Announcements

Smithson Valley High School journalism students and their adviser attended the annual fall convention for the Texas Association of Journalism Educators and walked away with six awards in photography and yearbook design.

Annually, the Comal County Fair offers a wide assortment of contests for students and adults to enter. This year, Comal ISD art students submitted their original work in various categories and were awarded top honors including the coveted Tri-Color ribbon or Best of Category.

The football season has been extended for at least 11 Comal ISD players who were selected to play in the 46th Annual San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game on Jan. 6, in the Alamodome.

This year, three Comal ISD campuses raised more than $10,000 for Childhood Cancer Awareness through their Go Gold campaigns in September. The main beneficiary is a local non-profit supporting local families going through a life-threatening illness of a child.

The Comal ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to join dozens of other Texas school districts in a lawsuit filed against the Texas Education Agency over proposed changes made to the state's accountability ratings system and the agency's failure to adequately notify school districts of these changes.

A Smithson Valley High School senior made district history when he was elected to represent Texas at Boys Nation this summer. His experience expanded his view on government and civil service. An additional 26 Comal ISD students graduated from Boys State and Girls State.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and annually, campuses throughout Comal ISD host fundraising campaigns to raise awareness and funds to continue research and provide support to families dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

Three Comal ISD campuses were surprised and celebrated for being awarded the Purple Star Campus Designation by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. This designation recognizes campuses that show their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.

Update: One of Ms. Mary's former students is now a producer at KSAT 12 News. She stopped by Freiheit Elementary recently to feature her on air. Known as "Ms. Mary" to her students and their parents in the School Age Child Care (SACC) program, Mary Gomez was surprised with Comal ISD's '590' award for customer service. For 20 years, she has gone above and beyond as an after-school aide, and no one is more deserving of the honor.

For the fourth year in a row, Comal ISD's music program has received the Best Communities for Music Education designation. This designation is awarded to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.