Dear El Paso ISD Community,
Welcome back! I hope your Thanksgiving break was filled with joy, gratitude, and cherished moments with loved ones. As we return, let’s embrace the final stretch of the semester with renewed focus and energy. Together, we can finish strong.
This week, we proudly celebrated the winners of El Paso ISD’s 34th Annual Holiday Card Contest. Congratulations to Yoselyn Carrillo from Chapin High School, Angel Maltos from Tinajero PK-8, and Dalton Rava from Tippin Elementary for earning first place in their respective categories. Their stunning designs beautifully capture the spirit of the season while showcasing the unique creativity of our students. These exceptional artworks will be featured on the district’s official holiday greetings and displayed in the El Paso ISD Fine Arts Gallery from December 9 to January 22. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and the inspiration they bring to our community.
At Magoffin Middle School, the season of giving shined brightly through a heartwarming collaboration with the Underserved Communities Foundation, which provided 75 jackets to students in need. This partnership ensures our students stay warm during the colder months, reflecting the care and generosity that define our district. Thank you to the local partners, staff, and volunteers who made this event possible. Your efforts truly bring warmth to both hearts and homes.
In other great news, El Paso ISD was honored to be featured in Texas School Business magazine’s 18th Annual Bragging Rights special issue for our innovative Trend Walks. This prestigious recognition highlights school districts across Texas that have implemented exceptional practices improving the lives of students, schools, and communities. During Trend Walks, campus administrators and key staff visit classrooms, hallways, and other areas to observe patterns in behavior, identify emerging trends, and gather insights to inform proactive decision-making. These walks encourage real-time problem-solving, foster collaboration between educators and students, and provide an opportunity to highlight successes or offer support where needed.
El Paso ISD is implementing a detailed Destination District Redesign (DDR) transition plan to support families, students and staff throughout this process. The plan includes, but not limited to, priority registration, open houses, professional development for impacted schools, and a student coding system to track those transitioning from closed campuses.
We will work with you to help your child select the school that best meets their needs. Dates for the open houses will be shared soon to provide additional information and address any concerns. Our commitment to open communication and transparency remains steadfast throughout this journey.
The Destination District Redesign (DDR) aims to improve student outcomes and enhance achievement across all our schools. To support this mission, Tinajero PK-8, Guillen Middle School, and Murphree PK-8 are adopting the Accelerated Campus Excellence (ACE) model, ensuring students receive a high-quality education while empowering staff to make a meaningful impact every day.
The ACE model is guided by five foundational pillars:
Effective Principals and Teachers
Instructional Excellence
Extended School Day
Social and Emotional Support
Parent and Community Partnerships
A key focus of the ACE model is the recruitment and retention of exceptional educators who are passionate about student success. As part of this transformation, any teacher or staff member interested in joining the faculty at Tinajero PK-8, Guillen Middle School, or Murphree PK-8 must apply and meet specific criteria to be considered.
Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our students and schools. Together, let’s continue to inspire and uplift one another as we work toward a bright and promising future.
Lastly, as we celebrate the season of giving, I encourage everyone to participate in our Toys for Tots drive. By donating new, unwrapped toys, you can help bring joy to children in need. Donations are being accepted at 1014 N. Stanton St. and 1100 N. Stanton St. until Friday, December 13. Together, we can make the holidays brighter for families across our community.
It starts with us.
Sincerely,
Diana Sayavedra
Superintendent, El Paso ISD