March 2023 BoardBits

Decorative image: BoardBits cover

This e-newsletter highlights important news from the March 28 regular board meeting of the STISD Board of Directors, as well as other recent and upcoming district and campus happenings.


 

Board recognizes Medical Professions principal Criselda R. Flores for being named a Principal Finalist in the 2023 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Medical Professions principal Criselda Flores receives certificate from STISD superintendent and board president

The board recognized South Texas ISD Medical Professions principal Criselda Flores for being named a finalist in the principal category of the 2023 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.

As a finalist, she was awarded a $1,000 check for herself and a $2,500 check for the school.

She now moves on to the next round of the competition and will compete with other finalists across the state for the chance to win greater cash prizes. Overall statewide winners will be announced in April.

In photo, from left to right: STISD superintendent Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr.; Criselda R. Flores, Medical Professions principal; and Henry LeVrier, STISD Board President


 

District recognizes students for excellence in academic, athletic, and/or extracurricular endeavors

During the March 28 board meeting, the administration and Board recognized and congratulated individual students and teams from throughout the district for excellence in academic, athletic, and/or extracurricular endeavors.

Board applauds during recognition at meeting
Parents and others applaud during recognition at board meeting
Board recognizes students and staff
Preparatory Academy chess players who competed at state

Above: The Board recognized Preparatory Academy students who competed at the State Chess Tournament.

Students include: Abram Lopez, Christian Moya, Benjamin Lu, Rosario Contreras, Yunho Lee, William Parame, Srivat Paramkusam, Aayan Ahmed, Adrian Aramburo, Arman Lopez, Kristian Pena, Nathan John, Emily Tan, Guadalupe Garza, Elijah Jackson, Sophia Saenz, Joshua Quevedo, Alejandro Garcia, Raul Venegas, Arun Prakash, Ammar Ahmed, Raul Hernandez, Laura Aramburo, Valeria Casas, Ari Luna, Brittany Cortazar, Noah Meyer, Lorenzo Perez, Xavier Renteria, Landen Meyer, Juan Hernandez, Gabriel Chapa, Hetae Yoon, Malik Abdullah

Coaches: Alberto Gonzalez and Norma Martinez

TMSCA state qualifiers from Preparatory Academy

Above: The Board recognized the Preparatory Academy students who qualified for state through the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association, or TMSCA, which exists to enhance competition in UIL Math & Science contests through grade level and team competition. Contests include Number Sense, Calculator, Mathematics, and Science.

Students include: Milind Patil – attends Virtual Academy, Manaali Lambat, Jaden Oommen, Joseph Choi, Enrique Hernandez, Erin Hou, Yunho Lee, Aryan Mathavan, Axel Medrano, Crystal Wang, Haadiya Ahmad, Mariem Banales, Alexander Barbin, Claire Kim, Ashira James, Jonathan Moreno, Sunakhi Sahoo,
Eowyn Stroop
 
UIL Coaches: Laura Cavazos, Alex Comple, Jessica Garcia, Michael Guerra, Raul Flores

Preparatory Academy tennis players who competed at state

Above: The Board recognized the Preparatory Academy tennis players who competed and placed at state.

Boys Doubles State Champions: Victor Lozoya & Paul De La Fuente

Mixed Doubles State Champion: Ava De La Garza & Charles Rodriguez
 
Head Coach: Luke Bonura
 
Assistant Coach: Sonia Brown

 

 

 

RSA Tennis players who competed at state

Above: The Board recognized the Rising Scholars Academy tennis players who competed and placed at the state tournament.

The team includes:

Boys Doubles State Runner-Up: Matthew Kuntz & Alejandro Amaro
Girls Singles State Champion: Natalie John
Girls Doubles State Champion: Ashley John & Daniella Albores
Girls Doubles State Final Four: Sophia Flores & Georgina Yanez
Mixed Doubles State Final: Paloma Duran & Marc Hache

Head Coach: Enrique De Leon
Assistant Coach: Cynthia Wilson


 

Science Academy Business Professionals of America students who qualified for national competition

Above: The Board recognized the eight Science Academy Business Professionals of America (BPA) students who have advanced from the state BPA competition to the national BPA competition.
 
National qualifiers include: Danny Chapa, Sumita Dantu, Christopher Funk, Jordan Khoo, John Mills, Ava Ponce, Rhea Patel, and Ana Laura Tamez.

Sponsors: Ricardo Rodriguez and Cindy Key

 

World Scholars students moving on to district competition, with sponsors

Above: The Board recognized World Scholars students and coaches during the board meeting for achievements so far in UIL competition and moving on to the district competition.

Students recognized include: Tonalli Perales, Cora Tomai, Luke Garcia, Oscar Irizar, and Audrey Love

Coaches: Rigo Falcon, Jannell Tite, and Shyanne Diaz

Technology Student Association (TSA) State Qualifiers from World Scholars with sponsors

Above: The Board recognized the nine Technology Student Association, or TSA, State Qualifiers from World Scholars.
 
Students include: Maya Hernandez, Jose Castro, Marcus Menchaca, Idalia Moreno, Viviana Pacheco, Xamara Longoria, Kaleb Mercado, Jacob Mercado, and
Dante Tovar.

Sponsors: Ana Villarreal and Denise Davila

World Scholars students being recognized for earning Career and Technical Education certifications

Above: The Board recognized the World Scholars students who earned their Career and Technical Education, or CTE, certifications.

Students include: Emmanuel Martinez, Maya Hernandez, Melanie Delgado, Oscar Irizar, Natalie Macario, Amber Fonseca, Yaritza Gutierrez, and Hector Rios.
 
Accompanying teachers: Erika Sarabia and Shyanne Diaz

 


 

Other Board Actions

  • The Board received received reports from the district on construction projects.
  • The Board approved the district's request for new Professional and Non-Professional positions for the 2023-2024 school year and the Announcement of Vacancies for the following:
    1. Assistant Principal(1)
    2. Counselor(1)
    3. Teacher(3)
    4. Custodian(1)
  • The Board approved awarding RFP 24-002 Property, Liability, and Auto Insurance to HUB International.

 

March 2023 Student in Frame: World Scholars' Owen Enslein

March Student in Frame
March Student in Frame

 

Inside STISD Video Highlights

STISD 22-23 Superintendent's Cup Chess Tournament

131 STISD Students Compete in 2023 HOSA State Competition

100% of STISD Virtual Academy Teachers Become Apple Recognized

STISD Medical Professions 2023 Commitment Day & Spring Festival


 

Scholarship Opportunity: Education Foundation of STISD now accepting applications for 2023 scholarships

The Education Foundation of STISD is awarding 8 $1,000 scholarships per campus for 2023. Apply at stisd.net

The Education Foundation of South Texas ISD is now accepting applications for its 2023 Scholarships.

This year the Foundation will award 8 - $1,000 scholarships to seniors from each high school throughout the district, for a total of 32 scholarships to be awarded.

The link to the online application is available within the Education Foundation of STISD 2023 Scholarship Application section on the district website here.

A PDF copy of the application can also be accessed at the same link, and hard copies can be picked up at the student's campus counseling office, if preferred.

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, no matter the method used.

Best wishes to all of our seniors!


 

Mental Health Matters: April is Stress Awareness Month

I'm So Stressed Out - information from the National Institute of Mental Health - page 1
Stress Awareness Month Flyer

 

STISD Assistant Principals - Thank you for all you do! It's National Assistant Principals Week

Let's recognize and thank our assistant principals this week for all that they do!

South Texas ISD is holding a Job Fair on April 15 from 9 am to noon.

South Texas ISD is hiring for a variety of positions for 2023-2024!

Visit the STISD Employment page to see vacancies, and join us on April 15 from 9 a.m. to noon for a Job Fair. Additional details will be available leading up to the event.

Reminders: Holidays and District Events

  • April 3-7 - National Assistant Principals Week
  • Good Friday - April 7 (District Holiday) + Monday, April 10 (Bad Weather Day) = 4-day Easter weekend
  • April 15: STISD Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1LT Andres Zermeno Memorial Gymnasium (South Texas ISD Science Academy, 900 Med High Dr., Mercedes) - Visit the Employment page for more information on this event and vacancies for 2023-2024.
  • April 22 - STISD Superintendent's Cup Softball Tournament
  • April 23-29: National Library Week
  • April 25: National Library Workers Day

Class of 2023 Graduations:

Saturday, May 20:

  • Health Professions Graduation at 10:00 a.m.
  • Medical Professions Graduation at 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 21:

  • Science Academy Graduation at 10:00 a.m.
  • World Scholars Graduation at 1:00 p.m.

All graduations will be held at the Bert Ogden Arena (4900 S. I-69 C, Edinburg).

 


 

Faculty/Staff News

  • The Board of Directors approved the renewal of Chapter 21 term and probationary employment contracts for Central Office Administrators, Principals, Teachers and other Professional staff for the 2023-2024 school year. Contracts will be provided to campuses/departments for employee signature by mid-April.
  • Letters of reassurance for nonprofessional staff will also be provided by mid-April.

 

STISD Alumni: Let's Connect! We want to tell your story.

Complete the Alumni Questionnaire

STISD Alumni:

We want to connect with you! 

Please take a couple of minutes to complete the STISD Alumni Questionnaire to share with us your success after STISD. If you’re interested in participating in a district testimonial, let us know through the form, and we’ll reach out.

CLICK TO COMPLETE THE STISD Alumni Questionnaire

We look forward to hearing about what you’re doing now!

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