The new school year is off to a vibrant and promising start at Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School, thanks in part to a generous donation of backpacks and school supplies.
Tables at HBG were filled with backpacks in every color, all donated by the office of Bexar County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez. As excited students slipped them on, Principal Itzamara Canales shared that the moment was about more than just new crayons and pencils.
“Seeing our community rally around our students reminds us that we’re not alone in this journey,” said Canales. “It shows our children that education matters and that people believe in their success.”
The donated supplies will go directly to Edgewood ISD students and teachers, ensuring they have what they need to last through the school year. Teachers and staff at HBG work tirelessly to remove barriers, big and small, to create an environment that fosters learning and creativity.
“When students open their backpacks and see everything they need, it allows them to focus on learning,” Canales added. “It also helps them feel equal to their peers, ready and excited to begin a new school year.”
With more than 25 years in education, Canales says the excitement of new school supplies isn’t just something she sees in her students, it brings back memories of her own childhood.
“As the daughter of migrant workers, I loved getting a brand-new box of crayons,” she said. “That box meant more than just school supplies. It represented hope and possibility. That’s what I want for our students.”
