Welcome back! I hope you all had a safe and well-deserved summer break and are settling in as we kick off the new school year. It's hard to believe our students are already back in the classroom, but seeing their faces and excitement to learn has brought new energy to our campuses.
As I continue to visit different campuses these first few weeks of school, I can’t help but feel genuine pride for our students, staff and district. It’s incredible to witness the excitement filling the halls, see the smiles as students and teachers connect, and feel the positive energy from our classrooms. Each one of you makes Harlandale ISD the pride of the Southside. I’m looking forward to another outstanding year ahead.
You could feel the excitement echoing across our District during the recent Meet the Cowboys and Meet the Indians celebrations our high schools hosted. These gatherings were a fantastic way to kick off the football season as students, parents and alumni came together to show off their school spirit. The energy was incredible and it was a great reminder of the strong sense of community that we have here at Harlandale ISD. We can’t wait to experience the excitement of football season at our newly renovated Harlandale Memorial Stadium, where every game brings us together in support of our teams and each other.
We’re excited to invite parents and guardians to our upcoming Open House events. They provide a great opportunity to meet your child's teachers, tour the classrooms and learn about relevant campus and district topics. Elementary Schools will host their Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Middle Schools and High Schools will hold theirs on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, also from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. We encourage all families to attend and engage with our educators as we work together to ensure a successful school year for our students.
As we continue into this school year, it’s important to remember that every one of us, regardless of our role or location in the district, plays a vital part in our collective success. Did you know that the Texas Education Agency’s academic ratings are proportionally based on student enrollment? This means that every school, no matter its size, plays an important part in our district’s overall grade. Larger campuses have a more significant impact on the district rating, but every school counts, which means every single one of us can help improve it. Whether you're in a large high school or a small elementary school, your hard work and improvement can help boost our district's grade. With everyone working together – students, teachers, parents, and staff – we can all aim higher!
We want to highlight our Harlandale Human Resources Department for their incredible work in launching the Educational Partners Program. Thanks in part to these efforts, every Harlandale ISD classroom is being taught by either a certified teacher or a degreed Educational Partner for the first time in more than five years. The program has not only filled our classrooms with passionate and qualified educators but has also brought new energy and perspectives to our district. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our Harlandale ISD School Board’s commitment to providing the best education possible for our students.
On behalf of our Harlandale School Board of Trustees, I want to wish you all a happy and successful 2024-2025 school year. We are all united by a common purpose: to provide the best education possible for our students. Let’s celebrate our successes and continue to uphold the Harlandale Legacy.