Tag Archives: Ysleta ISD

More than 700 school volunteers and staff celebrated their hard work and dedication at YISD’s annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.

The annual event honored and recognized volunteers and staff for their generosity and hard work at their individual campuses throughout the year.

More than 4,000 YISD volunteers have logged more than 274,000 volunteer hours so far this school year, resulting in a savings of more than $2 million in labor costs to the district.

The Volunteer Recognition Luncheon was held on April 17.  Awards presented at the luncheon included:

Outstanding Premier Volunteer:

Veronica Gonzales Rios de la Torre, Ramona ES

Outstanding Rookie of the Year:

Claudia Gutierrez, Dolphin Terrace ES

Outstanding Staff Leader of the Year:

Alma Bustamante, Parkland HS

Years of Service Awards:
45 years –

Rebecca Padilla, REL Washington ES

40 years –

Mary McConnell, Eastwood MS

30 years–

Patricia Nevarez, Thomas Manor ES

20 years –

Gaby Ayala, Parkland MS
Cristina Gonzalez, Ysleta Pre K
Diana Patrana, Ysleta ES

Top Achievement Volunteer Hour Awards:

Lorenza Anaya, Hacienda Heights ES
Concepcion Portillo, Pasodale ES
Alma Herrera, Pasodale ES
Sandra Galvan, Hacienda Heights ES
Ricardo Jauregui, Hacienda Heights ES
Margaret Chaffino, Scotsdale ES
Emma Baeza, Eastwood Heights ES

Top Ten School Awards:

Cedar Grove Elementary
Pasodale Elementary
Eastwood Heights Elementary
Dolphin Terrace Elementary
Camino Real Middle
Parkland Middle
Rio Bravo Middle
Del Valle High
Eastwood High
Parkland High

Eastwood Middle School teacher Mireya Perez has been named the 2018 Outstanding Seventh-Grade Texas History Teacher by The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT).

“I am very humbled to receive this recognition,” said Perez, who has taught at Eastwood Middle School for 13 years. “My objective is to change the perception that history is boring through a storytelling approach, and by allowing students to experience engaging and real-life activities.”

DRT officials said Perez was selected as this year’s winner after demonstrating how her instruction has enhanced her seventh-grade students’ interest in the early history of Texas – either by using creative ideas or manipulatives.

As the winner, Perez will receive a $750 award and a special plaque at the 2018 DRT Convention, which takes place May 19 in Dallas. In addition, Eastwood Middle School will receive $1,000 as part of the award.

In her winning application, Perez wrote: “I encourage my students to think like historians. As they uncover the advancements made in the United States, I encourage them to apply (this) to their personal lives by understanding that even through defeat, personal victories can be achieved.

“My calling in education gave me the title of a history teacher,” she wrote. “With that title, it is my responsibility to prepare young boys and girls to become determined, honest, and active participants of the community in which they live, regardless of their future job title.”

To be considered for the award, teachers were asked to submit letters of recommendation; teaching philosophy and instructional method; curriculum vitae/résumé; innovations conceived and executed for seventh-graders; and the response of the students to their local DRT chapter The DRT maintains 106 local chapters, divided in 10 districts.

DRT is the oldest patriotic women’s organization in Texas, and one of the oldest in the nation.

Founded in 1891, the DRT’s mission is to perpetuate the memory and spirit of those who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas; provide educational programs in coordination with school districts and the Texas Education Agency, as well as public programs; encourage research into early Texas records and the publication of these historic records, and preserve historic documents; and secure and memorialize historic sites.

Monday morning it was announced that Bel Air High School is a Vans Custom Culture semi-finalist, along with 50 other schools across the nation.

Now, it’s up to El Pasoans to vote for the Highlander’s Custom Culture design online for the chance to win $75K towards the school’s art program.

The Vans Custom Culture contest was created to support schools across the country experiencing art department budget cuts. Over 2,000 schools submitted customized Vans shoes embodying the Vans “Off the Wall” and “Local Flavor” lifestyle.

Schools also submitted an impact doc explaining how winning this donation would affect their arts programs since they have suffered budget cuts.

After Vans narrowed down submissions to the top 50, it’s up to the public to vote for their favorite pair. The overall winner will receive $75,000 and the four runner-up schools will receive $10,000, all going towards funding their school’s art programs.

Similar to years past, the public vote will help determine the top five finalists who will be in the running for the grand prize of $75,000.

The winner of this year’s competition will receive a visit from Vans for a celebration on their school campus filled with art and music that will be brought to life in partnership with Journeys, Yoobi, Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) and Americans for the Arts (AFTA).

Of the contest, Vans officials said, “Custom Culture competition continues to empower high school students and individuals across the country to embrace creativity. With schools already suffering from their art programs being cut, Vans wants to make more of an impact to the community and target the schools who need additional funds the most.”

To vote for the Bel Air Highlander’s design, click here.

The 2018-19 campus Teachers of the Year at the Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) were honored during a reception Thursday evening at Central Office.

At the same ceremony, district officials also announced 10 finalists for the district’s top two teaching awards: the Elementary Teacher of the Year and the Secondary Teacher of the Year.

The top five finalists for the 2018-19 YISD Elementary Teacher of the Year are:

Ascarate Elementary –  Lonny Nava
Glen Cove Elementary –  Roberto Guevara III
Loma Terrace Elementary –  Carol Love
Pasodale Elementary –  Paul Ward
Pebble Hills Elementary –  Kristin Podojil

The top five finalists for the 2018-19 YISD Secondary Teacher of the Year are:

Eastwood High –  Selena Granados
Hanks High –  Michele Garcia
Riverside High –  Stephen Solis
Ysleta High –  Alberto Avalos
Young Women’s Leadership –  Jessica Yildirim

All campus Teachers of the Year, as well as all campus Support Employees of the Year, will be honored at the YISD Teacher and Support Employee of the Year gala that takes place at 6 p.m. May 4 at the Centennial Conference Center & Banquet Hall at Fort Bliss.

Valley View Middle School has been selected to receive a $20,000 grant to implement an innovative computer science curriculum through a partnership between the Verizon Foundation and Project Lead The Way.

According to a news release from YISD, Project Lead the Way is “a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers through K-12 pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science.”

The curriculum provides students the opportunity to experience computer science in a relevant and engaging way by empowering them to solve real-world problems using the powerful ideas behind analytical thinking.

In addition, by using a hands-on project-based instructional approach, students will strengthen their critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.

The grant will be disbursed over a two-year period, and will also support professional development for teachers and provide schools with equipment including tablets and software.

Valley View Middle School is only one of 72 schools in the country to be chosen for this program.

On Tuesday, Ysleta ISD announced the 2018-2019 Campus Teachers and Support Employees of the Year.

YISD officials said, “These dedicated teachers and support staff were selected by their campuses to represent the hard work and a determination to help all children succeed…they are honored for outstanding leadership, excellence, and inspiration to students, their colleagues and the community.”

The campus Teachers of the Year will be honored at a reception on March 29 where the top ten teachers will be announced. The finalists will undergo another round of interviews to compete for the top spot as Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Ten finalists for Support Employee of the Year finalists will be announced at a later date. Five finalists will be named and the Ysleta ISD Support Employee of the Year will be announced at the gala in May.

All employees will be honored at the 2018-2019 Teacher and Support Employee of the Year Gala on Friday, May 4, 2018 at the Centennial Conference Center and Banquet Hall on Ft. Bliss. The program will begin at 7 pm.

Tickets will go on sale on April 2 for $30 per person. For ticket information, call 434-0690.

The 2018-2019 Teachers and Support Employees of the Year are:

Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) Officials announced Tuesday the appointment of Ida Perales as principal of Del Valle Middle School, which will make up part of a new K-8 combination school that is currently under construction in the Del Valle community.

Perales is the current principal of Camino Real Middle School, a position she has held since July 2016. She began her career in education in 2001 as a biology teacher at Ysleta HS, then worked in the El Paso and Socorro school districts for six years before returning to YISD in 2008 to serve as an instructional specialist and assistant principal.

Perales holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from UTEP.

Construction of YISD’s new $87 million K-8 combination school began last year, thanks to the facilities bond measure approved by voters in November 2015.

Students at the existing Camino Real and Valley View middle schools will be consolidated into the new Del Valle Middle School, which will share the K-8 campus with a new Mission Valley Elementary School.

The new Del Valle Middle School is being built to accommodate up to 1,500 students, who will enjoy modern classrooms, state-of-the-art technology spaces, and new athletics facilities.

Del Valle Middle School will share a kitchen, fine arts facilities, and a gymnasium with Mission Valley Elementary School, but each campus will have separate entrances, classrooms, offices, and cafeterias.

YISD officials add, “By sharing facilities, the 300,000 square-foot combo school will maximize the economies of scale and minimize maintenance and operations costs.”

Dr. Xavier De La Torre, Superintendent of Schools at the Ysleta Independent School District, was unanimously elected to serve as the 2019 chair of the Texas Urban Council of Superintendents, a network of the state’s largest urban school districts that meets regularly to discuss governance, leadership, management, governmental relations, and other topics relevant to traditional urban public schools.

“It is my honor and a pleasure to provide leadership to the largest school districts in Texas as the 2019 Chair of the Texas Urban Council of Superintendents,” De La Torre said. “In my new role as Chair, I am eager to lead the discussion on the areas of greatest opportunity and challenge in our school districts, and give El Paso and Ysleta ISD a much-needed voice at both the state and national levels.”

The Council, which was founded nearly 50 years ago, consists of nine school districts in Corpus Christi, El Paso, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Fort Worth areas that represent nearly 800,000 students and 50,000 teachers.

Because these districts serve large urban communities, their schools share similar interests and challenges, such as second-language learning; increasing college access; and school turnaround.

These urban districts also routinely serve larger percentages of children living in poverty who are less likely to have parents with high levels of education, and are constantly balancing different barriers.

De La Torre, who joined YISD in 2014, has a 30-year history of dedicated service to large, diverse student populations, and a career chronicled by recognized achievements and awards, including an El Pasoan of the Year nomination (2016); two Broad Prize Award finalist nominations (2009, 2010); and the Edgar L. Morphet Award for the nation’s most outstanding dissertation aimed at the educational issues (2005).

During De La Torre’s tenure at YISD, the district’s most vulnerable student groups have seen increased achievement under the state of Texas’ STAAR/EOC accountability system. English Language Learners and Special Education students have routinely outperformed their peers in the region and across the state, while student achievement on the state’s End of Course exams has led the region and the state when considering comparable school districts and demographics.

Coupled with the introduction of El Paso’s first single-gender, college preparatory school for girls; two new Early College High School programs; new STEM programs; and the passage of a $430.5 million facilities bond, De La Torre has emerged as a regional authority in El Paso relative to the American public school system.

“Dr. De La Torre embodies the type of leader we need guiding our school systems,” said Richard Castro, board chairman of the Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development (CREEED) and CEO of Castro Enterprises. “His desire and willingness to provide creative and innovative education experiences will help push the needle forward for El Paso’s educational attainment.”

Ysleta ISD’s Valle Verde Early College High School National Science Bowl team will be headed to the national championship once again.

The VVECHS Spartans won the El Paso Regional NSB competition, defeating Northwest ECHS 42-0 in the finals.  This marks the fifth year in a row for the Spartans, as they are now headed to the national competition in Washington D.C. in April.

Coached by James Brown, the team members are Samuel Juardo, Angelica Amaya, Juan Vasquez, Jacob Lane, Daniel Lara, and coordinators Gabriel Mendoza and Jesusita Ibarra.

The National Science Bowl, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, is a national academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and math.

Teams from diverse backgrounds face-off in a fast-paced question and answer format, testing on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, energy, and math.

Each year, the National Science Bowl attracts over 17,000 students nationwide, challenging them to expand their knowledge of science and mathematics and their understanding of global energy and environmental challenges.

The Ysleta ISD Board of Trustees honored Eastwood High School senior Ryan Solis, who has devoted nearly 500 hours of his free time over the past four years to community and public service, with the February President’s Award.

Aside from participating in more than 20 extracurricular clubs, Ryan is an active part of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, where he served as an associate director and the youngest member of the Board of Governors for two terms. He is also a district office intern with State Senator Cesar Blanco in the Office of Texas House Minority Whip.

In addition, Ryan co-founded a community project called Safety in Cognizance, which seeks to combat human trafficking on the U.S.-Mexico border by working with international organizations. Through this project, Ryan has given presentations on safety and prevention that have impacted more than 1,200 students.

Ryan’s exceptional work has been honored nationwide with a Disney Dreamer Award – and last week, he accepted a community service award in Washington D.C. from the National Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Ryan’s efforts to improve the lives of all residents in the El Paso region are admirable, and YISD is proud to honor his passion and dedication to public service.

The President’s Award is given by the President of the Board of Trustees to a YISD student who has demonstrated exceptional and/or innovative, out-of-the-ordinary service to others, particularly those within the YISD community. This award will be presented to the selected recipient a maximum of once per month during the regularly scheduled meeting of the YISD Board of Trustees.

Eligible YISD students must be nominated for the award by a school principal, assistant principal, or Trustee; and must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.

Fifth and sixth grade students at Ysleta ISD’s Ramona Elementary School got the unique chance to be part of a surgical team.

Recently, students participated in a medical session on surgical procedures and careers that make up a surgical team. The students learned about techniques such as open surgery, robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery.

Using hands-on simulator, students had the opportunity to become familiar with some of the tools used, practice with tools.  The students learned the responsibility of each member on a surgical team and the care and dedication that it takes from each of them to function as a team.

Students also discovered what services other members of the surgical team provides a patient whether dealing with a minor situation or a life-saving procedure.

Ramona Elementary School is a Dual Language campus, with kinder through sixth grade students experiencing STEM challenges throughout the year utilizing the engineering design process.

Valle Verde Early College High School junior Paloma Michel was honored by the Ysleta ISD Board of Trustees, as they bestowed the President’s Award during their December board meeting.

Paloma participates in organizations that include the STEM Club, National Honor Society, and the Garden Club, where she works with other students throughout the year to beautify the school’s exterior with sunflowers and other vegetation.

But Paloma’s most significant contribution this year extends far beyond the walls of Valle Verde. When a devastating earthquake hit Mexico in September, Paloma’s heart went out to the victims because she spent much of her childhood in Mexico. When she saw a Facebook post about a love note discovered among the ruins by a firefighter, it became her call to action.

She organized a school drive to collect items for quake survivors, and was able to gather six truckloads of donated items that included personal hygiene products, diapers, first-aid kits, canned goods, and water.

Via a news release, YISD Officials said, “We commend Paloma for her initiative, generosity, and spirit for community service.”

The President’s Award is given by the President of the Board of Trustees to a YISD student who has demonstrated exceptional and/or innovative, out-of-the-ordinary service to others, particularly those within the YISD community. This award will be presented to the selected recipient a maximum of once per month during the regularly scheduled meeting of the YISD Board of Trustees.

Eligible YISD students must be nominated for the award by a school principal, assistant principal, or Trustee; and must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.

The University of Texas at El Paso announced its 1st round of scholarship recipients awarded to graduating seniors in the El Paso region and Ysleta ISD seniors were well rewarded for their academic achievements.

Overall YISD seniors received $1.6 million in scholarships to the class of 2018.

The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to the senior ranked #1 at the end of their junior year for $8,000 per year, $32,000 four year total. It includes free on-campus housing for first academic year.

The Excellence Scholarship is awarded to the senior ranked #2 the end of their junior year for $6,000 per year, $24,000 four year total.

Other scholarships awarded by UTEP are: Andalusite Award $3,000 per year / $12,000 four years, Tanzanite Award $2,000 per year / $8,000 four years, and Jaspilite Award (Level 2) $1,000 per year / $4,000 four years.

UTEP will announce a second round of scholarships in March. Scholarship deadline is March 1.  Applying seniors must be admitted to UTEP first to be considered for a scholarship award. Interested students can apply for admissions at applytexas.org.

For the UTEP General Scholarship Application, applicants need to visit ScholarMine to submit and apply for additional scholarship opportunities available. SAT test scores and transcripts must be submitted by the deadline.

Click here to learn more about the UTEP scholarships.

Ysleta ISD seniors receiving scholarships during this round are:

Bel Air High School – $136,000
Autumn Russell, Presidential ($32,000)
Ashley Hernandez, Excellence ($24,000)
Emily Hogenson, Andalusite ($12,000)
Sarahjane Legaspi, Andalusite ($12,000)
Desiree Nieto, Andalusite ($12,000)
Victoria Ruiz. Andalusite ($12,000)
Gary Williams, Andalusite ($12,000)
Brianna Gonzalez, Tanzanite ($8,000)
Luis Arellano., Jaspilite ($4,000)
Trinity Ballesteros, Jaspilite ($4,000)
Ayana Reyes, Jaspilite ($4,000)

Del Valle High School – $152,000
Janeth Sandoval, Presidential ($32,000)
Natalia Gonzalez, Excellence ($24,000)
Miriam Aguirre, Andalusite ($12,000)
Carlos Baeza, Andalusite ($12,000)
Vivian Cigarroa, Andalusite ($12,000)
Cooper Dubrule, Andalusite ($12,000)
Brianna Jordan. Andalusite ($12,000)
Bruce Jordan, Andalusite ($12,000)
Crystal Martinez, Andalusite ($12,000)
Nahomi Navar, Andalusite ($12,000)
Paola Villa, Andalusite ($12,000)

Eastwood High School – $240,000
Andrew Lowrance, Presidential ($32,000)
Leonardo Moraveg, Excellence ($24,000)
Tiffany Aguilar, Andalusite ($12,000)
Ruby Del Villar Solis, Andalusite ($12,000)
Brittney Fierro, Andalusite ($12,000)
Noah Jimenez, Andalusite ($12,000)
Crystal Licon, Andalusite ($12,000)
Elizabeth Mendoza, Andalusite ($12,000)
Andrea Meraz, Andalusite ($12,000)
Maria-Adeliz Ordonez, Andalusite ($12,000)
Edwardo Pallares, Andalusite ($12,000)
Ethan Ramos, Andalusite ($12,000)
Ryan Solis, Andalusite ($12,000)
Paulina Torres, Andalusite ($12,000)
Jacob Tullius, Andalusite ($12,000)
Aaron Beltran, Tanzanite ($8,000)
Briana Morales, Tanzanite ($8,000)
Diana Orozco, Tanzanite ($8,000)
Jesus Moore, Jaspilite ($4,000)

Hanks High School – $128,000
Nicole Melendez, Presidential ($32,000)
Valerie Hernandez, Excellence ($24,000)
Hannia Gamboa, Andalusite ($12,000)
Natalie Padilla, Andalusite ($12,000)
Sergio Perez, Andalusite ($12,000)
Jorge Rodriguez, Andalusite ($12,000)
Melissa Torres, Andalusite ($12,000)
Sarah Ramos, Tanzanite ($8,000)
Michaela O’Hara, Jaspilite ($4,000)

Parkland High School – $80,000
Cassandra Hernandez de la Cruz, Presidential ($32,000)
Jordan Dominguez, Excellence ($12,000)
Victoria Gurrola. Andalusite ($8,000)
Anne Soderborg, Andalusite ($8,000)

Riverside High School – $116,000
Lizbeth Carmona, Presidential ($32,000)
Britney Baca, Excellence ($24,000)
Anthony Chacon, Andalusite ($12,000)
Stephanie Cisneros-Flores, Andalusite ($12,000)
Yanira Rocha, Andalusite ($12,000)
Cynthia Rodriguez, Andalusite ($12,000)
Daniel Valles, Andalusite ($12,000)

Valle Verde Early College High School – $100,000
Cynthia Bautista, Presidential ($32.000)
Katelyn Johnson, Excellence ($24,000)
Mauro Guerrero, Andalusite ($12,000)
Jacob Lane, Andalusite ($12,000)
Klarissa Siebert, Andalusite ($12,000)
Megan Cordova, Tanzanite ($8,000)

Ysleta High School – $116,000
Pedro Mendoza-Amaya, Presidential ($32,000)
Xena Tame, Excellence ($24,000)
Jennifer Aragon, Andalusite ($12,000)
Gabriel Lujan, Andalusite ($12,000)
Ana Perez, Andalusite ($12,000)
Amanda Ramos, Andalusite ($12,000)
Ashley Scheinfled, Andalusite ($12,000)
Henry Segovia, Andalusite ($12,000)

On Wednesday afternoon, the Department of Public Health (DPH) announced two individuals have tested positive for Tuberculosis (TB) infection in the recent investigation involving Hanks High School.

The department identified 140 individuals who may have been exposed to a person at the school who was diagnosed with active TB disease and a 138 individuals have been screened. Tests revealed two positive results.

The following is a chart describing the current investigation standings.

Public Health officials estimate a positivity rate for El Paso between 5% and 10%, and the actual rate of 1.5% is well below what is expected.

Those tested by DPH have been notified of their results and the two patients who tested positive for TB infection will be evaluated by a nurse specializing in TB. They will also receive X-rays to ensure the disease has not developed in their lungs. Those who tested negative for TB will be retested within the next 8 to 10 weeks as a precaution.

“While we wish there were no TB in El Paso, the fact is that the disease is part of our everyday life,” said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director. “We are pleased with this low number, and hope to see similar results in February when we retest these individuals.”

Last year, 43 cases of active TB were identified and treated in the greater El Paso region with 38 in 2015 and 44 in 2014. Every year, the department identifies and treats approximately 250 latent cases of the disease.

Residents with questions or concerns are urged to visit www.EPHealth.com and click on the TB Investigation section for updated information and data regarding TB, how it is spread, and how to protect yourself from the disease.

The Ysleta Independent School District is taking recommendations for the new name for the middle school in the Del Valle area.

Students from Camino Real Middle School and Valley View Middle School, as well as Mission Valley Elementary School, will benefit from a newly built combination campus.

The two schools will have separate entrances, classrooms, offices, and cafeterias, but will share kitchens, fine arts facilities, and a gymnasium.

The shared facilities will maximize the economies of scale and minimize maintenance and operations costs, while providing students will upgraded facilities. Mission Valley Elementary School will retain their school name.

Nominations must be completed on the 2017-2018 Nomination Form to Name a New School/Facility (link below).  The form should be submitted along with supplemental material via electronic mail or by mail.

Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, January 11, 2018.

Click here to visit the project webpage.

Click here to download the nomination form.