May 2025 BoardBits

STISD is proud to announce this year's District Teacher of the Year, Arnold Cortez of STISD Preparatory Academy.

Mr. Cortez has taught at Preparatory Academy since 2011, where he has focused on creating a dynamic learning environment where students are encouraged to explore, innovate, and develop critical digital skills. He believes in the power of technology to enhance education, and he integrates a variety of digital tools and resources into his classroom to promote creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. 

Mr. Cortez combines his strong Arts education foundation with a deep commitment to fostering technological literacy in his students. He utilizes a creative approach in teaching and has a unique ability to connect to his students, who he says are his greatest motivation. 

Outside the classroom, Mr. Cortez is committed to continued professional development and service to his hometown community. A servant leader, Cortez has served as a School Board Trustee of Lyford CISD since 2013.

Congratulations, Mr. Cortez! Thank you for all you do.

Congratulations to Benjamin Morocho, a senior from South Texas ISD Health Professions, for becoming the first-ever STISD athlete to sign a Division 1 Scholarship! Graduating with an impressive 3.8 GPA, Ben is headed to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he’ll pursue a degree in Business while continuing his athletic career on the Men’s Volleyball Team.

Click here to see photos from the signing event

STISD will serve free breakfast and lunch meals to children 18 years old and younger from our local communities and enrolled students up to 21 years old with disabilities this summer from June 1 to June 30.

The meals will be served via dine-in only at the cafeterias of four different STISD campuses. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-8:30 a.m., and lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday through June 30.

These meals will be provided at no cost to the family, and children do not have to be enrolled within STISD to receive meals.

Click to read the full story

In February, Camila Vazquez, a freshman from South Texas ISD Health Professions (Health Professions) in Mercedes competed at the regional Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE) where both of her stunning art pieces scored the highest marks, earning her a spot at State out of 32,000+ entries from across Texas. 

After crushing it at regionals, she went on to crush it again at State. 

Camila’s artwork 'Forest' earned a Gold Seal at the State VASE event—one of the highest honors in Texas. 

She’s the first student from Health Professions in 7+ years to earn this award. 

Student registration is required each year for all new and returning students. For convenience, this year’s STISD student registration process will be completed electronically through Skyward, STISD's student information system. Electronic registration packets are now available for parents/guardians to complete through Skyward Family Access at the following link: https://skyward.iscorp.com/SouthTexasISDTXStuSTS.

All parents/guardians are asked to log on and complete each child’s electronic registration packet at their earliest convenience. Parents/guardians must complete their child’s electronic registration packet in its entirety before their child’s schedule for the 2025-2026 school year will be released. “Schedule Pick Up” events will be held in late summer; dates and times for those events will be sent to parents/guardians in the coming weeks. 

Click here for additional information on the process, including steps to follow to complete the electronic packet

• Summer Office Hours (June 2, 2025, through July 31, 2025):
  • Monday – Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |  12:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  (Closed for lunch: 12:00-12:45 p.m.) | Friday – Closed

The district will be closed for Summer Break/non-contract vacation days June 30- July 11. Offices will reopen on Monday, July 14.