Dear El Paso ISD,  

We welcomed September with energy in El Paso’s District! That was evident this morning as students at Andress and Franklin high schools got up before the sun did to cheer on their schools as part of CBS4 Local’s Friday Morning Football segments. Kudos to our students for their enthusiasm in serving up school spirit so early in the morning and setting the tone for another great evening of football games throughout the district.  

A flurry of activities will follow in September. It begins this weekend with free classes for employees offered by our El Paso ISD Healthy Living initiative. You can try your hand at courses in art, dance, cooking, photography, yoga and more. These classes are in addition to the free immunization clinics and health screenings that will be available to you throughout the year. When you take care of yourself, you are better prepared to take care of others. See event schedules and sign up for classes by clicking here. 

Starting next week, fourth- and fifth-grade students will have another outlet for healthy activities through our elementary school intramurals program. The program, which was introduced to sixth graders last year, is part of our commitment to whole-child development and aims to ignite young students’ interest in sports, enhance their motor skills, and instill valuable sportsmanship qualities. The soccer season kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 5. Other sports will follow throughout the year, including volleyball, flag football and basketball. All our elementary campuses are excited to continue fostering extended learning opportunities for our children. Go, Intramurals! 

We invite Morehead Middle School residents to attend one of three community meetings next week to discuss the future of the former campus. The City of El Paso has expressed interest in the facility. Join us to learn more during meetings at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5; 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6; or 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Galatzan Recreation Center located at 650 Wallenberg Dr. Your voice will shape our future.  

Next weekend, more than 35,000 books will be given to kids of all ages during our Family Literacy Festival. El Paso ISD is partnering with the El Paso American Federation of Teachers and Reading Opens the World for the giveaway, which is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Magoffin Middle School. Join us as we help ensure success for early learners by instilling a lifelong love of reading. 

September also marks national Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It is a cause that is near to our hearts. Throughout the month, we will recognize individuals and groups who help those affected by pediatric cancer to raise awareness about the disease and the work we all do to help eradicate it. 

As we head into Labor Day weekend, I want to take a moment to reflect on the significance of the holiday. Labor Day celebrates the dedication, hard work and commitment of the American workforce that shaped our nation’s progress. This recognition of labor is closely intertwined with the mission of our public schools. Our educators, staff members, and students exemplify the spirit of labor every day. Their commitment to learning is a testament to the values that Labor Day represents – the pursuit of growth and the belief in the power of hard work. 

I encourage you to take this time to rest and rejuvenate, knowing that our collective efforts in the realm of education are contributing to inspiring and empowering our learners to thrive. See you Tuesday, Sept. 5!  

It starts with us. 

Sincerely, 

Diana Sayavedra
Superintendent of Schools

Sept. 1, 2023