Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD officials are working to close the gaps among emergent bilingual and special education students at Schertz Elementary School after the school was identified for a Targeted Improvement Plan in 2024-25 by the Texas Education Agency.

How we got here: At the SCUCISD board's Dec. 18 meeting, a statement of strategy for the second year of the TIP was brought to trustees, affirming the district's focus on closing gaps with emergent bilingual and special education students.

Schertz Elementary was put on the plan due to a score of 57, or an F grade, from the 2023-24 TEA accountability ratings, Sarah Dauphinais, the district's director of elementary education, said. Dauphinais said the score, which dropped from an 83, or B grade, in 2022-23, was a "big surprise" due to changes in the TEA accountability ratings as well as a drop in bilingual student performance.

Check out four businesses now open in Northeast San Antonio, from a new Smoothie King to a new frozen yogurt spot.

Ferritortas
The food truck offers a wide selection of internationally-inspired specialty tortas.

• 14040 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio

• 933 Cibolo Valley Drive, Cibolo

• 18476 I-35 N., Ste. 300, Schertz

• 7038 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio

Texas charter system Harmony Public Schools launched a new virtual learning platform on Jan. 5 that allows students across the state to take high school courses online.

The overview: The Harmony Online Learning program includes dozens of courses aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards, all of which are self-paced, according to a news release.

More details: Students can choose from dozens of courses in core subjects, electives, Advanced Placement and Career and Technical Education, according to the program’s website. The offerings aim to help students complete credit recovery, get ahead with their requirements and access courses not available at their home campus. Credit earned through Harmony may be applied toward high school graduation requirements depending on local district policies, per the release.

One more thing: Interested families can enroll online, and spring courses begin Jan. 12, per the release. The cost of tuition per course is $325, a spokesperson from Harmony Public Schools told Community Impact.

The Texas Department of Transportation announced a series of night closures as part of its I-35 Northeast Expansion, or NEX, project from Jan. 5-9. All closures are subject to change.

The overview: According to a press release, TxDOT will close portions of I-35 frontage road and entrance ramps for bridge work.

Northbound I-35 frontage road to Rittiman Road
The northbound I-35 frontage road and nearby entrance ramps will be closed from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Jan. 5-9 for bridge work.

According to the press release, drivers who seek to connect with the northbound Loop 410 South frontage road to Binz Engleman Road are advised to use the signalized turnaround at Binz Engleman Road to enter the Loop 410 South frontage road.