May 1, 2026
Dear AHISD Families-
We are almost at the finish line of another remarkable year in Alamo Heights ISD! This will be my last monthly update until we resume school in August.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Next week, May 4- May 8, is Teacher Appreciation Week. Each day, our teachers create engaging classrooms where students are encouraged to grow in confidence and reach their potential. I am grateful for the care and commitment they pour into our students throughout the year and I invite families to share their appreciation through a kind word, a note, or a message from your child letting a teacher know they made a difference. We certainly have the best of the best in AHISD!
Graduation
Please plan to join us in celebrating the Class of 2026 at our graduation ceremony, to be held on May 21 at 8pm, once again at Harry B. Orem Stadium. In the weeks leading up to graduation we will celebrate our seniors at many special events including our Senior Walks and Senior SendOff events held at Cambridge and Woodridge. This is when our seniors’ hard work and growth shine, reflecting the incredible support of teachers, families, and the community along the way.
Bond Updates
This summer will be another busy summer of bond constructions with work underway at four of our campuses. We are nearing the completion of the new academic building at Alamo Heights High School. We are ready to say goodbye to the “Mods” and I can’t wait to welcome students and staff to the new building as we start a new school year.
The fifth grade addition/renovation at Woodridge is almost complete and the remaining 1st and 2nd grade classrooms will see a refresh this summer along with the library, office, and main hallway. Refreshes will also continue at Cambridge along with work on the Central Plant and Cafeteria/Kitchen. I am so impressed and especially grateful for the flexibility the staff has shown at Cambridge and Woodridge these last few months.
In June, we will start construction at The Junior School and our Central Office/Community Center. Over the summer, we’ll continue to provide bond updates on our Bond Updates website and social media.
Coming Soon- ParentSquare and New Website
We are implementing several new communication tools beginning this summer. These tools will make it easier to stay connected, receive timely updates, and access important resources, strengthening the partnership between our schools and community.
ParentSquare brings all school, district, and classroom communication into one place, making it easier for staff to connect with families and for families to stay informed and engaged. Families have told us that keeping up with communication across multiple platforms can be challenging. The Junior School and Howard have been piloting ParentSquare these last few weeks and all campuses and the district will begin using the tool this summer. More information will be shared with families as we prepare for the new school year. This will replace the current School Messenger system.
In June we will also launch a new district website and new campus websites. The new website platform is mobile responsive, easily searchable, brings us in line with accessibility standards, and offers quick translation in multiple languages. The new websites will be much easier for families to find important information quickly, with a cleaner design and more intuitive navigation.
Elementary Attendance at Athletics Games
I also want to make you aware of another change beginning next school year. Due to safety reasons, elementary students - 5th grade and under -must be accompanied by an adult to enter a home high school sporting event, and they must sit with that adult during the event. Students 6th grade and above may attend unaccompanied by an adult, but they must sit in the sections designated for their grade level group.
We greatly appreciate your partnership and assistance as we make these adjustments to improve the safety and game day experience for all our Mules!
School Views Digital Edition
Finally, I invite you to read our latest edition of the School Views publication. This is a digital-only version and it features some AH-mazing student and staff honors and accomplishments, bond construction updates, and curriculum and instruction program updates. I hope you’ll take the time to read it and share it -there is so much to be proud of in AHISD!
Dr. Dana Bashara
Twitter: @BasharaDana
Instagram: @danabasharasupt
Photo of the Month:
Eight hundred musicians from Cambridge, Woodridge, the Junior School, and AHHS joined forces for an AH-mazing night of performances at our annual Strings Festival in the MuleDome in mid April, capped off with the traditional finale song Ode to Joy! Bravo to these musicians and our instructors for a memorable night of movie-themed music.
Reminders:
If you see something, say something! We ask all AHISD families to commit to having ongoing conversations with students about safety and security and to encourage the reporting of any concerns to a trusted adult on campus. Families can also report safety concerns on our website by clicking Students / Parents and then Safety Concerns.
Please stay connected with all things AHISD by visiting Heights Happenings and also following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Upcoming Events:
Athletic Events
Visit Rank One for all sporting events.
Master Calendar Events
Friday, May 1 - School Principals Day
Friday, May 1 - CE 5th Grade Track Meeting - 8:30-12:30 PM - Location: Harry B. Orem Stadium, Alamo Heights High School
Monday, May 4- Friday, May 8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
Saturday, May 2 - AHHS Prom - 7:00-10:00 PM - Location: The DoSeum
Tuesday, May 5 - AHJS Band Spring Concert - 6:00 PM - Location: Auditorium, Alamo Heights High School
Wednesday, May 6 - National School Nurses Day
Wednesday, May 6 - G&P/Committee Meetings - 7:00 AM - Location:Boardroom, Central Office
Wednesday, May 6 - AHHS Spring Band Concert - 6:30-8:00 PM- Location: Auditorium & Band/Stings Hall, Alamo Heights High School
Thursday, May 7 - AHHS Art Show - 5:30-7:30 PM - Location: Studio +09, Alamo Heights High School
Thursday, May 7 - AHHS Fine Arts Signing Day - 3:00-6:30 PM - Auditorium, Alamo Heights High School
Thursday, May 7 - WE Dyslexia Graduation - 5:30-6:30 PM - Location: Suzanne and Jimmy Goudge Auditorium, Woodridge Elementary
Friday, May 8 - 1st Grade Mother’s Day Performance - 1:45-2:15 PM - Location: Suzanne and Jimmy Goudge Auditorium, Woodridge Elementary
Friday, May 8 - AHHS Band Banquet - 6:00-8:30 PM - Location: The Oaks, Alamo Heights High School
Saturday, May 9 - AHHS Spurs Dance Team Spring Show - 7:00-9:00 PM - Location: The Barbara & Alan Dreeben Auditorium Foyer, Auditorium, and Black Box Theater, Alamo Heights High School
Monday, May 11 - HECC PK3 Splash Day - Location: Howard Early Childhood Center
Monday, May 11 - NJHS Induction Ceremony - 5:00 PM - Location: Auditorium, Alamo Heights Junior School
Monday, May 11 - AHHS Girls Golf Banquet - 6:00 PM - The Oaks, Alamo Heights High School
Monday, May 11 - AHHS Orchestra Spring Concert - 7:00-9:30 PM - The Barbara & Alan Dreeben Auditorium Foyer and Auditorium, Alamo Heights High School
Tuesday, May 12 - AHHS Choir Banquet - 6:00 PM - Location: The Oaks and Music Building Room 102, Alamo Heights High School
Wednesday, May 13 - HECC PK4 Splash Day - Location: Howard Early Childhood Center
Wednesday, May 13 - AHHS Senior Parade - 1:50-2:30 PM - Location: Cambridge and Woodridge Elementary
Wednesday, May 13 - Regular Board Meeting - 6:00 PM - Location: Suzanne and Jimmy Goudge Auditorium, Woodridge Elementary
Wednesday, May 13 - AHHS Baseball Banquet - 6:00 PM - Location: The Oaks, Alamo Heights High School
Friday, May 15 - HECC Kindergarten Splash Day - Location: Howard Early Childhood Center
Friday, May 15 - AHHS Senior Awards - 1:00-3:00 PM - Location: MuleDome, Alamo Heights High School
Friday, May 15 - AHHS Theater Banquet - 6:00 PM - Location: The Oaks, Alamo Heights High School
Monday, May 18 - AHHS Spurs Dance Team Banquet - 6:00 PM - Location: The Oaks, ALamo Heights High School
Tuesday, May 19 - HECC Kindergarten Completion Ceremonies - Location: Gym, Howard Early Childhood Center
Wednesday, May 20 - Band Directors Day
Wednesday, May 20 - HECC Kindergarten Completion Ceremonies - Location: Gym, Howard Early Childhood Center
Wednesday, May 20 - CE 5th Grade Pool Party - 8:30-2:30 PM - Location: Heights Pool
Thursday, May 21 - End of 4th Nine Weeks/Last Day of School
Thursday, May 21 - Elementary Report Card Distribution
Thursday, May 21 - Secondary Early Release
AHJS & AHHS - 12:45 PM
Thursday, May 21 - WE 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony - 9:00-10:15 AM - Location: Suzanne and Jimmy Goudge Auditorium, Woodridge Elementary
Thursday, May 21 - CE 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony - 9:30-10:00 AM - Location: Evelyn Phillips Auditorium, Cambridge Elementary
Thursday, May 21 - AHHS Graduation - 8:00-10:00 PM - Location: Harry B. Orem Stadium, Alamo Heights High School
Monday, May 25 - District Offices Closed
Monday May 25 - Secondary Report Card Distribution