Way to go Gema!!

Congratulations to Gema Cardona at CC Winn High School! Gema was selected as qannection.com’s 2014-2015 Ambassador of the year. Gema received a brand new Dell Chromebook for her efforts to recruit more GEAR UP students on her campus to login to qannection.com and seek academic assistance. Thanks for all your hard work Gema!

Cosmetology Skills USA Angel Tree Delivery

On December 11^th, 2015 the Cosmetology Skills USA Members (Helpers) and sponsor Ms. Veronica Alatorre did their  Annual Angel Tree Contribution by helping deliver a smile to a child and help make a difference in their daily lives.

These students placed much love and dedication to make Our Traditional Angel Tree possible. Students found every resource to make this event possible, they requested  donations from teachers and students from both of our campuses C.C. Winn High School and Eagle Pass High School. Every year we tend to grow and reach out for those families in need.

They were foutunate to deliver to over eight campuses within our district. Cosmetology Angels delivered Christmas Carols and over 200 toys to children that including the following Elementary Campuses:  Sam Houston, Ray H. Darr, Benavidez, Henry B. Gonzalez, Rosita Valley, Rosita Valley Literacy Academy, and our Daycare PEP. Life Skills Students at CC Winn High and Eagle Pass High School , Sam Houston and Benavides Elementary.

Students say “It’s been a great satisfaction and experience to be part of this event.  We were able to see how we are so blessed to help others in need.  It’s a feeling beyond hard to explain to be able to see children when they unwrapped their gifts, spreading that Christmas Joy!
A Special Thanks  to everyone that helped make this possible.

Christmas Break

ATTENTION EPISD PARENTS AND STUDENTS

All campuses will have an early release day Friday, December 18.

Early Dismissal-Students

High Schools……...........1:00

Jr. High Schools ……… 1:00

Elementary (Grade 1-6) …..12:15

Kinder………12:15

Pre-K (AM)……10:45

Pre-K (PM)…….12:45

Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 5, 2016.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!!    

-From EPISD Faculty and Staff. 

Eagle Pass H.E.R.O.S

On December 15, 2015 Eagle Pass HEROES presented Sam Houston Elementary Resource Classroom with a new iPad mini and case. Eagle Pass HEROES (Helping Everyone with special needs gain Resources for Outcomes to guide Educational Success) is a new non-profit organization in Maverick County that is helping those with special needs develop resources. 

Co-founder to Eagle Pass HEROES Wendy Maurer stated, "I'm very blessed to work for EPISD and service those with special needs. Our district provides amazing supports in our classrooms and we want to also contribute to that gift of giving this holiday season. This is our first giveaway of many and we randomly pick Sam Houston Elementary out of a drawing." For more information Eagle Pass HEROES you can email them at eaglepassheroes@gmail.com. 

Eagle Pass HEROS:

Helping

Everyone with special needs gain

Resources for

Outcomes to guide

Educational

Success

Happy Holiday from Thundering Maverick Band Boosters and PTO

It is not unusual for the faculty and parents at C.C. Winn High School to have a great sense of pride for their school, now when you combine the two titles of FACULTY and PARENT you create a very unique and dedicated group of adults that support the student body 100%! 

This dedicated group of adults are the Thundering Maverick Band Boosters and PTO, who surprisingly are comprised of a large group of faculty and staff members.

Mr. Jesus Diaz, Principal of C.C. Winn High School, met with these individuals to acknowledge the support for their students at games, competitions, performances, and every day life in and out of classrooms.

These individuals along with Mr Diaz Weaver truly embrace the notion that WINN is FAMILY!

Winn Christmas Concert

The Mighty Maverick Music Program wants to make your holiday season

 Merry and Bright! 

Make plans to attend this festive and fun and FREE event!

Christmas on Main Street is AROUND THE CORNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO CC WINN HS FOOTBALL PROGRAM

The Eagle Pass ISD would like to congratulate all 2015-2016 Academic All-State award recipients from CC Winn High School. We understand that students’ performance in the classroom can sometimes be difficult to manage while participating in athletics, but their hard work has NOT gone unnoticed. The Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State Teams recognize high school athletes who excel in the following categories:

- GPA 
- Class Rank 
- ACT/SAT score.

We applaud them for their commitment and dedication to perform with the highest of excellence academically and on the field or court. We also would like to congratulate Coach Eric Villasenor and the entire Maverick coaching staff! Way to go WINN!

(L-R) 2nd Team : Ryan Pike, Coach Eric Villasenor, 1st Team: Adrian Gonzalez, 1st Team German DeLuna

 

Congratulations Mr. Reginaldo "Reggie" Gonzalez of MJH

The Eagle Pass Independent School District has partnered with local businesses throughout our city to highlight the Teacher of the Month program, which honors educators who have made a difference in our community.  The program recognizes outstanding kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school teachers in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Mr. Reginaldo Gonzalez, of Memorial Junior High, has been selected as the “Teacher of the Month” for December 2015.  Mr. Gonzalez merits this nomination because he embodies all the characteristics of an outstanding teacher.  He has been described as the type of teacher requested specifically by parents because of his success within the classroom.  Over the past 12 years, he has showed consistent success with his student’s performance on the state exams.   One of the reasons is that he has high expectations for all of his students and expects nothing less.   He gives them the confidence they need to tackle each “problem” and follow through with the techniques and methods he teaches in lecture.   Mr. Gonzalez goes above and beyond when it comes to helping his struggling students as well.  Anyone who is in education knows that mathematics is a very demanding subject and students need to be able to apply what they know to be and maintain success.   Mr. Gonzalez makes sure that every student has every resource that they need to be successful.  For years Mr. Gonzalez has given additional support to all of his students by offering offers afterschool tutorials without pay. 

Not only is Mr. Gonzalez and excellent example for his students, but also for the staff at MJH.  He has been described as a great colleague and has been a mentor for many of the new teachers at MJH.  Overall Mr. Gonzalez is a role model for student success, professionalism, and dependability.  It is for all these reasons that he has been awarded the Teacher of the Month for this December.

A segment will appear on iVision throughout the month of December detailing many more accomplishments of Mr. Reginaldo Gonzalez.  This month he will also appear on community media, news publications and the EPISD website.

A teacher will be selected each month through June 2016 for a total of nine (8) honorees.  The “Teacher of the Month” will be chosen based on educational achievements in the classroom, community contributions and innovativeness of the program/techniques used by the teacher. The “Teacher of the Month” will receive a certificate of recognition and will be featured on iVision, local media news, news publications and radio broadcasting.  

Each T.O.M is receiving a “V.I.T (Very Important Teacher) Parking Pass”, a jean voucher for a month, 20 free meals at the Campus Café, and Class Cash to purchase class room supplies. Additionally, each “Teacher of the Month” will receive donations from local businesses.  Thank You Ancira Ford–Eagle Pass, Ashley Furniture, and Bath and Body Works. 

Ten-pin Bowling with our MOST SPECIAL ATHLETES

Although Bowling does not belong to the Olympic sports, it is among the most popular sports in Special Olympics. On Wednesday, December 9th, all four secondary campuses throughout the EPISD participated in a friendly competition at the Desert Lanes Bowling Ally off of El Indio Road. 

This is the 5th year the EPISD participates in this annual competition and although CC Winn High School, Eagle Pass High School, Memorial Junior High and Eagle Pass Junior High students unloaded and arrived together, this sport allows a showcase of individuality of each athlete so that coaches can train and encourage growth in skills and accomplishment.  Bowling is a particularly beneficial sport to people with disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and at the same time participation and social integration. Plus, it's great fun!

A big "thanks" to the NHS and the Silverline Dance team from Winn HS for the additional support to help and cheer on the athletes.

Congratulations Veronica Soto-Gonzalez

Principal Veronica Soto-Gonzalez had been identified as a n outstanding administrator and was nominated for the 2016 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards!

H-E-B launched the Excellence in Education Awards program in cooperation with TASA in 2002 as a positive way to support public education in Texas. The awards celebrate public school professionals whose leadership and dedication inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.  This program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of  outstanding public school educators, districts, early childhood facilities and school boards across the state of Texas.  Since the  programs inception in 2002, more than $8 million dollars has been awarded to deserving educators.

A total of 10 regional finalists will be awarded $1,000 each plus $2,500 for their schools. In addition, one elementary school and one secondary school principal will receive $10,000 for themselves plus $25,000 for their schools.  Meaning Mrs. Soto-Gonzalez's participation in this programs could result in an award of $10,0000 for herself and $25,000 for Benevides Heights Elementary.

For additional updates, follow the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program on Facebook at www.facebook.comHEBExcellenceinEducationAwards.

Congratulations to Mrs. Soto-Gonzalez, who continuously strives for excellence. You're already  a winner in our hearts!

Remembrance Day 12/07

Monday, December 7 we recognize National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day was created by Congress in 1994 in honor of Americans killed or injured as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Peter Pizza gives back!

Peter Piper Pizza has been donating books to several EPISD elementary schools the week of November 30  - December 3 as part of their “Partner in Education” program.  Many students throughout the district will be among the beneficiaries of this generous program. Many Texas schools plan to use the dictionaries to assist students with their State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness or STAAR exams.

Peter Piper Pizza’s Partner in Education program is designed to help educators help our kids reach their dreams and the dictionaries are one more way they hope to make a difference in a child’s education.  A special thanks to Peter Piper Pizza of Eagle Pass.  Their donation shows an appreciation and value of a solid education. For that we sincerely thank them.

Interested in the teaching profession?......Here is your FIRST STEP!

5th Annual Christmas on Main Street

On Thursday December 17, the City of Eagle Pass with some help from the Eagle Pass Independent School District will be hosting its fifth annual "Christmas on Main Street."  From 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eagle Pass locals and visitors are invited to the downtown area to take part in what is quickly becoming a holiday tradition.  The celebration will take place throughout the entire street.   Among the many festivities and performances taking place, a debut from St. Nick is sure to bring a smile to the faces of both the young and “the young at heart.”  

Various groups and organizations throughout our district will be performing.  The night will include dances, caroling in two languages, and musical performances from an array of instruments.  "Christmas on Main St." is a fun-filled opportunity were children, teenagers, and adults can all come together in the holiday spirit, and enjoy a few hours of safe and fun entertainment, crafts, and treats. 

Kirchner Cowboys celebrate with a Pow Wow

From the staff at M.M. Kirchner Elementary 

"On Thursday, November 19, 2015 the Kickapoo dancers (David Valdez and Julio Elizondo) joined in with our Cowboys at Kirchner in their traditional Pow-Wow celebration.  Along with the dancers the Kickapoo national history was read by Joaquin Polendo and a power point presentation by Mr. Jose Gallegos, was viewed by our students and staff.  Parents at Kirchner helped with great displays of decorated Tee Pees, dressed our cowboys with traditional Indian outfits and head pieces.

Wishing the district staff a blessed and safe Thanksgiving!"

CONGRATULATIONS MEL!

Congratulations to Ms. Melanie Mendoza of EPHS who today has signed to play with the UT Arlington women’s softball team.
High school senior student-athletes from across the country – including Eagle Pass– are signing binding national letters of intent, officially accepting athletic scholarships offered to them by a college or university. UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox announced the signing of eight freshmen that will join the Mavericks in the 2017 season which include Mel Mendoza.
Mendoza was awarded the Eagle Excellence Award in 2014-15 at Eagle Pass High School. The middle infielder is a member of National Honor Society and played travel ball for the Texas Bombers Gold Elite. Mendoza is the younger sister to Sandra Mendoza, who enjoyed a stellar freshman campaign as part of the Maverick softball team in 2015.
Melanie Mendoza, will be following in the footsteps of a family legacy… to play ball at the collegiate level. “Mel” the daughter of Reynold and Tinna Mendoza is the 2nd base, 2nd year, 1st team, All District Player for the Mighty Eagle Softball Team. She is a four year letterman and Captain to her teammates. She is described by Coach Oscar Ruiz as, a great student athlete, role model and friend to those around her.
                                              

 

Career Day at Mancha Elementary

Perfecto Mancha Elementary had Career Day on Tuesday, November 17th.  Many parents and people from the community volunteered their morning to share their careers with the "Mustang Students."  This included many C.T.E (Career and Technology) staff and students who brought pamphlets and literature to pass out.   

All Perfecto Mancha students had the opportunity to learn about various careers throughout the morning. Students were actively engaged in many activities including CPR lessons and music sessions.  Everyone had a great time and learned a lot about different types of careers to be had. A huge congratulations goes out to the entire staff at Mancha for putting together a very elaborate event.
Maverick County citizens will certainly have some fine future leaders coming from Perfecto Mancha Elementary.

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the POLLUTION!

Congratulations!

You are on your way to making great strides in helping us all secure a healthier and better future.

Did you know that recycling is currently NOT required in schools nationwide. This means that the responsibility falls into our hands. EPISD has therefore developed tips that provide students with the tools and support to lead the effort to promote recycling in their own schools. With the information included, you will have the building blocks you need to start your own program.

The purpose of this recycling guide is to increase awareness about the negative impact of human consumption on the environment, and to inspire young people to start recycling programs within their schools.

1. Start collecting

• Arrange bin placement location(s) with your school.
• Make signs as to what goes in which bin.

2. Spread the word! Promote your program to other students. Be creative

• Make flyers and posters to hang around school
• Make an announcement to the student body
• Give a speech or presentation during a school assembly
• Write an article for your school newspaper
• Sponsor a recycling contest and offer a prize to those who collect the most.
• Talk to relevant clubs at your school (service or environmental) 
  

Eagle Pass Junior High has already incorporated the GO GREEN CONCEPT in their campus.  Here are some great ways that they are bringing the topic to life at EPJ. 

The students of EPJ feel really strong and motivated about this topic so they decided to design T-shirts, they also made banners and posters rewarding recycling, and they came up with a pledge that benefits the entire campus. 

EPJH students will have a presentation for their teachers on December 18th of 2015. EPJH students are extremely excited because they are going to be able to attend a city counseling hearing rewarding the recycle of plastic bags. EPJH is ready to make a change…..ARE YOU?

 

Congratulations Cesar Picazo of Ray H. Darr

The Eagle Pass Independent School District has partnered with local businesses throughout our city to highlight the Teacher of the Month program, which honors educators who have made a difference in our community.  The program recognizes outstanding kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school teachers in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Mr. Cesar Picazo, of Ray Darr Elementary, has been selected as the “Teacher of the Month” for November 2015.   This compassionate, caring, and highly respected educator has been with the district for 10 years.  Within that time his students have continuously achieved high scores in the STAAR test reviving 80% and 90 %.  Mr. Picazo establishes high expectations of his students and he encourages every one of them to work at their best level. Furthermore, Mr. Picazo has incredible knowledge on the subject of Science and is always prepared to answer questions and keep material and lecture interesting for his classes.  He establishes clear objectives for each lesson and works to meet those specific objectives during each class.

He maintains open communication with parents and keeps them informed of what is going on in the classroom as far as curriculum, classroom expectations, student progress, discipline, and other issues.  Mr. Picazo is an overall team player and collaborates well with staff members with whom he shares information about curriculum, lessons, and activities.  He is a “lifelong learner” and continues to learn about Science through professional development, college courses, and technology trainings.  He is currently the UIL Science Coach, Grade Level Chairperson, and a tutorial teacher.  It is because of all these reasons that he is being awarded the title of “Teacher of the Month.”

A segment will appear on iVision throughout the month of November detailing many more accomplishments of Mr. Cesar Picazo.  This month he will also appear on community media, news publications and the EPISD website.

A teacher will be selected each month through June 2016 for a total of nine (8) honorees. The “Teacher of the Month” will be chosen based on educational achievements in the classroom, community contributions and innovativeness of the program/techniques used by the teacher. The “Teacher of the Month” will receive a certificate of recognition and will be featured on iVision, local media news, news publications and radio broadcasting.  

Each T.O.M is receiving a “V.I.T (Very Important Teacher) Parking Pass”, a jean voucher for a month, 20 free meals at the Campus Café, and Class Cash to purchase class room supplies. Additionally, each “Teacher of the Month” will receive donations from local businesses. Thank You Ancira Ford–Eagle Pass, Ashley Furniture, and Bath and Body Works.  

Maverickville Minitropolis at Ray H. Darr Elementary gets ready for KMAV

On Thursday, November 5, students from Ray H. Darr Elementary visited our local KINL-KEPS Radio Station to experience the World of Radio.  The students are learning about how to run a radio station since currently they are incorporating "KMAV" to their Maverickville Minitropolis.
Ray H Darr has partnered with KINL/KEPS and they have selected /"hired" Radio DJ's and News Directors for the new school radio station which will be called KMAV. The new hires took a tour of KINL/KEPS last week and were a part of the morning show.
 

 

 

 

Thank you Alejandra Godina from KINL/KEPS Radio Station and Rachel Drager, of IBC BANK MARKETING for sharing this experience with our students.

 

 

We welcome all footage from downtime to showtime!

iVision is currently running  #YourShotsMatter campaign in order to expand coverage around our school district.  This campaign is about highlighting events where iVision could not attend with videos and pictures of people who were there present at the event recording with their own devices. Any parents, students, and staff who are documenting any school event are encouraged to email us their footage to ivisionep@gmail.com or simply when they post their event to social media to include the #yourshotsmatter  ---This way we can pull them from social media and use them to highlight Your event through our channel and Youtube to the community.

With that said---We are very excited to showcase your teams accomplishments of this past month of October. In order to do that WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please ask your students, parents or anyone with footage to send them our way through #YourShotsMatter campaign.

Congrats to the EPEF Grant Recipients

Congratulations to the Eagle Pass Education Foundation (EPEF) grant recipients. The grants are part of the EPEF's annual program, in which proposals for innovative classroom programs are selected to receive funding through a competitive process.  The non-profit organization formed in 2011, recognizes educators’ efforts to fund innovation.  EPEF received double the amount of applications this year,  a testament both to its continued growth and the needs of Eagle Pass Schools.  All of the funding requests were compelling and worthy of attention, which made the selection process that much more challenging.  Those chosen represent EPEF’s best efforts to fund a broad range of innovative student experiences.

The Eagle Pass Education Foundation is run by a volunteer board working to support the EPISD by advocating for excellence in education, connecting schools and our community, and supporting students and teachers.  They are committed to making these kinds of grants and continue to increase both the numbers and funding amounts of grants as the foundation grows.   Each of the classrooms visited by the EPISD Prize Patrol can be seen on this link: https://www.facebook.com/Eagle-Pass-Independent-School-District-587739677909341/?ref=hl

A special "thank you" to all the  applicants for submitting their projects for approval. These applicants demonstrated enthusiasm in improving their students learning achievement.

 

EPISD Fall Festival Schedules

C.C. Winn Music Program makes History

 A letter from C.C. Winn Head Band Director, Mr. R. Rodriguez: 

 

For many years, students who have gone through our music program, have waited to hear our school’s name called out to qualify for Area Finals and State at our Area Marching Competition.  Every band in the state of Texas must earn a 1st division at the UIL Region Marching Competition in order to qualify for the next level of our playoffs which is UIL Area Marching Competition.  Our Sweepstakes award (1st division which were straight one’s) came on October 17, 2015 in San Antonio’s Gustafson Stadium.  We qualified to advance to UIL Area Competition in Corpus Christi, TX on Saturday, October 24, 2015.  However due to inclement weather, our competition was moved to Gregory-Portland on Wednesday, October 28, 2015.  Our C.C. Winn Band performed at 10:15 a.m.therefore we had to wait until 5:30 p.m. for all 31 bands from Region 11, 14,15, and 28 to finish performing for our Prelims session.  Every band is recognized for their participation in the Area Marching Contest at 5:30 p.m.  The top ten Finalists are then announced shortly after the conclusion of those recognitions.  Every band student, director, family member and friend hold their breath as the announcer starts announcing the ten bands who qualify to preform again for Finals, which start at 8:00 p.m.  The announcer calls out five bands before we hear our school’s name “C.C. Winn from Eagle Pass” called out in front of a packed stadium where students have to stand outside of the stadium because of the lack of sitting room.  It brought us the music staff, joy to see our students celebrate the huge accomplishment.  Many congratulatory texts, posts on social media, and phone calls were made to our students and music staff after word spread throughout our community.  Our C.C. Winn band performed at 9:00 p.m. among nine other bands.  Six out of ten were going to advance to the UIL State competition which is going to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.  Our band came out in 7th place and missed advancing to UIL State Marching Competition by one point.

 

Our program accomplished more than just advancing to Area Finals which is the first in our school’s history.  This accomplishment united a community of marching band followers.  For example, many community members from C.C. Winn, Eagle Pass HS, Del Rio, San Antonio, and Austin (just to name a few) were united as they cheered our accomplishment of being selected as one of ten Area Finalists.  Many citizens were on pins and needles as they awaited our Finals performance and the results to see who was going to move on to the UIL State Marching Competition.  

 

Our music program has dedicated our accomplishment to all the former band students and band directors who went through Mr. Brian Harper, Mr. Raul Gonzalez, and Mr. Carlos Martinez.  These individuals (former students and staff) sacrificed and paved the way for our students to have the facilities and equipment we have today and for that, we give them thanks.  We would also like to thank Mr. Diaz and his administrators, our school board members, and Mr. Gonzalez, our EPISD Superintendent.  All of them have given us the love and support needed to nourish our student’s education.  We are eternally grateful of all they have done for the Arts and our respective music departments. 

 

We will continue to display our commitment and work ethic as we continue to positively represent EPISD and our Eagle Pass community as we look forward into our future.

JOIDES Resolution in your classroom LIVE

Alejandra Martinez teaches 7th grade science at Memorial Junior High. She is an extraordinary educator and has a real passion for science. This year she will be sailing aboard the drilling vessel the JOIDES Resolution as their Education and Outreach Officer this December and January.  The JOIDES does deep sea core drilling and collects sediment to learn about Earth's past, present, and future.  The drilling site we will be working at is off the coast of Madagascar. 
As Education and Outreach Officer she will be running their social media sites and hosting live ship to shore interactions with classrooms around the world. 

This year she is eager to share this experience with teachers and students at a campus level. Participants will get to see what life is like on a ship and they will get to view what scientists are doing live on the ship. A session lasts up to 45 minutes and can be tailored to your interest and grade level. In order to do this you will need to contact your administrator sign up for an interaction with Expedition 359.

Ask your campus principal about a live ship to shore interaction with the students at your school! Learn more about the JOIDES on their main webpage www.joidesresolution.org.

Spooky Storytelling at Ray H. Darr

Theater students from C.C. Winn High School visited Ray Darr Elementary on Tuesday October 27, 2015 for a “Ghoulishly Good Time!”  The Winn Theater group read Halloween storybooks for all grade levels throughout the day.  The students enjoyed hearing stories that were reenacted with drama "oozing" from each performance.  

Librarian Rosa Leticia Flores had the pleasure of hosting the Theater Arts I students along with Director Mr. Adolfo Flores Jr. at Ray H. Darr library. The Readers icluded Franky Chavarria, Ana Laura De La Garza, Mariah Longoria, Anahi Zermaeno, David Modlin, Stephanie Avila, Viviana Venegas, Victor Solis, Karenny Sepulveda, Josiah Alfaro, Zaira Sanchez, Esmeralda Ontiveros.

C.C. Winn High School performed theatric storytelling at Ray H. Darr Elementary