GUTIERREZ

Throughout his 20 years of service, Mr. Eduardo Gutierrez has witnessed his dream, of providing alternative educational leaming methods and programs, blossom and grow. Today, Mr. Gutierrez operates four charter districts with eight high school campuses. These charter campuses have a combined maximum enrollment capacity of 2,600 students. The charter districts are located in the following geographical areas:

EI Paso, Texas-----Paso Del Norte AcademyLaredo, Texas-----Gateway AcademyLubbock, Texas---South Plains AcademyMcAllen, Mercedes, San Benito-Mid-Valley Academy.

In 2008, Mr. Gutierrez created Project Visi6n, a mentorship program for SAPI students. Every year, each campus nominates one female and one male student as a mentee. Through Project Vision, these students develop good stewardship, strong leadership skills, and are strongly encouraged to pursue higher education.

Mr. Gutierrez looks forward to SAPI’ s continued growth and development. Through SAPI, he is committed to provide continued opportunities to students who will rise to the expected levels of success and who will seek unlimited personal potential.

Wed

nesd

ay, J

une 1

5

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hotel Check-In and Conference Registration Second Floor

5:30 p.m. --6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception

6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. • Pledge of Allegiance / Master of Ceremony • Welcome to South Padre Island / Master of Ceremony • Opening Remarks / Eduardo Gutierrez • Introduction of Special Guests in Attendance &

Board & Directors / Eduardo Gutiérrez & Master of Ceremony

7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Dinner / Palm Grand Ballroom

8:15 pm Award Presentation / Master of Ceremony

8:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Video Presentation / Tribute to Our Students

7:15 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Door Prize Distribution

9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Entertainment by Nani Aloha Dancers

Thur

sday

, Jun

e 16 8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast & General Session/Video Presentation

9:05 am – 11:45 am Session I

11:45 am – 12:45 pm Working Lunch

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm Session II Group I—Team Building Activity

2:45 pm - 3:00 pm Break

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Session II Group II—Team Building Activity

4:30 pm - 4:45 pm Break

4:45 pm – 6:00 pm Session II Group III—Team Building Activity

Frida

y, Ju

ne 17 8:00 am – 9:30 am Breakfast & General Session/Presentation

9:35 am – 11:45 am Session III

11:45 am Working Lunch To Go & Conference Evaluation

2:00 pm - ? ABC Board Meeting and Commence SAPI & State Board Meetings

Conference ScheduleThe Starfish StoryOriginal Story by: Loren Eisley

Once upon a time, there was a wise man

who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the

beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and

saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of

someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what

he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to

the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is

that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the

somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out.

If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not

realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said,

“It made a difference for that one.”

Conference TopicsThursday, June 16, 2011 Session I TOPICS

•5EModelofInstruction This research-based training will allow staff to explore the use of the 5E Model (Engage,

Explore, Elaborate, Evaluate) in each of the core academic areas. Teachers will utilize a learning sequence made up of teacher and student behaviors that present a framework for constructivist learning. In this model, students have the opportunity to use logic and prior knowledge to build understanding through inquiry learning. The model seeks to engage students in the lesson before Exploration or Explanation.

•MathStrategiesandthe5EModelofInstruction Participants will learn about the 5E Model of Instruction by going through a 5E Math Lesson and

looking at the behaviors of the teacher and students during a 5E Model lesson. Presenter: Fernando Rosa, Region I ESC Representative Session Room: Majestic

•EnglishLanguageArtsandthe5EModelofInstruction- Participants will learn about the 5E Model of Instruction by going through a 5E English Language

Arts Lesson and looking at the behaviors of the teacher and students during a 5E Model lesson. Presenter: Nancy Escobedo, Region I ESC Representative Session Room: Nautilus

•ScienceStrategiesandthe5EModelofInstruction Participants will learn about the 5E Model of Instruction by going through a 5E Science Lesson

and looking at the behaviors of the teacher and students during a 5E Model lesson. Presenter: Patty Gandy, Region I ESC Representative Session Room: Sundial

•SocialStudiesandthe5EModelofInstruction Participants will learn about the 5E Model of Instruction by going through a 5E Social Studies

Lesson and looking at the behaviors of the teacher and students during a 5E Model lesson. Presenter: Esequiel Martinez, Region I ESC Representative Session Room: Conch

•ReviewingtheSAPILMABPROTOCOLMANUAL Local Management Board together with SAPI and State Charter Board Members will have an

opportunity to review existing protocol, to include new amendments to the SAPI LMAB Manual, and to further prepare the document for final SAPI Board Approval.

Presenter: Janie Villa, Board Chair Session Room: Conference Room

•TrainingBlockforOfficePersonnel This preparation block will allow all campus office personnel to receive material regarding

existing and new systems changes within the SAPI Charter School Structure. Corporate/Business Office Personnel will facilitate an agenda that will be carried out by Region 1 ESC Representatives. An array of subjects will be included in this information packed itinerary.

Presenter(s): Mike Burkholder, Mary Trevino, Region I ESC Representatives Session Room: Key Largo

Session II TOPIC

•TeamBuildingExercise-theSoBWay! The Sons of the Beach Sand Castle Wizards will help make our 8th Annual SAPI Summer

Conference an experience you will never forget. Through this fun filled exercise, you will • learn how to build a better sand sculpture - useful information for all future beach trips, • receive ideas on formulating a team plan, • execute the plan, • organize yourselves, assign individual tasks to team members and discover individual strengths

and how to best make use of them, • get practice working together as a group, and • create an exciting visual for multiple photo opportunities. Presenter: Amazin’ Walter & Staff Session Location: Beach

Team Building Exercise the SoB way!

This unique presentation will allow participants to experi-ence the same frustration, anxiety and tension that chil-dren with Learning Disabilities (LD) face in their daily lives. Ms. Alicia Valdez will open the pre-sentation with an “Ice-Breaker” where the audience will experi-ence the challenges of a learn-ing disability.

Participants will be able to reflect upon their experiences and the way it will change their approach to working with L.D. children. Ms. Valdez’ presenta-tion will also include vignettes of Richard Lavoie’s workshop, “How Difficult Can This Be? The F.A.T. City Workshop.

The Chalkboard

Jungle

Friday, June 17, 2011 Session III Topics

•OverviewofStandard-BasedIEPsandtheARDProcess Standards-based goals are annual, measurable goals aligned to enrolled grade level Texas Essential

Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). This session is intended to provide its participants an overview of the four critical components of a measurable goal:

• Timeframe identifies the amount of time in the goal period and is usually specified in the number of weeks or a certain date for completion,

• Conditions specify the manner in which progress toward the goal occurs. Conditions describe the specific resources that must be present for a child to reach the goal. The condition of the goal should relate to the behavior being measured. For example, a goal relating to reading comprehension may require the use of a graphic organizer. The graphic organizer is the condition,

• Behavior clearly identifies the performance that is being monitored. It represents an action that can be directly observed and measured, and

• Criterion identifies how much, how often, or to what standard the behavior must occur in order to demonstrate that the goal has been achieved. The goal criterion specifies the amount of growth that is expected.

Presenter(s): Kelly Solis and Ruth Solis, Region I ESC Representative Session Room: Nautilus

•DifferentiatedInstruction Differentiated instruction is viewed as a proactive approach to instruction and an idea that has as

many faces as practitioners. The model of differentiated instruction requires teachers to tailor their instruction and adjust the curriculum to students’ needs rather than expecting students to modify themselves to fit the curriculum. Teachers who are committed to this approach believe that who they teach shapes how they teach because who the students are shapes how they learn. Differentiated instruction requires the teacher to have “sufficient appropriate knowledge of the pupils, PLUS the ability to plan and deliver suitable lessons effectively, so as to help all pupils individually to maximize their learning, whatever their individual situation”. Differentiation is not teaching at a slow pace so that everyone can keep up; allowing pupils and groups work through tasks at their own pace, or expecting some students to do better than others and calling it ‘differentiation by outcome”. This session will provide you with the basic principles of Differentiated Instruction so that they will be able to meet the needs of their students.

Presenter: Alicia Valdez, Independent Consultant Session Room: Majestic

•ShelteredInstruction Sheltered Instruction is an approach to teaching English language learners which integrates

language and content instruction. The dual goals of sheltered instruction are: 1. to provide access to mainstream, grade-level content, and 2. to promote the development of English language proficiency. Through this training you will be provided with an overview of the characteristics of Sheltered

Instruction. You will be introduced to the integration of various strategies that will enable you to meet the needs of English language learners.

Presenter: Connie Guerra, Region I ESC Representative Session Room: Conch

•ResponsetoIntervention(RTI) RTI is a multi-tiered approach to providing support services to students who are struggling. It is a

general education led effort implemented within the general education system which is coordinated with all other services including special education, Title I, ESL, Migrant Education, etc. RTI is designed to provide instructional intervention immediately upon student need. It is a process that determines if the child responds to scientific, research-based intervention as a part of the evaluation procedures. This session will provide you with an overview to help you develop an understanding of the Response to Intervention (RTI) model.

Presenter: Nancy Escobedo-Atkinson, Region I ESC Representative Session Room: Sundial

•TrainingBlockforOfficePersonnel(Continuation) This preparation block will allow all campus office personnel to continue receiving material

regarding existing and new systems changes within the SAPI Charter School Structure. Discussion opportunities will be presented. Corporate/Business Office Personnel will continue facilitating the agenda that will be carried out by Region 1 ESC Representatives. An array of subjects will be included in this information packed itinerary.

Presenter(s): Mike Burkholder, Mary Trevino, Region I ESC Representatives Session Room: Key Largo

Ms. Alicia Valdez

Celebrating Mr. Eduardo GutierrezLo Del CorazónJosé Antonio BurciagaLo del Corazónis that which comes from the Heart.Co-ra-zónpronounced ko-da-son,without the bow in the Ko,pronounced with a soft “d” and“son” instead of “ zone,”with an accent on the són.Now repeat as you read:“Corazón!”Also pronounced Corathonin Hithpania.

But in Aztlányou can saycorawhich is short for corazónor you can say corazonsotewhich is very big heartedor a sweet and short corazonsito

Literally and biologicallyit is the organ of circulation,that which is the ticker,the soul, the spiritor the gut feeling.Lo del mero Corazóncomes from thecore, comes fromthe center,it is the nucleus,it is the seed,it is the essence,and the quintessence.

A corazonaso can be:A dolor de corazón-heartacheCorazón partido-heartbreakCorazón doloroso-heart-rending

Del mero corazón is:that which comes from a bottomless heart,that which gives love,that which gives valor,that which supports the backbone,that which gives nervethat which makes you love.

Love = amoryo amo = tu amasél, ella ama = nosotros amamosvosotros amais = ellos aman,Amén.

SERVING THE STUDENT FOR YEARS

Academy MascotsOUR MISSIONThe mission of the charter district is to teach students to become respectable, responsible citizens who value their self-worth, respect others and realize the importance of hard work and the continuation of learning throughout their lives.

OUR VISIONThe vision of the charter district is to offer educational programs in a community-based, non-traditional setting in which teachers are free to be creative and innovative and students are free to explore their full potential. The district also envisions a school in which staff, students, parents, and the local community have a deep sense of ownership through the knowledge that they will have the ability to truly be a part of the educational community.

200 N. 17th St. • McAllen, Texas 78501Phone: (956) 618-2303

www.SAPIacademies.org/mva

711 N. Mesa St. • El Paso, TX 79902Phone: (915) 532-7216

www.SAPIacademies.org/pdna

1230 Townlake Drive • Laredo, Texas 78041Phone: (956) 722-0747

www.SAPIacademies.org/gwa

103 E. 2nd. St. • Mercedes, Texas 78570Phone: (956) 565-5417

www.SAPIacademies.org/mva

4008 Avenue R • Lubbock, TX 79412Phone: (806) 744-0330

www.SAPIacademy.org/spa

400 S. Zaragoza St. • El Paso, TX 79907Phone: (915) 298-3637

www.SAPIacademies.org/pdna

813 E. Pike • Weslaco, tx 78596Phone: (956) 447-2332

47620 South Lucy • Laredo, Texas 78046Phone: (956) 723-0345

www.SAPIacademies.org/gwa

1785 W. Bus. Hwy. 77 • San Benito, Texas 78586Phone: (956) 276-9930

www.SAPIacademies.org/mva

WeAppreciatte You!5 Years of Service

Clark, Nancy ........................................................ PDNAElorreaga, Estella ............................................. PDNAGomez, Alfredo ................................................ PDNAGonzalez, Valerie ................................................GWAKoontz, Charles ...................................................... SPAMadrigal-Saenz, Melissa ...............................GWAMonroy, Maria ................................................... PDNANewman, Natasha ............................................... SPAPacheco, Anabel ................................................... SPASanders, Mark .......................................................... SPASegovia, Amanda ..............................................GWA

10 Years of ServiceBerrones-Johnson, Frances ..........CorporateFonseca, Jacob Weslaco .............................DAEPHerrera, Andrea ......................................CorporateOlivares, Norma ..................................................GWASilva, Roxie ..............................................................GWATijerina, Samuel ...................................................GWA

15 Years of ServiceBarcelo, Cosme J. ..................................CorporatePowell, Sonia ..........................................................MVAPruneda, Aydee .....................................Corporate

20 Years of ServiceGutierrez, Eduardo ..............................Corporate

BoardMembersJanie Villa-Chairperson

David Ojeda, Jr.-Vice-ChairpersonRaul Sauceda-Secretary/Treasurer

Amancio Chapa, Jr.-MemberRudy Telles-MemberTito Tijerina-Member

Guillermo “William” Ruiz-MemberBillie Russell-Member

Lupe Silva-Member