Aug. 5, 2025 BoardBits
This e-newsletter highlights important news from the Aug. 5, 2025 regular meeting of the STISD Board of Directors (rescheduled from July 29) and other recent and upcoming district and campus happenings.
2025-2026 'Welcome Back' District Convocation - "From Ancient Myths to Future Minds"
STISD held its 2025-2026 District Convocation on Monday, Aug. 11, officially welcoming all faculty and staff for the new school year.
The theme this year was "From Ancient Myths to Future Minds," tying in with the STISD Summer Fine Arts Academy's performance of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” by arrangement with Concord Theatricals, and the keynote address delivered by Ravi Hutheesing, which focused on empowering students to pivot and succeed in an unpredictable tomorrow.
Watch the video below for highlights from the event.
STISD Recognizes Service Award Recipients for 2024-2025 School Year
STISD recognized the 2024-2025 service award recipients with 20 years or more with the district during the district "welcome back" convocation on Aug. 11.
Service award recipients reaching the 5, 10, and 15-year milestones will be recognized separately at each campus and/or department.
Click here for a list of this year's recipients
Pictured below: Some of the 2024-2025 service award recipients presented with tokens of appreciation from Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., Superintendent of Schools.
Congratulations: Board and Administration recognize STISD's first student athlete to sign a Division I Scholarship
During the Aug. 5 meeting, the STISD Board of Directors and Administration recognized Health Professions graduate Ben Morocho for making history as the first STISD student athlete to sign a Division I athletic scholarship.
An official signing ceremony was held for him at the end of the school year, during which he signed his national letter of intent to play men's volleyball while pursuing his studies in business at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the fall.
History Made: District Swears in First-Ever Captain and Officers of the South Texas ISD Police Department
One year after launching its standalone district police department, STISD swore in its first-ever captain and eight officers during the Aug. 5 Board meeting.
With the support of the STISD Board, Chief Steven Cortez has worked alongside Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., STISD superintendent of schools, to expand the department across our campuses on a day-to-day basis.
Surrounded by their families, the officers took their oaths and received their pins - highlighting the deep commitment and personal sacrifice behind the badge.
Back to School Resources
The first day of the 2025-2026 School Year is Monday, Aug. 18. Be sure to review the B2S resources on the district website to prepare!
INSIDE:
📢 What’s Inside:
⏰ Bell Schedules – so you’re never late ⏰
📘 Student Handbook – all the need-to-knows
🍎 Free Breakfast & Lunch – yes, for EVERYONE! :)
🎒 Dress Code & Backpack Guidelines – bring your style, stow your cell
📆 School Calendars and Bell Schedules – plan ahead
🚌 Bus Schedules
Reminder: New state law prohibits use of personal communication devices during school day
In accordance with new Texas law (House Bill 1481), effective the first day of the 2025-2026 School Year, students shall not use a personal communication device, including a cell phone, or other electronic device on school property during the school day and shall store the device in accordance with the method of storage established by the district.
All personal devices must be brought to school powered off and stored securely in backpacks. No use is permitted during school hours, including passing periods and lunch.
We thank you for your understanding and support in complying with this state law.
Photo Recap: STISD Summer Fine Arts Academy presents "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical"
By arrangement with Concord Theatricals, the STISD Summer Fine Arts Academy performed "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" for STISD families and the public on Aug. 10 and again for all district faculty and staff on Aug. 11.
THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES EDITION
THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL
Book by
Joe Tracz
Music & Lyrics by
Rob Rokicki
Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Congrats, STISD Athletics! + RSA wins this year's TCSAAL Texas Cup
Congratulations to Rising Scholars Academy – two-time, back-to-back winner of the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League (TCSAAL) Middle School Texas Cup!
A huge shout-out to the coaching staff, athletes, administrators, and parents for your dedication and teamwork. Your hard work has paid off once again. Here’s to yet another big win for the campus and for all of STISD!
Other STISD standings: 👏🏼
- Preparatory Academy - 9th in state
- Health Professions + Science Academy - tied for third place overall in state 🥉
Save the Date: Meet the Teacher + Open House to be held Sept. 9-11
Join us for Meet the Teacher + Open House to be held Sept. 9-11, according to the following schedule:
- 9 (Tuesday): Preparatory Academy (new-to-campus students only), Rising Scholars Academy (new-to-campus students only) + Science Academy (new and returning students)
- 10 (Wednesday): Preparatory Academy (returning students), Rising Scholars Academy (returning students), and Virtual Academy (new and returning students)
- Virtual Academy's Meet the Teacher/Open House will be held virtually. The link will be emailed to families.
- 11 (Thursday): Health Professions, Medical Professions and World Scholars (new-to-campus and returning students)
Other Board actions
- The Board approved the 2025-2026 STISD Student Code of Conduct. Click here to access the Student Code of Conduct
- The Health Professions Gymnasium was approved by the Board as substantially complete.
- The Board approved the 2025-2026 Stipends.
- The Board approved Policy Update 125 and additional changes to Policy, as per Legislative Updates. The updated policies will be available through the South Texas ISD Board Policy Manual by clicking on "Policies" within the footer of the district website or clicking here to access it directly.
- The Board voted to designate the district's remaining nonbusiness days for the purposes of Public Information Act Request responses for calendar year 2025. The board will vote on the nonbusiness days for 2026 once the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar is approved.
STISD Health + Wellness
STISD Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Newsletter: Back to School 2025-2026
Call for Keynote & Speakers: STISD Special Programs to host Mental Health Conference
Faculty/Staff News
Inside STISD Video Highlights
District Hosts 2025 Summer Fine Arts Academy
July 2025 Summer Camps Highlight
Preparatory Academy Introduces its Spirit Squad
June 2025 Summer Camps Highlight
Alumni Spotlight: Tyler Tomoser, Science Academy Class of 2010
Tyler Tomoser graduated from South Texas ISD Science Academy in 2010. After attending the University of Texas Pan American (UTPA), Tomoser went on to become an account manager for big companies such as Disney and Universal at BlueWave Resource Partners, a recruiting firm out of Orlando, Florida.
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