A Publication of South Texas Independent School District February/March 2015

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BOARD

STISD honored for giving in 2014 United Way campaign

Board approves calendar for 2015-16 school yearThe STISD Board of Directors approved the calendar for the 2015-16 school year during the March 24 meeting.

In keeping with the process initiated last year to allow the district’s Educational Improvement Council (EIC) to make a better-in-formed recommendation, students, parents, faculty and staff were encouraged to express preferences on calendar options through a brief survey created by the district. All proposed calendars submit-ted by the campuses, and the feedback garnered from the public survey, were taken into consideration for the recommendation presented to the board.

The calendar will include 180 total days of instruction split over two semesters, with 80 days in the first and 100 days in the sec-ond. Instruction will begin on Monday, Aug. 24, and will end on Thursday, June 2.

The United Way of South Texas recognized STISD at the March board meeting for earning highest per capita for a district of un-der 999 employees for contributions to the 2014 campaign. This year, STISD raised $7,235, with the average pledge being $18.77.

100 percent of the United Way community givings remain in the Rio Grande Valley to help those in need. United Way of South Texas funds over 100 programs through 21 partner agencies and six community impact grant recipients. These programs help youth succeed, strengthen and support families, provide emer-gency shelter and more. For more information, please visit www.unitedwayofsotx.org.

Left to right: Lilly Lopez-Killelea, United Way of South Texas vice president; Marla M. Guerra, Ed.D., STISD superintendent; and Joe L. Lopez, STISD board president

School holidays are as follows: » September 7- Labor Day

» October 12- Columbus Day » November 25-27- Thanksgiving

» Dec. 21- Jan. 1- Christmas Break » February 15- Presidents Day » March 14-18- Spring Break

» March 25- Easter Break » April 25- Stress Day

Two holidays have been identified as “weather make-up days,” in case of any school cancellations due to inclement weather. Those days are Feb. 15 and March 25. There are a number of days high-

lighted in yellow throughout the calendar. These are the State Student Assessment Days. For additional information and to view the calendar in its entirety, please visit www.stisd.net and click on the tab labeled “Calendar” and then “2015-16 Calendar.” An A/B version of the calendar is also available on the district website.

BOARDWorks

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Students speak on summer symposium experiences

A few of the STPA students who attended the 2014 Uni-versity of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) STEM Camp. Pictured, from left to right: Divya Agarwala of Mission, Christopher Conway of McAllen and Mellory Grannum

of Harlingen.

A few of the 2014 STPA graduates who attended the 2014 Texas A&M University STEM Camp. Pictured, from left to right: Jose Escobedo of Mission (Med High), Marielle Hicban of Edinburg (Med High), Alina Cantu of Mission

(Med High) and Alicia Sreeny of Edinburg (Sci Tech).

Two of the 2014 STPA graduates who attended the Texas A&M University BET Camp. Pictured, from left to right: Kimberly Estabillo of Weslaco (Med High) and Diana

Huerta of Mission (BETA).

Students from South Texas Preparatory Academy (STPA) presented on their expe-riences at the 2014 UTPA STEM Camp at the March board meeting held at Gateway to the World Library in Edinburg.

Forty-two rising 8th-grade STPA students participated in the camp at UTPA Aug. 3-8. Students participated in various activi-ties during the week-long camp, which in-cluded the designing, building and testing of bridges, air and water-powered rockets and a mars lander. Students also traveled to South Padre Island and toured the Sea Turtle Inc. and the UTPA Coastal Studies Lab.

Participants for this program were selected through an application process. Students were required to submit an essay and teacher recommendations to be eligible.

STISD approves course sequences for 2015-16 school year

Four former STPA students presented on their experiences at the 2014 Aggie-STEM Summer Camp at the March board meeting.

Thirty rising 9th-grade students traveled to Texas A&M University (TAMU)-College Station, June 9-13. The Aggie Center for STEM provided students with real world experiences in STEM education through project-based learning.

The camp provided students with a world-class university experience with Texas A&M University professors in STEM fields.

Program sponsor Daniel Rodriguez believes this camp is an excellent opportunity for all rising 9th-grade students, as it provides a great start for their high school careers, and prepares them for college admission in

their senior year. “We want students to walk away from this experience with a better understanding of different career choices available to them, as well as the college-life experience” said Rodriguez.

Two former STPA students presented on their experiences at the summer Business, Education & Technology (BET) Camp, held at TAMU.

Rising 9th-grade students participated in this week-long residential camp promoting business, education and technology, July 21-25.

The camp focused on increasing students’ research skills, while introducing them to college life and promoting BET subjects as potential career paths.

The STISD Board of Directors approved the course sequences for the 2015-16 school year for all six STISD campuses during the March meeting.

“The course sequence is the backbone of the STISD curricular offerings,” said Jeff Hembree, STISD deputy superintendent. “It provides the student, parent, teachers and administrators with clear curriculum expectations that are specific for each campus theme.”

The district’s new middle school, Rising Scholars Academy of South Texas (Rising Scholars) will use a similar sequence to STPA. South Texas Academy for Medical Professions (Medical Academy), South Tex-as High School for Health Professions (Med High) and STPA had no proposed changes to their course sequence. South Texas Busi-ness, Education & Technology Academy (BETA) proposed three new courses for its education track: principles of human services, child development and nutrition & lifetime wellness, which were all approved

by the STISD board. The Science Academy of South Texas also proposed three new courses to the board, including business spanish, bioengineering and biotechnology.

“The implementation of the new graduation endorsements into each campus is now in its second year and each campus has done an outstanding job as usual,” said Hembree.

The 2015-16 course sequences can be found on the district website - www.stisd.net - in Students - Current Students - Academics.

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BOARDWorks

Students in the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) chapter at South Texas Business, Education & Technology Academy (BETA) in Edinburg competed at TAFE’s 31st Annual Teach Tomorrow Summit at Texas Tech University Feb. 14-16.

BETA students represented the campus in 16 of the 29 competi-tive events offered at the state meet, and 19 students qualified for nationals. Students who placed in the top five in each of the state events will advance to the Future Educators Associa-tion (FEA) National Conference, to be held April 23-25, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va., just outside of Washington, D.C.

Students advancing to the national competition include: Matias Bautista of Donna, Sam Campbell of McAllen, Myra Canales of Raymondville, Juan Andres Castillo of Mission, Gelsey Castorena of Mission, Celina Cisneros of Mission, Isaias Gon-zalez of Edinburg, Erasmo Hinojosa of San Juan, Max John-son of Edinburg, Pebbles Lozano of Mission, Skylyn Lozano of Mission, Ashley McDonald of Edinburg, Josh Mendez of McAllen, Tony Ochoa of Mercedes, Victoria Perez of Alamo, Valeria Sanjuan of Hidalgo, Chicago Joe Schuller of Mission, Gurpreet Singh of Mission, and Yesenia Treviño of Monte Alto. Four students - Max Johnson, Ashley McDonald, Isaiah Gonzalez, and Chicago Joe Schuller - all placed in the top five in the country last year as sophomores.

Additional BETA students who placed at the state competition in their respective events include: Andrea Barajas-Partida of Edinburg, Karen Barajas-Partida of Edinburg, Karla Barajas-Partida of Edinburg, Roy Cantu of La Joya, Ariela Cardenas of Weslaco, Celina Cisneros of Mission, Karla Ale Diaz of McAllen, Leslie Garcia of Monte Alto, Odessa Gutierrez of

19 BETA students advance to FEA National Competition in D.C.

Top, from left to right: Celina Cisneros, Isaias Gonzalez, Gurpreet Singh, Juan Andres Cas-tillo, Josh Mendez, Chicago Schuller, Erasmo Hinojosa, Tony Ochoa, Max Johnson, Matias Bautista and Yesenia Treviño. Bottom, from left to right: Skylyn Lozano, Myra Canales, Gelsey Castorena, Pebbles Lozano, Valeria Sanjuan, and Victoria Perez. Not pictured: Samuel Campbell and Ashley McDonald.

BETA band & choir advance to stateTwelve BETA band and choir students are advancing to the U.I.L. State Solo and Ensemble Contest, to be held at The University of Texas at Austin on May 29.

BETA junior Seong Min Kim will make her third appearance at the state level this May, and Josias Bahena (sophomore) and Jennifer Fanzhen Ding (junior) will compete for the second time.

The band and choir are under the direction of Yingching Jeter.

Monte Alto, Andrea Lazo-Romero of McAllen, Brittany Luna of Edcouch, Jazmin Martinez of Edinburg, Kathy Rios of Edinburg, Stingray Schuller of Mission, Kayla Serna of Edinburg, Lorena Silva of Alton and Bianca Zecca of Edinburg.

BETA TAFE students also had the opportunity to meet others from around the state with the same interests, gain an understanding of what it takes to be successful college students, and learn the skills necessary for becoming successful educators.

National qualifiers will compete in the event in which they qualified. These events include: creative lecture, ethical dilemma, impromptu speaking, exploring educational innovative careers, exploring support service careers, research learning challenges, technology video, job interview, TAFE service leadership award, and research and marketing.

Front row, kneeling: Seung Min Kim of Edinburg, Alyssa Barrera of Edinburg, Luis Fernandez of Mercedes, and Gabriela Hernandez (standing) of Donna; Second row, sitting: Abigail Marco of Edinburg, Josias Bahena of McAllen, Jennifer Fanzhen Ding of Edin-burg and Jesus Ramirez of Penitas; Last row, standing: Diana Huerta of Mission, Cata-rina Miranda of Edinburg, Shari Lozano of Donna, and Stephanie Ortega of Harlingen.

Bulletin Board

• Administrative Professionals Week: (April 20-24) • STISD Board Meeting: 7:00 p.m. on Tues-day, April 28, at Biblioteca Las Américas in Mercedes

• National Teacher Day: May 5

• National School Nurse Day: May 6

• Memorial Day: May 25

BoardWorks is published for patrons of South Texas Independent School District after each regular meeting of the Board of Directors. Board meetings take place on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Board minutes are the final authority on action taken at STISD board meetings.

Editor: Amanda Odom(956) 514-4255 or amanda.odom@stisd.net

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Phone (956) 565-2454Fax (956) 565-4639

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SUPERINTENDENT

Marla M. Guerra, Ed.D.

Joe L. Lopez, PresidentDouglas E. Buchanan, Vice-PresidentMaria G. Leal, SecretaryGraciela CamargoEduardo L. “Larry” CantuYolanda CuellarJavier FariasRichard Fleming, M.D.Adrian GarciaHomero GarciaMargarita Garcia Sylvia Sánchez Garza

Hector GonzalesEduardo “Ed” Gonzalez

Filomena Leo, Ed.D.Robert “Bobby” J. Lerma

Henry LeVrier Ramon Montalvo, III

Eliceo Muñoz, IIIBerta Palacios

John L. Solis, IIIIrma Perez-Treviño

Israel G. QuintanillaRick Villarreal, D.D.S.

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its • The STISD board approved renaming STISD’s new middle school Ris-

ing Scholars Academy of South Texas, or Rising Scholars, during the Feb. 24 meeting. The campus will open in San Benito this fall.

• The STISD Education Foundation presented its quarterly report during the March 24 board meeting. The report included a listing of the newly-elected foundation board leadership, including: Grace Camargo, board president; Sandra Gonzalez, vice president; and Tony Garza, treasurer.

• The STISD Education Foundation has a new website - www.stisdeduca-tionfoundation.org. Stay up-to-date with all things foundation there!

Tell your friends and family!We are now enrolling for the 2015-16 school year.BETA: 9th- & 10th- grade Medical Academy: 9th- & 10th- gradeRising Scholars: 7th-grade only Apply Online: www.stisd.net

Students in the HOSA-Future Health Professionals program organization at South Texas Academy for Medical Professions (Medical Academy) and South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High), competed at the 2015 Texas HOSA State Conference in Dallas, April 9-11.

Of the 86 competitors from both campuses, 22 students will compete at the HOSA National Leadership Conference in Ana-heim, CA, June 24-27.

Medical Academy state competitors included: Veronica Alaniz of La Feria, Kevin Barrientos of Edinburg, Miranda Brower of La Feria, Matthew Garcia of Santa Rosa, Claudia Godinez of McAllen, Jennifer Guajardo of San Benito, Adrian Guzman of Brownsville, Lauren Hernandez of Harlingen, Perla Hernandez of Port Isabel, Jocelyn Martinez of Brownsville, Natalie Nieto of Pharr, Zeila Palacios of Edinburg, Michael Peña (national qualifier) of Harlingen, Ingrid Rodriguez of Rio Hondo, Sabrina Salazar of Brownsville and Victor Soto (national qualifier) of Mission. Medical Academy students competed in forensic science, CPR/first aid, nutrition, medical photography and medical and nursing assisting events.

Med High student competitors included: Renee Acquaye of McAllen, Angelica Aguirre of Brownsville, Mir Y Ali of Brownsville, Julianna Berlanga (national qualifier) of Mission, Prachi Bhakta of Harlingen, Maria Binamira of Edinburg, Jacob Castro of Edinburg, Maite Cazares of Pharr, Dora Conover of Edinburg, Victoria De La Fuente of Weslaco, Sana Erabti (national qualifier) of Edinburg, Branden Etienne of McAllen, Arthur Flores of McAllen, Angelo Ganno of McAl-len, Janessa Garza of Mission, Carlos Garza of San Juan, Ali-cia Garza of Edinburg, Daniela Gonzalez (national qualifier) of McAllen, John Guerrero (national qualifier) of Edinburg,

86 STISD students competed at HOSA state competitionPatricia Guzman (national qualifier) of Mission, Katarina Hamoy of Mission, Carolina Hernandez of Brownsville, Ana-bel Hernandez of Mission, Thomas Hernandez of Elsa, Evel-lyn Huerta of McAllen, Zhikynah Lamsis (national qualifier) of McAllen, Victoria Langenstein of Edinburg, Ryan Lavilla of McAllen, Sergio Lopez of Pharr, Valeria Magallan (nation-al qualifier) of Pharr, Erika Mercado of McAllen, Elizabeth Modesto of Brownsville, Iliana Naranjo of Donna, Aiza Nisar (national qualifier) of Brownsville, Lema Noubani (national qualifier) of McAllen, Fiona Okada of Mission, Anjali Patel (national qualifier) of Edinburg, Claire Peng (national quali-fier) of Palmhurst, Cassandra Perez (national qualifier) of Mercedes, Shania Pintor of Pharr, Steven Quidilla of McAl-len, Kevin Quidilla (national qualifier) of McAllen, Larissa Ramilo (national qualifier) of Mission, Arianna Ramirez of Mission, Michael Reyes of Mission, Aleena Romy of Edin-burg, Oliver Rosa (national qualifier) of Edinburg, Anitta Saju (national qualifier) of Edinburg, Anthony Salinas of McAl-len, Isabella Salinas of Mission, Leanna Salinas of Mission, Natalia Sanchez (national qualifier) of Edinburg, Pauline Sanez of Brownsville, Leilani Silva of Edinburg, Cheyenne Straub of Edinburg, Lauren Stuber of McAllen, Jia Tolento of McAllen, Mariana Treviño of Mission, Mark Trujillo of Brownsville, Marcos Valdez of Mission, John Valencia of McAllen, Anjelica Vallejo of Edinburg, Angel Velez (national qualifier) of Hidalgo, Jeswin Vennatt (national qualifier) of Edinburg, Alondra Villarreal of Brownsville, Kaylah Villegas of Weslaco, Salma Yazji of McAllen and Mary Ycu (national qualifier) of Mission.

Med High students com-peted in various events, including: personal care, physical therapy, sports medicine, veterinary sci-ence, emergency medical technician, life support skills, interviewing skills, prepared speaking, speak-ing skills, biomedical debate, community aware-ness, creative problem solv-ing, emergency medical technician, forensic medicine, health care display, health education HOSA bowl and public service announcement.

Above photo: A group of Medical Acacdemy and Med High HOSA students at the state competition.

Photo on left: A group of Med High HOSA state competitors.

around the district

Students from The Science Academy of South Texas (Sci Tech) com-peted at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) Engineer-ing Competition in March, as part of the university’s Engineers Week.

TAMUK invited 277 students to visit the campus and compete in a challenge where students were required to build a project from scratch.

Sci Tech students Shota Kaieda of Mission, Ramlah Kahn of Brownsville, Cristian Tafolla-Gonzalez of Weslaco and Ashley Perez of Weslaco took home two of the four awards allotted at the competition. Students received best overall and first place for longest distance in the car build.

The purpose of Engineers Week at TAMUK is to bring attention to the contributions that engineers make to society, while also em-phasizing the importance of learning more of the math, science and technical skills.

The engineering competition exposed students to the de-signing process and what it meant to create something from scratch. Students were given a bag of materials that included bottle caps, plastic bottles, CD’s and balloons, to name a few. With these items, students had to use their creativity in creating the best, lightest model that would travel the longest distance.

Science Academy students awarded at TAMUK Competition

Photo on right: Shota Kaieda, Ramlah Kahn, Cristian Tafolla & Ashley Perez

Medical Academy PASF student visits D.C. Lorena Martinez, Medical Academy senior and treasurer of the campus Pan American Student Forum (PASF) organization, was one of four students from Texas chosen to participate in a cultural trip to Washington, D.C.

The PASF sponsors an annual trip for high school members in good standing to educate and promote awareness of the cultural differences in an effort to strengthen the bonds of friendship among nations.

While in D.C. in early March, she visited the U.S. Capitol, the Smithsonian Institution, the White House, the Jefferson Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the National Mall, the Mexican Cultural Institute, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

All delegates had to submit an application and letters of recommendation to be considered for this opportunity.

27 BETA FEA members make International Honor SocietyTwenty-seven BETA Blue and Silver Future Educators As-sociation (FEA) members were recently invited to join the FEA International Honor Society, an honor reserved only for members in good standing with the organization, who have a 90 GPA or higher and who have received recommendation letters from organization sponsors.

Students invited to join the FEA International Honor Society include: Carmen Boffill, Juan Castillo, Amanda Corbitt, Leslie Garcia, Isaias Gonzalez, Odessa Gutierrez, Lizbeth Guzman-

Alvarez, Brittany Luna, Jazmin Martinez, Antonio Ochoa, Ama-ris Sanchez, Chicago Schuller, Gurpeet Singh, Jordan Vasquez, Sarafey Zuniga, Karen Barajas-Partida, Rogelio Cantu, Edgar Centeno Portilla, Celina Cisneros, Tania GarciaSigala, Jacqueline Giang, Luis Gutierrez, Tiffany Johnson, Sarahi Lozano, Ashley McDonald, Stingray Schuller and Yesenia Treviño.

Selected students will receive a certificate to commemorate the induction and FEA signature Honor Society graduation cords with medallion for their accomplishments.