Socorro Independent School District students and their parents who serve in the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard gathered for the SISD Military Family Spring Splash event, recently.
The Spring Splash was a unique way to recognize SISD military-connected students and thank their families for their service to our country, said SISD Director of Administrative Services Dr. Carmen Olivas-Graham.
“Our military families really enjoyed coming together to develop friendships and gain support,” Olivas-Graham said. “A lot of them don’t have family here and we know that can be a difficult thing. By gathering at events like the Spring Splash they can form friendships, connect and have a blast!”
The event, now in its second year, was held at the SISD Aquatic Center. Students and their parents spent the day by the pool, enjoyed hot dogs, refreshments, and the company of other military families in the district.
“I loved it,” said Priscilla Rodriguez, a military parent at Hurshel Antwine Elementary. “It was great to be outside of base with military
families, especially through the school. This is the first time my kids are outside of a military school and this event helped them get in touch with other classmates.”
SISD serves more than 3,500 military students. The district offers various means of support for the students and their families, such as special events like the Spring Splash, informational meetings for military parents, and an assigned military experienced counselor who works exclusively with military students.
To provide another avenue of support, the district will present a proclamation to establish a network of active military spouses at the May 21 board meeting. The district will help military spouses to connect with each other or with district resources they may need.
“We are proposing this proclamation to provide our active military spouses more opportunities to come together,” Olivas-Graham said.
“We get to educate them on the Texas accountability requirements, the expectations of our school district, and provide them information about the different programs we offer, and functions we organize throughout the year.”
Rodriguez said she finds comfort in knowing the district is working to assist military families.
“This would be very beneficial because it’s great to find a community that you can talk to, especially when family is so far away,” she said. “It makes the transition easier.”
The district will organize other military family events in the fall. These include an ice cream social on Aug. 24 at Sgt. Jose F. Carrasco Elementary School, 14900 Tierra Mirage; a Relationship Building event Oct. 26 at the District Service Center, 12440 Rojas Dr.; and a Pajama and Movie event Dec. 7 at Pebble Hills High School, 14400 Pebble Hills Blvd.
