The Ranger, Oct. 31, 2016

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the

ranger Serving San Antonio College and the Alamo Colleges

An independent forum of free voices

Volume 91 Issue 7 • Oct. 31, 2016

210-486-1773 • Single copies free

Feline friendship Campus cats, caring students: purr-fect match Page 3

Legislative agenda assembled among three Despite abiding by the Texas Open Meetings Act, meeting raises concern.

By Wally Perez

gperez239@student.alamo.edu

The Alamo Colleges legislative agenda for 2017, which was approved by the board of trustees Oct. 18, was discussed without

public knowledge during a meeting Oct. 7.

The meeting was not posted anywhere in advance, unlike most of the board of trustees and committee meetings, which are

required to be posted 72 hours in advance in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. The only exception is an emergency-called meeting, which requires two hours notice to the media.

Janel Santos, administrative assistant for special projects and acting board liaison, said in an

email to The Ranger that committee meetings are not necessarily subject to the Open Meetings Act. The Texas Open Meetings Act specifies that if a quorum of members of a governing board of a public institution discusses public business in more than an “incidental” way, it must be in a public meeting.

District General Counsel Ross Laughead said in a phone interview Oct. 25 there is no general prohibition at all in the act to have a meeting of the committee.

“We have to be big enough to have a quorum,” Laughead said.

Most committees are made up

See AGENDA, Page 7

online now Director of outreach touches community SLAC lab offers workshops

District requires EDUC 1300 Curriculum Committee not sure it has to approve change.

By Kyle R. Cotton

kcotton11@student.alamo.edu

Math freshman Ingrid Zamora concentrates on painting her pumpkin for the decorating contest hosted by the Campus Activities Board Oct. 24 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. There will be one winner for each category, creative/

original, funniest and scariest, who will receive a Kindle Fire. The winners will be announced at Screamfest, this college’s Halloween festival 9 a.m.-2 p.m. today in the mall. Read the story online. Josue Hernandez

Faculty Senate clarifies anti-poverty initiative Names were submitted, but with a focus on the food pantry.

By Christian Erevia

cerevia@student.alamo.edu

Faculty Senate discussed clarification about this college’s contest to name its anti-poverty initiative Oct. 21 at their second meeting of the semester.

The anti-poverty initiative, which includes a campus food pantry, clothes closet and support services for students in need, is still awaiting a name.

Names have been submitted by students and reviewed by the anti-poverty committee, which will choose a name for the program.

The problem with the contest is that the suggested names have been focused on the food pantry as opposed to all of the services, Faculty Senate President Tiffany Cox Hernandez said.

“We’ve received tons and tons and tons of really great suggestions, but they focus primarily on the food pantry portion, and I think that was from the communication that went out from Vanessa (Torres), which is

100 percent my responsibility,” Hernandez said.

“I think it was a little unclear so that we’re not just talking about the food pantry, but we’re talking about all the services.”

Aside from the food pantry, students in need will be able to access a clothes closet with donated clothing; they will also have one-on-one help with emergency aid and other tasks, such as filling out government aid forms.

“It’s food pantry and clothing closet,” Hernandez said.

“More importantly, it’s that case management with students so they can go in there if they have an emergency need or just need help filling out their state aid assistance form or whatever else it may be.”

Students may use the antipoverty services as long as they are enrolled at this college.

“It’s a one-stop shop, but it’s not an ‘in-and-out and that’s all the help you will get,’” Hernandez said.

“It should be an ongoing support while you’re a student here at San Antonio College.”

The committee working on

All students at Alamo Colleges who score at least at the ninth-grade reading level will be required to take EDUC 1300, Learning Frameworks, and they may decide at graduation whether to count it as an elective in a 60-hour degree, according to a summary of the presidents, vice chancellor and chancellor meeting Oct. 10.

PVC also approved requiring EDUC 1300 in all pre-major pathways.

The agreement by PVC was to correct “inconsistencies across the colleges,” according to the summary emailed by Chancellor Bruce Leslie Oct. 17.

For the last 14 years, the Alamo Colleges have required a student development course for first-time-in-college students or transfer students with 15 or fewer credit hours, Jo-Carol Fabianke, vice chancellor

See EDUC, Page 7

Distinguished grads get head start Application period opens this month, and students can apply online.

Faculty Senate President Tiffany Cox Hernandez discusses progress updates with senate members during a meeting Oct. 21 in Room 643 of Moody. Alison Graef the clothes closet has not developed a plan for a clothes drive.

Their focus has been on the food pantry, Hernandez said.

“That (the clothes closet) will be addressed. I just don’t know what it is yet,” Hernandez said.

Several senate members asked whether the clothes closet will be equipped with a washing machine and dryer so donations can be washed and students may do laundry.

“That’s a good point. I’ll look into that,”Hernandez said.

The anti-poverty committee is also exploring the option of reserving post office boxes for

students in the program.

“Having some in the UPS store, some boxes that can be assigned to students so that just while you’re at SAC, this is yours,” Hernandez said. “We’ll look into that.”

Hernandez said Faculty Senate is looking for a name that encompasses all the antipoverty services and includes the actual location of these services, which will be available in Room 323 of Chance.

Support services are available now. The anti-poverty initiative’s name will be announced Nov. 15.

By Rachel Cooper

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Students who are eligible for graduation in December or May can apply to be the distinguished graduate for their program.

The application opens today, and the deadline is Jan. 27.

This year the application will be available online, and once students complete the application, they must turn it in to their academic department, said Lauren Sjulin, coordinator of student success.

In the past, forms have been submitted to the office of outreach and recruitment, Sjulin said.

Last year students could apply around the middle of November, Sjulin said.

“We moved it up a little,” she said.

The deadline was changed so students can apply earlier.

“We try to make sure everyone is includ-

See GRADS, Page 7

People

2 • Oct. 31, 2016

www.theranger.org/multimedia

Opposing views

Liberal arts sophomore Elizabeth Lawson voices her opinion to an anti-abortion protester during an abortion rally in the mall Oct. 24. Lawson said, “It’s a shame that it’s 2016 and I still have to protest for pro-choice. The government doesn’t force people to donate blood. Why should I be forced to carry a child for nine months?” See story online.

Brandon A. Edwards

Queen of bingo Drag queen Wesley Morgado, who goes by Alayna Marquez, waits for drag queen Louie Canales, who goes by Chyna Cravens, to give criminal justice sophomore Christie Cordova her prize for winning loteria during Drag Queen Bingo Oct. 26 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Aly Miranda

Fine foam

Fine arts sophomore Bella Blount sands stacked foam insulation boards into a sculpture of a baby’s body for Adjunct Emily Fleisher’s Design 2 class Oct. 26 in visual arts. Blount said she usually works with chicken wire for her sculptures, but she is enjoying the foam medium’s texture. Alison Graef

today

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PAC Event: Border studies exhibit 8 a.m.-9 p.m. in Ozuna.

Continues through Sunday. Call 210-486-3125.

SPC Event: Soul 2 Sole sock drive 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in Room 130 of health professions. Continues through Nov. 30. Call 210-4862867.

SAC Event: “SAC’s Got Talent” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

SPC Meeting: Muslim Student Association noon-12:30 p.m. in Room 200 of Sutton. Call 210486-2135.

Event: ArtStrolls: Favorite Fables 10 a.m.-noon at the McNay, 6000 New Braunfels. $10 for non-members. Register online. Call 210805-1768.

NVC Event: 2016 Promise Zone to Entrepreneurship seminar 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in Room 20 of education services center. Call 210486-4010.

SAC Event: SLAC workshop stress management 10-10:30 a.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165.

SAC Event: CORE4STEM family day 8:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Scobee. Must register before 9 a.m. Call 210-486-0934

NLC Event: UIW health programs information session 1-2 p.m. in Room 110 of science building.

RSVP. Call 210-486-5404.

Event: Trinity Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. campuswide. Call 210-9998843.

SAC Event: Screamfest 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall. Call 210-4960125.

NLC Event: Halloween activities 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in opportunity mall.

Call 210-486-5404.

PAC Event: Paloween 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the student annex. Call 210-486-3125.

NVC Event: Cupcake fundraiser 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the lobby of Live Oak. Call 210-486-4010.

NVC Event: Costume contest noon-1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Cypress. Call 210-486-4010.

SAC Event: Trunk or Treat 4-7 p.m. in Lot 21. Call 210-4860125.

SAC Event: SLAC workshop learning styles 4-4:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165.

SAC Meeting: Society of Women Engineers 4-5 p.m. in Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-486-1825.

SAC Lecture: SLAC workshop time management 6-6:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Continues 1-1:30 Saturday. Call 210-486-0165.

PAC Event: Dia de los Muertos breakfast 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in the student annex. Continues Wednesday. Call 210-486-3125.

NVC Event: Psychology Day fundraiser 9-11:30 a.m. on the patio of Cypress. Call 210-486-4010.

Event: Day of the Dead celebration 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in kitchen in Room 1.422 of H-E-B university center at UTSA. Call 210-4586044.

SAC Event: SLAC workshop note-taking skills 1-1:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165.

SAC Event: “Emerald City” fashion show 2-4 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-4860125.

SAC Event: Leigh Anne Tuohy speaker rebroadcast 2-4 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Continues 2:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Event: SLAC workshop study smarter skills 3-3:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210-486-0165.

SAC Event: SLAC workshop online learning 6-6:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Continues 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Call 210-486-0165.

SAC Event: SLAC workshop working and communicating with your professor 11-11:30 a.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Continues Friday. Call 210-486-0165.

SPC Event: Spirit Day 11 a.m.1 p.m. in the center for learning resources breezeway. Call 210486-2135.

Event: Health Nest 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Rowdy lawn at UTSA. Call 210-458-8726.

NVC Event: Bible Talk 12:30-1 p.m. outside on the lakeside of Redbud. Call 210-486-4010.

SAC Event: Leigh Anne Tuohy speaker rebroadcast 2-4 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Continues 2-4 p.m. Thursday. Call 210-4860125.

PAC Meeting: Palomino Alliance 2-3 p.m. in Room 121 of Palmetto.

Call 210-486-3125.

Meeting: Volunteer Organization Involving Community Education and Services 5-6 p.m. in Room 2.01.40 of McKinney at UTSA. Call 806-584-7657.

Lecture: “The Changing Role of Color in Art” by Dr. Cynthia Freeland 7:30-10 p.m. in Room 142 of Chapman at Trinity University. Call 210-999-7246.

NVC Event: “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhythms” documentary film screening and panel discussion 2-3:30 p.m. in the Largo Vista Room of Cypress. Call 210486-4010.

SAC Event: SLAC workshop test-taking skills 3-3:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165.

SAC Event: Zumba! Fitness craze 3-4 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Event: Student Activity Fee Committee 3-5 p.m. in the president’s large conference room in Fletcher. Call 210-486-0125.

NVC Event: Mini mental health summit 3-7 p.m. in the lobby of Palmetto. Call 210-486-4010.

NVC Meeting: MexicanAmerican Studies Association 3:15-4:15 p.m. in Room 132 of Mountain Laurel. Call 210-4862135.

Event: Polyglot poetry reading 3:30-5 p.m. on the Magic Stones lawn at Trinity University. Call 210999-8845.

Event: “Jenny Magnusson: Spill” exhibit 1-5 p.m. in art gallery 110 of Dicke Smith at Trinity University.

Continues Saturday. Call 210-9997682.

NLC Event: UIW STEM programs information session 2-3 p.m. in Room 110 of the science building.

RSVP. Call 210-486-5404.

Event: Joint saxophone and percussion ensemble concert 7:30-9 p.m. in the foyer of Ruth Taylor recital hall at Trinity University. Call 210-999-8845.

Event: UCinema Night: “Star Trek Beyond” 9-11 p.m. on the university center lawn. Continues 7-10:30 p.m.

Saturday. Call 210-4586044.

sun Event: Gallery Talk: Museum Highlights 11 a.m.-noon. Meet at main stairs at the San Antonio Museum of Art. 200 W. Jones. Free with museum admission. Call 210978-8100.

Event: Free Family Day: Picture This! 1-4 p.m. at the McNay, 6000 New Braunfels. Free with museum admission. Call 210-824-5368.

Event: Symphonic wind ensemble concert 3-5 p.m. in the foyer of Ruth Taylor recital hall at Trinity University. Call 210-999-8845.

Illustrations by Brent Schmuck

NLC Meeting: Gardening Club 4-5:30 p.m. in Room B118 of Judson. Call 210-486-5404.

For coverage in People, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.

News

www.theranger.org/news

Oct. 31, 2016 • 3

Left: Two tabby cats eat their dinner around 5:15 p.m. Oct. 13 east of Chance by the original garage. Michele Tippit, client support specialist in the office of technology services, fed them. Tippit also feeds cats before 8 a.m. She has been helping feed and take care of campus cats for about three years.

Below: Two tabby cats and one Siamese cat lie on the sidewalk after eating dinner.

Photos by Aly Miranda

Campus cats, caring students:

purr-fect match Student club aims for compassion toward feral felines at this college.

By Michelle Delgado sac-ranger@alamo.edu

A

new student club that started from scratch this semester has vowed to look after a colony of feral cats on campus. The San Antonio College Community Cats met for the first time Oct. 12.

Eight students became acquaintances when they shared personal experiences of caring for the cats and considered expectations for the new organization.

“I’m excited to see how much the club will grow,” said Bethany Garcia, American Sign Language freshman and club president.

“Anybody who cares for living things and wants to make their lives better should join.”

For years now, some faculty and staff have stepped in to provide food and water for the feral cats that call this campus home; however, the absence of a staff member has left the remaining faculty in need of some assistance.

One tabby cat lies in the dirt in the shade. Its left ear is clipped to show the cat has been fixed. Aly Miranda Former financial aid specialist Maria da Silva was well-known as “a very effective staff member who used to take care of the cats all night, days and weekends,” said Beatrice Canales, academic unit assistant for early childhood studies.

The San Antonio College Community Cats Facebook page contains photos of the college cats and information about them.

The club is one of several student-led organizations that support feral cat colonies on higher-education campuses in San Antonio. Others include Trinity University and Our Lady of the Lake University.

“So we need your help,” Canales told the students at the meeting.

“Those who are advocates for cats and want to help, this is a good first start.”

President Robert Vela for permisThe club will focus on ensuring sion to make it more official. the cats have food and fresh water; The faculty and staff who cared members also discussed promofor the cats have been working on tion and education. forming the cause into a student “We might as well set an examclub. ple that we can co-exist,” said “We wanted to take the correct Michele Tippit, client support spesteps to make this work,” Tippit said. cialist in the student mega lab. “We Students can join the student might as well just educate while organization by signing up through we’re in the proOrgSync. cess of feeding The club has Those who are them.” taken actions to advocates for cats There are more ensure the food and want to help, than 30 spayed or and water bowls this is a good first neutered feral cats are not thrown start. at this college; the away.

Beatrice Canales, organization will Joan Fabian, academic unit assistant also raise funds artist in residence for veterinary in the department attention. of creative multimedia, created “We want to keep them healthy official logos, which can be seen on and keep them from multiplying as the kitty feeding bowls for a more much as possible,” counselor and formal appearance. club adviser Melissa Sutherland “If all these cats weren’t here said. and being taken care of, where “We’re just trying to take care of would they be?” Tippit said. them and make it more of a student Most feral cats haven’t had effort,” she continued. human contact, said Monica Sutherland said they asked Caballero, vice president of the San

’’

Antonio Feral Cat Coalition.

“They are born out in the wild,” Caballero said.

“Some cats will start to become more comfortable around humans or are used to human contact if they were once around people,” she said.

An orange tabby named Garfield is the friendliest of this college’s feral cats. He often approaches passersby for a scratch behind the ears or to rub against their legs Garfield is an exception. He was once a house cat with a family, but once he found this college, it became his home, Fabian said.

The mere presence of the kitties can soothe a savage day for students, faculty and staff.

“That’s just something animals do,” Fabian said. “They help you relax; you have somebody to greet you when you come to school.

Maybe you’re down and they’re sitting there in the bushes looking at you with their big eyes.”

Call Sutherland at 210-486-0397 for more information about the club or donations.

Leadership society helps president work toward goals Travis student establishes a peer network via society contacts.

By Estefania Flores sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Marshal Lawrence Mencel, 17, is the president of the Society of Leadership and Success and the youngest student to hold this position.

“I have about 12 credit hours here at SAC, but I am part of the high school on campus, Travis Early College High School,” he said.

“Being that I am a dual credit student, I feel as if the society has really introduced me to the college environment as well as lifestyle.

“The society has allowed me to stop any procrastination and move forward on all projects quicker.”

This national organization exists to “help students learn about themselves, their goals and their passions,” adviser Mark Bigelow, interim director of student life, said.

It began in 2013 and has grown to 500 chapters nationwide.

Students get invited to join based on their academic performance.

Membership also helped him gain friends.

“While most of the officers have left the

Marshal Lawrence Mencel, president of the Society of Leadership and Success, acquaints himself with campus Oct. 19 on the escalators in Moody. Mencel is a junior at Travis Early College High School where he will also graduate with an associate degree in liberal arts. Mencel is the North Korean delegate in the academic competition Model United Nations. Zachary-Taylor Wright society, I still see them around at times and am able to receive references from them when needed,” he said.

This is no accident. The Society of Leadership focuses on networking.

“The organization puts students into

groups and works on group activities with the goal of building stronger networking connections,” Mencel said. “That way students work together with each other to form their goals.”

The society hosts online conferences with famous TV broadcasters, including Andy Cohen, American talk show and radio host, author and producer.

“In this organization, I want students to push themselves to be the best version of themselves,” Bigelow said. “Although scoring high grades in their courses is a fantastic goal, I want them to push harder. I want them to push themselves to go into medical school, for instance.”

The society has helped Mencel push himself toward that goal.

Once he completes his required college hours, Mencel plans to apply to medical school.

“My definite choices would be the top northeastern schools, such as New York University, University of Pennsylvania and the University of Rochester, all of which will allow me to study business as well,” he said.

“I will definitely include in my résumé the fact that I am a member of the society. I’m sure it’s a great advantage.”

Prem

4 • www.theranger.org/premiere

Oldest park in Texas provides relaxation San Pedro Springs Park swimming pool has natural spring water.

By Brianna Rodrigue sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Founded in 1729, San Pedro Springs Park is the oldest park in Texas and the 10th oldest in the U.S. Although the park is across the street from this campus, Bianca Sapet, civic engagement and volunteer service coordinator, said many students do not know about it.

“It is a really beautiful place to be at, and I think there is some kind of magic at San Pedro Park,” Sapet said Oct. 5. “I walk my dogs there, and they love running up the hills there.”

Sapet said students should be involved with the park by having club meetings, studying for a test or having events there.

“It’s nice to be outside and important for us to get back into nature because we are all natural beings, so it is important to be outside and be involved with our surroundings,” Sapet said.

The park includes a walking trail, picnic areas, a playground, a skate park, an outdoor swimming pool, McFarlin Tennis Center, San Pedro Library and San Pedro Playhouse.

The swimming pool is a natural spring water pool that will re-open in mid-June for a nine-week pool season, and the pool is free.

While waiting for his younger brother to get out of class, Alex Harline, Auto Zone sales associate, was longboarding down a steep trail.

Harline enjoys coming to the park because he is able to relax in the outdoors while being in the middle of the city, he said.

“It gives you an open place to think, and there is a lot of history at this park, which is awesome,” Harline said. “I usually skate at the skate park or read some books at the library.”

Although some students might not know there is a park across the street from this college, Greg Cruz, San Pedro Library circulation attendant, said many students and people do not know that the building is even a library.

“On the first week of school, students came here thinking it is a bookstore wanting to buy or rent textbooks,” Cruz said.

Art sophomore Julian Avalos from Palo Alto College and local resident Devin De La Cruz skate in their free park, a fresh water swimming poo The San Pedro Library was built in 1929 and opened in 1930. time Oct. 24 at the San Pedro Springs Park skate park. The park offers various facilities, such as the skate Playhouse. Deandra Gonzalez Cruz said Bexar County residents can create a free account with the San Antonio Public Library to secure a free library card operator or assistant stage manager can sign up for tryouts by that will expire in two years. calling 210-733-7258 or visiting the website at www.theplayAfter creating an account, people can check out up to 50 housesa.org/volunteer. items for three weeks.

Upcoming shows at the Playhouse are “The Glass Menagerie” The library is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Sunday and Nov. 4-27 and “All is Calm, The Christmas Truce of 1914” Dec. 2-18. noon-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

There is a student discount rate ranging from $14-$27 The San Pedro Library has several events each month for depending on the seats, but students must show a student ID. children and adults such as Minecraft Monday at 4 p.m. Oct. 31 For more information about shows and ticket prices, call and the LEGO Club at 4 p.m. Nov. 2.

210-733-7258.

For more information about the library, visit www.mysapl.

Across the street from the Playhouse are the 22 lighted tennis org or call 210-207-9050. courts at McFarlin Tennis Center.

Students and community members who enjoy watching McFarlin holds many school competitions and tournaments theater performances can purchase a ticket for a play at the San as well as open play.

Pedro Playhouse.

There are lockers, showers and a pro shop offered to players.

Shannon Bishop, sales and patron services director at the For open play, the tennis courts are open Monday to Saturday San Pedro Playhouse, said theater is an opportunity to tell a but the time varies. story that some people can relate to, and they can be educated The courts are open 8:30 a.m.-noon and 3-9 p.m. Monday and entertained. and Tuesday, 3-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m.“Theater is becoming not 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-1 as popular as it used to be, p.m. Saturday. but there is an opportunity to Before 5 p.m., adults pay escape the world that you can’t $6.25 per hour, students and Personal trainer Joshua Caceres gives a motivational thumbs-up to find any other way, whether you seniors pay $3.25 per hour. purchasing coordinator Janet Lent as she practices basketball drills go watch a movie, watch a show Each individual player must with help from suspension straps Oct. 24 at San Pedro Springs Park. or hang out with friends. This pay the fee. is the one place you have to After 5 p.m., adults pay body without affecting other parts of the body. turn your cellphone off and pay $7.25 per hour, students and Caceres used a TRX suspension trainer by tying it to a tree attention,” Bishop said. “I think seniors pay $4.25 per hour. and he had Lent and Garcia do three sets of 12 chest presses. that it is very rare and it is a very Tennis lessons, camps, Caceres has been a personal trainer for the past six years, enriching experience that you clinics and leagues are also and a year ago he starting spot-training clients at San Pedro can’t get anywhere else.” provided.

Springs Park.

The San Pedro Playhouse is For more information “I do this because I didn’t like the cost of people spending a the oldest municipally built theHousekeeper Sylvia Johnson takes her dog Chacho, a pit bull mix, about McFarlin Tennis lot of money on a personal trainer, and I thought this was a great ater in the country, Bishop said. for a walk after work Oct. 24 at San Pedro Springs Park. The park is Courts, call 210-207-5357. way to get people away from their excuses,” he said.

Bishop said anyone can dog friendly and has 40 acres of open field including walking trails.

Next to the tennis Caceres charges $40 a week for five classes a week between audition for a play whether they Deandra Gonzalez court, personal trainer Josh noon-7 p.m. Students and members of the community can hire have a background in theater Caceres on Oct. 24 was Caceres as a personal trainer by visiting spottrainingsa.com or or not. spot-training two of his clients, purchase coordinator Janet calling him at 817-374-3682.

Students and members of the community wanting to volun- Lent and Guillermo Garcia, HEB produce warehouse worker.

Lyn Kinton, parks and recreation manager, said it is importeer at the Playhouse as an actor or actress, crew member, board Spot training is losing weight or muscle fat in one area of the tant for students to stay connected with the outdoors.

10 oldest parks in the U.S.

1 Plaza de la Constitución, St. Augustine, Fla., 1573 2 Boston Common, Boston, 1634

3 New Haven Green, New Haven, Conn., 1641 Source: The Edwards Aquifer Website by Gregg Eckhardt

4 Washington and Marion Squares, Charleston, S.C., 1680 5 Rittenhouse, Washington, Logan and Franklin Squares, Philadelphia, 1682 6 Salem Common, Salem, Mass., 1685

8M

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Oct. 31, 2016 • 5

for students

Residents paddle a rowboat and enjoy leisure activities at San Pedro Springs Park in this postcard from 1908. Courtesy

San Pedro Springs sets stage for San Antonio San Pedro Springs Park was a source of agriculture, trade and entertainment.

By Christian Erevia

cerevia@student.alamo.edu

ol, tennis courts, playgrounds, the San Pedro Library and the San Pedro

Caceres meets with his clients in the afternoon and evenings for spot training at the park. For bookings, Caceres can be contacted through his Facebook @Joshua Caceres. Deandra Gonzalez “It is important to be as a whole with the outdoors. The park is so close to SAC that it is very convenient to students,” Kinton said Kinton said students could take a blanket and lay it out on the grass so they can relax and study. She also said if students want to give a helping hand, there are many volunteer opportunities at San Pedro Springs Park.

Individuals or groups can help by picking up litter, painting, cleaning graffiti, tree planting, weeding, adopt-a-park and more.

Individuals and groups who would like to volunteer must complete the volunteer application and individual release form.

If under 18 years old, a parent or guardian must sign a section in the individual release form.

For more information about volunteering, visit www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/Want-to-Help/Volunteer or call 210207-8603.

7 Battery Park, New York City, 1686

Military and Washington Park, Newark, N.J., 1697

9 Jackson Square, New Orleans, 1718

0 San Pedro Springs Park, San Antonio, 1729

San Pedro Springs Park is a neighbor of this college, and many students walk past it daily. Despite the park’s proximity to this campus, its prolific history is often overlooked in favor of this city’s more famous landmarks, such as the Alamo and the River Walk.

“It’s really the birthplace of San Antonio,” history Professor Erik Anderson said.

“The original Mission Valero, which we now call the Alamo, was founded basically using the water from the creek.”

The springs were named in 1709 by the Spanish, said Hector Cardenas, president of Friends of San Pedro Springs.

“When they see the springs, they say, ‘You know what, this is a pretty good place to build a mission,’” Cardenas said. “The first mission is downstream from San Pedro, but we think the first presidio was above the springs.”

Presidios are fortified military settlements, and this city was home to many.

Mission Valero was moved in 1724 and then twice more until settling where the Alamo is now, Cardenas said.

San Pedro Springs was made a public commons in 1729 by the Spanish government.

The park is often referred to as the second oldest park in the nation. However, according to research and conservation group The Trust of Public Land, San Pedro is the 10th oldest.

The park is, however, the oldest public park in Texas.

Travelers and townsfolk would water their cattle, trade and hold celebrations in San Pedro Park, which retained this function until the 1850s.

“It really was a good source of water for agriculture and irrigation.”

Anderson said.

In the late 1800s, the city gave the park to a private contractor who turned the area into a public fairground. The park soon became a place for entertainment and relaxation.

“There were fairgrounds, there were bandstands throughout the park, you could go swimming, there was a zoo, there was a biergarten there,” Anderson said. “It really was the weekend spot.”

Cardenas agreed.

“There’s a pavilion for music and dancing and there’s food, so it really becomes the place for everyone to go,” Cardenas said. “The first of everything happened there: They had the first balloon rides, rodeos, the Wild West shows.”

The Comanches, Texas Rangers and Mexican caballeros would hold competitions, competing in horsemanship and arrow shooting.

“The Comanches would come dressed in their whole garb, and the caballeros in their stuff, and, of course, the Rangers would wear whatever their uniforms were,” Cardenas said.

In 1912, Brackenridge Park and its golf course were opened and quickly became the new weekend hangout. For years, the

San Pedro Springs Park includes a swimming pool surrounded by various types of trees Oct. 26. The park is the 10th oldest public commons in the country and was named in 1709 by two Spanish priests. Present-day water features were installed in 1994. ZacharyTaylor Wright city’s funds were poured into Brackenridge Park and its attractions, leaving San Pedro neglected, Cardenas said.

“The history of San Pedro was forgotten about and they ended up putting a lot of asphalt in there,” Cardenas said.

In the early 20th century, the city switched its water supply to the artisanal water piped up from the aquifers that also provided water to San Pedro.

This switch caused the many pools and water features in San Pedro to dry up, Anderson said.

“There were some attempts to rehabilitate it (the park) in the 1930s by building the pool that is there now,” Anderson said. “But it really declined as a community public space.

“It has remained kind of a place that is no longer really the heart of our city; it’s something that even we, here at SAC, are disconnected from.”

Courtesy This college has the distinct advantage of being so close to San Pedro Springs Park when it comes to exploring the park’s history.

“It’s useful to have a connection to both your community, including your SAC community, and the larger San Antonio community,” Anderson said.

“This town has so much history, but it starts there, it starts at San Pedro,” Cardenas said.

“San Pedro Park is an important part of this city’s history and without that history, we would be just another town,” Cardenas said. The city is planning for a revival of the park to preserve its extensive history and attract more visitors.

“If we think about how San Antonio is the original city of Texas and San Pedro Creek and San Pedro Springs are the beginning of San Antonio, then we’re right here, in the heart of Texas,” Anderson said.

6 • Oct. 31, 2016

www.theranger.org/editorial

.org

the

ranger

Editorial

Editor Wally Perez

Managing Editor Kyle R. Cotton Calendar Editor Christian Erevia Staff Writers Bismarck D. Andino, Raven Arriaga, Y. Arroyo,

Nicole Bautista, Valerie Champion, Rachel Cooper, Michelle Delgado, J. Del Valle, James Dusek, Estefania Flores, Emily Garcia, Miranda A. Holden, Mario Parker Menchaca III, Felicia Mora, R.M. Ozuniga, Ryann Palacios, William A. Peters, Sasha D. Robinson, Brianna Rodrigue, Christy Romero Visuals Editor Brandon A. Edwards Photographers Deandra Gonzalez, Alison Graef, Aly Miranda Photo Team Josue Hernandez Illustrators Estefania B. Alonso, Alexandra Nelipa, Brent Schmuck Production Assistant Zachary-Taylor Wright

@therangerSAC /readtheranger /therangervideo

©2016 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-3941.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of classes in the Journalism Program at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations.

The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger. org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center).

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The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association.

Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style.

All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer.

Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor.

Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages.

Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter.

Letters should be emailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, mailed to The Ranger, Journalism Program, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-3941 or faxed to 210-486-9292.

Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773.

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Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.

Estefania B. Alonso

Adjuncts aren’t end all, be all Colleges and universities around the state have exponentially increased their adjunct hires and actively shortened contracted positions to decrease overhead.

This progressive shift in focus from valuable and consistent professors and small class sizes to ensuring monetary results is a detriment to the quality of education.

As evidenced by the threat looming over the University of Texas at San Antonio’s liberal arts department adjunct faculty, short-term hires with limited contracts do not promote a stable budget.

It’s the same story everywhere.

Adjunct faculty are denied job security, health benefits and competitive pay; however, they are expected to fulfill the role and responsibilities of full-time faculty.

The UTSA adjuncts are facing the possibility of a massive cut in their numbers, which in turn means a substantial increase in class sizes.

Alamo Colleges adjuncts — who are often stretched between mul-

tiple campuses just to afford a subsistence lifestyle — are subject to the same surveys, assessments and bureaucracy that are required of fulltime faculty.

The idea that district administration thinks overworked adjuncts should have the time, energy or desire to go the extra mile with students on these campuses is either idealistic ignorance or a blatant disregard for the efforts of full-time employees and the quality of education they provide.

Beyond the lack of pay incentive and abuse of time, full-time and part-time adjuncts are subject to the anxiety that comes with lack of job security; how can a teacher offer their entire potential to their classes if they are also worried about having a job next semester?

Developing a sense of loyalty and a consistent relationship with a workplace harbors a sense of community that produces stronger work efforts and encourages professional growth.

The idea that confining adjunct

contracts to a semester reduces overhead is illogical considering the protection against inflation and repeated office labor and processing that hiring nontenured faculty provides.

A small-minded person might suggest that a solution to reduce the number of underpaid and overworked adjuncts is to decrease the number of classes by increasing class sizes.

This oversight would lead to a classroom devoid of meaningful one-on-one instruction with students, as adjuncts are not required to keep offices hours nor are they compensated for them.

It’s time to stop running the Alamo Colleges like a service industry, where the lowest-paid employees have the most interaction with students on campus.

If Chancellor Bruce Leslie is committed to whipping the mule, he needs to create positions and allocate funds to hire nontenured faculty rather than supplementing with adjuncts.

Center a model of success Other departments should follow empowerment center if advocating the Alamo Way. Even with budget cuts and staff reductions over the past couple of years that hurt services like tutoring or library hours, students can find some comfort knowing a department still offers a multitude of helpful resources for students.

The empowerment center is home to the department of services for women and non-traditional students, or SWANS, and offers services for both students and the community.

The center has three labs dedicated to computer usage, schoolrelated needs and career assistance.

Students can ask for help on basic computer skills, online registration or learning about the right major.

Academic advising is available, in addition to career counseling.

It’s essentially a student’s dream

in terms of a space where they can which promotes and provides supget all the help they need to succeed port and assistance to students. and assemble a plan for the future.

The department is a prime This one location does what example of the Alamo Way, which is a handful of departments at this defined by student success, princicollege do, without the inconve- ple-centered leadership and perfornience of traveling from building to mance excellence — a slogan that building, department to is preached by the chandepartment. cellor and administration View Why would you want to time and again. letters to go anywhere else?

Students look for conthe editor at According to its webvenience and a sense of theranger.org. site, services are provided welcome, not an assistant for individuals who need or adviser sending them support to succeed in a college envi- elsewhere because they cannot deal ronment. with their problems.

Some of the services include acaIf the Alamo Colleges truly follow demic skills development, emer- their mission statement of empowgency transportation and textbook ering our diverse communities for assistance for qualified participants, student success, then administrachild care referrals, parenting sup- tors should take notice of the good port programs, scholarship resourc- work SWANS is doing and follow the es and more. The list goes on. model of its successes when workThe center is also home to the ing on or developing future support Non-Traditional Students Club, departments.

News

www.theranger.org/news

Oct. 31, 2016 • 7

student 101 Balancing kids and school Experts offer tips for busy parents.

By J. Del Valle

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Steamrolled English sophomore Tiera Sellers takes the ball from SWTJC guard Julie Rae Lira during the third quarter of regulation play Oct. 26 in Gym 1 of Candler. Sellers finished the game with 12 points and five steals as the Rangers defeated SWTJC 93-42. Read the story at www.theranger.org. Brandon A. Edwards

GRADS from Page 1 ed for that calendar year,” Sjulin said.

Students who will graduate in December, spring 2017 or next summer can apply to be a distinguished graduate in May. There is no graduation ceremony for the December graduates, so they are invited to the May graduation.

“They have a good chunk of time to apply,” she said of all candidates.

A student must have a minimum 3.2 GPA to apply.

The application requires a personal biography and essay explaining their experience at this college and how their major influenced or

AGENDA from Page 1 of three trustees.

The board’s legislative ad hoc committee is composed of District 1 trustee Joe Alderete, District 2 trustee Denver McClendon and District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate.

Santos said ad hoc committees have a membership far below the level that could constitute a quorum of the board. Therefore, there is no requirement to post an ad hoc committee meeting as an open meeting under the act.

Although a quorum of the Alamo Colleges board consists of five trustees, the matter of a committee consisting of three trustees, who met together in private, raises concern to the public.

Kelly Shannon, director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, said it’s possible the members were in accordance with the act, as no quorum of the full board was present and if it was only an advisory board.

“If this committee typically makes decisions that are then ‘rubberstamped’, or almost always adopted by the full governing body board, it could be considered public and fall under the act,” Shannon said.

Laughead is familiar with this possibility but isn’t concerned.

Laughead said in this case, it’s an ad hoc committee asking for improvements.

“We’re not asking for a new district building to be built or anything like that,” Laughead said. “They still go through two layers of public board meetings for voting.”

He referred to an Oct. 11 committee meeting and the Oct. 18 board meeting.

inspired their path to graduation, Sjulin said.

The department’s chair and faculty select the distinguished graduate after reviewing the applications.

Programs will receive a plaque to display with the student’s name and graduation year.

About 70 students applied last year, and 38 were chosen, Sjulin said.

The distinguished graduates will help with Graduation Push Week right before spring break, Sjulin said.

Graduation Push Week lets students know they should talk to advisers, tally their hours and find out if they’re eligible for graduation, Sjulin said.

Because the purpose of the Oct. 7 meeting was to finalize the agenda to move forward for full approval by the board during the Oct. 18 board meeting, it could be considered public as the results of the meeting directly affect the public.

Shannon said many local governments make committee meetings of this type open to the public, just to be on the safe side.

Board Policy B.3.3 regarding board of trustees ethics reads, “Communicate with the public and provide access points for constituent voices to be heard, while maintaining the integrity of the board’s governance guidelines.”

Board Chair Yvonne Katz appointed the current members of the ad hoc legislative committee after her election to the position in May. “The committee has no power to approve anything aside from expressing opinions,” Laughead said.

“It’s up to the full board to approve items.”

Laughead said the board previously applied the act to the standard committees, but it’s never the case for the ad hoc committees because they’re so far away from a quorum.

“The legislative agenda wouldn’t be adopted without a duly noticed meeting of the board,” Laughead said.

“It’s just having some people put in some specialized effort offline and under the open meetings act.”

The legislative agenda was passed at a board meeting Oct. 18, which was held at the Alamo Colleges Central Texas Technology Center in New Braunfels, 44 miles away from this college.

A lot of students don’t realize they need an application for graduation or they don’t know if they’re eligible for graduation, she said.

“We want them to bring graduation awareness to other SAC students,” she said.

Distinguished graduates will get a certificate and a purple cord to wear on graduation day, Sjulin said.

Students will be notified if they were selected in February.

“It’s a big honor; it’s definitely something that would stand out on a résumé, to be selected by the department,” Sjulin said.

The application is available at www.alamo. edu/sac/distinguished-graduates/.

EDUC from Page 1 of academic success, said Tuesday.

For most of those years, most of those students took a one-credit hour pre-college level course, SDEV 0170, College Success.

Three student development courses, EDUC 1300, SDEV 0170 and SDEV 0370, Foundations for College Learning, have been approved by the college Curriculum Committee, but implementing EDUC 1300 for all students is an “ongoing discussion” and the minutes from the PVC meeting were incorrect, Vernell Walker, dean of professional and technical education and the chair of the committee, said.

However, Fabianke said she has told faculty EDUC 1300 must be part of every pathway of the Alamo Institutes. The proposed pathways are advising guides and not binding so they do not require approval of the curriculum committee.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges recently commissioned a special site visit team to look at questions regarding the autonomy of this college, St. Philip’s College and Northwest Vista College.

One of the concerns from SACSCOC was Standard 3.4.10, which states the primary responsibility for curriculum is with the faculty.

According to this college’s procedures, it is the responsibility of the curriculum committee to evaluate proposed course and programs changes recommended by individual department committees and coordinate with other Alamo Colleges Curriculum Committees to maintain alignment.

Currently EDUC 1300 is offered as an alternative to SDEV 0170 for new students and transfers with 15 hours or fewer.

Tiffany Cox Hernandez, a member of this college’s curriculum committee, said the student development course falls into a limbo in terms of responsibility between the district and the college.

“In all my years on the Curriculum Committee, we’ve traditionally only approved changes to the degree plan,” she said.

“It’s tricky ground for us because student development is required as part of district policy, but it’s not part of any degree plan.”

Fabianke said students who take EDUC 1300 do better than those who take SDEV 0170, SDEV 0370 or no student development course.

“Every university requires a student development course for their new students, and research shows that it leads to increased success, not just here but nationally,” Fabianke said.

Being a parent and student can be a hectic task to balance at times; parents who are taking classes and raising children are aiming to have a better future for their family.

Education sophomore Delgadina Cervantes is a mother of four. Her oldest is 10, and her youngest is 4.

She advises parents who are students for the first time to “plan out a schedule and add 30 minutes on top of what you are doing for school or at home.”

“Once you’re done with your task, you have that extra time to either start on another assignment or take care of something else,” she said.

Staying ahead is key to having balance with school and home; along with time management, staying ahead turns into late-night studying sessions, and early mornings getting the kids Alexand ready for ra Nelip a school can be tiring.

“Keep reminding yourself that this is only temporary,” Cervantes said. “The extra work you put in now will pay off in the future.”

Parents face obstacles every day when it comes to child care.

Some might not have the support or financial stability to pay for their child to stay at a day care while they are going to school, but this college offers an early childhood center for children of students enrolled at this college.

It is open to children ages 12 months to 4 years old. The center is located at 210 W. Ashby Place.

Center director Claudia Gonzalez interacts with parents and children on a daily basis.

She has noticed certain traits among parents who are successful at balancing school and raising children.

“They plan out their schedules ahead, they take in consideration their family and school life so they don’t overwhelm themselves, and they do have a lot of family support, which is very important,” Gonzalez said.

Cervantes agreed, “Without the support of my family, mainly my kids understanding that sometimes I don’t have the time and that I’m dedicating to better myself for them, I wouldn’t be able to manage at all.”

For parents taking classes for the first time, Gonzalez advises that “you find out what resources are available to you; ask around what are the resources at the colleges.”

Gonzalez said, “It’s great to know what the college offers or programs that are available to the student.”

For more information, call the center at 210-486-0530.

8 • Oct. 31. 2016

News

www.theranger.org/news

Accredited child care bustles with activity Program provides a low teacherstudent ratio for students with children younger than 4.

By Y. Arroyo

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

A group of 12 2-year-olds gathered around Linda Cantu, child development specialist, as she read “Rumble in the Jungle” at this college’s early childhood center.

“What do I see? I see a monkey, and he’s laughing at me,” said Cantu as she whooped like a monkey in front of the laughing children. She continued: “Rumble, rumble through the jungle. I stopped …” The toddlers screamed, “Aaaaahhhhhh.”

Next, Cantu led them in singing “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes” before dismissing them for a lunch of brown rice, chicken and sweet and sour sauce.

The center offers child care for students at this college with children ages 1-4. The Ranger spent Oct. 5 observing activities of the 2-year-old class and interviewing employees and a parent.

Biology sophomore Debra Williams praised the center for helping her return to school after being a stay-at-home mom.

“I like everything about this program,” Williams said as she picked up her 2-year-old daughter, Leilani, later that day. “It helps me stay at school and stay focused.”

The staff includes teachers with four- and two-year degrees, as well as student volunteers enrolled in early childhood studies at this college.

Unlike most child care centers in the city, the program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Texas Rising Star.

“We have higher expectations,” said child development specialist Elvira Bravo.

“We’re more focused on the child and consider all of their developmental domains. We incorporate everything that they do throughout the day in each zone through conversation and interactions.”

San Antonio had 848 licensed child care centers in fiscal year 2015, said early childhood studies Director Claudia Gonzalez, citing numbers from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Of those, 34 have NAEYC accreditation, according to Meghann Hickey, NAEYC quality improvement specialist.

The center also has lower teacher-student ratios than other facilities in the state, Gonzalez said. The center’s ratios are two teachers for every nine children for the 18- to 24-month-old class, 2:12 for the 2-year-olds, 2:14 for 3-year-olds and 2:18 for 4-year-olds.

By comparison, the state’s ratios are one teacher for every nine children for 18-24 months, 1:11 for 2-year-olds, 1:15 for 3-yearolds and 1:18 for 4-year-olds, Gonzalez said.

Bravo said the center’s indoor-outdoors zones allow children to seamlessly transitions between both worlds.

“All the zones we have indoors, we also have outdoors,” she said. “We have a dramatic play zone inside the classroom — you’ll see that in the playground. We have the large gross motor zone, and you’ll see them (children) pushing on the trikes, the diesel trucks and the lawnmowers, going in and out of the red metal trucks. Then we have the music, just like you saw inside. So all of our zones that we have inside are re-created outside.”

Most of the classrooms have a big play area for children. It gives them room to run, dance and play. It consists of two prams the children can play with, a mini kitchen, library, building blocks and puzzles.

The center receives most of its funds through a grant from CCAMPIS, or the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program. The majority of parents have lowincome families, which means they can qualify for a scholarship.

’’

Child development specialist Karla Juarez asks Aiden Cortina, 4, about the robot he is making with a magnetic balls-and-rods set during preschool play time Oct. 7 in Room 110 of early childhood studies. The preschool class

stayed indoors for playtime because of rain and played with educational toys and games such as “fraction fruits,” science stereoscopes and emotion flash cards. Alison Graef

We make sure the children are happy, safe, having fun and, most importantly, learning.

Elvira Bravo

child development specialist

The scholarship pays for most of the child care fee, Bravo said. Parents end up paying $25-$35 a week.

Students who qualify with nine hours or more will be able to afford the program, Bravo said. “We do have full-fee slots for nonstudents and their rate is the same across the board for all accredited centers.”

Full-fee slots are for parents who do not attend this college. Those slots range from $199 for infants and $191 for early toddlers to $186 for toddlers and $179 for preschoolers.

The center’s NAEYC accreditation requires lower student-teacher ratios, which fosters more “hands-on interactions with the parents and the students,” she said.

During playtime or self-selected activities, each teacher will spend time playing and interacting with each child — such as doing puzzles or playing instruments — while also keeping an eye on the other children.

Students in this college’s early childhood studies program work at the center as part of their lab requirement, Cantu said.

“The volunteer students help the teachers out six hours a week, so there will always be someone looking after the children, and it gives them a greater opportunity to have more one-on-one time with them,” Cantu said.

“They lead transitions, play and get involved with the children, and have activities for the children.”

Transition signals include singing and repetition.

After outdoor activities, Bravo and Cantu sing “Walk, walk, walk to the carpet” to the tune of “Skip to My Lou”

when leading the children back to class and keep singing until they’re in class.

“We make sure the children are happy, safe, having fun and, most importantly , learning,” Bravo said.

The center is not just a day care, Cantu said. It focuses on the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of children.

The older ages learn skills to help them in elementary school.

“Classes for children ages 3 and 4 are considered preschool programs,” Bravo said.

“They’re more classroom-based where children are learning letters, rhymes and numbers. They also learn to write, hold pencils and recall what they’ve learned. They’re a part of the Texas Rising Star Program, so they get all that good information off of it — alphabet, numbers, emergent literature, and I believe, they also have technology in the classroom.”

By applying for the CCAMPIS grant, eligible parents can have 70 percent of their tuition or child care fees reduced, Gonzalez said. Interested students can visit www. alamo.edu/sac/ecs and click on CCAMPIS. On the left hand of the screen, click on Application Link & Payment Deadline.

Download and print the application by clicking Child Care Assistance Application.

Parents must bring in their degree plan, financial aid award from ACES, student schedule, proof they paid for classes, income tax form, household income and evidence of government assistance

if they receive it. Other requirements are on the website and application. Once the application is filled out, parents must send it to student success generalist Norma Padilla.

Call her at 210-486-0518.

The grant requires parents to have at least four volunteer hours a semester.

These hours can be spent reading to the children, playing and even helping out during field trips. Parents are encouraged to be involved so they feel like they’re a part of their children’s education, Cantu said.

Breakfast, lunch and snack are provided; parents who have concerns regarding their child’s allergies are required to fill out a meal modification form at the center.

Doctors have to sign off on it, saying what they can and cannot have. Those documents are sent to the Center for New Communities and the center’s catering company.

“We only serve them what they provide us to serve them,” Bravo said. “We’re very cautious and careful about that.”

The center is also careful about providing adequate training to employees, she said.

“We have lots of training — 45 hours to 60 hours,” Bravo said. “We train yearly, online, on-and-off campus training, and it’s all about child development. On top of that, everyone here has their education; mostly everyone has a degree in child development.

Four of our teachers have their bachelor’s in early childhood. Three other teachers have their associate in child development.”

Once the children are enrolled, parents can expect a daily report from their teacher about what their child ate, how they were feeling and doing what they were that day.

Center for New Communities’ Early Head Start Program is a separate agency located in the early childhood center. It offers care for infants 6 weeks to age 3, Bravo said.

Williams said the early childhood center is teaching her daughter valuable skills.

“The center helped her a lot at home, too,” she said. “It’s helped her more because she’s been more independent, she uses more words and she’s developing very fast. She was always very attached to me because I was always a stay-at-home mom, and now she can play by herself in her room, and she’s more independent.”

For more information about the child care program, call the center at 210-4860530. For information about Early Head Start, email site director Laura Vega at lvega@ c4newcommunities.