September 2024 BoardBits

Decorative image: E-newsletter cover image

This e-newsletter highlights important news from the September 17 regular meeting of the STISD Board of Directors and other recent and upcoming district and campus happenings.


 

Administration shares plans for district wide competitive events in Science and History

Graphic showing flyers for 2024-2025 Science Fair, Science Bowl and History Fair

During the Sept. 17 meeting of the STISD Board of Directors, administration reported to the Board on plans to host or participate in several new district wide academic competitions this year, including:

2024-2025 Science Fair:

STISD will participate in the RGV Regional Science Fair for the 2024-2025 school year in collaboration with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). This opportunity will be open to sixth-grade students this year, with plans to expand it in the future.

2024-2025 Science Bowl Competition:

High school students from STISD will participate in the UTRGV Regional Science Bowl competition this year, which will take place in the spring semester. Students from STISD Science Academy have participated in this event in the past, but the opportunity will now be offered to students from all STISD high schools.

2024-2025 Social Studies Fair:

STISD will host a district History Fair, which will be open to all sixth-grade students. There will be three phases of competition - a campus History Fair, a district History Fair to be held at Central Office, and the National History Fair to be held in the fall of 2025.

Additional information about these initiatives is forthcoming.


 

STISD Athletics: Highlights + Photo Galleries

During the Sept. 17 board meeting, administration provided an update to the Board on the district's athletic programs, which continue to grow and thrive. The following are a few highlights:

  • New Sport: This year, we implemented tennis at all of our high schools.
  • Team Participation: STISD currently has 32 teams across various sports participating district wide, fostering a strong athletic culture in our schools.
  • STISD is hosting two different Cross Country events in Sept. 2024 - the 4th Annual Cross Country Invitational and the 2024 Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League (TCSAAL) South Texas Regional Cross Country Invitational.

Below are links to access photo galleries from some of our fall games and other athletic events.


 

Board receives update on STISD's Career and Technical Education programs

CTE at STISD social media icon

At the Sept. Board meeting, administration shared exciting updates and initiatives in the district's CTE programs, including:

  • The establishment of new Dual Enrollment partnerships:
    • South Texas College partnership with Health Professions to provide post-secondary opportunities for students in allied health programs
    • Texas State Technical College partnership with Medical Professions and Science Academy to further expand post-secondary pathways
  • Equipment and training enhancements: Through the use of funds donated by MacKenzie Scott, we continue to enhance our CTE programs with state-of-the-art equipment and training that directly supports our programs of study. These updates provide our students with the resources needed to excel in their respective fields.
  • Communications and Outreach:
    • A monthly CTE newsletter, a quarterly parent newsletter focused on important college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) topics, and new CTE-specific social media pages (Facebook/southtexasisdcte |

      IG: @southtexasisdcte)

  • The establishment of a new Paralegal Apprenticeship Partnership between World Scholars and South Texas College

 

Other Board actions

  • The Board of Directors approved the appointment of members to the district's Educational Improvement Council (EIC), School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), and Safety and Security Committee for the 2024-2025 school year.
  • The Board of Directors approved administration's request to use $358,462.40 from the MacKenzie Scott donation to purchase Fine Arts supplies (instruments and mariachi suits) for Preparatory Academy and World Scholars and iPads for Health Professions Career and Technical Education (CTE).
  • The STISD Board of Directors approved the 2024-2025 Physician’s Standing Orders for Ricardo Ochoa, M.D.
  • The Board reviewed and approved an update to Board policy FFAC (LOCAL) Wellness and Health Services Medical Treatment to allow the administration of epinephrine by authorized and trained school personnel to an individual who is reasonably believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis. This medication will be administered in accordance with law and the policy.
  • The STISD Board of Directors reviewed and acted on resolutions for nominations of candidate(s) to the Appraisal District Board of Directors for Cameron and Hidalgo County.

 

Congratulations! RSA celebrates winning the 2023-2024 Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League Middle School Texas Cup

Audience at the RSA TCSAAL 23-24 Texas Cup trophy celebration
Group photo of RSA student athletes and staff at the TCSAAL 23-24 Texas Cup trophy celebration
Coach Benavidez speaks on stage during the RSA TCSAAL 23-24 Texas Cup trophy celebration

 

The athletic program at South Texas Independent School District (STISD) Rising Scholars Academy (Rising Scholars) in San Benito was recently named the 2023-2024 Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League (TCSAAL) Texas Cup winner for the Middle School Premier Schools division based upon its performance last athletic season.

According to TCSAAL, the Texas Cup is presented each year to the top performing Varsity and Middle School Premier Schools across all activities offered. Schools earn points based on their performance in athletics, arts and academic competitions throughout the school year, with TCSAAL awarding point allocations to each campus based on their performance in the majority of the activities offered in the 6-8 Grade Premier and Varsity contest groupings.

Click here to read the full story


 

Science Academy senior one of 100 students to represent region and state at national level through prestigious program

Student seen smiling with American Legion commander

From American Legion Boys State to Boys Nation, Science Academy senior Yosef Herrera continues to put STISD on the map and is a symbol of true patriotism.

American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students, and Yosef was the third highest-ranked representative out of 1200 participating juniors in the state of Texas.

His tenacity and hard work ethic soon led him to advance to Boys Nation, where he was one of 100 delegates acting as a senator from Boys State and representing his hometown and Rio Grande Valley at the national level.

“It’s been a great honor representing Texas,” said Yosef. “It took a lot of work and perseverance and it was worth every ounce of effort put into getting into Boys Nation and keeping my promise to Tony Sanchez, Commander of American Legion JA Garcia Post 172 that served on the Boys State interviewing committee."

Click here to read the full story


 

Share with friends & family: STISD Half-Day Programs hosting one more virtual info session in Oct.

Decorative image sharing information about upcoming sessions about STISD Half-Day Programs

📣 RGV families: Our STISD Half-Day Programs will host ONE MORE virtual information session for families interested in learning about our special education programs and available CTE courses and certifications. These sessions are also open to Rio Grande Valley school districts interested in partnering with us and working together for students.

Upcoming Virtual Session Date:
-Oct. 1 | 6 p.m.

👉🏻RSVP for Zoom link: https://loom.ly/o029-jg

For questions or concerns, please contact our Special Programs department at: 956.260.2265

 

Visit the STISD Half Day Programs website to learn more about the program


 

STISD Health + Wellness: Social Emotional Learning + Mental Health Newsletters

September: Suicide Prevention Month

September 2024 SEL and Mental Health Newsletter

October: National Bullying Prevention Month

October 2024 STISD SEL and Mental Health Newsletter

 

STISD College, Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) Newsletter: 2024-2025 Volume 1


 

Inside STISD Video Highlights

Preparatory Academy 8th-grader Liam Toledo hosts community library

Rising Scholars wins 2023-24 TCSAAL Middle School Texas Cup


 

Alumni Spotlight: Nelly Houston, Science Academy Class of 1997

After graduating from South Texas ISD Science Academy in 1997, Nelly Houston attended Boston University to pursue engineering. In 2007, while working as an engineer in the private sector, Houston was presented with the opportunity to return to the Rio Grande Valley to teach engineering at her alma mater. She decided to make the shift into education, where she has devoted herself to preparing the next generation of engineers ever since.

STISD Science Academy alumna Nelly Houston teaching in her classroom at Science Academy

 

Save the Date: STISD Class of 2025 "Walk of Honor" Graduation Ceremonies

Graduates

Thursday, May 22

  • 7 p.m.: Virtual Academy Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony (at the STISD Teaching & Learning Center, 7001 E. Expressway 83, Mercedes)

All other graduation ceremonies will be held at the Bert Ogden Arena, located at 4900 S I-69 C, Edinburg.

Friday, May 23, 2025

  • 7 p.m.: World Scholars (Edinburg)

Saturday, May 24, 2025

  • 10 a.m.: Medical Professions (Olmito)
  • 1 p.m.: Health Professions (Mercedes)
  • 4 p.m.: Science Academy (Mercedes)

 

STISD continuing partnership with Parent ProTech for 2024-2025: Empowering Families Online

STISD is continuing its partnership with Parent ProTech for the 2024-2025 school year, offering all parents/guardians and faculty/staff of STISD free access to the 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 2024-2025 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. Click here to 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

 

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