Good morning!  I hope you had a good weekend, even though the weather was cool and windy.  This week we have the first round of the 2009 TAKS testing.  I know that everyone has worked hard to prepare our students and I know that our students will do well.  Also, I know that all of you are looking forward to our Spring Break next week and having some time off.  The school year has passed so fast, and I know when we come back from Spring Break that the next round of TAKS testing will be here before we know it, and then it will be the end of the school year.  I know everyone says the years go faster as you get older, and since it seems to me that each year just passes faster, I must really be getting old!

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who donated to the United Way.  Despite bad economic news everyday, Northside employees gave from their hearts and increased participation in the United Way Campaign by 4% and increased donations by 2%.  With 4685 employees donating $277,305.50, Northside showed its great charitable spirit and a belief that helping people is important.  Last year 4500 employees donated $224,771.56.  A big thank you to all who participated and a big thank you to all the campus and department representatives for striving for 100% participation.  Great job Northside!

Recently the Texas Department of Agriculture scheduled a coordinated review of all Child Nutrition Program to monitor our compliance with state and federal regulations.  The audit team visited ten schools during lunch and breakfast and reviewed other aspects of the program such as applications for free and reduced lunch, food preparation, and inventories.  The result of the audit was that we received an "Excellent Accommodation."  Out of all the things they reviewed they only found three small clerical errors that were noted in the exit interview.  During the exit interview the auditors expressed to me how impressed they were with everything.  They found not one error on the lunch applications, and the lead auditor noted how interactive principals and teachers were with the cafeterias, and the teamwork that was evident.  I want to express my appreciation to Thomas Wherry, Director of Child Nutrition, and all his staff, and especially those who work in our cafeterias for the great job they do.  Over 100,000 meals a day are served to our students and our cafeteria staff do a great job.  This review and the job our Child Nutrition Department does are just two examples of the excellence in Northside.  Great job and thanks for all you do for our students!

Last week, three Northside educators were honored with the San Antonio Mayoral/County Judge Outstanding Science and Mathematics Teaching Award.  The following math teachers were surprised in their classrooms with a check for $2,000 from the San Antonio Math & Science Education Coalition: Cristina McGowen, Powell Elementary School; Daniel Applegate, Rayburn Middle School; and Brandon Grell, Warren High School.  This is the second year the award was given and Northside teachers received three out of the six awards, which were coordinated by UTSA and funded by H-E-B Grocery Co., USAA Education Foundation, and McCombs Foundation.  The award was established to honor quality math and science teachers who help to increase the number of students who choose careers in these fields.  Congratulations to these teachers on this recognition of their outstanding work with our students.

I also want to congratulate Blanca Arizpe-Hemann on being selected by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association as the 2009 recipient of the Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year.  Blanca is the vice principal at Leon Springs Elementary.  She has presented sessions at the TEPSA Summer Conference, facilitated new teacher academies, directed summer school programs, presented staff development for TAKS preparation, and has been recognized as an Educator of the Year for Northside.  Congratulations, Blanca, we are proud of you!

Recently, the Regional Junior Academy of Science was held at UTSA.  This regional academy determines who qualifies to compete in the Texas Junior Academy of Science at Texas A&M.  Of the 46 high school students who qualified from over 30 counties, 28 are Northside students.  These 28 students included 17 from the Jay Science & Engineering Academy, 8 Health Careers students, two Marshall students, and one Clark student.  Congratulations to these students!

Also, the Regional and Area Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) recently took place at Clark High School.  Over 1664 pieces of artwork were processed during this event.  Northside surpassed all other districts in the competition with 45 pieces of art advancing to state competition.  A big thank you to Linda Fleetwood, Marshall High School; Mark Peavy, Clark High School; and all our art teachers for their tireless efforts in making this event a great success.  And certainly congratulations to all the students who have artwork advancing to state.

Lastly, the Middle and High School Science Bowls were just completed.  This was a very large event with 30 high schools and 10 middle schools competing.  Stinson Middle School won the Middle School competition by beating out Alamo Heights and Luna Middle School finished third.  Clark High School finished third in the high school competition.  Congratulations to these schools and the students who competed.

This Monday Message mentions several of the great accomplishments of our teachers and students in recent weeks.  There are many things going on at the federal and state levels of which I speak often in Monday Message, but nothing compares to or is more important than the successes of our schools, our teachers and staff, and especially our students.  This success shows that "We Believe" in our school district, our campuses, our teachers, our staff, and our students.  Northside Rocks!

Have a great week and great Spring Break!