UISD readies for fifth annual parent festival

The United Independent School District cordially invites all UISD parents and their children to join them at the fifth annual parent festival set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, at United High School (main campus), 2811 United Avenue, off of Bob Bullock Loop. The is event aimed at increasing parental involvement, and working together with district administrators and educators, as a crucial component to the academic success of students.

This year's event includes a wide range of sessions for parents that will equip them with knowledge and skills they can use with their child throughout their time in school. These sessions include: Fun with Math, What is Autism?, Homework Helpers, Make and Take Activities for Reading, Internet Safety, Hands-On Grammar and Vocabulary and more. There will also be activity camps available for children of all ages that range from dance, sports, arts and crafts, music, and much more.

Additionally, the event will feature guest speaker Simon Silva, who was a migrant farm worker as a student; and now speaks about those experiences through his popular art and books. His presentation at the festival will be titled "Culture, Creativity, & Art: A Source of Opportunity."

"This event has become a great tradition for UISD," said Superintendent Roberto J. Santos commenting on the many families he sees and at the event year after year. "We hope to see even more mothers, fathers, guardians and students at this year's event. As a unified force, that is our parents/guardians and District educators working together, we can help our students to be even more successful and prepare them for the global society we now live in," he emphasized.

Coordinated through the Office of Federal and State Compensatory Programs, with the assistance of a Districtwide Steering Committee, the Annual Parent Festival will also feature over 65 community organizations who will be on hand to give information on their respective programs and services. There will also be many door prizes given away to event participates. One of the main door prizes includes a laptop computer donated from Safari Kids Rehab.

"Parents involved in the education of their children provide an overall stronger foundation for their student," said Estela De La Garza, UISD parental involvement coordinator. "Our hope is that more parents realize this and make plans to attend this event. The event is also a wonderful way to spend quality time with your children, as well," she continued.

For more information about UISD's fifth annual parent festival, call the Office of Parental Involvement at (956) 473-6452.

UISD receives TEA's highest fiscal accolade for eighth consecutive year

United Independent School District (UISD) is once again proud to receive its' eighth-consecutive award of "Superior Achievement" by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) under the First Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) for the 2009-10 school year. The rating, which is the state agency's highest honor, is given to Texas public school districts, who are accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and resources. UISD has continued to receive this coveted honor since the inception of the program in 2001-02.

"I would like to congratulate our Business/Finance Department for garnering this outstanding achievement for the eighth-consecutive time," said UISD Superintendent Roberto J. Santos. "This award reflects how UISD understands the importance of fiscal accountability to our tax payers. It reflects the steps we take to achieve the most cost effective and efficient results, as we provide all of our students with a quality, first rate educational program they deserve," added Santos.
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Laida P. Benavides agreed, adding that ensuring "a sound financial position for UISD, that is accountable to the taxpayers, and the community at large, will always be our goal."

The FIRST program mandates that school districts hold a public meeting to distribute a financial management report which explains the District's rating and its performance under each of the FIRST fiscal indicators for the current and prior school year. A presentation on this was made on October 20, at the Student Activity Complex (see board agenda hyperlink at https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicMeetingMaterials.aspx?ak=240903&mk=50013472).

For more information about the District's FIRST "Superior Achievement" rating, contact the Business and Finance Department main number at (956) 473-6222.

Cigarroa students earn National Hispanic Scholar Recognition

Caption: CHS administration congratulate Brandon Romero and Enrique Alvarez on their NHRP recognition. Pictured left to right are Rogelio Garcia, CHS counselor; Brandon Romero; Enrique Alvarez; Cynthia Davila, CHS counselor; and John Eric Salinas, CHS principal.

Two seniors at Cigarroa High School have been recognized by the College Board's National Hispanic Recognition Program. Cigarroa High School is proud to announce Enrique Alvarez and Brandon Romero as this year's scholars.

Alvarez and Romero were among nearly 5,000 students selected from a pool of over 200,000 students who took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino. To qualify for the program, a student must be at least one-quarter Hispanic, have earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher, and meet their state's cutoff scores on their critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills on the PSAT/NMSQT.

Cigarroa High School students, faculty, staff, and administration congratulate these two young students. "Brandon and Enrique are fine representatives of Cigarroa High School and LISD," said Cynthia Davila, Cigarroa High School Counselor. "They are fine young men who continually demonstrate academic excellence, belong to numerous organizations, have vision and ambition for themselves and are multi-talented."

Alvarez is the son of Enrique and Xochitl Alvarez. Enrique plans to pursue a degree in English at Texas State University. Alvarez's academic achievement's includes National Honor Society and perfect attendance. Enrique is also a member of the Cigarroa High Power Lifting team. He attended Cigarroa Middle School and Ligarde Elementary School.

Brandon is the son of Israel and San Juana Romero. He is interested in pursuing a degree in Political Science from Williams College in Williamstown Massachusetts. Romero's academic achievement's includes Honor Roll, National Honor Society, and is ranked third in his class. Brandon's extra-curricular activities include Orchestra, VMT Government Club, VMT Senior Class President. Romero attended Zachry Elementary School.

According to Davila, taking the PSAT/NMSQT Test as juniors allows students to see for themselves where they rate academically in comparison to other juniors all over this state and country. For some, like Brandon & Enrique who achieve national standing, it is the time to make final selections of colleges or universities as being a National Hispanic Scholar opens the door to many opportunities. Taking a test like the PSAT is the first important step in planning for the future.

Both Enrique and Brandon expressed their excitement about the recognition.

"It's a good honor. Receiving this recognition has helped colleges contact us," Romero said. "It has opened my eyes. I am now more aware of the application process."