Posted by Stephen Watson on 12/11/2020 7:00:00 PM
Director’s Blog
December 11, 2020
Announcements
Only one week until the Winter Break and the end of the semester. Everyone is getting excited, but we still have a week’s worth of work to complete. Students and their parents need to push through until the 18th to get grades as high as possible.
Recruiting opportunities (Repeat Announcement)
Our Final Virtual Magnet Night for KSAT will be held on December 15 at 6:00 pm. Please encourage anyone interested in the KSAT program to attend.
An on-campus KSAT OPEN HOUSE is scheduled for January 20, 2021 AT KREUGER - 438 Lanark San Antonio, TX 78218. This event is from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Information on these events can be found the KSAT Website at www.neisd.net/ksat.
Note for 8th grade KSAT students. It is time to start deciding your high school choice. Current KSAT 8th grade students receive automatic admission into ETA. Scan the QR code or look for more information sent to you from ETA to reserve your seat in the program next year. If you do not receive these emails, please reach out to Mr. Lozano (rlozan1@neisd.net ) and he will send the information directly to you.
You can also get some additional information on the ETA Virtual Open Houses being held on 12/14 and 12/16 (5:30-6:30pm each night) at the link below which takes you to a smore titled “KSAT Class of 2025: Join Us At Our ETA Virtual Open House”
https://www.smore.com/af3xh-today-in-eta.
This information is a repeat of the previous Virtual Open Houses.
Clarification about face coverings (Repeat Announcement):
In response to new information and the increased number of COVID cases, the district has modified mask guidelines. Here is the guidance:
“Face coverings help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by reducing droplets if the face covering is worn securely over the nose and mouth. According to the CDC, cloth face coverings offer some protection to you and are also meant to protect those around you in case you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and don’t have any symptoms. Certain types of face coverings are more effective than others. Beginning November 30, 2020, masks with valves will not be permitted for students or employees. Gaiters and bandanas will only be permitted for outdoor use.”
Final Thoughts
I have heard many lament how difficult 2020 has been and they are glad to see it come to an end. I can not say that I would disagree. However, as we do every new year, we look forward to the new opportunities and the prospect of the “new normal” that lies ahead. This frequently is not much different than the “old normal” we left in the previous year. I remember hearing my grandparents’ generation talk about the “good ole days” – to which my immature mind would wonder "was that before or after indoor plumbing".
As we look forward, I hope that you and your families have planned a time of rest and reflection for the winter break. January 4th will come too quickly for many of us. During this time of reflection, we should consider the good things we have learned about ourselves through the last few months of virtual and in-person instruction. For those who are still remote, resolve to work hard to keep your grades up and consider when will be the right time you can return to campus to be with friends and teachers. If you decide that you would like to return on January 4th, please call my office to let us know so we can make plans for as many students who want and need to return. Virtual learning will continue, but we miss seeing all our students on campus.
Finally, the magnet application system is open right now. The same system is used for all middle school and high school magnet programs. As previously mentioned, we have some recruiting events scheduled for January. Check the KSAT website (www.neisd.net/ksat ) for those opportunities. For recruiting this season, it is more critical than ever to have parents and students share their experiences in the KSAT program. Please encourage interested families you know to apply. More information about the magnet programs and the online application can be found at https://www.neisd.net/magnetprograms or feel free to contact my office directly at 210-356-4706.
Have a great weekend.
Stephen Watson Ed.D.
Director of the Krueger School of Applied Technologies
