Dear El Paso ISD,
This week, I had the honor of attending our 2025 Summer Graduation Ceremony, where we proudly celebrated more than 90 students who earned their high school diplomas. It was an inspiring day filled with pride, resilience, and hope. Congratulations to the Class of 2025 Summer Graduates! Your hard work and determination have paid off, and we can’t wait to see what comes next for each of you.
I’d also like to take a moment to congratulate Emiliano Ferran Martinez Caloca, a talented Wiggs Middle School student who placed 11th at the National Spelling Bee. We are incredibly proud of Emiliano for representing El Paso ISD on a national stage and showcasing the academic excellence we strive for across the district.
As we prepare for the new school year, El Paso ISD has finalized updates to the student dress code for 2025–26. These updates were designed with intent to expand families' clothing options for their children. School uniform policies remain unchanged. If your child’s campus requires uniforms, that policy remains in place, but with more color and style choices. At non-uniform campuses, the dress code is now more flexible and inclusive.
Students enrolled at campuses with a uniform policy may wear school colors along with white, navy, and gray tops. Jeans and twill pants in blue/navy, khaki, and black are now allowed at all middle, PK-8, and elementary schools. Spirit days, college days, and themed events will continue, and elementary students may now wear spirit shirts daily. Full dress code guidelines and a list of schools with uniform requirements are available at episd.org/dresscode.
As in prior years, the district will be assisting families by providing free school supplies for the 2025–26 school year. Elementary students will receive individual supply kits, while secondary students will have classroom sets provided. Supplies will be distributed during the first week of school. For more information please click, here.
Moving on to an important update that will impact families in Texas. Texas House Bill 1481 was signed into law on June 22, 2025 by Governor Greg Abbott and it prohibits the use of cell phones, smartwatches, and other non-instructional communication devices during the school day. The new rule will take effect at the start of the 2025–26 school year for El Paso ISD students beginning on August 4. According to the mandate, the Board of Trustees has until September 18 to adopt a policy that outlines the consequences for violating the cell phone ban. While some details are still being finalized, we want to ensure that parents and families are aware of the upcoming changes well ahead of the September 18 deadline. Our goal is to provide clarity and consistency across campuses and help everyone prepare for a smooth transition as the law takes effect. We will update families as more guidance becomes available.
As you prepare for the school year, I invite you to explore our new elementary academies launching this school year. From environmental science to fine arts and STEM, these exciting programs are designed to ignite passions and unlock student potential. Follow El Paso ISD on social media to stay informed and catch our video spotlights featuring each academy.
Finally, we’re just a few days away from the Back to School Fiesta! This fun and informative event is a great way to connect with schools, gather resources, and kick off the school year with energy and excitement. The Back to School Fiesta runs from July 29 – 31 and we can’t wait to welcome our students back on August 4.
Remember, it starts with us.
Sincerely,
Martha Aguirre, Interim Superintendent, El Paso ISD