Jan 2024 BoardBits

The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as part of a national recognition program have designated STISD Rising Scholars Academy in San Benito as a Texas School to Watch. Rising Scholars joins approximately 60 other campuses across the state with this distinction and honor. 

Rising Scholars will be recognized in Austin at the Making Middle School Matter Symposium hosted by TASSP on March 3-5, 2024, and will be recognized nationally with all the other recognized STW schools from across the country in Washington DC at the National Forum of Schools to Watch Conference on June 20-22, 2024.

According to the Texas Schools to Watch program, state leaders selected RSA for its academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structure and processes. In addition, RSA has strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.

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Lindsey Clayborn, Assistant Principal at STISD Rising Scholars Academy in San Benito, has been named the 2024 Region 1 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). The peer-based award recognizes assistant principals from the 20 TEPSA Regions across the state for their commitment to student learning as evidenced by exceptional school leadership.

One TEPSA Region AP of the Year will be selected as the 2024 National Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas. Supported by Horace Mann, the national award recognizes leaders who are committed to excellence through programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students; have firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations; show strong educational leadership by setting high expectations for school staff and students; and exhibit exceptional leadership in a particular school program.

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South Texas ISD Virtual Academy and South Texas College (STC) recently announced an innovative new partnership that will benefit students and families throughout the RGV.

This new collaboration reflects the evolution of the longstanding partnership between STISD and STC, which was established in 1999.

STISD Virtual Academy, the district's only all-virtual campus, is the first campus to which STC will offer the opportunity for Dual Credit students to take their Dual Credit courses 100 percent online while working towards a certificate or an associate's degree. Initially, the program will begin with business, but STC and STISD will continue to explore student interests.

As STISD is an open-enrollment, public school district, there is no cost for students to enroll at STISD Virtual Academy. STC tuition is also waived, so there is no cost for students to participate in this program.

• February 5-9 is National School Counseling Week. Let your counselors know they are appreciated!
   
• Feb. 5: Virtual Session for Parents/Guardians - Understanding Dyslexia: How Does it Work in School?
   
• There will be no classes on Monday, Feb. 12. It is a Weather Day, a district holiday for students and staff (except for 226 employees).
   
• February 23 is a District Professional Development Day. There is no school for students on this day.
   
• Open Houses are coming up. Reference the schedule in the newsletter to see when it will be held for your school.
   
• March 11-15 is Spring Break.
   
• There is no school for students on March 29, Good Friday (Weather Day).

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