What a difference a week makes! Texas schools went from Spring Break to On-line in a week! We could not be more proud of our neighborhood schools during this time of crisis. We have seen them feed the kids, counsel the kids, virtually educate the kids and truly be there for the kids. Our schools are shining bright because they have always been ready for something like this...they have the tools and the love to provide our children what they need at all times...even during a pandemic.

This NBC article goes through the different perspectives of what's going on for teachers, parents and administration. It's the unknown that is scary but our faith in the traditional school system will be the guide for how to handle this situation.

Usually our "RootEd out in the Community" section is photos of RootEd Reps or Founders out and about. With the Covid-19 shutdown, we obviously can't be in the community like we normally would. This gives us a chance to show how much our RootEd schools have adjusted to the new normal of distance learning.

We are so proud of our neighborhood schools. They have SHINED brilliantly by doing what they were created to do...feed their students, teach their students and love on their students. Yes, we all have expectations of these things happening but when they are executed like they have done this past month, then everyone gets to see what we've been shouting about all along. The teachers are showing their faces to their students via zoom or videos which is allowing our children to feel the love. The nutrition departments are going in at the crack-of-dawn to cook and package breakfast and lunch for hundreds of children under the age of 19. Administrators at district and school levels are working hard to make sure our kids are getting the curriculum they need to prepare them for the next year and a million other behind the scenes decisions that have to be made. Art, PE and Music teachers are creating unique programs for the kids to do at home. This is a mind-blowing time that educators have embraced for the sake of the students.

Our districts are shining in the most difficult of moments and we need to celebrate our schools because they deserve the praise and have deserved the praise all along. You can use social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to post pictures of what your schools are doing outside the box. The entire world went online because of Covid-19, so now is your chance for everyone to see the stories. Use your RootEd hashtags for those who are shopping to be able to search your school posts. We know for a fact that parents are shopping right now, even during this crisis...especially during this crisis.

RootEd always knew that our neighborhood schools have what we need and we did not need a pandemic to shout it to the rooftops. Parents are watching, they're taking in the information. Traditional public schools are providing the good news they need and want to see. It's a whole new normal and we are so glad our families are firmly rooted in our schools.

Due to the pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau is extending the deadline for all responses to the questionnaire to August 14, 2020. Despite the extension, It’s never been easier to respond to the census questionnaire on your own, whether online, over the phone, or by email—all without having to meet a census taker. Go to www.2020Census.gov to complete the Census questionnaire online or call (844) 330-2020 to talk to a live Census employee who can help you fill out your questionnaire over the phone. As of March 23, 2020, Bexar County is at 18.2% completed census responses.

For further information on the census date changes, please see link:

https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/factsheets/2020/dec/2020-census-operational-adjustments-long-version.pdf

2020 Primary Data:

Total registered voters - 16,211,198 (up from 14,238,436 in 2016)

Total Texas primary voters - 4,066,804 (down from 4,272,383 in 2016)

TX Democratic primary voters - 2,060,221 (up from 1,435,895 in 2016)

TX Republican primary voters - 2,006,583 (down from 2,836,488 in 2016)

a. Almost 2 million more Texans are registered to vote than 4 years ago.

b. About 200,000 fewer Texans voted in the 2020 primary than voted in 2016.

c. 25% of registered voters turned out to vote in this primary election.

In response to the pandemic, the governor has issued two election related proclamations. One delays the Primary Runoff Elections from May 26th to July 14th and the other allows municipalities to postpone local elections scheduled for May 2nd until November.

New Primary Runoff Dates:

Primary Runoff Elections - July 14, 2020

Last day to register to vote - June 15, 2020

Vote by mail application deadline – July 3, 2020

Early voting – July 6-10, 2020

Election Day – July 14

Sarah Ashmore is the RootEd Rep for Cibolo Green in NEISD. Sarah works hard with the principal and collaborates with other RootEd Reps to get the stories out about her school and the Johnson cluster. She works directly with the RootEd founders to think through ideas and comes up with some amazing suggestions! We are very lucky to have her as part of RootEd.

"As a former music teacher in NEISD and across the country, and now parent of three, it’s no surprise I’m a big proponent of our amazing public schools. While we are so very happy with the rigor and variety of opportunities we have for our kids at Cibolo Green Elementary and looking ahead to our cluster secondary schools, Tex Hill and Johnson, I have seen first hand how hard teachers and administrators work in every corner of our district to provide students what they need to grow and succeed. As a society, we are now fully enrolled in a crash course as to how important our schools are to our communities. I’m so excited to be in a position to tell the story of how our Cibolo Green teachers have been creative, prepared, available, supportive, and loving for parents and students alike, as we navigate this challenge. And I am very thankful that we have our roots firmly planted in our neighborhood school and will be thrilled to have our kids back there as soon as possible, watching our teachers, staff, administration and PTA shine as brightly as always."

RootEd is a parent-led, grassroots organization that promotes neighborhood public schools through storytelling, advocacy, and education. We believe a strong public school system for all children creates a robust economy and well-connected community. RootEd is a 501(c)3 non profit organization.

Email: info@proudlyrooted.com
Website: www.proudlyrooted.com
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Phone: (210) 617-0824
Facebook: facebook.com/RootEdTexas
Twitter: @RootEdSA