As the fight over South San Antonio High School West Campus’ future plays out in court, it’s easy to overlook the school district’s successes and to forget that teaching and learning are still happening every day.
As one woman, seemingly aware that a media representative was within earshot, said at a school board meeting Wednesday night: “It’s not all bad.”
Trustees of the South San Antonio Independent School District gave kudos to their top-performing schools at the meeting, recognizing the principals with certificates, hand-shakes and the flash of a camera.
They shone a light on Hutchins, Price, Benavidez and Carrillo — elementary schools recognized by the Texas Education Agency because at least 25 percent of their students scored significantly higher than the passing standard on one or more parts of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. Zamora Middle School also received what is called the Gold Performance Acknowledgment. (Click here for a searchable database with information about why they received the designation.)
Teachers are still at the head of the class and students are still in their seats learning — or in some cases, out in the real world learning.
For instance, some 100 middle and high school students are scheduled on Wednesday — during the Thanksgiving holiday — to take a trip to Dallas to visit Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Thursday is the anniversary of his death.
Teachers will escort the students, who will lay a wreath at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza. Several students will share their reflections about the late president, and they will visit The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza to learn more about his legacy and assassination.
South San trustees voted Oct. 23 to close West Campus, which has had chronic low enrollment. Parents who want to keep West Campus open have gone to district and federal court over the matter, and their case is scheduled for a hearing on Nov. 26.
Academic accolades from TEA. Out-of-town field trips. They’re nothing unusual, but they are bright spots cutting through the cloud of controversy hanging over the South San Antonio school district.
— Michelle De La Rosa