Summer At Heights Martha Spoor Young Writers Fund

The Martha Spoor Young Writers Fund was established in 2008 in memory of Martha Spoor, a lifelong resident of San Antonio, a 1987 graduate of Alamo Heights High School and an English teacher at the Alamo Heights Junior School. Martha’s greatest passion was teaching. For almost 14 years, she fulfilled her long-held dream as an English teacher at AHJS. Her favorite assignment was teaching sixth-grade Pre-AP/Gifted and Talented English students. Her goal was to instill in young people a lifelong love of expressing themselves in their writing through the use of critical thinking and creativity. This is exactly what the Martha Spoor Young Writers Workshop achieves. Students are immersed in a week-long writing camp that encourages creativity through a variety of activities and provides the tools that help them strengthen their writing and story-telling foundations. Pictured are students enrolled in this year’s camp. The Alamo Heights School District and the Alamo Heights School Foundation thank Tookie and David Spoor for having the vision to honor their daughter’s legacy in the Alamo Heights schools through the establishment of the Martha Spoor Young Writers Fund. Here is a sample of the work inspired during the week:

Eating Music

By Charlie Eguia

Most people can listen to music with their ears
But I can eat it.
I can taste the chorus
Constantly repeating the sweet juice
Jumping in my mouth, splashing creativity.
I chew to the beat.
Every fourth of a second, I chomp down on the jingle
But the overall taste of music is the best taste in the world.
An unbelievable taste,
an indescribable taste.

The Volcano

By Kate Soupiset

Skipping down a rocky path
over my arm is a berry basket
filled with foxes
their fiery tails wisping in a wind
that isn’t there
I’m on my way
to the volcano
My dagger strikes the nylon strings
sharpening my guitar
so I may eat the music it feeds me
the blade lifts the glossy wood
one last time
now I can play I breathe aurora borealis
waves of color
with a berry-like taste
I need not breath mints
I have lights for words
a sea for a tongue
and ice for lips.

DATES FOR STAFF

August 18
Convocation ceremony and first day for all AHISD teachers

August 18-20
Staff development

August 21-22 Teacher workdays

DATES FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS AND STAFF

August 25
First day of school

August 27 AHHS Athletics Kick-Off Program, 5-7 pm

September 8
AHJS Athletics Kick-Off 4:30-7:30 pm, cafeteria/field

September 22
National Family Day No homework night

October 8
Howdy Parade, 4 pm Howdy Night, 5-7 pm

October 10
Homecoming

March 28
AHISD Job Fair

April 2
Showcase of Engaged Learning, 6-8 pm, AHHS

June 4
Last day of school AHHS graduation, Laurie Auditorium, 7:30 pm

SCHOOL CALENDAR

While many enjoy the dog days of summer, Alamo Heights ISD team members have been preparing for the new school year. Here are some dates and information that will be important as we all head back to school:
ELEMENTARY MEET THE TEACHER
August 21
Howard Pre-K/Head Start/ Kinder
Orientation, 9-9:30 am or 12-12:30 pm

Howard Library
New to AHISD Kinder Preview, 3-4 pm

Cambridge and Woodridge
New to AHISD, 4:30-5 pm
Meet the teacher, 5-6 pm

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHTS
September 8
Howard – Grades K – Fifth
4-5 pm Pre-K and Head Start
6-7 pm

September 4
Cambridge
Grades Third – Fifth
5:30-7 pm

September 9
Cambridge
Grades First and Second
5:30-7 pm

September 3
Woodridge Grades First and Second
6-7:15 pm

September 4
Woodridge
Grades Third – Fifth
6-7:15 pm

August 20
Junior School Incoming Sixth Graders and New Students
6-7 pm

August 28
Junior School Sixth Grade
6-8 pm

September 2
Junior School Grades Seven-Eight
6-8 pm

September 10
High School Grades Nine-Twelve
6 pm

MULE MARKET
Howard Online
August 1-21