Dear El Paso ISD,
Welcome back! I hope you had a restful and joyful winter break. I’m happy to see our students and staff return energized for the new semester.
This semester began with unexpected weather challenges, demanding decisive and thoughtful action. Every step we took was rooted in our commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. With guidance from expert forecasts and thorough safety assessments, we prioritize protecting our students, families and employees, while minimizing disruptions to learning. Your trust and understanding throughout this process have been invaluable, and we sincerely thank you for standing with us as we navigated these circumstances.
As we look ahead to the rest of the semester, I want to highlight another key factor in ensuring student success: consistent attendance. Attendance is the number one predictor of student success, and I ask each of you to help us underscore its importance. Please encourage all students to attend school regularly. I also want to recognize and thank our schools for their tireless efforts in improving attendance, particularly through initiatives such as home visits and community outreach programs. Your dedication makes a significant difference in the lives of our students.
In addition to emphasizing the importance of consistent attendance, El Paso ISD remains committed to ensuring every member of our community is equitably supported in their educational journey. As part of this effort, we are conducting an Equity Assessment & Action Plan, which includes an Equity Survey for students, staff, and parents. The student survey will be open from January 13 to 24. Participation is entirely optional, but the insights gathered will be instrumental in refining our practices and strengthening our commitment to providing high-quality education for all students. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping a brighter future for our district.
Lastly, as part of our ongoing Destination District Redesign, we are committed to implementing a thorough transition plan that prioritizes the future success of every student. This week, we hosted our inaugural Building Community Retreat, where teams from both closed and sister schools came together for meaningful discussions on fostering unity between two communities. The retreat offered valuable insights and strategies that will guide us through this transition, ensuring we move forward with a shared, clear vision. The dedication and collaboration demonstrated by our leaders at this event reinforces our collective efforts to build a district that is focused on the success of all students
Priority registration for students affected by school closures will begin on January 13. Families can access transition resources on the El Paso ISD website’s transition page.
I would also like to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation to our dedicated school board members in honor of Board Appreciation Month. Their unwavering support and leadership are vital to the success of El Paso ISD. We are grateful for their commitment to our students, staff, and community.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we will make this semester a success and create meaningful opportunities for every student.
It starts with us.
Sincerely,
Diana Sayavedra
Superintendent, El Paso ISD