August 2021- BoardBits
This e-newsletter highlights important news from the Aug. 3, Aug. 19 and Aug. 24 meetings of the STISD Board of Directors, and other happenings from throughout the district.
Board approves course sequences for 2021-2022 School Year, calendar for Virtual Academy
The STISD Board of Directors approved the course sequences for the 2021-2022 school year during the Aug. 3 (rescheduled from July 27) and Aug. 24 board meetings.
The courses for the year for each campus can be accessed through the Admissions - Academics page on the district website.
The approved 2021-2022 school year calendar for Virtual Academy was built upon the previously-approved calendar for all other STISD campuses but included Aug. 30 as the first day of instruction. The calendar is posted within the Virtual Academy section on the district website here.
STISD Board receives reports on 2021 AP/IB and STAAR performance
The STISD Board of Directors received reports on the district's 2021 STAAR Scores and Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) results during the Aug. 24 meeting. These reports are available through the Accountability & Needs Assessment page on the district website here: https://www.stisd.net/about/accountability-needs-assessment
STISD approved to offer free meals to all STISD students throughout the school year
STISD has been approved through a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offer free healthy meals to all STISD students at all campuses during the 2021-2022 school year, regardless of household income.
Typically, students/families have to meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for free or reduced price meals; however, for this school year, STISD is able to offer meals at no cost to our students through June 30, 2022.
Please note that STISD does encourage all households to complete a School Meal Application for this school year to be used for future benefits. Household income will be required for free/reduced eligibility for the 2022-2023 school year.
Please feel free to reach out to Oliver Galvan, Child Nutrition Director, at 956.514.4236 or oliver.galvan@stisd.net with any questions you may have.
Science Academy 1 of 20 schools in Texas to be named PLTW Distinguished School for 2020-21
STISD Science Academy was one of 20 schools within the state to receive Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished School recognition for the 2020-2021 school year. Schools are awarded recognition based on PLTW access, student participation and student achievement. Click the video on the right to hear more about this accomplishment.
Congratulations, Science Academy!
STISD Project Safe Return: Plan for 2021-2022 updated to include mask mandate
The STISD Board of Directors held a Special Called Board Meeting on Aug. 19 to discuss, consider and take possible action on Cameron County and Hidalgo County Local Health Authority Orders currently in place, Governor Abbott’s current order, GA-38, and other health and safety protocols currently in effect.
To best promote the health and safety of our district community in this current wave of the pandemic, the Board voted to accept and approve both local health orders and mandate facial coverings in all STISD facilities. Effective immediately, STISD will require the use of masks, district wide, and for all persons (staff, students and visitors) while indoors.
The district updated its Project Safe Return document to reflect this change to the district’s safety protocols, and the updated plan is posted within the COVID-19 page of the district website here: https://www.stisd.net/community/covid-19
The Student Handbooks for each campus and STISD Student Code of Conduct for 2021-2022 have also been updated to reflect this change to the STISD dress code. These resources are available here.
Other Board actions
- The Student Code of Conduct was approved by the board during the Aug. 3 board meeting. The document was later updated to reflect a change in dress code to incorporate the board-approved mask mandate inside all STISD facilities to align with the Cameron County and Hidalgo County health orders.
- The STISD Board of Directors approved the 2021-2022 budget during the Aug. 24 board meeting, and voted to continue with no increase to the district's tax rate of $0.0492 per $100 valuation.
- The following proposed actions for the addition of sixth-grade courses were approved: 03200510 English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 6; 02810000 Reading, Grade 6; 02640040 Mathematics, Grade 6; 03060600 Science, Grade 6; 02660060 Social Studies, Grade 6; 02670060 Technology Applications, Grade 6; and 02850000 Physical Education, Grade 6.
- The board approved the following capital improvement projects for the 2021-2022 school year to provide space for current enrollment and accommodate future growth:
- New Rising Scholars Academy in Olmito
- New gymnasium for Health Professions in Mercedes
- New wing addition at Preparatory Academy in Edinburg
Introduction of campus administrators for 2021-2022
STISD is pleased to announce the campus administrators who will lead the district forward throughout the 2021-2022 school year. The administrators at each STISD campus include:
Health Professions:
Marcos Flores, Principal
Dr. Michele Guajardo, Assistant Principal
Medical Professions:
Criselda Rodriguez Flores, Principal
Jose Lucio, Assistant Principal
Louisa Gallardo, Assistant Principal
Science Academy:
Eric Gutierrez, Principal
Rigo Olivarez, Assistant Principal
World Scholars:
Dr. Janis De Luna, Principal
Julia Ramirez, Assistant Principal
Victoria Marin, Assistant Principal
Preparatory Academy:
Ana Castro, Principal
Mari Ochoa, Assistant Principal
Wilmer Romero, Assistant Principal
Rising Scholars Academy:
San Juanita Ortiz, Principal
Leonel Casanova, Assistant Principal
Jose Sanchez, Assistant Principal
Virtual Academy:
Maribel Valdez, Principal
Magdalena Ojeda, Assistant Principal