Dec 2023 BoardBits
This e-newsletter highlights important news from the Dec. 5 regular meeting of the STISD Board of Directors (rescheduled from November), the Dec. 12 special called board meeting, and other recent and upcoming district and campus happenings.
District recognizes middle school athletic teams
During the Dec. 5 board meeting, the administration and Board recognized and congratulated the middle school cross country and volleyball teams who placed at regionals and advanced to the state competitions.
Preparatory Academy
Rising Scholars
STISD Board of Directors + Administration recognize outstanding achievements and personnel
STISD Board of Directors + Administration recognize district retirees
Kudos: Both STISD middle schools rank among the best in the state in U.S. News & World Report rankings
U.S. News & World Report recently published its 2024 Best Middle Schools Rankings, which include both STISD middle schools among the top-ranked schools in the state.
Out of 1,935 middle schools ranked in the state of Texas, Preparatory Academy in Edinburg ranked 70th and Rising Scholars Academy in San Benito ranked 115th.
There is no national ranking, according to U.S. News, but there are distinct middle school rankings calculated at the state and district levels, as well as state rankings specific to charter and magnet schools. Within the Texas Magnet School category, Preparatory Academy ranked 11th and Rising Scholars ranked 15th.
Board receives audit report for fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2023
Luis C. Orozco, certified public accountant, presented the STISD Annual Financial Report for the year ended Aug. 31, 2023, to the STISD Board of Directors during the Dec. 12 special called board meeting held at STISD's Central Office Teaching and Learning Center in Mercedes.
As required by state and federal laws, each fall an independent auditor reviews the district's financial statements from the previous fiscal year. STISD follows through with any audit recommendations made.
According to the report from the fall of 2023, STISD received an "unmodified opinion," and there were no findings for the 2022-2023 school year. STISD has continued to maintain a healthy fund balance and a strong system of internal control. The district has also remained in compliance with all federal and Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines.
Board receives annual report on Honors, Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, and IB enrollment
The STISD Board of Directors received the annual report on Honors, Advanced Placement Program, Dual Enrollment and International Baccalaureate (IB) enrollment during the Dec. 5 board meeting.
Out of the total STISD student enrollment in all courses - 27,114 - 84% of enrollment is in advanced courses, in comparison to 16% in non-advanced coursework. The following is the breakdown of enrollment by type of advanced course:
- Honors: 15,634
- Dual: 1,687
- AP: 4,821
- IB: 531
Enrollment in Advanced Courses vs. Enrollment in Non-Advanced Courses
Other Board actions
- The STISD Board of Directors approved Noble Texas Builders as the contractor for the Health Professions Parking Lot project.
- The Board approved the Preparatory Academy Pavilion project as substantially complete.
- Administration's proposal to use $161,476 in additional funds from the MacKenzie Scott donation to purchase equipment for the expansion of CTE Programs at Preparatory Academy and Rising Scholars was approved by the Board.
- The Board cast its votes for the Cameron County Appraisal District, Hidalgo County Appraisal District, and Willacy County Appraisal District.
- The Board approved Policy Update 122.
- The Board approved the request for and announcement of vacancy for two new grant-funded positions for the remainder of the 2023-2024 School Year: Post-Secondary Success Specialist and a Secretary/Receptionist for the Post-Secondary Success Specialist. Information about these positions is available through the Employment page on the district website.
STISD Health + Wellness
STISD Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Resources Newsletter: December 2023
Spread the news: Enrollment for 2024-2025 for new-to-district students opens on Saturday, Jan. 13
Enrollment will open for the 2024-2025 School Year online at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, for all 7 STISD campuses.
Please note: STISD will use an updated version of SchoolMint Enroll for 2024-2025 enrollment.
The system is not yet available for prospective families/students to begin creating their profiles for enrollment day. Additional information about the updated process will be posted within the Enroll page soon.
Click here to visit the Enroll page on the STISD district website
Share with friends and family: STISD Half-Day Programs for students with special needs
Through the STISD Half-Day Programs, students with special needs can take the majority of their academic classes at their home high schools and take a combination of Career & Technical Education (CTE) and academic courses at STISD for up to 4 credits per year.
The programs aim to teach students in a real work environment so they gain a marketable edge in the workforce. Further, students gain the confidence they need to continue their education after high school. Graduates of the program have solid technical and social skills.
STISD students make history as part of the inaugural NASA HUNCH Preliminary Design Review
On December 7 and 8, RGV students competing in this year’s NASA HUNCH program made history as they participated in the region's inaugural NASA HUNCH Preliminary Design Review event, hosted by STISD.
High school students from across the Valley, including those from STISD, came together over two days at the district's Central Office Teaching & Learning Center to present their initial concepts for the Design & Prototype Project to a team of NASA engineers, among them NASA HUNCH founder Stacy Hale. Students will now take the feedback received and continue working on their prototypes to prepare for the upcoming Critical Design Review event and the April deadline, in hopes of making it to the Johnson Space Center and contributing ideas towards the next mission.
STISD Students in Frame
November: World Scholars' Mia Nevares
December: Virtual Academy's Lucia Fuschetto
Alumni Spotlight: Ileana Garcia-Spitz | Science Academy Class of 1994
Inside STISD Video Highlights
Science Academy and World Scholars Introduce Robot Dog to Computer Science Courses
Medical Professions Student Attends Washington Leadership Academy
STISD Leadership Introduces Assistant Principals Academy
2023 Fall Sports Highlight
Tell your friends and family: STISD is hiring!
Work with the best school district in the RGV!
Chief of Security and Police Services | Assistant Principal | Licensed Specialist in School Psychology | Post-Secondary Success Specialist + Secretary/Receptionist (Grant-funded positions) | Bus Drivers/Custodians |
Visit the Employment page to see available vacancies and apply
Holidays and Events
STISD is at the South Pole Illuminated Festival
STISD Holiday Break Schedule
College, Career, Military Readiness Newsletter: 2023-2024 Volume 2
Welcome to Volume 2 of the STISD College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Newsletter.
In this quarterly newsletter, students and parents will find important information regarding FAFSA, scholarships, Dual Credit, testing, CTE Programs of Study and mandatory deadlines.
We are excited to share that this newsletter is also now available in various languages through Smore. Once you click into the newsletter, you can select your preferred language through the “Translate” button at the top.
CCMR is an initiative introduced by the state of Texas to ensure students are well-prepared for success after high school. The program emphasizes the development of essential skills and knowledge required for college education, career readiness, and military service. It focuses on providing students with comprehensive guidance, support, and resources to explore a wide range of post-secondary pathways.
Upcoming Events
November 2024
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday, October 27
Monday, October 28
STISD Parent Connection: Supporting Your Child's Emotional Health: Session 1
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STISD Teaching and Learning Center, 7001 E. Expressway 83, Mercedes, TX 78570
Tuesday, October 29
Wednesday, October 30
Thursday, October 31
Friday, November 1
Saturday, November 2
Sunday, November 3
Monday, November 4
Tuesday, November 5
Wednesday, November 6
Subscribe to Alerts
Parent Connections: Accessing Services for my Child with Disabilities: How Can Texas Workforce Commission- Vocational Rehabilitation Services Help?
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STISD Teaching and Learning Center, 7001 E. Expressway 83, Mercedes, TX 78570
Thursday, November 7
Subscribe to Alerts
Parent Presentation: "Project iGuardian" by Homeland Security Investigations
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STISD Teaching and Learning Center, 7001 E. Expressway 83, Mercedes, TX 78570
Friday, November 8
Saturday, November 9
Sunday, November 10
Monday, November 11
Tuesday, November 12
Wednesday, November 13
Subscribe to Alerts
STISD Career & Technical Education (CTE) Parent Meeting
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STISD Teaching and Learning Center, 7001 E. Expressway 83, Mercedes, TX 78570
Thursday, November 14
Friday, November 15
Saturday, November 16
Sunday, November 17
Monday, November 18
Subscribe to Alerts
STISD Parent Connection: Supporting Your Child's Emotional Health: Session 2
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STISD Teaching and Learning Center, 7001 E. Expressway 83, Mercedes, TX 78570
Tuesday, November 19
Subscribe to Alerts
"Understanding Dyslexia" Parent Session 2 (In-person): "Supporting Dyslexia at Home: Practical Strategies for Parents to Help Their Child Thrive"
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STISD Central Office Teaching and Learning Center (7001 E. Expressway 83, Mercedes)
Wednesday, November 20
Thursday, November 21
Friday, November 22
Saturday, November 23
Sunday, November 24
Monday, November 25
Tuesday, November 26
Wednesday, November 27
Thursday, November 28
Friday, November 29
Saturday, November 30
Calendar & Category Legend:
- South Texas ISD