Recruitment Booklet

A L A M E DA S C H O O L FO R A R T + D E S I G N A Henr y Ford Academy School

Outside Cover: Josh Jauregei, Junior, Cover, 2012, Digital Inside Cover: Francisco Garcia, Sophmore, Hand 2012, Digital

Dear Board: Enclosed within these pages is a progress report of the Henry Ford Academy: Alameda School for Art + Design, over the past three years. The work and achievements that have been accomplished by the students within a short amount of time is nothing short of amazing. I urge you to view this report as our platform for transfer of the school charter from the Henry Ford Learning Institute in Michigan to a local board here in San Antonio. We will highlight several key areas of interest that will act as supporting documents for the transfer decision, including: Artistic and Academic Achievements, Community Support for Transfer, and Financial Stability.

It is my hope that, we as the HFLI Board, will uphold our commitment we made to the Texas Education Agency to move to the governing board of the Henry Ford Academy: Alameda School for Art + Design, down to the community in which is serves.

Sincerely,

Henry R. Mu単oz, III Founding Chairman Alameda School for Art + Design: A Henry Ford Academy School

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The mission of Alameda School for Art + Design: A Henry Ford Academy School is to prepare every student academically for the college or university of their choice. Our learning community instills professional expectations, embraces community connections, and values art, design, and creativity as essential to our high school’s college-bound culture.

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“The spirit of innovation that embodies our school inspires me everyday to challenge my students with new ideas & projects, & everyday I am amazed at how openly & willingly students take on these challenges.

- Maggie Hilburn, Art Instructor

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Letter from a Student

February 11, 2012 Mike Schmidt, Chairman Henry Ford Learning Institute Dear Mr. Schmidt: I’m Victoria Morton, a junior here at the Henry Ford Academy. Not only am I the student council president, I am an Alameda Scholar, an AP art student and on the volleyball team. I am part of the first class who had the opportunity to start the legacy of HFA. Since I have been here, many different opportunities have been introduced to not only me but also my fellow students. When I first learned out about this school, I thought it was yet another high school that was not for me because I couldn’t draw or paint. With the help of the amazing teachers who believe in us, talented art teachers who help us define our artistic originality, and a caring principal, I have, not only learned about a color theory and contour lines, but have won a silver key and earned an opportunity to visit art schools and world famous art museums in New York City. The Henry Ford Academy has broadened the creativity in its students and the confidence they have in their work. Attending HFA has allowed me to redefine what an artist does. They don’t just paint or draw, but write stories, take pictures, compose music, design products out of spare parts, and sing their own songs.

Sincerely, Victoria Morton Henry Ford Academy: Alameda School for Art + Design

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“The teachers really know their subject and care about us. They always look out for our best interest�

Amberlyn Carrillo, Sophomore

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“At first, I was kind of nervous but now I like coming here because teachers make it fun to learn things. Every day is another adventure.�

Christopher Moreno, Sophomore

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Achievements “I come here for a lot of reasons, but one of the biggest reason is that I know I

belong here. I come to school because I want to. . . I love our learning environment.”

Andrew Charlton Jones,

Sophomore

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Higher Education Activities & Collaborations • Visited University of Texas–Austin and St. Edwards U. during first week of school • Met with professors at University of Texas – San Antonio • Produced and performed A Christmas Carol at Our Lady of the Lake’s Thiry Auditorium, including set and costume design • Trained on printmaking with Professor April Atkinson at Our Lady of the Lake U • Learned creative writing and performance methods from internationally acclaimed writers and performers of the “Teatro Chicana Project,” sponsored by Trinity University and Women’s Studies Department at University of Texas – San Antonio • Ford Alameda Scholars visited colleges & universities in Houston, Louisiana, with Chicago & Detroit in the spring of 2012 • Ford Alameda Artists visited Parsons, Pratt, NYU, MoMA, & The MET • Building process with Palo Alto College to offer students up to 24 hours of dual enrollment courses at no charge to HFA: ASAD or its students. PAC will also provide professional development for HFA: ASAD teachers to provide dual enrollment courses at no charge

Civic & Service Activities • Painted Salvation Army kettles for Mayor Julian Castro, international recording star Patsy Torres and comedian and television star Cleto Rodriguez as part of fundraising efforts • Designed and painted a student art chair at the request of San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and Governor Rick Perry for Ronald McDonald House Chair-ity Event • Participated in the Dignowity Hill Pushcart Derby, organized by artists Cruz Ortiz and Mary Cantu, to showcase the revitalization of the East Side of San Antonio. Appeared on San Antonio morning show “Great Day SA” to show student-designed-and-built cart • Donated more than 650 pounds of food to the San Antonio Food Bank • Hosted community bake sale for Share Our Strength’s “Great American Bake Sale” on April 16 to end student hunger • Partnered with Haven for Hope to design a carryall for clients who will live at Haven for Hope’s new homeless transition shelter. This was a school-wide design challenge whose activities included students interviewing homeless individuals and families, their social workers, case workers, security personnel and H4H administrators • Implemented a design challenge to develop and implement community public art in place of graffiti. Contributors include City Councilman David Medina, Davin Gutierrez from Graffiti Foundation, Jeanette M. Honermann from Mayor’s Office of the City of San Antonio, Jessica Guerrero and Genevive Rodriguez of Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, Daniel Rios Rodriguez with Step Up Education and SAY Sí, and Regina Sanders of Southwest School of Art & Craft.

• Aztec Football team play hard against several tough opponents in its inaugural season • Lady Aztec Volleyball team is the TCSAAL San Antonio District Champions, the Central Texas Regional Champions, and finished the season strong placing third in the TCSAAL State Tournament • Math team; the Alameda Algorithms, placed first and second in the Central Texas Mathematics Olympiad • Alameda Theatre Troop swept all places in the State Theatre Competition, earning State Championships in Monologues, Duets, and Solo’s.

• Science team Alameda Heisenbergs, tied for third in the Texas Science Olympiad • Our students designed the Salvation Army Kettle for San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro for the third year in a row • In the Scholastic Art Competition our students earned 18 Honorable Mentions, 7 Silver Keys, and 4 Gold Keys.

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Arts & Culture Collaborations • Hosted faculty art exhibit in the school’s Alameda Gallery during the first weeks of school • Toured nationally recognized San Anto Westside Mural Project with artist Adriana Garcia • Students attended Madame Butterfly, presented by San Antonio Opera, free with families • Designed and painted the backdrop mural for student and staff pictures • Earned the “Best Idea” award in San Antonio’s “Chalk it Up” outdoor art exhibition • Produced Presents Made from Memory in partnership with Artpace and Prime8s • Displayed Edward Gorey-inspired student art at SAY Sí “Muertitos Fest” in November • Displayed student art at Museo Alameda during Family Days and student designed altars for Dia de Los Muertos special events • Experienced exhibitions at Museo Alameda: the Nickolas Muray Photo Archives of Frida Kahlo, “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music,” and “Retrospective” by San Antonio artist Jesse Treviño (the first Latino artist whose work was accepted into the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution) • Met and participated in discussions with artists Gabriel Velasquez and Vincent Valdez • Performed poetry at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s “Poetry Jam” with Macondo Writers Kristen Naca, Anel I. Flores and others • Five students and two staff attended GRAMMY Career Day at Thomas Jefferson High School Fine Arts Magnet 12

Achievements

Academy. GRAMMY Career Day provides high school students an opportunity to interact with music industry professionals directly in order to encourage careers in the music business and was presented by Ford Motor Company Fund.

• Three students were granted scholarships from Southwest School of Art & Craft to attend summer arts courses • Designed, outlined and drafted a school mural signifying excellence in education, college success and artistic creativity at HFA: ASAD. Students will install the mural on the exterior walls in the courtyard of the school this spring.

• National design challenge winner, Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.

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Achievements

“HFA is a school where the students not only come to learn

and expand their minds and intellect, but also discover their

hearts and creativity. Students unlock their potential, see the world and find their voice in it.�

- Doria Gutierrez Cross, Instructor

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Building The School Culture • Partnering with San Antonio Independent School District to lease James Bowie School • Designing and will implement summer professional development workshops with Ford Partnership for Advances Studies (Ford PAS) and teachers from San Antonio Independent School District • Hosted three public student art exhibitions work in the school’s Alameda Gallery; a year-end exhibition and art sale will take place in early June • Produced in collaboration with Kell Muñoz Architects a gallery book of student work, “D is for Dark,” that includes work by all students inspired by pen-and-ink artist Edward Gorey • Developed a partnership with Lighthouse Charter School, a K-8 school in San Antonio, that includes school visits and student mentoring Developed a partnership with Lighthouse Charter School, a K-8 school in San Antonio, that includes school visits and student mentoring • Hosted a visit from Kate Voegele, singer/songwriter and star of One Tree Hill for musical performace, Q & A session with students on the requirements of becoming a successful artist and performer and discussion of Ford Motor Company Fund’s “Driving Skills for Life” program that teachers teen drivers methods to be vigilant and safe while driving • Participated in “Car Care Clinic” for female students and their family members and school staff members. Presented

by Ford Motor Company Fund and Jordan Ford, this 3 hour session teaches female drivers the basics of car maintenance

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and how to react in a vehicular emergency Designed school’s mascot (Alameda Aztecs) and t-shirts Developed lunch menu items in collaboration with the school’s food service provider, Texas Education Agency nutrition experts and federal free and reduced lunch monitors. Students drew a menu featuring the four lunches then had the lunches on four Wednesdays in April.

Hosted 200 guests for a Thanksgiving Lunch that included our students, their families and our community partners Developed a school culture of acceptance, tolerance and academic excellence

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To:

Letters of Support

Mike Schmidt Chairman Henry Ford Learning Institute Dearborn, MI 48121-1935

Dear Mr. Schmidt,

I am the parent of a student from the Henry Ford Academy Alameda School for Art and Design. I am writing to express to you my thoughts and feelings about the Henry Ford Academy not only as a parent but also as a constituent of our San Antonio Community.

At a very young age, our daughter, Anica, began to show an interest and a talent for Art. Yes, as a parent my opinion can naturally be biased but throughout her childhood she received much affirmation and encouragement from her extended family members, teachers and her peers whom would often ask her to draw something for them. And in fact it was her paternal grandparents who provided us with the literature about the Henry Ford Academy. The school district in which we reside does not support art in the fashion as that of the Henry Ford Academy. The only other school that might support art in a similar fashion is located in a more affluent area of San Antonio. Had it not been for the Henry Ford Academy she would not have had the opportunity to experience Art to the extent that she has. The Henry Ford Academy has enriched the lives of many students that otherwise would not have had the opportunity to experience Art at this level.

Although Art is extraordinarily important to Anica and to us, her parents, education is especially of the utmost importance. The Henry Ford Academy has demonstrated in their 3 years that not only can they provide an extraordinary Art Program but also at the same time, they can provide a challenging academic curriculum. Anica strives to meet those challenges and it has helped her to recognize and develop those skills that are important for success in college. She is an “A� student and it is our belief that she is receiving a much higher level of education at the Henry Ford Academy than she would have in the district in which we reside.

Needless to say, we are extremely grateful that the Henry Ford Academy is a part of our lives. The staff is always very supportive of their students, always very interactive with parents and families and always interactive in our community. We are grateful and proud to be a part of it.

Respectfully, Anna M. Cruz Parent of Anica Cruz

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February 10, 2012 Dear Mr. Flores, We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to you and your wonderful team of teachers and support staff. When our son finished his 9th grade year at his previous high school, he was a student with little self-esteem and belief that he could achieve in school. We knew what our child was capable of but we had not been able to find a team of teachers that believed in him the way we did. Within a few short weeks of his 10th grade year at HFA, we were ecstatic!

What we have found at HFA is a school that truly believes that all students can learn and a school that supports its students 110% in all their endeavors. Your school is not only interested in how well the students perform academically, but they are also interested in the whole child and in producing productive, intelligent, thoughtful, capable adults. The supportive, caring atmosphere that comes across from all the faculty and staff at The Alameda School is a true testament to what you aspire for each of these students. There are many things that make HFA a great school, the many field experiences, the excellent teachers, the various club opportunities, the academics, the truly supportive environment, the quick and immediate feedback from all faculty and staff, the motivational speakers and presentations, the college visits, the extra time for tutoring, making parents feel welcomed and the many opportunities provided to them in so many other areas.

Our son previously attended private school and we appreciate that the academic rigor at HFA is akin and many times better than the academic rigor that he received at his previous school. You, the teachers and staff have exceeded our expectations and we are excited and PROUD to tell people where our son attends school. His entire attitude about school has changed. He loves going to school and is now passionate about learning.

Thank you for all you have done for our son and our family. You are a great leader. We appreciate that you get to know each individual student’s strengths and you help build on those strengths through your leadership. We appreciate all you do for our son, the other students at the school and all you do for the parents. Sometimes all it takes is belief in a person and you and your team has that belief in each and every student at HFA. Sincerely, Martin & Angelina Olivares (210) 885-3556

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Dear Mr. Flores, We wanted to write this letter to let you know how appreciative we are of your efforts to maintain a high standard of excellence at the Alameda School. We feel confident that our daughter, Amelia, is receiving more than a decent education.

Before coming to the Alameda school, her confidence with her academic work secondary to her learning disabilities, led her to believe that college was a remote possibility. This has taken a 180 degree turn since coming to your school. She does still struggle, but she has developed more confidence in her work and more confidence over all. It is really great to see her blossom as an individual, and this in no small part is due to the encouraging and supportive environment which you have taken great pains to cultivate and foster. The faculty and staff you have selected are outstanding. Each of Amelia’s teachers are stellar in our view, not just because of their academic prowess, but what truly distinguishes them is a genuine concern for Amelia’s progress which we can only assume is offered to every student at Alameda. This individualized attention deserves the utmost respect and recognition because as we all know, as noble a profession as teaching is, unfortunately it is not always afforded or given its proper due in our society.

The staff, counselors and everyone connected with Alameda, dedicated towards the common vision of creating true scholars and citizens, is contributing to the betterment of society as a whole. For this, we offer our utmost gratitude to you, your faculty, and your staff.

Sincerely, Dora and Joe, Parents of Amelia Blydenburgh

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February 6, 2012

Letters of Support

Mike Schmidt Chairman, Henry Ford Learning Institute Dear Mike:

February 9, 2012

As you know, I have been involved with the Henry Ford AcademyAlameda High School for Art & Design since its inception and have watched it with great interest as it has developed. During this time I’ve visited the School many times and the HFA students have been here at the Southwest School of Art. In addition, I have had many conversations with Jeff Flores and Jessica Sanchez about their challenges and successes and am always impressed with how smart and student-centered they are.

Mike Schmidt Chairman, Henry Ford Learning Institute

I’ve also been impressed with the way HFA students are achieving academically and artistically, in part because the students seem to be thoroughly engaged in a way that they might not have been at a traditional high school and in part because of the teachers and other staff that Jeff has hired. They are truly remarkable people.

We have recently been talking about how to extend the interaction between HFA and the SSA even further and about how important it is to have a community board to keep the momentum moving forward, a board that includes partners such as the SSA and Say Sí as well as individuals who can help with additional resources.

I know that there is some discussion about the HFA’s future, and I wanted you to know that from my perspective it has been a big success and a vital force in the lives of its students, many of whom are ideas-oriented, divergent thinkers, and innovators, just the creative types that we know are so important for our society and the workforce of the future.

Thanks for your consideration. Please feel free to contact me for further information.

Sincerely, Paula Owen President

Dear Mike: I know that you and I have had some frank discussions about HFA San Antonio and its future — a future as an important learning institution for creative high school youth. I agreed to help support the school from its inception as I recognized that it would add a vital missing component to our current educational systems.

It is with those thoughts in mind that I write in support of Jeff Flores and his leadership of the school. The school in a short time has become an important place of belonging for our youth and with Jeff’s guidance, has advanced into an exemplary model of how a new charter school can evolve, adapt and grow based on the needs of its community.

I sincerely hope that the board in Dearborn, allow a local board to be established as we had originally planned [and how we discussed with the TEA just a few short years ago]. In addition I am confident that with Jeff’s leadership we can begin to move forward with positive and mutually beneficial collaborative opportunities with SAY Sí and the Southwest School of Art: collaborative opportunities that were discussed, but never brought to fruition.

Mike, I highly support Jeff’s leadership, and I encourage your efforts in allowing him to move the school in positive directions.

Sincerely,

Jon Hinojosa SAY Sí Artistic | Executive Director

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February 8, 2012 Mr. Mike Schmidt Chairman Henry Ford Learning Institute Dear Mr. Schmidt, I would like to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity that has been given to my daughter, Gavin-Alexa Aguilar. She is currently a freshman, attending Henry Ford Academy: Alameda School for Art + Design in San Antonio, TX. She previously attended the same school for nine years and I quickly came to the realization that she wasn’t really learning much of anything. When I started researching schools, a good friend and co-worker mentioned HFA: ASAD. I contacted the school, gathered information and signed Gavin-Alexa up to shadow a student for a day to decide whether or not she would be attending the following school year. Well, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and when I picked her up, she was beaming. She loved it and practically begged for me to enroll her the next school year. We enrolled her in the summer and went to the events that were held prior to the start of the school year. She was able to meet students, faculty and staff and literally had a calendar countdown to the first day of school, which is NOT a common occurrence with Gavin-Alexa. The opportunities offered at HFA: ASAD are absolutely wonderful. Gavin has been able to learn in an environment that is conducive to her education. She still struggles with certain subjects, but has not given up. The constant support from her teachers and certain staff members has been overwhelming. She has tutoring available to her several times throughout the week and is being given the tools she needs to be successful in her high school career. She has recently developed a desire to go to college and have a better future.

She had such a terrible outlook on her previous school experiences and thought her high school experience would be the same. It most definitely has not been the same. She’s learning so much and striving towards being a better student, not only for her teachers and for myself, but more importantly to prove to herself that she can do anything she puts her mind to. The positive outlook on the student’s futures and the emphasis that is placed on getting the students college ready is engrained in them daily and I’ve personally seen the change in my daughter over the course of the school year and especially in this semester. I’m looking forward to many more years and the growing enrollment for HFA: ASAD and more importantly for me, the day Gavin-Alexa graduates with a diploma from Henry Ford Academy: Alameda School for Art + Design.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Anissa Aguilar

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“These students have the opportunity to study and learn about art and in the process, learn about themselves. I find this enviroment perfect for students to really start to see themselves as not just who they are now, but who they can become.� - Luis Daniel De Luna, Art Instructor 21

Major Awards 09-10

Volleyball TCSAAL Central Texas Bi-District Champion, 3rd place finish in Sate

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Volleyball TCSAAL Central Texas District Champion, Regional Champion, State Finalist

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Alameda “Algorithms” TCSAAL Central Texas Regional Mathematics Champion,

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Alameda “Heisenbergs” TCSAAL Central Texas Regional Science Champion, 3 rd place finish in State

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1 st Place in Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Design Award

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Volleyball TCSAAL Central Texas District Champion, Regional Champion, State Finalist 100% Passing Rate on AP Art Test Over 80% of all submitted work in VASE & Scholastic earn a score of 4 or higher 100% increase in State Finalist for VASE and Scholastic every year Swept TCSAAL Theatre competition. State Champion, Runner-up and 3rd place in Duets, Monologue, and Voice 23

Student Enrollment

250 projected

205 140

153

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2009-2010 24

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

2013-2014

Henry Ford Learning Institute (HFLI) Board The Activities and affairs of the Alameda School for Art + Design shall be conducted and corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the governing board of the charter school except those which HFLI, as the charter holder shall retain, including: (i) final authority to hear or decide employee grievances, citizen complaints, or parental concerns;

any person, subject to the governing body’s superior right of immediate access to, control over, and possession of such records;

(ii) final authority to adopt or amend the budget of the charter holder or the charter school, or to authorize the expenditure or obligation of state funds or the use of public property;

(iv) final authority to adopt policies governing chart school operations;

(iii) final authority to direct the disposition or safekeeping of public records; except that the governing body may delegate this function to

(v) final authority to approve audit reports under TEC, 44.008(d); or (vi) initial or final authority to select, employ, direct, evaluate, renuew, non-renew, terminate, or set compensation for a chief executive officer.

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Alameda School for Art + Design Local Charter School Board San Antonio, Texas Local charter school board members shall reside within 50 miles of the Alameda School for Art + Design High School. The local school board will be responsible for the following items: (i) final authority to adopt or amend high school curriculum; (ii) recommendation of all adoptions, amendments, policies and budget to the HFLI board; (iii) approval of teachers; (iv) outreach on behalf of the school; (v) fundraising on behalf of the school (expected amount $10,000); (vi) student recruitment.

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Our Governance Henry Ford Learning Institute Board of Trustees

HFA: Alameda high school local board

Jeffrey d. flores superintendent/principal

HFA: Alameda high school staff and faculty

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Design and Construction for the Casa de Mexico Building has already begun. With a total budget of $1 million for all phases of the project, Kell Munoz Architects will be donating their services as Project Managers. The construction team of Turner/Sabinal will be overseeing the actual construction of the building as the Casa de Mexico building is turned into a state-of-the-art learning center.

Project Managment: Kell Munoz Architects (Donated Services) Construction Team: Turner/Sabinal (Donated Services) Total Budget: $1 Million Projected Completion Date: August 1, 2013

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439 Arbor Place, San Antonio, TX 78207 210.226.4031