Dear El Paso ISD,
This week our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of one of our students, Joseph Nathanial Caraballo. Joseph was a cherished member of the El Paso ISD family, and we are grieving alongside his loved ones. Counseling and support services remain available for our students and staff, and I ask that you keep his family, friends, and all those impacted in your thoughts and prayers.
It is imperative that every one of our students in the district is supported. That commitment inspired teachers, administrators, and district leaders during Operation Search last weekend, as they visited families across our community to encourage students to return to school. I am deeply grateful for the effort and compassion our teams showed, working with families to make resources available.
That same focus on attendance carried into a challenge between Franklin and Coronado, as the two high schools competed in the district’s first-ever Attendance Battle. I was moved to witness the passion and spirit of both schools, as the Cougars lifted the Attendance Championship Belt. It was uplifting to see the excitement on our students’ faces, and more importantly, to reinforce the message that showing up every day is the key to building friendships, memories, and success.
This week I was also honored to visit Cielo Vista Elementary, where we recognized the campus for earning an “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency. Achievements like this reflect the dedication of our students, teachers, staff, and families. These moments remind us of the incredible work happening in classrooms across the district.
Irvin High School head football coach Jonathan Elliott has been named a finalist for the prestigious Game-Changing Coach Award by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football in partnership with Ballogy, illustrating that excellence in our district may start in the classrooms but it extends to our sports fields and beyond. This honor recognizes his commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the field. I encourage our El Paso ISD community to rally behind Coach Elliott and cast their vote in support of the Rockets before the contest closes onOctober 22.
I also want to share that this coming week families, students, and staff will be invited to participate in a Cell Phone Policy Impact Survey. This survey comes as a result of a new law passed by the Texas Legislature requiring all districts to implement a cell phone policy. While the law itself is not optional, we value your input and want to better understand how the policy is affecting teaching, learning, and school culture. Please be on the lookout for an email on Monday with more details.
As we move forward together, I encourage our students to stay strong, stay engaged, and continue giving their best each day. Fall Break is just around the corner beginning October 8, and I hope all of you will enjoy time to rest, recharge, and spend meaningful moments with family.
Sincerely,
Martha Aguirre
Interim Superintendent of Schools