Tag Archives: EPISD

EPISD’s Counseling and Advising Department has a new colorful and vibrant way to show they are here to support all students in the District, including those who identify as members of the LGBTQ Community.

The department this week began distributing rainbow lanyards to counselors and other key personnel that have the words “EPISD ALLY” printed on them. The rainbow has long been a symbol of LGBTQ Pride.

“All students are at risk of being bullied, harassed or called names at school, but LGBTQ students can face particularly hostile and challenging school environments,” said Manuel Castruita, EPISD’s director of counseling and advising. “The rainbow lanyards show support for all of our students. It is one way to let students know that you are a safe person to talk to at any time.”

Castruita said national advising core beliefs for professional school counselors state that all students’ ethnic, cultural, racial, sexual orientation and special needs are valued and considered in planning and implementing the school counseling program.

EPISD’s policy also states that the District will not discriminate in its educational programs or employment practices on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, citizenship, military status, disability, genetic information, gender stereotyping and perceived sexuality, or on any other basis prohibited by law.

Castruita said he has seen a positive response to the EPISD Ally lanyards among staff members and students.

“The lanyards are beautiful and they let our students know that we are here for all of them,” he said.

El Paso ISD officials this week announced the appointment of Cynthia Luna as the permanent principal at Jefferson High School and Maxine Silva Health Magnet High School.

Luna, who until recently served as assistant principal at Transmountain Early College High School, began her tenure at Jefferson/Silva this week.

“We are happy to have found a wonderful principal for Jefferson/Silva from among our ranks of administrators. EPISD is growing its talent of leaders from within which shows true dedication from our staff on behalf of our students,” said EPISD Superintendent Juan E. Cabrera. “Ms. Luna’s commitment for education will be a great fit for the students and community at Jefferson and Silva.”

Before coming to EPISD in 2016, Luna served as assistant principal at Puentes Middle School and Socorro High School, as well as the dean of instruction at El Dorado High School in the Socorro Independent School District.

She was a classroom English teacher at Del Valle High School in the Ysleta Independent School District.

A graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso (bachelor’s of arts in English and American literature) and Sul Ross State University (master’s in education in school leadership), Luna is also an alumna of Jefferson High School.

Chapin High’s Erik Hernandez and Cesar Higadera last week took top honors at the Tag Team Rebote Rumble, the first inter-school tournament of its kind in the city.

Doubles teams from Chapin, Bowie and Jefferson high schools competed in the first Royal Rumble at Bowie High for rebote bragging rights – showcasing the not-so-well-known but highly-competitive sport known in English as wallball or handball.

“It was good competition,” Higadera said, holding his rebote trophy. “I’m so happy we got the win.”

Administrators have been using rebote tournaments and games at their campuses to boost attendance and build a rapport with the students who hang out at the courts at lunchtime and before school. The campuses have noticed an increase in attendance and decrease in referrals.

“Education starts with attendance, if they have a reason they will continue go,” said Marty Roland Lara, Bowie assistant principal. “We have all grade levels here. If we have an adult to check their grades and attendance, we can make sure they walk across the stage at graduation.”

Chapin assistant principal Jose Carlos, who had previously worked at Jefferson and conducted tournaments there, sees rebote competitions as a great motivator for his students.

“This has been an awesome thing for our kids,” Carlos said. “The rebote kids are the same culturally at all the schools. They don’t ask for much but they are very grateful for what we do for them. They’re humble kids.”

The lunchtime tournament united 16 teams or 32 players on the courts at Bowie. After teams were eliminated, they continued playing against each other on other courts for fun.

“It’s special to us,” Roland Lara said. “It shows we’re united. We are all one community.”

The passion for the game was evident at the competition as students fought hard for points and strategized against their opponents.

“People don’t think of it as a sport but you need skills to play,” said Hernandez. “We play with our love.”

Art students of all grades looked to their backyards and couches for inspiration to put together a unique art exhibit called “Pets: Animals in Art.”

EPISD’s Fine Arts Department last week welcomed dozens of student artists from throughout the District during an opening reception at the EPISD Artspace and Gallery in Downtown El Paso.

The exhibit, which features visual arts with animals and pets, also served as a fundraiser for the Animal Rescue League of El Paso. Art pieces from faculty members were auctioned with all proceeds benefiting the animal shelter.

“Our pets are such a wonderful source of passion and love that it only makes sense to have them be the source of inspiration for an exhibit,” said Rosa Aguilar, EPISD’s Visual Arts Coordinator. “The fact that we also get to help a worthwhile cause like the Animal Rescue League only makes this exhibit better.”

The art features tons of cats and dogs, but other animals like horses and fish also made strong appearances.

Austin High School senior Maricela Medrano said she combined her love for futuristic art to create a unique piece featuring foxes.

“I wanted to use every color in my palette,” she said. “I am happy with the result.”

For Barron Elementary fifth-grade student America Montes, the exhibit gave her a chance to honor her adopted pet dog, which she rarely gets to see.

“It’s a weenie dog who lives with my grandma so I don’t get to spend as much time with her as I want to,” she said. “Drawing this picture made me miss her less. She’s my friend.”

EPISD Van Goh teacher Kenneth Dore said his students found the topic of pets very appealing.

“The students brought their interest and their passion into the pieces they created,” he said. “I gave them markers, they started sketching and then just went from there. Their inspiration and influence took over.”

The season of giving is upon us and the students and staff of the District are embracing the EPISD Proud Spirit by organizing a myriad of drives to benefit an array of groups in our community.

“EPISD Proud is a mantra that helps us showcase the best we have to offer as members of the EPISD Family,” said Superintendent Juan E. Cabrera. “During the holidays, our students and teachers step up to the task of helping our community. We all should be proud of the work they do and the difference they’re making.”

Below is a list of drives being organized by EPISD campuses. The list will change as new drives are organized.

To help, please call the school and inquire how you can drop off donations.

• MacArthur Intermediate
  • Motorcycle Toy Run on Dec. 6
  • Meal bins (ongoing)
  • Blanket drive to benefit the Animal Rescue League (ongoing)
  • PJ drive (ongoing)
• Western Hills Elementary
  • Toy drive to benefit Child Crisis Center and Salvation Army, Dec. 4-18.
  • B-Warm blanket drive (ongoing)
• Guerrero Elementary School
  • Sock drive to benefit Franklin High School efforts (ongoing)
  • Toy Drive to benefit Motorcycle Coalition (ongoing)
• Brown Middle School
  • Pet supply drive to benefit Animal Rescue League (ongoing)
• Zach White Elementary
  • Giving Tree (ongoing)
• El Paso High School
  • FCCLA Toy Drive on Dec. 18.
  • Ronald McDonald House Do Good December Holiday Drive
  • Toy Drive benefiting students at Paul Moreno Elementary on Dec. 12
  • StuCo Christmas Tree Decorating and Toy Drive on Dec. 6.
  • Volleyball toy drive benefiting Andrews Toy Bo at Children’s Hospital (ongoing).
  • Girls Basketball food and blanket drive benefiting El Paso homeless shelters (ongoing)
  • StuCo gift-card drive benefiting homeless students on Dec. 11.
  • Tennis Team toy drive benefiting children in Juárez (ongoing)
  • FCCLA toiletry drive benefiting Annunciation House on Dec. 16.
• Chapin High School
  • JROTC canned food drive (ongoing)
  • StuCo gifts for senior citizens (ongoing)
• Herrera Elementary School
  • Canned food drive on Dec. 2-13.
• Burges High School
  • Honoring Elders Drive through Dec. 13.
• Mesita Elementary
  • Clothes, canned food and toiletries drive through Dec. 13.
• Canyon Hills Middle
  • Coat drive (ongoing)
  • Giving Tree (ongoing)
• Lincoln Middle
  • B Warm blanket drive (ongoing)
• Tippin Elementary
  • B Warm blanket drive (ongoing)
  • Canned food drive through Dec. 19
• Coronado and Franklin high schools
  • Annual Holiday Blessings Drive provides box of gifts and clothing to benefited school on Dec. 11. This year, the school is Travis Elementary.
• Transmountain Early College
  • Clothes and jacket drive through Dec. 5.
  • Shoe drive (ongoing)
  • Toy drive through Dec. 11
• Andress High School
  • Students will do Christmas caroling in the neighborhood in exchange for canned food on Dec. 11
  • Toiletry drive for military veterans drive through Dec. 6.

El Paso Locomotive FC players Monday showed several Hughey Eagles some of the signature moves that earned them a berth to the United Soccer League’s Western Conference Final.

Aaron Gomez, Memo Diaz and Moses Makinde were among the Locos playing soccer with the kids. Gomez’s son was among the second graders participating.

“It’s been fun to do these type of events for the kids,” said Diaz, a native El Pasoan. “We’ve gone to other schools and it’s always a good time with the kids.”

They plan to continue visiting EPISD schools to promote soccer.

The Locos will travel to Salt Lake City Saturday to face Real Monarchs in the Western Conference Final.

Good luck Locos!

Story by Reneé de Santos  |  Photos by Leonel Monroy – EPISD