Helotes music students present holiday performance

December 10--The Helotes Choir and Strings students performed for students and families. The Choir performed "The Littlest Christmas Tree" in the afternoon for the students and staff. After the PTA meeting, the Strings students performed, and the Choir performed again for the parents and families.

Neff celebrates its Pillars of Character

December 16--Neff MS hosted a Christmas reception for Parent Involvement and also to honor students who were chosen as Pillars of Character during the first semester. Parents were treated to hot chocolate and Christmas cookies and made Christmas ornaments with their children.

Pillar entertains Rudder MS students and staff

January 4--Closing out 2009 before the winter holiday, Chuck Cureau, NISD's 2009 Pillar of Character honoree for Trustworthiness, entertained Rudder MS students and faculty with a lively rendition of Clement Clarke Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (Twas the Night Before Christmas).

The announcer, who also is the voice for the Spurs organization, was heartily welcomed. Students also were entertained by beautiful musical programs prepared by the Rudder band, choir, and orchestra and mini-dramas by the Theater Arts department.

Locke Hill performs sounds of the season

January 6--It was an afternoon to remember as sounds of the holiday season was in the air Dec. 15 at the Locke Hill ES cafetorium. The fifth grade Strings Group and Choir, led by Mary Gabriel and assisted by Karen Hindelang and Donna Vosburg, performed their Annual Winter Recital for family, friends, and staff.

Superintendent John Folks surprised everyone with a front row seat next to Principal Cathy Cowan and Vice Principal Mary Usrey. Students performed some of their favorite holiday songs, which were enjoyed by the audience. They showed off their skills and hard work through individual performances, group performances, and as a result, patches were handed out for Strings students who had memorized their songs.

Cable students enjoy holiday gifts

The Lackland Airlift Unit 422 and Santa Claus presenting books to second grade students (l-r) Joslynn Gonzalez, Joshua Perez, and Demi Puebla.

January 7--With a small exception of costumes, Cable ES staff members were as busy as elves at Christmas time the last day before the winter break. All Cable students received gifts thanks to several different donations.

• Acting as Santa was a parent volunteer, Albert Gonzales
• Charley Snyder from Inksignia Studio donated gifts to pre-kinder through first grade
• Javier Leal from State Farm gave books to all first grade students
• Lackland Airlift Unit 422 presented books to second grade
• City Councilman Ray Lopez along with administrative assistants Jesse Cardenas and Raul C. Zamora gave the gift of books to third and fourth grade students
• State Rep. Jose Menendez donated books to fifth grade with the help of National Educational Systems, Inc., Lupe Garza

Special Education students celebrate the season with Family Fun Night

Pictured are Parent Advisory Committee member Shannon Savage-Cerna and her daughter, Isabella Cerna.

January 12--Preschool and elementary students in Special Education celebrated the holidays with a free Family Fun Night hosted by the NISD Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. On Dec. 7, 40 students, their brothers and sisters, parents, grandparents, and friends gathered at the Nellie Reddix Center to decorate cookies, make holiday decorations and have fun in the gym filled with a bounce house and other activities. The group "Cat Paws" provided entertainment and H-E-B donated eco-friendly shopping bags filled with lots of goodies.

This is the second year that the Parent Advisory Committee has hosted this event. The parents on the committee volunteer their time and talent to ensure that families who attend have a good time. Central Office coordinators, the Special Education director and the Adaptive Physical Education staff also stepped in to help.