Smithson Valley High students continue tradition with LLS Student of the Year
For the last three years, a Smithson Valley High School student has represented the Comal Independent School District as a Student of the Year candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), and the tradition continues with the launch of the 2020 campaign by a SVHS sophomore. The 2020 SVHS Student of the Year candidate is Avery Walker, who will represent the district in the fourth year of this leadership development and philanthropy program in which high school students are nominated and selected to
Good Customer Service Isn’t Enough
When you’re merely meeting expectations, you’ll never rock the reviews. You need to start at “good” and aim for “mind-blowing.” The good news is data from Yelp shows it's easier than you think. Today's customers are a little entitled. And it's not just the younger generation. Companies are using data to personalize their offerings and the customer experience to the point of appearing to be mind readers. This sets a precedent and expectation of something way beyond good customer service. You can't
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Fifteen Comal ISD students participated in Education in Action’s 2019 Lone Star Leadership Academy C
Fifteen students in the fourth through the eighth grade represented the Comal Independent School District this summer in the 2019 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps. Nominated by their teachers, these young leaders were chosen to participate based on their leadership ability, academic success and involvement in school/community activities. The students representing communities across Texas traveled to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin/San Antonio and Houston/Galveston to take part in the camps.Avery Hime, a
SVHS Key Club Program
The Kiwanis Club of New Braunfels welcomes the Charter Members of the SVHS Key Club, a leadership and community service club under the leadership of faculty advisors Debbie Shewbridge and Carol Speelman. The club is supported and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of New Braunfels and its satellite club of Bulverde and Spring Branch. Kiwanians Jan Clark, Paul Barton, Keith Hutcherson, Mike Clark are Kiwanis Advisors to the Key Club and were on-hand at the club’s organizational meeting.
Homebound students receive welcome bags
Teachers in the Comal Independent School District teachers gave out a lot of high-fives and welcome-back smiles on the first day of school August 27, and one team of teachers hand-delivered an extra surprise to its students – welcome bags. The homebound teachers at Comal ISD delivered specially-made welcome bags to its students, to ensure that every student feels the excitement of the first day of school.Homebound teachers serve students from the age of three to 21 who are unable to attend their campus due
Extension offers opportunity to explore 4-H
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019: NEW BRAUNFELS — Parents and children interested in enrolling in Comal County 4-H can learn more at an Explore 4-H open house at the county’s Extension Office this month. The come-and-go event will be 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Comal County office of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 325 Resource Drive, New Braunfels. Comal County 4-H is open to county residents ages 8 and older in third through 12th grades. It includes project
Comal ISD Board of Trustees Approve Davenport High School attendance boundaries
The Comal Independent School District’s Board of Trustees met Thursday and officially approved the attendance boundaries for the district’s newest campus, Davenport High School (DHS), which is scheduled to open in August 2020. Located at 23255 FM 3009 just past Schoenthal Road in the Garden Ridge area, DHS will have the same attendance boundaries as Danville Middle School, which includes Morningside Elementary and Garden Ridge Elementary.“We are getting excited about opening Davenport next fall,” said Matt
Comal ISD Earns “A” on State Accountability with 60 Distinctions
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released its 2019 Accountability Ratings today, and the Comal Independent School District earned a grade of “A” with a score of 92 in the state’s A-F accountability system. All 30 of Comal ISD’s campuses received passing grades with more than half earning an “A.” This score places Comal ISD among the top school districts in the state with only 257 districts out of a total of 1,022 earning an “A.” This overall rating is based on performance in three areas: Student
Comal ISD Receives Inaugural TAEA District of Distinction Award
The Comal Independent School District received a District of Distinction award by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) on July 29. With only the top 2 percent of districts in the state receiving this inaugural distinction, Comal ISD is leading the way in providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum, inspires creativity and reaches all different learners.“Comal ISD has set the standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum and
Comal ISD Day camps offer summer fun through learning
Now that summer has reached the midway point, many parents may be hearing the same old childhood refrain, “I’m bored.” If it is time to put down the game controllers and look for more engaging ways to spend the final days of school vacation, look no further than the summer courses offered through Comal ISD’s Community Education Department. Summer camps are still available through the end of July and into early August for almost every interest including music, art, science, robotics, Legos,
Pilates By Design, LLC to Host Power PIlates Education Programs
Pilates By Design, LLC TO HOST POWER PILATES EDUCATION PROGRAMSPilates By Design, LLC Confirmed to Offer Power Pilates Certifications Starting September 6-8, 2019 Spring Branch, TX: Pilates By Design, LLC is pleased to announce their new hosting affiliation with Power Pilates, the leading educator of Classical Pilates. Pilates By Design, LLC will hold their first Power Pilates training, Core Mat I, on September 6-8, 2019. The Core Mat I program is the foundation of the Power Pilates method. Each subsequent
Comal ISD Student Named 2019 Student Hero in Surprise Ceremony
Abigail Redin, a Smithson Valley High School junior, was presented with the 2019 Student Hero award by Texas State Board of Education District 5 Member Ken Mercer Thursday, May 16, at SVHS. Redin, 17, was nominated for the annual award by SVHS Principal Michael Wahl, who believed Redin’s volunteer work and leadership truly embodied the award’s mission, which is to recognize students who have demonstrated and inspired acts of kindness and compassion. The SBOE Student Hero award is a
SPRING BRANCH PHARMACY Introduces New Prescription Medication Disposal Method
Drug disposal solutions tackle medication abuse; provide a safe way to dispose of unused drugs (Spring Branch, TX—12/17/18) – Spring Branch Pharmacy is partnering with Sharps Compliance, Inc. to combat the growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse by providing solutions to safely dispose of opioid painkillers and other unused medications. MedSafe® drug collection and disposal receptacle is now located in Spring Branch Pharmacy for the safe and anonymous disposal of unused or expired medicines and
Smithson Valley High Duo Headed to National Contest for Community Project
A dynamite duo from Smithson Valley High School is preparing to compete on a national level this summer in Anaheim, California, after winning a state-level competition in April. As members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, FCCLA, organization, SVHS seniors Sahar Zaeri and Jocelyn Moody took top honors at the FCCLA State Leadership Conference in Dallas on April 6, for their Chapter Service Project Portfolio. Their project, Senior Night Out, is a community outreach program offered
Comal ISD Named Semi-Finalist in 2019 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards
The Comal Independent School District was notified in early April that it was selected as a semi-finalist for 2019 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. This is the first year that Comal ISD has entered the prestigious awards, which recognizes teachers, principals, school districts, early childhood providers and school boards from across the state of Texas. “This honor is a testament to the hard work and dedication that every teacher, staff member, administrator and parent gives every day to our
Fourteen Smithson Valley High Seniors Sign Letters of Intent
Wednesday, April 17, was National Signing Day for 14 student athletes from Smithson Valley High School who signed letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level in the fall.With family and friends joining in the celebration, the 14 SVHS Rangers took the next step in both their educational and athletic careers. The sports which these athletes will continue to pursue are as varied as the students themselves. Four will continue to play la crosse; two will run track; two will play football; one
The Sport of Fencing Gains Momentum in Comal ISD
While fencing was one of the first sports to by played in the Olympics, only a handful of Texas high schools have teams. High school students in the Comal Independent School District, however, are trying to change that, paving the way for the future of the sport in public schools.While fencing is not a UIL sponsored sport, it has become an important part of Comal ISD's intramural sports and now boasts teams at Memorial Early College High School (MECHS) and Canyon Lake High School (CLHS).In fact, these teams
Business Incubator Class Expands Next Year
The Comal Independent School District launched a pilot business program at Smithson Valley High School this past fall. The Business INCubator class was designed for students with an entrepreneurial spirit and a dream to own their own business one day. With a successful year almost completed, the district has announced that the program will be offered next year at Canyon High School and Canyon Lake High School as well as SVHS. The class gives students an opportunity to create and fully develop their own
Control the Bleed Empowers Young Teens to Say Something, Do Something
Instead of running, dancing or exercising during physical education, athletics and dance class recently, every middle school student in the Comal Independent School District, that’s 5,642 total, learned hands-only CPR, tourniquet application and how to use the emergency 911 system. As part of the national Stop the Bleed initiative, Comal ISD partners with the Healthcare, Innovations, and Sciences (H.I.S.) Centre in Bulverde to teach students to “see something and do something.” “Control the Bleed is
Canyon High Students Glimpse Future Careers with Construction Internships
Comal Independent School District developed a pilot program at Canyon High School this year in response to the growing need for skilled workers in the construction industry. The Architecture/Construction graduation pathway has allowed students interested in a career in construction to literally, cinch up a tool belt, roll up their sleeves and work for a local construction company, gaining real-life experience.Both students and business partners agree; the construction pilot program at Canyon High is a big
Three Comal ISD Students Qualify for Texas High School Rodeo State Finals
High school students across the state compete throughout the year in rodeos, in order, to qualify for the State Finals Rodeo, and this year, three Comal Independent School District students did just that.Three students from Comal ISD have qualified for the Texas High School Rodeo Association’s (THSRA) Finals Rodeo for Region VI. They will compete June 8-15 in Abilene.Canyon High School senior Emily Becker, Smithson Valley High School junior Megan Miller and SVHS sophomore Hannah Wittig competed in 12
2019-20 Comal ISD Academic Calendar approved
Mar. 1, 2019 — The Comal ISD Board of Trustees approved the 2019-2020 academic calendar during its February 27 board meeting. The District’s Calendar Committee, comprised of parents, students, teachers, and administrators spent the last several months developing two calendar options for the 2019-20 school year, taking into consideration the needs of students, staff and families, as well as any changes made at the state level. Comal ISD asked students, parents and staff to provide feedback regarding
Comal ISD Names District Teachers of the Year
Feb. 22 - Hoffmann Lane Elementary teacher Rishanne Frech and Spring Branch Middle teacher and coach Tyler Clements were named District Teachers of the Year for the Comal Independent School District. Frech was selected to represent elementary campuses, with Clements selected to represent secondary schools. Both District Teachers, along with 28 other teachers named Campus Teacher of the Year for their school, will be honored at Comal ISD’s annual Night of Stars banquet at the Freiheit Village Venue in
Timberwood Park Elementary Makes Paws-itively Awesome Donation to Benefit Local Humane Society
Second grade students fill two large vehicles with items to benefit local canine friends.San Antonio, TX - February 14, 2019 During the month of January, the students and staff Timberwood Park Elementary lined the halls with items collected for the benefit of the Bulverde Area Humane Society. Items included dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, and animal treats. Included with the donations was a large bag of dog food from a TPES family who themselves had adopted their family pet from the Bulverde Area
2nd Annual Comal ISD Geography Bee Campus Honorees
The 2nd Annual Comal ISD Geography Bee wrapped up on Tuesday with the final middle school campus competition at Church Hill Middle School. The campus champions are now eligible to take the National Geographic online qualifying test to determine if they advance to the state contest in Bedford, Texas. The seven Comal ISD middle school champions along with second and third place honorees include the following sixth grade students per campus. Danville Middle School's Geography Bee champion was Logan
Special Guests visit Kinder Ranch Elementary
January 22, 2019 – Two special guests made a visit to Kinder Ranch Elementary school on January 15, sharing their new children’s book All Around Us. Author Xelena Gonzáles and Illustrator Adriana M. Garcia spent the day showcasing their latest work to each grade level by reading the book and doing some Tai Chi, retelling the colorful story through movement. While Gonzáles read the book, Garcia worked on a secret illustration to share with the students. She selected one student from each group to bring to
Homebound Teacher; Unsung Heroes
While their anthem song may be “On the Road Again,” their heart song is probably “Imagine” by John Lennon or “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. As they travel the backroads, highways and creek beds that make up the Comal Independent School District, they offer a unique perspective on education, students and families. They are the small team of homebound teachers who ensure that every child in the district receives an education. In photo (L-R): Comal ISD Homebound Teachers Sylvia
Comal ISD Receives Perfect Financial Integrity Mark From TEA
Comal ISD Chief Financial Officer, David Andersen, reported a perfect score for Comal ISD on the Texas Education Agency’s FIRST report (School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) at its September Board Meeting. This year, the district received 100 out of a 100 possible points, earning a Superior Achievement rating for the seventeenth year in a row. The FIRST report ensures that all Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices. Based on their
“Because I said I would” movement comes to Comal ISD once again
Comal ISD received a special visit from Alex Sheen on September 27, one that students from all four high schools and seven middle schools will not forget. Sheen is the founder of the worldwide social movement “because I said I would,” a nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. It was the death of Sheen’s father Al, the man he looked up to most in life, that sparked the worldwide movement that is being filled one promise at a time today. While delivering Al’s eulogy
Danville Middle School Dedication Ceremony
Comal ISD personnel, board of trustees, parents, students, and other community members gathered at Danville Middle School on September 20 for the dedication of the new school. Various groups participated in this celebration including one very special group, the original Danville School alumni. Other participating groups included Boy Scout Troop #828, the Danville Middle School band, cheer, dance, and choir, as well as the Comal Education Foundation and Danville PTSA. It was a successful evening and
