Feb 2024 BoardBits

Decorative image: E-newsletter cover image

This e-newsletter highlights important news from the Feb. 27 regular meeting of the STISD Board of Directors and other recent and upcoming district and campus happenings.


 

STISD Board of Directors + Administration recognize outstanding student and staff achievements

Health Professions senior receives Coca Cola Scholarship

Health Professions student in photo with superintendent, campus principal and board president during board recognition

Pictured, from left to right: Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., STISD Superintendent of Schools; Alfia Bilal, STISD Health Professions senior; Dr. Michele Guajardo, Health Professions principal; and Henry LeVrier, STISD Board President.

The STISD Board of Directors and administration recognized Health Professions senior Alfia Bilal for being one of only 150 students to receive this year's $20,000 Coca Cola Scholarships.

Less than 1/6th of 1% of applicants were chosen to receive this extremely competitive award. These recipients not only exemplify superior leadership, service, and academics, they are change agents, positively affecting others in their communities.

Science Academy teacher receives 'Outstanding Teacher' award

Engineering teacher in photo with superintendent, campus principal and board president during board recognition

Pictured, from left to right: Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., STISD Superintendent of Schools; Eric Gutierrez, STISD Science Academy principal; Nelly Houston, Engineering teacher and CTE Department lead at Science Academy; and Henry LeVrier, STISD Board President.

The STISD Board of Directors and administration recognized Science Academy teacher and CTE department lead Nelly Houston for being selected as this year's Outstanding Teacher by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley College of Engineering and Computer Science for making a significant impact in inspiring and preparing the next generation of engineers starting in K-12.

Click here for additional information on this honor


 

Kudos: Virtual Academy and Health Professions Battle of the Books teams recognized for district and regional achievements

The STISD Board of Directors and Administration recognized this year's middle school and high school Battle of the Books champions for their accomplishments in the district and regional competitions.

The Virtual Academy team won first place district wide in the middle school division in the school's first year of competition, clenching the opportunity to compete at the regional level at Region One ESC. This team tied for 4th at the regional competition.

The Health Professions team placed first in the district wide high school competition and earned a perfect score for the first time in district history. This team went on to place 5th at the regional competition.

Congratulations to our Virtual Academy and Health Professions teams and their sponsors!

Click to watch a video about this year's Battle of the Books district winners

Battle of the Books team in photo with superintendent and board president during board recognition

Pictured, from left to right: Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., STISD Superintendent of Schools; Lucia Fuschetto, Madelyn Bravo, Ivory Castillo-Sandoval, and Eiza Salinas, STISD Virtual Academy Battle of the Books team members; Carmen Boffill, Virtual Academy English Language Arts teacher and Battle of the Books team sponsor; and Henry LeVrier, STISD Board President.

Battle of the Books team in photo with superintendent and board president during board recognition

Pictured, from left to right: Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., STISD Superintendent of Schools; Blanca Balli, Librarian at STISD Biblioteca Las Americas and Battle of the Books team sponsor; Sandrine Sanchez, Elizabeth Lavado, and Dora Banerjee, STISD Health Professions Battle of the Books team members; and Henry LeVrier, STISD Board President. Not pictured: Team member Reeanne Susa.


 

Other Board actions

  • Lissa Frausto, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, provided an update to the STISD Board of Directors on the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) process. The district is currently in a data collection year.
  • The Board approved the ranking of proposals received for Competitive Sealed Proposals (CSP) 25-001 Health Professions Gymnasium project, and authorized Administration and the Board President to negotiate and enter into a contract in accordance with the approved ranking.
  • The Board approved a budget amendment for the Safety and Facilities Enhancement Grant (SAFE) Cycle 1 (429). The district applied for and received $374,000 in funding through this grant that will be used for safety and security enhancements over the next two years.
  • Marcos Flores, Executive Director for Student Support, reported on Policy EIC (LOCAL) Academic Achievement: Class Ranking, efforts to clarify the policy for parents and students, and modifications being made to better support students and parents through the processes involved with college and scholarship applications.
  • Marcos Flores, Executive Director for Student Support, provided a brief report to the Board on the district's newly-launched partnership with Parent ProTech to provide resources for STISD families to safely navigate technology.
  • The Board voted to approve a revision to policy DNA (LOCAL) Performance Appraisal: Evaluation of Teachers, as recommended by TASB, to specify STISD is using T-TESS as its teacher evaluation system.
  • The Board approved a resolution to approve the formation of a police department for the district. The passage of this resolution is required to allow for the hiring of a police chief.

 

STISD Health + Wellness

STISD Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Resources Newsletters: February 2024

STISD SEL and Mental Health Resources newsletter - Feb. 2024 edition

 

Introducing Parent ProTech for STISD Parents/Guardians: Empowering Families Online

Through a new partnership, all parents/guardians and faculty/staff of STISD have free access to Parent ProTech, an education-focused platform designed to help navigate technology safely. 

Parent ProTech is an on-demand library of resources to help you with everything from social media to gaming, artificial intelligence to streaming, to preventing violence in schools with anti-bullying educational awareness. Their resources cover trends and what you need to know to protect your family online. They end every series with conversation starters to help you know how to begin conversations with your student around their favorite tech. During the 2023-2024 school year, we are making their full library available to you so you can stay up to date on the platforms our students are using. 

Signing up is easy. Visit this LINK (English) and create your South Texas ISD-sponsored Parent ProTech account that will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to support your student online.

Parent Resources
Parent Resources

 

Join us: STISD District Title I Family Literacy Meeting on Thursday, March 21

STISD Parents/Guardians:

You’re invited to join us for a District Title I Family Literacy Meeting to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, at the STISD Central Administration Teaching & Learning Center, located at 7001 E. Expressway 83 in Mercedes.
 
Leticia Romero, President of the Curiman Brokers of the Rio Grande Valley, will present on the topic “Saving for College.”
 
Spanish translation will be available during the session. For more information, please contact your campus social worker.

Invitation to STISD Title I Family Literacy Parent Meeting on March 21, 2024

 

STISD middle and high school golf teams compete at first district wide spring tournament

Congratulations to the STISD middle and high school golf teams on their performance during the first district wide golf tournament of the spring. They will now prepare for two more competitions amongst out-of-district teams. Best of luck!

The following are the results:

1st Place Teams: Girls - Health Professions | Boys - Health Professions

Individuals -

Girls: 1st - Paola Aleman, Health Professions | 2nd - Allie Ibanez, Science Academy | 3rd - Dulcina Patel, Science Academy

Boys: 1st - Aldo Cantu, Health Professions | 2nd - Rene Garcia, Science Academy | 3rd - Ragib Sharibyah, Health Professions

Click here to access a gallery of action photos from the golf tournament

Science Academy golf competitor poses with medal
Health Professions golf teams with awards
Health Professions girls golf team
Health Professions girls golf team
Science Academy golf competitor poses with medal
RSA golf teams
Health Professions golf competitor poses with medal
Health Professions golf competitor poses with medal
Health Professions boys golf team
Preparatory Academy golf teams
Science Academy golf competitor poses with medal

 

Congratulations, Students! HOSA Spring Leadership Conference 2024

On Feb. 23-24, 227 students from Health Professions (Mercedes) and Medical Professions (Olmito) competed in various health science events during the HOSA Spring Leadership Conference in Corpus Christi.

Health Professions had 117 student competitors. The students brought home 54 medals, and 46 students have qualified to move on to the State Conference in Galveston in April. Medical Professions had 110 student competitors, with 54 students placing 1st through 5th and 36 advancing to state.

STISD will have four students representing as Area 7 officers for the 2024-2025 school year, with one from Health Professions and three from Medical Professions elected. Medical Professions also had one student endorsed for International office.

Medical Professions HOSA Spring Leadership Conference competitors
Health Professions HOSA Spring Leadership Conference competitors
Health Professions HOSA Spring Leadership Conference competitors
Health Professions HOSA Spring Leadership Conference competitors
Health Professions HOSA Spring Leadership Conference competitors

 

STISD February 2024 Student in Frame: Preparatory Academy's Ruben Ramirez

February Student in Frame Feature
February Student in Frame Feature

 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month Recap: Virtual Tours

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program

Law Enforcement Program

Ophthalmic Assistant Program

Dental Assistant Program


 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) at STISD: Campus + Student Takeover

Health Science

Hospitality & Tourism

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)

Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications (AAVTC)


 

Inside STISD Video Highlights

RSA's Lindsey Clayborn Named Region One Assistant Principal of the Year

Health Professions' FFA Student Takes 1st at Citrus Valley District Show

District Provides Autism Awareness Training Opportunities to All Districts Across Region One

Congressman Presents Certificates to District 34 Congressional App Challenge Winners


 

Holidays and Events

STISD will be on Spring Break March 11-15. Classes resume Monday, March 18.
  • March 11-15 is Spring Break. All schools and offices will be closed. Classes resume on Monday, March 18.
     
  • There is no school for students on March 29, Good Friday (Weather Day), or Monday, April 1 (Easter Break).

The 2023-2024 Academic Calendar is posted within the Calendars section on the district website.

 

 

Upcoming Events

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
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
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
Wednesday, November 20
Thursday, November 21
Friday, November 22
Saturday, November 23

Calendar & Category Legend:

  • South Texas ISD