Library

CLOUDLIBRARY

cloudLibrary is a free service, available to all library patrons, and all you need is your Schertz Public Library card. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Patrons can simply download the app, log in using their library card/pin, and start interacting with the library while they are on the go! Users are allowed eight digital check-outs at one time.

TEXAS MUNICIPAL LIBRARY DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION AWARD OF LIBRARY EXCELLENCE

For the third year in a row, the Schertz Public Library has been awarded the Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Director’s Association (TMLDA). TMLDA is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League. Each year, TMLDA confers awards for outstanding contributions to public libraries. To successfully receive the Achievement of Library Excellence Award, the applicant must exhibit excellence in providing services to underserved and special populations, in enhancing services, in marketing their programs and services in innovative ways, in promoting cultural, topical, and educational programming, in providing literacy support, in providing summer reading clubs, in pursuing collaborative efforts, in supporting workforce development, in providing for digital inclusion, and in comprehensively training staff. According to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 568 public libraries exist in Texas. Of those libraries, only 56 received this award in 2020.

HOTSPOTS AVAILABLE FOR CIRCULATION

In partnership with Bexar County’s BiblioTech, the Schertz Public Library is now circulating hotspots! Anyone who finds themselves without access to the Internet can check out a hotspot to be used at home. Uses include, but aren’t limited to:

■ Conducting personal business ■ Continuing with educational endeavors ■ Participating in recreational opportunities ■ Applying for jobs or benefits, ■ Continue operating businesses This program has been funded for a twelve-month period with the hope that the Digital Divide further expanded by this pandemic, can be bridged. Many thanks to Bexar County’s BiblioTech. For more information, contact the library (210) 619-1700.

BRAINFUSE HELPNOW

An all-in-one suite of tutoring services designed for a wide range of academic needs whether it’s tackling a tough homework problem, mastering a particular topic, or writing a paper. HelpNow services include expert academic tutoring and self-study tools to empower users to study at their own pace or collaborate with peers and teachers. Students access live, on-demand academic help and state-aligned skills-building lessons from expert tutors from 2:00 -11:00 p.m. every day.

VIRTUAL PROGRAMS & KITS

BABY & ME RECORDED STORYTIME

Baby & Me Storytime is for our youngest library patrons up to 2 years old. Miss Michelle is sharing three songs with you each week on YouTube. Storytime videos are posted weekly on Tuesdays. Videos can be found on the library’s calendar at Schertz.com/youthcalendar. The current six-week session will be posted beginning March 23 through April 27.

TODDLER AND PRESCHOOL RECORDED STORYTIME

Toddler Storytime is for toddlers ages 20 months to 3 years old. Preschool Storytime is for our library patrons getting ready for school ages 3 to 6 years old. Miss Michelle is sharing a song, story, and flannel with you each week on YouTube. Storytime videos are posted weekly on Tuesdays. Videos can be found on the library’s calendar at Schertz.com/ youthcalendar. The current six-week session will be posted Tuesdays beginning March 23 through April 27. Pick up a weekly themed craft to go along with the Toddler and Preschool Storytime in the library or via curbside service.

TAKE & MAKE CRAFTS FOR KIDS AND TEENS

Weekly take & make craft kits are available for pick-up from the library for kids (ages 5-12) and teens (ages 13-18). The next six weeks of kits will be available Tuesdays beginning March 23 through April 27. New craft kits are available on Tuesdays and can be picked in the library or via curbside service. For the most current information on kits, visit the youth virtual programming page on the library’s website at Schertz.com/youthvirtual.

TAKE & MAKE CRAFT KITS FOR ADULTS

This month the library is offering marbled embroidery take and make kits for adults. This kit also comes with instructions on how to access the library’s newest crafting database CreativeBug. Once you have established a free account with CreativeBug you can explore a variety of crafting tutorials and videos. We have a limited supply of craft kits that can be picked up in the library or via curbside service. For the most current information on kits for adults, visit the adult virtual programming page at Schertz.com/ adultvirtual.

For a comprehensive listing of all library events please visit SchertzLibrary.org. Connect With Us on Social Media

Facebook.com/ SchertzLibrary Instagram.com/ SchertzPublicLibrary Twitter.com/ SchertzLibrary

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH-POETRY IN YOUR PAJAMAS

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 6:30 PM Our monthly library poetry open mic has moved to a virtual format. The virtual program, Poetry in Your Pajamas is held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. via GotoMeeting. Join us to listen to poetry from local poets or to share poetry of your own. Meeting Access information can be found on the library website calendar at Schertz.com/adultcalendar.

BYOB(OOK) EXTREME BOOK NERD VIRTUAL BOOK DISCUSSION

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 6:30 PM Select any book you’d like that fits the category for the month and come share what you read with others. This month the category is a book with a plant on the cover. Meeting access information can be found on the library’s calendar at Schertz. com/adultcalendar.

VIRTUAL SCRAPBOOKING 101 CLASS

TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 11 AM Join us for our first afternoon scrapbooking class. Kristin, our local expert, will teach all you need to know to get started with scrapbooking. The course syllabus is available online or can be picked up at the library. Log in information for the GotoMeeting session can be found on the library website calendar at Schertz.com/ adultcalendar.

Headlines

Job Shadowing from a Virtual Distance

Unlike previous years, all high school students from the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD) were invited to participate in the first virtual 3rd annual district-wide Job Shadow Day, held on February 25. The event was in partnership between the school district and the Schertz and Cibolo Economic Development Corporations along with interactive participation from local employers such as: RVK Architecture, Schertz Police Department, Visionworks, H-E-B, CCMA (Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority), Schertz Fire Department, YMCA, GEOMEDIA, Northeast Lakeview Colleges and pre-recorded sessions from San Antonio Manufacturing Day Companies: Toyota, M2 Global, Caterpillar, and COX Manufacturing.

Traditional Job Shadow Day events held prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed students to physically visit and interact with the professionals at a company’s location. However, this year’s event was very different and required a number of coordinated efforts to stream day-to-day operations and virtual tours to students sitting in the classroom.

697 students had a chance to explore and engage in job career exploration by virtually job shadowing the day-to-day activities of the employees at all participating companies.

“This was our first time with a virtual event like this, and it went great. Our participating teachers and students have not stopped talking about how excited they were to attend,” said Amy Massey, Career and Technical Education Coordinator for SCUCISD.

SCUCISD offers students the opportunity to earn an industrybased certification prior to leaving high school. Pathways available to the students include: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Architecture and Construction, Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications, Business, Marketing and Finance, Education and Training, Health Science, Hospitality and Tourism, Human Services, Information Technology, Law and Public Service, Manufacturing, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Currently, the SCUCISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) program has 6,958 students, starting their 8th-grade year, enrolled in a CTE course. The program offers students the opportunity to participate in Career and Student Organizations (CTSO) such as Business Professionals of America, DECA, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America, Texas Association of Future Educators, Future Health Professionals (HOSA), SkillsUSA, and Technology Student Association.

The school district is doing a great job in addressing the skills gap reported by our local industry by providing academic and technical employability to the student body and connecting qualified professionals with available careers in critical and growing CTE related fields including healthcare, energy, advance manufacturing, cybersecurity, and information technology. Career and technical education programs ensure that employers have access to a qualified and thriving workforce, ensuring a strong and competitive economy. “We’re very impressed and grateful to all the participating companies and their staff for their adaptation to the ‘new normal’, and for their dedication to set time aside from their daily activities to host our students and future workforce,” said Patty Horan, Business Retention and Expansion Manager for the City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation.

For more information on how companies can participate in future job shadow events please contact Amy Massey at (210) 945-6086 or Patty Horan at (210) 619-1070.

Purple Up for Military Kids

Each year, the United States Military declares April to be the Month of the Military Child to recognize and celebrate military children. The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), a non-profit group dedicated to supporting the children of military members, is encouraging Schertz residents to wear purple for military children on Thursday, April 15. Purple references the joint environment of the military – encompassing all service branches.

The City of Schertz will recognize April as the Month of the Military Child at the April 6 Schertz City Council Meeting. We encourage residents to show the military children and youth in the area that they appreciate their sacrifices and contributions.

For more resources and to learn more about how you can participate visit militarychild.org.

Headlines

Bringing Awareness to Child Abuse, Sexual Assault, and Crime Victim Rights

April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month, and April 18 – 24 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. A proclamation for these designations will be given at a future Schertz City Council Meeting. Follow the City on Social Media for updates on the upcoming proclamation date. We encourage you to join us and participate in the many efforts of awareness throughout the month.

To help bring awareness and prevent child abuse, the Schertz Police Department partnered with the Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center (GCCAC) for their annual countywide pinwheel displays recognizing the 720 children served at the GCCAC in 2020 as well as, their new fundraising campaign, Champions for Courageous Children. You can join them too by texting GCCAC to 44-321 for more information or go to ‘Events’ at gccac.net. The Schertz Police Department also partnered with ChildSafe for their annual Cardboard Kids campaign. Starting April 2 you will begin to see cardboard kids throughout the city, each one representing one of the thousands of children who suffer abuse and neglect at the hands of adults in Bexar County every year.

Friday, April 9 is the official Go Blue Day for Texas. Thousands of Texans will wear blue, the official color of prevention, to show their support for ending child abuse. To raise awareness of rape and sexual assault, Thursday, April 29 is Denim Day, where millions of people across the world will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence. We encourage you to wear your blue on April 9 and your denim on April 29, and encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same!

For more information on Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month go to childwelfare.gov, for more information on Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month go to nsvrc.org, and for more information on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week go to ovc.ncjrs.gov.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Being prepared for the unexpected brings peace of mind. By taking a few simple steps, you can be better prepared during emergency situations.

BE INFORMED

FLOODING

• Keep your Emergency Kit handy • Never allow children to play near floodwaters • If you become stranded by floodwaters and must escape, wear a life jacket • Never drive into flooded roadways

HURRICANES

• Locate your Emergency Kit • Monitor radio or TV for information • Turn off utilities if instructed to do so • Use phone only for serious emergencies • Check in with family/friends • Follow the directions of local authorities • Evacuate if instructed or if you feel in danger • If you are unable to evacuate, stay indoors • Evacuate only when ordered by emergency officials and if safety permits, take your pets • Take your emergency kit and head to your family meeting place or to a reception center.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE

Other times, it may be safer to remain inside. • Close and lock all windows and exterior doors • Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems to avoid drawing air in from the outside

MAKE A PLAN

MEETING PLACES

• Identify two meeting places in case you need to leave your home or cannot return home – Right outside your home – Outside of your neighborhood

TORNADOES

• Watch for weather conditions • Find shelter away from glass doors and windows • Help alert others by reporting tornado sightings • If you see a tornado while driving, stop your car and get out. Find the lowest spot, such as a ditch, and lie flat on the ground. Cover your head with your hands. • Do not seek shelter beneath overpasses EMERGENCY CONTACT

• Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be your family contact • Your contact should live outside of your area and everyone in your family should know the contact’s name, address and phone number • In an emergency, family members should call the contact and tell him or her where they are

THUNDERSTORMS

• When thunder roars, go indoors • Pay attention to weather report • If indoors, avoid running water or using landline phones • Protect your property. Unplug appliances and other electric devices. Secure outside furniture. • If boating or swimming, get to land • If necessary, take shelter in a car EVACUATION PET SAFETY

• Include your pets in your family emergency plan • The contents of the kit will vary, such as food, water, bowls, manual can opener, spoon, plastic bags, upto-date ID tag, current photo, emergency contact, medical records/medications, leash or collar, litter/pan and scooper, carrier for transport, bedding, small toy and brush. • If safety permits, pets should not be left behind in an evacuation • Watch for behavior changes due to stress

BUILD A KIT

No matter the type of disaster, you will need to have food, water, and essential supplies for your family and pets. In some cases, you’ll take your supplies with you. In others, you’ll use them while sheltering at home. Chances are, you already have many of the essentials you’ll need to build a disaster kit. Gather them first; then shop for the rest. Keep your supplies ready in an easily accessible area. Keep a list of the items you will need to add at the last minute, such as medications, in clear view on your kit. And don’t forget to periodically replace items that may expire, such as food and batteries.

Water, 1 gal / per person per day for at least three days

Flashlight and extra batteries

First aid kit

Whistle to signal for help

Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO INCLUDE: • Prescription medications and glasses • Infant formula and diapers • Pet emergency kit • Important family documents • Cash or traveler’s checks and change • Emergency reference material • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person • Extra clothing and shoes • Chlorine bleach and medicine dropper gallon of water • Fire Extinguisher • Matches in a waterproof container • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items • Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels • Paper and pencil • Books, games, or other activities for children Local maps

Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

Headlines

Lt. Kallies Graduates from Leadership Command College

Kelly Kallies, Lieutenant of the Schertz Police Department recently graduated from the Leadership Command College – Class 88 of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. “Graduating from the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Leadership and Command College (LCC) is a huge achievement for Lt. Kelly Kallies and is invaluable for our department and community,” comments Police Chief Michael Hansen. “I am extremely proud of Kelly and encourage her to continue this path. There is no doubt that she represents the great future of this department.” “While attending the LCC, I gained a lot of knowledge in leadership and development of myself and the people that I lead,” says Lt. Kallies. “To me, Leadership is the ability to inspire and lead people in a positive direction; this can be done through actions, words, ability to listen, and empowering others to do their best.”

The program, taught by a consortium of universities throughout Texas, provides law enforcement administrators and executives with the skills necessary to effectively manage police agencies and deliver a high level of service to their communities. Module I, focusing on leadership, is taught at the Center for Executive Development at Texas A&M University. Module II at Texas Woman’s University focuses on the political, legal, and social environment of law enforcement. The program concluded on February 26, 2021, with training in law enforcement administration at the third module, held at Sam Houston State University. Each of the three 3-week modules attended by participants in the program is taught by top national and international law enforcement experts. Topics include leadership, professional ethics and integrity, communication, and personnel management issues. The Command College curriculum also strives to keep participants on top of contemporary issues in Criminal Justice. This program is one of many offered by the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, headquartered on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The Institute, known as “LEMIT,” has been training law enforcement managers and executives since its inception in 1987. LEMIT offers numerous seminars, training for police chiefs, and the leadership program, which is one of the premier law enforcement academies in the nation. No tax monies are necessary to support LEMIT, which is funded by a surcharge on criminal court costs; affording eligible Texas Law Enforcement managers and executive’s essential professional development. Between one and two thousand Texas law enforcement personnel benefit from LEMIT training each year. For more information go to lemitonline.org. Chief Hansen says, “the LCC is a premier course on leadership and management of a law enforcement agency. It provides not only the tools to make quality decisions, form exceptional policies and excel in personnel development, but it also provides the graduate with resources and contacts to produce the best decisions for this community. Making the decision to attend the LCC requires a commitment and sacrifice.” Congratulations to Lt. Kallies for this incredible accomplishment and we are grateful to have her talents and skills as part of the Police Department leadership.

Two Long-Time Employees Retire

After 30 years, the dynamic duo of the Schertz Public Works Water/Wastewater Division, Jimmy Hooks and Eber Busch officially retired from the City at the end of February. Jimmy and Eber are the longest-tenured employees at the City of Schertz. “‘Ask Jimmy and Eber’ has been the answer for 30 years when the City needed to know where the infrastructure in the ground was as they helped put it there,” said Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm. “It is extremely hard to say farewell to these gentlemen but given their commitment to training their replacements, we are excited to ‘Ask Jerad and Matt’ as Jerad Moheit and Matt Lopez begin to fill the tremendous shoes left by Jimmy and Eber.” Jimmy began his career with the City of Schertz in December 1989 as a Service Man I and was promoted to Service Man II 6-months later. He moved up the chain and was promoted to Foreman, Public Works Inspector, Environmental Water Quality Supervisor, Public Works Superintendent, and then Assistant Public Works Director. He served as Interim Public Works Director until the new Public Works Director Suzanne Williams came on board in October 2019, and he then held the position of Water and Wastewater Manager. Jimmy became the City’s first Certified Floodplain Manager in 2003 and has been designated as the City’s Floodplain Manager ever since. He holds his TCEQ certifications in water and wastewater with a B Ground Water license and a C Wastewater Operators license. He was born in East Saint Louis, Illinois and lived in Edwardsville, Illinois until he was 15 before moving to Texas where he graduated from Canyon High School in New Braunfels. Jimmy served in the Marines for a short time where he was discharged with a knee injury after his schooling as a diesel mechanic at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. He came back to this area and was later hired by the City. He is married to his wife, Glenda, and they have one son Troy Hansen, who is a Police Officer in Texas City, Texas, and two daughters Nikki Hansen, who is a Schertz Animal Control Officer, and Brooke Hansen, who is a Statewide Intake Specialist II with Department of Family and Protective Services. Jimmy’s hobbies include hunting, camping, and taking cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska. An interesting fact about Jimmy is he raises large tortoises like the ones you see in the zoo. Eber Busch started his employment with the City of Schertz on October 1, 1990, as a Serviceman 1 in the Public Works Department. He then moved up to a Serviceman 2 in May of 1991 and received a promotion to Water/Wastewater Supervisor in April of 1994. In September of 2015, he was designated the Superintendent of the Water/Wastewater division. Eber was born in San Antonio and attended school in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD throughout his school years. He grew up and lived here in Schertz on his family’s farm where he assisted with farming and also operating their service station and motel in San Antonio.

Eber and his wife Janie have been married for 29 years and they have one daughter named April. During his spare time, Eber likes to go to the lake, go camping at State Parks, visit South Padre Island, go on cruises, and attend rock concerts. Raising Koi Fish is another one of Eber’s hobbies. Now that he is retired, he plans to do a lot of RVing with his family. Assistant Public Works Director Scott McClelland comments, “I think their passion to see the City of Schertz succeed is what stands out to me. Being able to provide stability to the Schertz water system for so many years through different challenges is a credit to their hard work. This drive to see the City of Schertz continue to do well was also evident in their focus on passing along their knowledge to many fellow employees throughout the City.” “Though the history and 60+ years of hands-on experience departed, the love and respect for both Jimmy and Eber will remain a lifetime, said Public Works Administrative Manager Jennifer Jones. “They were here when the ‘City’ of Schertz was just a thought, and both helped to bring the big City plans from the small town of Schertz to fruition. I pray they continue to be proud of their lifetime efforts, as I know we all will.” Jimmy and Eber will be greatly missed in our community. For their hard work and dedication for so many years, we hope that they will enjoy this new phase in their lives and cherish every moment of it. Congratulations and happy retirement to the dynamic duo!

PEP RALLY AND 5K RUN

KICKING CANCER TO THE CURB

In early March, the Kick Cancer Pep Rally and 5K Run was held as a virtual event. The 5K run, previously known as the Wilenchik Walk For Life, has raised over $178,000 for cancer drug discovery and development. This year, participants continued to support the cause by running the virtual event at a local park, sharing photos of the run, and submitting their times. 100% of the race proceeds are donated to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center in support of their many cancer research programs. We would like to thank our sponsor H-E-B and all those who participated in the running for cancer research. One day we hope we can help kick cancer to the curb!

Headlines

Monthly Street Sweeping

Maintaining roadways, drainage channels, and other infrastructure systems are a high priority for Public Works and the City of Schertz. One way the city does this is through preventative maintenance measures including monthly street sweeping. City street sweepers clean almost 356 lane miles of roadway, including lanes on FM 3009 and FM 78. In order to maintain all of the roadways, the City asks that residents do not dump, push, sweep, or blow yard waste- including leaves, tree limbs, or brush- into City streets or right of ways. This will help our street sweeping efforts run smoothly. Check out the Monthly Street Sweeping Schedule to see when your roads will be cleaned. For more information or if you have any questions, contact Public Works at (210) 619-1800.

ZONE 1

! " # $ 53

Æ ÿ 9003

ZONE 2

Æ ÿ 87

Æ ÿ 4061

ZONE 3

Æ ÿ 8151

! " # $ 01

Monthly Street Sweeping Schedule

Zones

ZONE 1 - WEEK 1

ZONE 2 - WEEK 2

ZONE 3 - WEEK 3

Street Sweep Days

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY PVT RDS NO SWEEP

²

0 ¼ ½ 1 1½ 2 2½ 3 Miles