Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Several years ago, a Spring Woods High School teacher noticed a student in her class who consistently appeared tired and disengaged during lessons. Eager to uncover the root of the issue, she proactively asked a few questions. In doing so, she discovered the student was not getting enough sleep or nutrition at home, which was negatively impacting academic performance.

This realization led to the establishment of Woods Goods, a pantry where students can collect food items or snacks without facing any questions or judgment.

"Over the past couple of years, Woods Goods has evolved and today is 100% donation-based," said Ashley Fernandez, biology team lead at Spring Woods High School and a pantry sponsor. "Student Council members restock the pantry, take inventory, and even prepare grab-and-go bags for longer weekends or breaks."

Four SBISD high school swim teams have made the Woods Goods pantry a yearly beneficiary of their Donut Relays food drive. In addition to providing essential food items, the pantry also serves as a resource where students can access school supplies and clothing.

Spring Woods High School has worked hard to create a generous community and has wholeheartedly embraced the Woods Goods cause, including in the athletics department. This past year, the softball program dedicated a game to collecting and donating items for the pantry. Similarly, in partnership with the Student Council, this year's spring football game plans to turn admission into an opportunity for service—spectators will be asked to donate a nonperishable food item for Woods Goods to gain entry.

For Andrew Rohrs, head football coach and athletic director, the Woods Goods initiative is about more than meeting students' needs—it's about instilling values. It represents Spring Branch Independent School District’s commitment to giving back, a value deeply embedded in its athletics, student organizations and leadership.

"Learning to help others goes beyond the field or classroom," Rohrs said. "Whether donating a can of food, a backpack or your time to help restock the pantry, every contribution matters."

Rohrs, who joined the district this school year, quickly observed how athletes and students rally behind each other regardless of school allegiances.

"At the end of the day, we are all SBISD. That connection, that community atmosphere, is what makes this district special," he said.

The Woods Goods concept embodies SBISD’s Core Value of Collaborative Spirit, bringing together the school and district community to support one another. It also reinforces the importance of being courageous leaders, understanding that education extends beyond textbooks to real-world experiences like giving back.

Championing Woods Goods also creates solution-seekers—young people who identify challenges within their community and take action to address them—and leaders of character, who learn that leadership means service and that small acts of kindness can create lasting change. This lesson is one rooted in the district's Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate.

"While competition on the playing field is always fierce, the spirit of unity and giving back runs even deeper," Rohrs said.

Through athletics, student organizations and school-wide initiatives, Woods Goods has become more than just a resource—it’s a movement that inspires generosity and leadership across the district. It also supports the development of trait essential to a T-2-4 Ready Graduate.

"The idea of Woods Goods is not something that can be taught in a textbook, but it’s a lesson that students, athletes and staff are championing fully—one act of kindness at a time," Rohrs said.

Woods Goods’ impact extends beyond meeting students' basic needs. It aligns with the district's storied sports tradition and its role in shaping well-rounded students. At Spring Woods High School and across SBISD, athletics are more than a competition; they serve as a platform for character development and leadership.

"Sports have the power to transform lives, and initiatives like Woods Goods reinforce the values of teamwork, resilience and giving back," Rohrs said.

#SBISDProud