Dear El Paso ISD:  

Spring break is nearly upon us!  I hope all of you will spend the next week devoting time to family, friends and the things you enjoy. It is important to give yourself a break to focus on self-care and meaningful mindfulness.   

Our JROTC cadets are a group of students who deserve encouragement. A large contingent of them spent this week participating in the Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge at Fort Bliss. The five-day event tests cadets through a variety of demanding physical fitness regimens. Each student also benefited from leadership-building opportunities conducted by soldiers. The challenge concluded today with an awards ceremony on post. Congratulations to our cadets for taking on the challenge and thank you to Fort Bliss for helping us inspire our students. Hooah! 

This week, the district continued to mark Women’s History Month to include districtwide observances of International Women’s Day on March 8. As the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated in the early part of this century, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” El Paso’s District, as the pioneer of public education in the region, will continue to champion that movement as it has so many other causes throughout our 140-year history.  

With that in mind, one of the district’s guiding tenets included in the Hopes and Dreams Realized 2022-2025 strategic blueprint is to foster equitable access to opportunities by eliminating barriers for all students. As such, our campuses are brimming with women in leadership roles as principals, counselors and teachers. Our Young Women’s Academy prepares the next generation of leaders. We didn’t just put equity buzzwords on paper, we live them. A salute to all women — and their allies — who work hard every day to realize an equitable future!  

The state’s Educational Diagnosticians Week celebration concludes today. I want to recognize these professionals who enable young students to achieve academic success. With competence and compassion, educational diagnosticians identify students’ individual needs, facilitate ongoing assessments to evaluate them, and align resources to guide them to success. They give students gifts that last a lifetime, and we are happy to celebrate the important contributions they make.   

Speaking of contributions, El Paso ISD employees and the community at large can be difference makers in our students’ lives through their generosity. There are a couple ways to help the EPISD Education Foundation transform lives through your philanthropy. Faculty and staff can contribute through the Employee Giving campaign, which concludes today. Click here to sign up. A second avenue would be to contribute to our Golf for Excellence fundraising event is scheduled for a 9 a.m. start March 31 at Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course. Click here to learn how to support the golf tournament. Thank you, all, for your consideration and support of the EPISD Education Foundation and our scholars.  

There will be less than 12 weeks of school remaining when we return to classes Tuesday, March 21. For you high school seniors, get ready to make your last months in El Paso’s District the best ones yet.  

I wish everyone a happy and joyful spring break. Safe travels for those of you who will be on the road.   

It starts with us. 

Sincerely, 

Diana Sayavedra
Superintendent of Schools

March 10, 2023