Fall Update From John Webster,            Head of School

I received this email in mid September:

John,

“I was taking my 3^rd grade son and his 4^th grade friend to school today, and I asked them how much of the morning chapel talks really sunk in (sometimes they don’t appear to be paying too much attention). To test them, I asked them what the recurring themes were in your morning talks. Here is what they said:

• Always do the right thing. (I call this following your moral compass.)
• Always do your best. Try your hardest. They quoted me a phrase which I did not totally catch but something like “make your good your better, and make your better your best!”
• Set a good example for the little guys. In advertising, experts talk about repetition and frequency of messaging. SAA’s seems to be working well.”

      Mission is everything.

The Dangerous Book for Boys and The Boys Book: How To Be The Best at Everything  are selling tens of thousands of copies to boys who encourage their parents to purchase them. After all, what boy doesn’t want to come face to face with danger…and be successful doing it?

As you read the books, which resemble Cub Scout handbooks, there are many topics that appeal to guys:

          Building A Treehouse

          Making A Battery

          Table Football

          Famous Battles – Thermopylae

          Insects & Spiders

          Girls: “You may already have noticed that girls   

                  are quite different from you…Advice: It is

                  important to listen….

          How to Right Off A Crocodile: “Run, and keep

                  running.”

The books are selling because they address topics that appeal to boys. In the same way, when teachers recognize, understand and make use of the biologically-different ways boys think and feel and act and play and learn, it makes all the difference. When boys are encouraged to read and study books and topics that interest boys, they do much better.

The Academy celebrates boyhood and teaches boys to do the right thing, try their best and set a good example for the little guys. That’s our mission, and that’s what drives our school.

Lessons To Be Learned                               by Theresa Moore, School Counselor

For the past thirty years, our culture has gradually shifted to the philosophy that the fewer problems we encounter the more successful we are; the less pain we experience, the happier we are; and the fewer conflicts we have, the closer our relationships. Yet, the research indicates that, as a result, our children are becoming resentful, confused, empty adults.

Below are possible explanations and suggestions for alternative approaches:

When we are in a hurry, we often grow impatient with our children’s efforts to complete a task, and end up doing it for them… they become doubtful and passive.

            Instead, give your child the gift of time and patience.

When we appear more upset about the choices our children make than they are … they have shifted the burden of responsibility towards us.

Instead, allow your child to experience the consequence of his choice while you stand by and listen.

When we step in to resolve our children’s conflicts … they learn to depend on others to solve their dilemmas.

Instead, allow your child to wrestle with solutions to conflicts… they more often than not experience success.

When we spend as much time on our children’s homework as they do … they don’t learn to independently study and problem solve.

Instead, provide a time and place for your child to do homework, hold him accountable and check for completion.  Further responsibilities should rest with him.

When we continue to do things for our children that they are capable of doing for themselves … they will begin to believe they can’t do anything on their own.

Instead, offer your child support and encouragement. That is the motivation he needs.

When we ask our children to do something and then are critical of the results… they question themselves and aren’t motivated to go further on their own.

Instead, give your child parameters and allow him to determine himself how he will accomplish the task. Praise the results, offering suggestions for the future, if appropriate.

When we use our life experience in an effort to alleviate and/or resolve problems for our children … they aren’t given a chance to learn life skills for themselves, skills that enable them to become resilient.  

Instead, ask your child questions that encourage him to think through his options for a viable solution.

When we overprotect and overindulge our children… they do not learn the importance of limits and consequences.

Instead, learn to say “No” to your child, so that he isn’t learning that what he wants, he gets. The world he enters won’t embrace that thinking.

When we excuse our children’s inappropriate behavior and fail to teach them how to relate well to others…they think of themselves as victims and continue to make bad choices.

Instead, teach and then expect your child to behave appropriately, so that he can benefit from relationships he builds with others.

When we make assumptions for our children, finish their sentences, tell them what they feel, think, and need… they don’t learn to think for themselves and lack the drive to move forward.

            Instead, allow your child to make mistakes while he 

            is still willing to listen.    

We are well-intentioned adults who want the best for our children. We want to make sure we are doing our part as responsible, loving parents, grandparents, family, friends and teachers. Struggles and hard work build confidence and conflict teaches perseverance and tolerance. We neglect to remember, however, that our problems bring us closer to God and each other, and teach us emotional and mental stamina, the hallmark of resilience.

We all know that life’s experiences can be uncomfortable and at times painful. Yet, our challenge is to apply what we know as we raise our children to become men that thrive as adults.  We owe them that opportunity.

Theresa Moore has been a therapist in the San Antonio Community for 30 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. View the new San Antonio Academy Counseling Program's web page.

Development Highlights

Congressman Lamar Smith '61 named recipient of the Colonel W.T.Bondurant, Jr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award:        

On September 21, The SAA Alumni Council hosted a reception for Congressman Lamar Smith, Class of 1961, in the Bondurant Library to thank him for accepting the school's Humanitarian Award. The date for the formal event to honor Smith will be announced soon.

Endowment Campaign:

Since initiating the Endowment Campaign—Honoring our Tradition…Investing in the Future—The Academy’s endowment has increased from $5.5 million to $13.5 million, with pledges that will take us to $15 million within five years. 

The successful campaign has generated immediate benefits. The school has been able to fund strategic priorities such as faculty salaries, library books, need-based scholarships, technology and more – while lowering the rate of tuition increases.  At the same time, SAA has been able to build a stronger foundation for future generations of Academy boys.  As we begin a new year, San Antonio Academy is a much stronger school.

Annual Giving:

Special thanks to all our parents, grandparents, alumni and friends who participated in the 2006-2007 Back Our Boys Annual Fund campaign. Prekindergarten, kindergarten, second grade and fifth grade parents, along with The Board of Trustees and the SAA Faculty and Staff supported the annual fund with 100% participation.

For the 2007-2008 campaign, the SAA Faculty and Staff have again supported the Annual Fund with 100% participation.  Parent participation stands at 22%. 

Mission Statement:

San Antonio Academy of Texas offers prekindergarten through eighth grade boys an exceptional academic program that features small classes, a family-like atmosphere, the development of a positive self-image and a foundation for life based upon love of God and country, integrity and respect for each other.

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In Memory

1915-2007

 Brig.Gen. David Lee

"Tex" Hill

 SAA Class of 1928