The month of May started out bright - literally! The SAISD Foundation helped to kick off Teacher Appreciation Week by delivering the first of this year’s Bright Idea Grants to passionate and talented educators across SAISD. With 25 grants awarded across 22 campuses and $115,000 in funding, May was a month of inspiration and impact.

CAST Imagine’s very own Colleen Quirk earned a Bright Idea Grant for a bee colony for her campus. She shared, “This is so exciting for the students because we are making the learning real. We’re getting them outside and off their phones and it’s because of the donations we can do this, because otherwise it's just talk and this makes it real, so that is really impactful.”

For one of our Teacher Appreciation surprises, we stopped by Burbank High School to recognize three more incredible educators. Ms. Abigail Lee and Mr. Tony Villarreal were awarded a grant for their robotics club, and Mr. Federico Cardenas received one for subwoofers for the band.

When the “surprise patrol” showed up, Mr. Cardenas was visibly shocked. "It's going to impact us a lot because when we go to competitions, this is the standard of what every other high school has and we didn’t," he said. "We just want to be competitive and have that chance to make area top ten, so it's going to give us that boost of confidence and ability to compete with the big boys."

As the week wrapped up, we delivered two more grants. At JT Brackenridge Elementary, Ms. Moctezuma was awarded a grant for a book vending machine. She shared, "I think it's going to help the kids reach their goals and show them there is a reward when they're practicing [reading] to do better and to be better. We look forward to [the book vending machine] and I can't wait to get started."

We also visited Edison High School, where Nicole Delgado received a grant for a mock pharmacy for the school’s health professions program. The funding will provide students with industry-standard supplies and hands-on learning opportunities as they prepare for careers in healthcare.

We are proud to support educators who are creating meaningful, lasting change in their classrooms and for their students. From outdoor learning spaces to robotics to real-world career training, these Bright Idea Grants are fueling big dreams and bold ideas. See the full list of Bright Idea awards being granted this May here. https://saisdfoundation.com/about/impact/#BrightIdea

In the 2024-25 school year, the SAISD Foundation set a goal to support 7,500 SAISD students in out-of-classroom learning experiences. We are proud to report that we have almost doubled our goal, supporting more than 14,000 students on their educational journeys through our Grade Level Learning Expedition Pilot Program and additional field trip transportation funding.

Through this program, we partnered first through fifth grade students from 15 elementary schools and academies with a number of local organizations including the San Antonio Zoo, the Magik Theatre, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, the Witte Museum, The Alamo, Briscoe Western Art Museum and the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT). In partnership with the Battle of Flowers Foundation, 7th-grade students from nine schools were able to experience The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, with the option to tour the State Capitol. Thanks to our amazing partner sites and donors, all of the learning expeditions were held at no cost to the participating schools or students. 

Each and every one of the Grade Level Learning Expedition experiences is geared toward better understanding key concepts that align with the course curriculum and grade-level TEKS. We are happy to report that 100% of the selected schools participated in the pilot year of the program!

Another way the SAISD Foundation supports out-of-the-classroom learning is by funding transportation for one grade-level field trip per school, per year. We are thrilled to report that we supported 61 schools experiencing 63 unique locations, from iFly Stem Field Trip to a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour at the Cheesecake Factory.

Out-of-classroom experiences help bridge educational gaps, provide hands-on learning experiences, and encourage teamwork, communication and problem-solving. Ana Montoy, an SAISD 3rd grade teacher, shared, “It is important for kids to get out of the classroom, especially for kids in our community, because they get these experiences that they might not be getting elsewhere. This helps build background knowledge for when they approach text or any subject.”

By providing opportunities for students to explore their surroundings, these learning expeditions can contribute to stronger long-term academic outcomes and make a lasting impact on SAISD students’ educational journeys.
 
As we look forward to another year of adventures, we celebrate the curiosity and thirst for knowledge our students cultivate through these exciting learning expeditions. With your help, we will continue to foster a love of learning that extends beyond the confines of the classroom. Find out more about who you can help support learning expeditions here. Here’s to more explorations and discoveries in the next school year!

Fifty years after his high school graduation, David Castillo is awarding a scholarship to a student from Burbank High School’s Class of 2025. But for David and the Castillo family, this scholarship is more than just financial support — it's a tribute to two beloved members of the Burbank community whose lives were rooted in service, integrity, and school pride.

Joe and Cora Castillo left an indelible mark on Burbank for over 40 years. Known for their unwavering commitment to character, ethics, and hard work, the Castillos helped shape a positive environment both in the classroom and on the athletic field.

Cora Castillo was a passionate advocate for children and families. She worked alongside prominent leaders like Congressmen Henry B. Gonzalez and Albert Bustamante to drive positive change. For her dedication to improving education and community engagement, she earned lifetime membership in both the National and Texas PTAs.

Joe Castillo, a proud Navy veteran of World War II, served the SAISD community through numerous organizations. He played a pivotal role on the original Community Liaison Committee, which helped transform a modest baseball field into the district athletic complex that now stands at Burbank High School.

True Bulldogs at heart, Joe and Cora were known for their school spirit — often joining in to sing “Orange and White Forever” at the drop of a hat.

The Joe and Cora Castillo Memorial Scholarship honors graduating seniors who embody that same Bulldog spirit — those who lead with heart, serve with pride, and carry forward the values the Castillos held dear. The Castillo family feels they made the right choice with Israel Zapata. 

A well-rounded athlete, having played football, basketball, soccer and participated in track & field during his years at Burbank, Israel’s goal is to become a firefighter because ”the sense of helping others when they’re at their most vulnerable” is what drives him. And he enjoys the teamwork and physical challenges that come with the job. Israel was accepted to Texas A&M, San Antonio, where he plans to study Fire Science. Congratulations, Israel! With the addition of 13 named scholarships like this one for the class of 2025, the SAISD Foundation is awarding over $200,000 in scholarships this season. 

Thanks to the generous support from our partners at Accenture, the SAISD Foundation was able to fulfill seven mini-grant requests through DonorsChoose to fund teachers who are supporting 1,255 students across seven SAISD campuses. The grant funds were used to purchase various educational STEM kits and auxiliary materials for their classrooms that help reinforce concepts learned during direct instruction.

At Lanier High School, Dr. Cardenas used his mini-grant to purchase human anatomy models for his juniors. He shares, “These models are exactly what we have been needing. [They] provide hands-on visuals that will reinforce the materials that we have been using. I am so excited and know the students will be amazed and inspired to keep learning about their 'cuerpos'. Future doctors and scientists are sure to be born!”

At Hawthorne Academy, first-year kindergarten teacher Estefanie Cantu used her mini-grant for math manipulatives to help her students understand abstract concepts visually. She shares, “My students have been able to touch, move, and manipulate numbers, making learning both meaningful and fun. Having the right tools has truly made a difference—not only for my students but also for me as an educator. Your generosity has helped make my first year in kindergarten such a positive and enriching experience.”

Thank you, Accenture, for your commitment to helping our SAISD students soar to new heights and supporting teachers in the powerful work they do. If your company or organization is interested in supporting classroom projects with a particular focus (STEM, Arts, Books etc.) through DonorsChoose we can make that process simple! Reach out to SAISDFoundation@saisd.net to learn more.

It’s time for our annual Dorm Room Drive, and we need your help to send our SAISD graduates off to college with the essentials they need to feel at home. Your generosity ensures that our students have a comfortable and supportive environment in their dorm as they begin this exciting new chapter.

What to Donate:

-Twin XL bedding sets ("bed in a bag")
-Towels and shower caddies
-Laundry detergent and hampers
-Luggage and duffle bags

Monetary donations are also welcome—just $100 fully funds one student’s dorm room kit.

The impact of your support is real and lasting:

“I used all these items throughout my first year and continue to use most of the items after.”
—Maya, Texas State University

“With my mom being a single mom and having 2 other kids to take care of... it was a major relief to have the necessary supplies!”
—Crystal, Trinity University

“Coming from a low-income household... receiving some dorm items gave me and my family a sense of relief.”
—Fernanda, Texas A&M University

Let’s make sure every SAISD student starts college with confidence and comfort. Thank you for helping us build bright futures together!

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