- PSJA Migrant Director Receives the 2009 TX Migrant Edu. Admin. of the Year Award
- College, Career & Technology Academy, Finalist for 2009 TX Higher Education Star Award
- PSJA ISD: Graduating College Ready, Bi-Literate Students
- PSJA ISD Schools Receive 124 Gold Performance Awards
- Cancer Walk-a-thon Raises Over $6,000 for Two PSJA Students
- PSJA ISD Board of Trustees Appoint First Woman President
- James Bowie Elementary in Alamo Receives National Blue Ribbon School Award
- PSJA Memorial High School Student to Represent the U.S. in Thailand
- Three PSJA ISD Students Recipients of Border Patrol "Head of Class" Recognition
- All PSJA ISD High Schools Receive Division One Ratings at Pigskin Jubilee Marching Contest
- PSJA HS Administrator Named Region One Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year
- PSJA HS Principal Receives Educator of the Year Award from Pharr Chamber of Commerce
- Doedyns Elem. Students Receive Monetary Reward for Top TAKS Writing Scores
- PSJA ISD Introduces New Parent Notification System to Parents and Staff
Press Releases - August 2009
FOR 2008-2009 PRESS RELEASES CLICK HERE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD November 20, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PSJA MIGRANT DIRECTOR RECEIVES THE
2009 TX MIGRANT EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
PHARR – Eleazar J. Romero, PSJA ISD Migrant Director, was awarded the 2009 Texas Migrant Education Program Administrator of the Year Award at the 2009 Association for Migrant Educators of Texas (AMET) Migrant Education Conference held Nov. 11-13 in Corpus Christi.Romero, a U.S. Army Veteran, served 21 years with the National Guard and was two years in active duty. In 1965, he started his career in education, as a migrant teacher then became Assistant Principal, Elementary Principal and Middle School Principal until his present title as Migrant Director.
Currently on his 46th year in education, Romero attributes his success to the caliber of personnel he has worked with at PSJA ISD.
“I feel honored and privileged to have received this award,” Romero said.
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Eleazar J. Romero with his wife Rafaela Romero and his Migrant Department Staff at the conference.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD November 19, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PSJA’s COLLEGE, CAREER & TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY,
FINALIST FOR 2009 TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION STAR AWARD
PHARR- The College, Career & Technology Academy is a finalist for the 2009 Texas Higher Education Star Award.Raymund A. Paredes, Commissioner of Higher Education for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board congratulated Dr. Daniel King, PSJA Superintendent via a letter Sept. 29 for the program’s consideration as a finalist for the award.
“Your program and the students, faculty, administrators, and other staff who have created, developed, and carried it out are providing valuable services to Texas and its people by helping us close the gaps in education,” Paredes stated. “The Coordinating Board and I commend everyone who has contributed to the program.”
The College, Career & Technology Academy has helped a total of 448 students receive their high school diploma and continue toward higher education since its inception in September 2007.
Principal Leonore Tyler, has led her teachers and staff in making sure all students finish their required high school credits, pass the sections of the TAKS/TAAS test they might be missing and provide dual enrollment opportunities.
Students at the CC&T Academy take college courses at South Texas College, while they finish their high school requirements in an effort to close the gap between their high school and college education. Most CC&T Academy students, graduate with at least four college hours.
“The CC&T Academy has helped us increase our district graduation numbers and decrease the number of students who either drop-out or fail to receive their diploma.” King said.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will announce the winner during their 2009 Texas Higher Education Leadership Conference Dec. 3 at the Westin City Center Hotel in Dallas.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD November 19, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PHARR- Forty-five students from PSJA High School and PSJA North High School completed the Dual Language Program at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD in May 2009 and were the first cohort to graduate with this honor.
These students were part of this program since their kinder year and had devoted their time to the Dual Language curriculum since. They can now read, write and speak Academic English and Spanish fluently.
It all began 15 years ago with two groups of students starting this endeavor in two PSJA elementary campuses, Pharr and Palmer Elementary.
After their fifth grade year this cohort continued their studies at Liberty Middle School, then separated again to two different high schools. Despite this change, these students maintained their interest in the program and fulfilled all requirements to graduate as part of its first cohort.
PSJA ISD is now one of two districts in Texas; the other is Ysleta ISD in El Paso that is graduating bilingual and biliterate students.
In May of this school year (2009-2010), 55 more students are expected to graduate from this program and the number of campuses offering the program has increased from nine campuses to 30.
Currently, 5,223 students are enrolled in the program district wide, 1,200 of those in the secondary level.
According to Dr. Leonides Gomez, Assistant Dean/Associate Professor at The University of Texas-Pan American, who helped write the initial grant, which funded the program, PSJA is a leader regarding dual literacy.
PSJA ISD is the only school district in the country with over 1,000 students learning through dual language at the secondary level, according to Gomez.
“That is not happening anywhere else in the country,” Gomez said. “We are making history for the state and for the country. We are leading the way.”
The district currently offers this program to all Pre-Kinder, Kinder and 1st grade students. According to Rosalva Silva, Dual Language Coordinator for the district, PSJA’s Dual Language Program is unique in the sense that all students interested in joining the program are admitted.
“We do not have a magnet school or limited group of students in our program,” Silva said. “At PSJA, we are trying to reach higher goals. We want as many students as possible to be part of this initiative that will help them become bilingual in English and Spanish, which in the long run will help them achieve higher goals academically and in the workforce.”
PSJA is adding a grade level every year, replacing the transitional bilingual program with the One-Way Dual Language Model, and expects to reach full implementation of the program in the elementary schools by the year 2014.
Most campuses will be One-Way Dual Language Campuses, with the exception of a few implementing a Two-Way Model where the language groups are balanced. In a One-Way Model, the majority of the student’s participating are Spanish dominant.
Currently, at the elementary level, the Dual Language Model is a 50/50 model having Pre-Kinder, Kinder and 1st grade students learn Literacy in their dominant language, Math in English, Social Studies and Science in Spanish and all social activities follow the “Language of the Day.”
Second to 5th grade students do the same, except for the language arts class, which they take in both languages. At that level, additional activities are conducted to introduce vocabulary terms in the opposite language.
At the secondary level, the current model is 80/20 with 80% of the instruction in English. The district’s Dual Language Department is working on adding a third language option in high school for students who are interested in developing trilingual skills.
“By 2014, this years first graders will make the transition to middle school being bilingual, biliterate, bicultural and on grade level,” Silva said. “This program also helps the district’s Limited English Proficient (41.39%) population and recent immigrant population (4.77%) mainstream with the general population successfully.”
PSJA ISD will also be part of a study conducted by The University of Texas-Pan American exploring the impact of the Dual Language Model on Biliteracy Development in K-12 Schools.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of bilingual education in the Rio Grande Valley to inform educators, researchers and policy makers at the national level about what is working in dual language schools with high populations of Hispanic/Latino students. This research will begin this school year.
By participating, PSJA ISD is excited to showcase the benefits of bilingual education for both LEP and non-LEP populations, according to Silva. It will also provide PSJA ISD more data regarding the program’s success.
Students that participate in the program are currently taking Advanced Placement Spanish tests for high school and college credit as early as their 7th grade year. Just last year, 111, 8th grade students took the Spanish AP Language Exam and 82 of them earned college credit.
Approximately, about 74 percent of middle school dual language students entered high school with college credits this school year and the number is increasing yearly.
PSJA ISD is also increasing the number of requirements to graduate as part of the Dual Language Program from six to eight credits, making their requirements more rigorous and giving students the opportunity to take both content and non-content course work throughout their high school years.
“The number of students participating in the program and parent support is increasing every year.” Silva said.
“We are excited about the outcome we are seeing with these students and the opportunities this program will give them in their post-secondary academic careers. PSJA ISD is leading the way in the education of biliterate students in South Texas and the State.”
Having students’ graduate biliterate is a remarkable goal, according to Dr. Daniel P. King, Superintendent of Schools.
“Our biliterate graduates will have a tremendous advantage in college applications, in competing for quality employment, in commanding higher wages, and being career ready in a global economy,” King said.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD November 16, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PHARR – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD schools received a record total of 124 commendations for Gold Performance Acknowledgements from the Texas Education Agency for the 2008-2009 school year.
The majority of these awards were for commended performances on various sections of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. Others were for number of students in Advanced Courses, Attendance Rate and number of students in the Distinguished Achievement Program.
At PSJA ISD schools most of the awards came from being commended in Reading/ELA, Mathematics, Writing and Science.
All 38 schools at PSJA earned one or more Gold Performance Awards for the district, but five campuses received six or more of these unique awards.
Palmer Elementary received seven awards, while Bowie Elementary, Carnahan Elementary, Pharr Elementary and Garcia Elementary received a total of six each.
For 2008-2009, PSJA ISD earned 21 more Gold Performance Awards than in the 2007-2008 school year and 27 more than the 2006-2007 school year.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD November 12, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PHARR – The non-profit organization Friends with Helping Hands, comprised of PSJA employees, most cancer survivors, helped raise over $6,000 for two PSJA students battling cancer and the Comfort House in McAllen during their 3rd Annual Cancer Walk-a-thon Saturday, Oct. 31.
Over 300 walkers showed their support by contributing their time and giving a special donation for this great cause.
According to Miriam Kellar, President of the organization and teacher at Pharr Elementary, the success of this walk was due to the support and generosity of the individuals that got involved and got others to contribute as well.
“We know that our efforts will make a significant difference in the lives of cancer patients,” she said.
The amount collected will be donated to the families of two PSJA students currently battling cancer. One student attends North San Juan Elementary and the other Bowie Elementary in Alamo. The rest of the funds collected will go to the Comfort House in McAllen.
Friends with Helping Hands would like to recognize several companies and individuals for their contributions to the success of the event. The following individuals and entities made a significant monetary contribution:
Pavement Markings Company of Donna
Costa Mesa Restaurant in McAllen
ACE Customs Broker of Hidalgo
The Staff at McAllen Advanced Imaging Center
Liberty Bail Bonds of Edinburg
Victoria Martinez of Edinburg
Other contributors were: Edna Hernandez who donated hundreds of bottles of water and several boxes of bananas for hungry and thirsty walkers; and Tuff Stuff of El Centro Mall, which donated a number of t-shirts.
“A special thank you goes to the PSJA Central Kitchen staff for providing 65 walkers,” Kellar said. “And the PSJA High School Bearettes for providing dozens of walkers for the second year in a row.”
The organization would also like to thank the Pharr Police Department for coordinating the escort and providing walkers, as well as recognize Chief Ruben Villescas and Superintendent Dr. Daniel King for speaking to the walkers and walking the entire route supporting the cause.
“On behalf of our organization, Friends with Helping Hands, I would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to this year’s walk, and especially to the officers and members of our organization for helping make this dream a reality,” Kellar said.
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To view the photo slideshow click here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD November 11, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PHARR – The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Board of Trustees have appointed Ramona Barron, the first woman to serve as President of the school board in the history of the school district. Barron, school board member from Alamo, was appointed by her colleagues to serve as President of the PSJA school board for the 2009-2010 school year on Monday, November 9, 2009, during the board’s regular scheduled meeting.
“I would like to thank the board for their vote of confidence,” Barron stated after receiving her appointment. “I will continue to lookout for the taxpayers, staff and of course our students, our primary reason for us to be on the board.”
Barron has served on the PSJA school board for 19 months since April 2008 when she was appointed to the vacated Place 7. She then ran for election on November 2008 and kept her place on the board.
Also during the Nov. 9 meeting, Dr. Daniel King, Superintendent of Schools, presented outgoing President Pete Garcia with a plaque as a token of appreciation for his outstanding leadership, service and dedication as President of the school board for the past twelve months.
PSJA ISD Board of Trustees 2009-2010
Ramona Barron – President
Ben Garza, Jr. – Vice-President
Humberto “Bobby” Rodriguez – Secretary-Treasurer
Gilbert Herrera – Asst. Secretary-Treasurer
Pete Garcia – Member
Reymundo Gonzalez – Member
J. Fernando Lopez – Member
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Ramona Barron – President
Ben Garza, Jr. – Vice-President
Humberto “Bobby” Rodriguez – Secretary-Treasurer
Gilbert Herrera – Asst. Secretary-Treasurer
Pete Garcia – Member
Reymundo Gonzalez – Member
J. Fernando Lopez – Member
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(from left) Gilbert Herrera, Asst. Sect.-Treasurer; J. Fernando Lopez, Member; Ramona Barron, President; Pete Garcia, Outgoing President; Dr. Daniel King, Superintendent; Ben Garza, Jr., Vice-President; Reymundo Gonzalez, Member and Humberto "Bobby" Rodriguez, Secretary-Treasurer.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD November 6, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
JAMES BOWIE ELEMENTARY IN ALAMO RECEIVES NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL AWARD
ALAMO - James Bowie Elementary Principal Rosario Coplea and Facilitator Marissa Saenz traveled to Washington D.C. Nov. 3 to officially receive the National No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School Award from the United States Department of Education.
Three hundred and fourteen schools in the United States were given this designation, 264 of which are public schools.
For the past 27 years, more than 6,150 of America’s schools have received this coveted award.
Bowie Elementary is one of 26 schools in the State of Texas that received this award for being academically superior and having made dramatic gains in student achievement.
Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals. Using standards of excellence, as evidenced by student achievement measures and the characteristics known from research to exemplify school quality, the U.S. Dept. of Education celebrates schools, including those that beat the odds.
The State of Texas nominated James Bowie Elementary last semester for this award. Bowie qualified on achieving in the Top 10% on Texas tests in spite of having a 34% mobility rate and an economically disadvantaged rate of 76%.
As one of 26 outstanding schools nominated from Texas by the Commissioner of Education Robert Scott, James Bowie Elementary was invited to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Education with a 5-year performance criteria and undergo a rigorous on-site review.
On Nov. 5, the school was dressed in red, white and blue to celebrate this designation with students, faculty, staff, parents and community members.
During a special assembly, Coplea thanked her teachers and staff for their dedication and commitment to their students. She also thanked the incredible support of her parents and community toward the school and its initiatives.
Three hundred and fourteen schools in the United States were given this designation, 264 of which are public schools.
For the past 27 years, more than 6,150 of America’s schools have received this coveted award.
Bowie Elementary is one of 26 schools in the State of Texas that received this award for being academically superior and having made dramatic gains in student achievement.
Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals. Using standards of excellence, as evidenced by student achievement measures and the characteristics known from research to exemplify school quality, the U.S. Dept. of Education celebrates schools, including those that beat the odds.
The State of Texas nominated James Bowie Elementary last semester for this award. Bowie qualified on achieving in the Top 10% on Texas tests in spite of having a 34% mobility rate and an economically disadvantaged rate of 76%.
As one of 26 outstanding schools nominated from Texas by the Commissioner of Education Robert Scott, James Bowie Elementary was invited to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Education with a 5-year performance criteria and undergo a rigorous on-site review.
On Nov. 5, the school was dressed in red, white and blue to celebrate this designation with students, faculty, staff, parents and community members.
During a special assembly, Coplea thanked her teachers and staff for their dedication and commitment to their students. She also thanked the incredible support of her parents and community toward the school and its initiatives.
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Pictured: (back row) City of Alamo Planning and Development Director Jaime Sandoval; Area II Administrator Jose L. Garza, Jr.; City of Alamo Mayor Rudy Villarreal; PSJA Board President Pete Garcia; PSJA Board Member Humberto “Bobby” Rodriguez; and PSJA Superintendent Dr. Daniel King. (middle row) Grade Level Reps: Maria Teresa Cano, 5th grade; Norma Adams, 4th grade; Isabel Montanez, 3rd grade; Flor E. Saldana, 2nd grade; Estela Lucio, 1st grade; Juanita Guzman, Kindergarten and Mona Mittelstaedt, Pre-Kindergarten. (sitting) Bilingual Director Leonila Izaguirre; Area III Administrator Lydia Savedra; Principal Rosario Coplea; Facilitator Marissa Saenz; Counselor Olga Cavazos; and Language Arts Teacher Cynthia Gonzalez.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD November 3, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PSJA MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO REPRESENT THE U.S. IN THAILAND
ALAMO - The Muay Thai Alliance of Texas (MTAT) and the United States Muaythai Federation (USMF), announced that Roel Alvarado, 10th grade student at PSJA Memorial High School, has earned a place on the United States National Team (Team USA) that will compete at the International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur (IFMA) World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand in honor and in celebration of H.M. the King of Thailand's Birthday on Dec. 5.
IFMA, in conjunction with the World Muay Thai Council (WMC) is the official World governing body for Muay Thai at the amateur level recognized by the Kingdom of Thailand. The tournament will be held from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 with the Finals to be held at Sanam Luang ("Field of Kings") on the King's Birthday directly across from the Grand Palace.
At this time, the 15-year-old of San Juan, is the first of two youth athletes selected from Texas and the first from the Rio Grande Valley selected to represent Team USA in Thailand.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently has acknowledged Muay Thai and is close to including it in the Olympic Games--so until it does, Alvarado’s appointment to Team USA is comparable and equivalent to being appointed to the Olympic team of other sports. Additionally, the IOC will be in attendance of this event.
IFMA, in conjunction with the World Muay Thai Council (WMC) is the official World governing body for Muay Thai at the amateur level recognized by the Kingdom of Thailand. The tournament will be held from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 with the Finals to be held at Sanam Luang ("Field of Kings") on the King's Birthday directly across from the Grand Palace.
At this time, the 15-year-old of San Juan, is the first of two youth athletes selected from Texas and the first from the Rio Grande Valley selected to represent Team USA in Thailand.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently has acknowledged Muay Thai and is close to including it in the Olympic Games--so until it does, Alvarado’s appointment to Team USA is comparable and equivalent to being appointed to the Olympic team of other sports. Additionally, the IOC will be in attendance of this event.
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Roel Alvarado and his instructor Kru Kayan Sitsanthaparn.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD October 23, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
The “Head of Class” program is a community outreach program of the Rio Grande Valley Sector, Public Affairs Office. The U.S. Border Patrol reaches out to local school districts in the Rio Grande Valley to recognize students who excel in school, at home and in the community.
This program was created by Senior Patrol Agent Ruben Garcia and launched in 1995 by the Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jose E. Garza.
In the 2004-2005 school year, the program was expanded to cover the entire Rio Grande Valley.
Each month, the Border Patrol recognizes students who are excelling in their academic pursuits and promote a drug free lifestyle. These students receive this award recognizing them for being active in their schools and communities. Teachers and counselors nominate the “Head of the Class” honorees and the students write an essay describing themselves, including their strengths and weaknesses to be considered.
Students from Mercedes High School, Valley View High School, Donna High School, Weslaco East High School, Edcouch-Elsa High School, Progreso High School, Weslaco High School and La Villa High School were also honored at the event hosted by PSJA Memorial.
Border Patrol Agent Rosa Santillan and special guest Jose R. Villarreal, Patrol Agent in Charge Weslaco Border Patrol Station, attended to present the students with diplomas.
PSJA ISD Superintendent Dr. Daniel King and PSJA Board Secretary-Treasurer Gilbert Herrera, were also in attendance to congratulate the students.
Student Biographies:
Raul Guaracha, Jr., is a Senior at PSJA Memorial High School. He is the son of Raul and Hermelinda Guaracha. Raul is described as a quiet and hard working student. He is involved in several extra-curricular activities such as Dual Enrollment Engineering Academy, Science and Technology Club and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. His long-term goals are to attend a four-year university and major in Mechanical Engineering. Before receiving his high school diploma, Raul will be graduating with an Associate Degree in Engineering from South Texas College in May.
Marco Antonio Aleman, is a Senior at PSJA North High School. Marco is the son of Guadalupe and Marisol Aleman. He is described as a bright, energetic, compassionate and genuinely well-rounded student. Marco is a migrant student whose long-term goals are to attend Texas A&M College Station and major in Engineering. He also wishes to pursue a Master’s Degree.
Efrain Fonseca, is a Senior at PSJA High School. He is the son of Efrain Fonseca and Ana Hernandez. Efrain’s long-term goals are to achieve his Master’s in Aerospace Engineering and minor in Mechanical Engineering. He will also be receiving his Associate Degree from South Texas College before he graduates from High School. He is positive that some day he will work for NASA.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD October 19, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PHARR – PSJA Memorial High School, PSJA North High School and PSJA High School Marching Bands received Division 1 ratings at this year’s Pigskin Jubilee on Oct. 17. PSJA ISD was the only school district to have of all its high schools in the Region 15 (Roma to Alamo) area receive this top rating.
The three bands were part of the Class 5A competition at the La Joya ISD Stadium.
Both PSJA Memorial HS and PSJA North HS received straight one’s for their performance in their shows, “ Flight” and “Les Miserables,” respectively.
The PSJA ISD Board of Trustees and Administration congratulate the students and staff that practice countless hours during the summer and the entire marching season to prepare for competition.
The PSJA Memorial HS “Green Machine” Marching Band advanced to the US Scholastic Band Association Texas State Championship in Conroe, TX on Oct. 31, after winning 1st Place at the Class IV A South Texas Regional Contest. Good luck to the PSJA Memorial HS Band!
See below for more details about the bands.
PSJA Memorial High School Band – 2009 Show: “Flight”
Head Band Director: Michael S. Murray; Asst. Band Directors: Aaron Sandoval, Roz Vastano, Joe Villarreal, Cassandra Sanchez, Jessica N. Martinez, John De Leon and Colorguard Leanna Martinez.
Other Awards:
*On Oct. 3 at the US Scholastic Band Association South Texas Regional Contest in La Joya won 1st Place Class IV A – Best Music Award.
*On Oct. 3 at the US Scholastic Band Association Deep River Invitational in Rio Hondo won 1st Place Class IV A – Best Music, Best Effect, Best Visual, Best Colorguard and Best Percussion.
*On Oct. 10 at the City of Palms Marching Festival won 2nd Place Small 5A Division.
Future Contests:
*On Oct. 31 the PSJA Memorial “Green Machine” Marching Band will compete at the USSBA Texas State Championships in Conroe, TX. They will perform at 1:44 p.m.
PSJA High School Marching Band – 2009 Show: “Vivification”
Drum Majors: Christina Marroquin and Mario Rodriguez
Other Awards:
*On Oct. 3 at the US Scholastic Band Association South Texas Regional Contest in La Joya won Best Music, Best Effect, Best Visual, Best Percussion and Best Colorguard.
*On Oct. 19 at the City of Palms Music Festival won Best 5A Small Band Percussion
PSJA North High School Marching Band – 2009 Show: “Les Miserables”
Drum Majors: Jorge Almazan, Denisce Gonzalez and Ileana AvilaHead Band Director: Eduardo Echeverria; Asst. Band Directors: Jeremy C. Roe, Jaime Medina, John H. Rodriguez, Pete T. Guerrero, Elma Roe, Grace Vasquez and Colorguard Cinthya Santa Ana.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD October 15, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PSJA HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR NAMED REGION ONE
OUTSTANDING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
SAN JUAN - Rebecca Luna, Assistant Principal at PSJA High School has been selected to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as a Region One Outstanding Assistant Principal of the year. TASSP recognizes outstanding principals and assistant principals from the twenty region Education Service Centers in the state. School administrators are nominated and chosen by their peers within their regions. Nominations are based upon exemplary performance and outstanding leadership. As a region one winner, Luna is eligible to compete for the state title of the Assistant Principal of the Year.
Luna, a six-year assistant principal, has been a member of the leadership team at PSJA High School since 2007. She attended the University of Texas-Pan American and earned a degree in Elementary Education, 1st - 8th grade, with a minor in Math. She also received her Masters of Education and Assistant Principal’s certificate at the University of Texas-Pan American.
Each of the Region winners will be recognized during the Texas Heroes Awards Dinner held at the Hilton Downtown Austin Hotel on Tuesday, June 8, 2010.
They will be presented with an award and recognized in a commemorative booklet entitled Texas Principals, Texas Heroes.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD October 12, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PSJA HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL RECEIVES
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM PHARR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Accompanied by her family and co-workers, Ramirez humbly accepted the award and attributed her success to her staff and the team approach at PSJA ISD.
Ramirez graduated from PSJA High School with honors in 1984 and received a full scholarship to Pan American University where she majored in English and graduated in 1988. She started teaching 7th grade English at LBJ Middle School for 10 years. In 1995, Ramirez obtained her Masters of Education and later her Mid-Management Certification in 1997.
She served as principal of San Juan Middle School for three years prior to taking her current position at PSJA HS in 2007.
In just two years, her leadership has helped PSJA HS meet federal standards (AYP) and become a Recognized campus.
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Pictured: (from left) Oscar Vera, Past Leadership Pharr President; Corina F. Ramirez, PSJA HS Principal,
Gary Rodriguez, Pharr TV Director; and Luis A. Bazan, Pharr Chamber President/CEO.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD October 7, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
DOEDYNS ELEM. STUDENTS RECEIVE MONETARY REWARD FOR TOP TAKS WRITING SCORES
Twenty-eight current 5th graders, they took the writing test last year when they were in 4th grade, and their teachers participated in Bill MacDonald’s “May the Fours Be with You” writing training last year. According to the campus Principal, Francisca Palacios, MacDonald taught these students and their teachers’ highly effective writing strategies to help them be successful on the test.
According to MacDonald, approximately 70 schools across the State of Texas attended his writing trainings and each school was challenged to earn the highest percentage of 4’s on the writing test in order to receive his monetary award.
Doedyns students worked hard to polish their writing skills. As a result, Doedyns Elementary was recognized as the winner earning the most 4’s among the 70 schools participating in the challenge.
“All of the students worked diligently throughout the year and their efforts truly paid off,” Eva Hernandez, 4th grade teacher said.
The students received $100 gift certificates from Wal-Mart.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, PSJA ISD October 6, 2009
avazquez@psja.k12.tx.us
PSJA ISD INTRODUCES NEW PARENT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM TO PARENTS AND STAFF
This pre-recorded message was sent out in English and Spanish to all PSJA parents and staff members explaining this new automative system that will allow PSJA ISD to increase communication between parents and school leaders.
School leaders will use SchoolMessenger to send out phone messages to parents and staff notifying them of special events or other important information pertaining to PSJA schools.
This system will be utilized by campus Principals and Central Office designated staff in selected emergency and non-emergency situations throughout the school year.
For example, if a school has an important parent meeting coming up, the principal of the school can use this system to notify all of their parents, providing them with necessary information like date, time and place. The purpose of this is to have direct communication with the parent.
“Many letters sent home never reach the parents,” King explained. “For some reason or another, notes from school might stay in backpacks or buses and may never reach our parents hands. This system will help us ensure that our parents are getting the message directly.”
In case of an emergency, this system would also be used district-wide.
“If there is a hurricane in the area and there is a need to close schools, this system will assist in disseminating the information to all parents and staff in a timely manner,” King said.
This system will not replace the usage of the media to keep parents informed during emergency situations, but will be an added communication tool to reach more constituents.
SchoolMessenger helps deliver phone messages to PSJA’s student population of over 31,000 in a matter of minutes, and provides useful data after the call is made to document and evaluate how many parents actually received the message.
With this system, PSJA also has the capability to send out phone surveys. On Oct. 1, the first survey went out to all parents from the Hidalgo County Health Department regarding the possibility of vaccinating students with the new H1N1 vaccine.
With the results from this survey, the county will have a better idea of how many parents want to vaccinate their children and how many clinics they should open.
All phone messages and surveys are delivered to the phone number parents provide at the beginning of the school year when registering their child.
There is no need to sign-up for this service because all phone numbers used are pulled from the district’s data system daily.
It is important to note, that if a phone number has been recently changed or disconnected, parents should visit their campus and update their contact information to ensure all messages are received.
All general messages will be delivered to the primary phone number listed in the PSJA data system only.
In case of an emergency, all phone numbers listed including cell phone numbers and emergency numbers will be called. The language of the message delivered is based on the home language of the student, provided at registration.
For more information about this system please visit the PSJA ISD website at www.psja.k12.tx.us
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