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The Weslaco ISD Parent and Family Engagement Office is hosting a series of Parent Academy Workshops to address mental health issues that are impacting many district students and families.

“After COVID, parents needed a lot of support,” Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator Erica Garcia said.  “A lot of families lost someone to COVID and many also lost their jobs and with the kids at home there was a lot of anxiety.”

The workshops address social emotional issues that can impact academic performance.  After a hiatus, the district began to offer these workshops last year online and parents quickly turned to each other for support.

“Parents needed an outlet and support from each other,” Garcia said.  “Last year, parents began to bounce ideas off each other and so we decided to encourage that interaction this year now that our workshops are in person.”

Parent specialists from different campuses will lead the workshops.

“Our parent specialists are trained in practical parenting education,” Garcia said.

Parent Workshops scheduled are:

·      Wednesday, April 5 – Creating Family Memories, Traditions, Rituals and Routines

·      Tuesday, April 18 –  Understanding the Family System as a Whole

·      Tuesday, May 2 – Dealing with Stress in the Family

·      Tuesday, May 9 – Building a Powerful Parenting Role to Prevent Youth Substance Abuse

“Each class has its own flavor,” Garcia said.  “Each workshop is individually tailored to the subject matter, some include a ‘make and take’ activity.” 

Parents are encouraged to attend the entire series of workshops, however; they may attend any of their choosing.  Each parent workshop is held at the WISD Advocacy Center located next to the Susan M. Peterson Performing Arts Center located on 609 East 6^th St.  All workshops begin at 10:00 a.m.    

With almost 1000 students to secure, the new access control system at Mary Hoge Middle School will help increase campus safety.

“It adds another layer of security for our campus,” MHMS Principal Javier De Anda said.  “WISD is being proactive. We have new radios and additional cameras.”

All middle schools are now outfitted with access control. Parents, visitors and employees will now ring a ‘doorbell’ to enter the campus. Office staff monitoring the cameras will grant access after an ID is verified.

“We have traffic all day long and this is a good added measure,” De Anda said.

This is all part of the district’s on-going overall safety and security plan in place, according to Director of Safety and Security Daniel Reyna.

Weslaco Police Officers are stationed at the high schools and middle schools as School Resource Officers and off-duty police officers are hired to patrol WISD schools exclusively. Campus administrators and security guards have been issued new portable radios linked directly to the Weslaco Police Department during emergencies.

The district utilized a $330,450 grant from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) of the U.S. Department of Justice to outfit all schools with vestibules and additional cameras.

“These vestibules will help control the flow of traffic into the schools,” Reyna said.

Campus fencing and security cameras are already in place at all campuses throughout the district and access control is now in place at all elementary and middle schools to protect students and staff.

“We are working install access control at the high schools and alternative centers,” Reyna said. “Student safety is at the forefront at Weslaco ISD.”

Hundreds of cars lined up outside Dr. R. E. Margo Elementary for the coveted enchilada dinner served by the Rotary Club of Weslaco in conjunction with Weslaco ISD.  This yearly dinner run is part of a scholarship fundraiser that has awarded over $100,000 to WISD seniors over the years.

Each year, the Rotary Club’s Sue Peterson Memorial Scholarship awards five $1000 scholarships to each high school and three $1000 awards for CTE students.

“She was an important part of the community,” Ramon Resendez, Rotary Club member said.  “This scholarship pays tribute to her memory and her work.” 

The Rotary Club also presents $200 student leadership awards and celebrates academic achievement with the Student of the Month program.  

“It’s a privilege to be there for our students for the work that they do,” Resendez said.

The Rotary Club is a community service organization that has been in continuous service since 1925.

“We serve our community in whatever needs, there may be,” Resendez said.

WISD administration assists the Rotary Club with the selling of the dinner tickets every year.

“This scholarship is only for Weslaco ISD. The Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent are one of our Rotary Club members.”  

High school students can apply for Sue Peterson Memorial Scholarship through the counseling department.  

Weslaco High School seniors Iris Asebedo, Isabella Sanchez and Antonio Sanchez with junior Anthony Ortiz will perform in the prestigious All State concert during the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, tomorrow, February 11 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.  

Anthony will be performing with the TMEA All State Jazz Band marking the first time in Weslaco ISD history that a student performs with this elite group. Isabella will perform as 1^st chair trumpet in the All-State Band along with Antonio who will perform with the clarinet. Iris will perform with the All State Treble Choir as a soprano 2.

Anthony, Isabella and Antonio are looking forward to repeating a performance of a lifetime.“It’s the highest level of music we’ve ever played,” Antonio said. He performed clarinet in the 2022 All State Band with Anthony who was first chair in trumpet. 

“It’s a whole different culture,” Anthony said.  This is Isabella’s third trip to the All-State concert.All students endured a strenuous audition which begin at regionals with the selection process getting tougher at area.  Anthony was selected to the All-State Jazz Band as top five out of 137 jazz trumpets from the entire state.

“Style is the biggest point that separates jazz from every other genre,” Anthony said. 

He encourages students to listen to jazz and get involved in the culture and embody it if they want to perform at this level.

“At the area level, when there are musicians that are just as good as you, it feels very scary to know that they are judging you just as much as the judges are and they are watching you,” Isabella said.  

This will be the first trip to the All-State Choir for Iris.  In choir, 14,000 students begin the auditions and only 600 are selected to perform in one of three choirs: mixed, tenor/bass or treble.  Iris has competed and advanced every year making state her senior year.

The preparation for choir competition is a lot different than band.

“You have to really limit the amount of time that you practice. I do a lot of mental practice, reading the music and listening along.  Actual singing is 30 minutes of a two-hour rehearsal,” Iris said.

While practice makes perfect, hard work and the right mental attitude goes a long way when competing at the state level.

“If you are not mentally ready, the mindset is a big part of it too,” Antonio said.  “You can practice and everything but if you are not 100 percent devoted to doing this then it’s probably not going to work out for you.”

“It’s about consistency, are you willing to work on it every single day for the next five months, that’s basically the biggest thing,” Anthony said.

This quartet is hopeful that more of their classmates will soon perform at the state level. 

“We are on the way there,” Isabella said. “This past year we had eight go to area, I think there are a lot of people coming up.”

Iris hopes to pursue music therapy at Sam Houston State and Anthony wants to join the U. S. Air Force and become a pilot. Antonio wants to major in electrical engineering but wants to continue with his music and perform with the college band. Isabella also wants to continue playing and is preparing for auditions to major in music. 

Weslaco East High School junior Andru Zuniga had the unique experience of applying classroom instruction directly to the great outdoors.  Andru recently completed coursework for a hunting certificate and had the opportunity to take part in an actual hunt.

“We want to expose the kids to the outdoors,” WEHS Law I instructor Ricardo Orozco said. “There are a lot of resources here in the Valley for hiking, camping and hunting that our students don’t know about.” 

Andru along with his father and   Orozco recently traveled to Coleto Creek Park in Victoria for a hunt hosted by Serve Outdoors. All participants were required to have a Hunters Education certification. By state law every hunter, including out-of-state hunters, born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 are required to obtain this certification if they hunt. The minimum age of certification is nine.

“We work with Junior Muñoz from Serve Outdoors which helps conduct youth hunts on public and private land,” Orozco said.  “This particular hunt helps with population control at the park.”Aside from his certification, Andru had to demonstrate shooting proficiency at 100 yards to be selected for this hunt.  During the two-day excursion, Andru met with fellow hunters and learned about the patience required in a deer blind. “It was harder than I thought,” he said.  “The most difficult part was waiting.”

Gun safety is top priority with the hunter’s program.

“Students need to pay attention to what is in front of the target as well as what is behind the target,” Orozco said. 

Although Andru did not bring a deer home, he learned invaluable lessons.  

“We learned how to light a fire, water safety, how to field dress an animal, and how to follow game laws,” Andru said.  “I want this to be a hobby and pass on these skills to my children.” 

The Texas Hunters Education Program issues a lifetime certification once students successfully complete the course. Hunters Ed is part of the Criminal Justice Law I classes and is an extension of the curriculum. Students review game laws which cover trespassing, warrants, police reports, license violations, fines and restitution.  Students also learn about the elements of a crime, law enforcement terminology, firearm safety, the ethics of firearms and the ethics of hunting.  

“All deer in Texas are property of the state,” Orozco said.  “The game warden is there to enforce game laws.”

Students receiving this certification are: Audri Barrientos, Alicia Bautista, Charlie Delgadillo, Justin Gamez, Marely Gaona, Michelle Garces, Angelica Herrera, Natalie Lopez, Adam Lopez, Dakotah Martinez, Alizae Martinez, Adrian Martinez, Franchesca Perez, Narayith Perez, Rebecca Rodriguez, Jesus Tello, Kayleigh Velasquez and Andru Zuniga.

Andru is looking forward to another hunting trip scheduled for February 24.

“I am excited to see the volunteers again and get another chance to hunt,” he said.  

Orozco hopes more students are able to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Statistics show that we are losing young people, not only the hunting aspect but in the outdoors,” he said. “We lose about six percent of hunters annually.” According to Orozco, baby boomers make up about a third of all hunters and are aging out of hunting without a younger generation to replace them.   

Serve Outdoors is a non-profit organization that assists disabled individuals, veterans, wounded warriors, youth, special-needs individuals and the elderly experience the great outdoors on hunting and fishing adventures. 

The Knapp Community Care Foundation recently awarded a $38,477 grant to Weslaco High School as part of a community service project.  The WHS Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club will utilize this funding to continue with the school’s Adopt-A-Park initiative. For several years, FCCLA students have been active cleaning and enhancing Gibson Park and this grant will now add a music garden to the facilities.

“We want to bring families to the park and this would be a cool tool,” WHS FCCLA sponsor Mary Martin said. “Improving the mental and physical well-being of the community was the objective of grant.”

During COVID, families could no longer gather in public areas and now that the parks are open again, we want families to be able to do an activity together, Martin said.

“We decided on the musical garden to create a space where families can come together through the gift of music and nature,” she said.    

The music garden will stage chimes, hand pipes and xylophones throughout the park for public use.  Through this community service project, FCCLA students hope to improve the quality of life for Weslaco residents.

The musical garden is scheduled for installation in March 2023 in continued partnership with the City of Weslaco Parks and Recreation Department.

The Weslaco ISD Student Support Services Department will celebrate National School Counseling Week, Feb. 6–10, to bring public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors and how students are different as a result of what counselors do.

Following this year’s theme “School Counselors: Helping Students Dream Big,” WISD will highlight the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plans for a career. 

“This special week honors our school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs,” Student Support Services Director Dr. Cindy Cid said. “They are a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

As part of its celebration, WISD will host week-long activities including student and staff dress-up days.  Students will be encouraged to wear pajamas on Mellow Monday to acknowledge how counselors help students manage stress. Tuesday is Twin Day when students dress up like a friend to remind students that counselors are always there. Students and staff will wear a sports jersey on Wednesday to acknowledge that counselors are on the same team. It will be Wacky Hair day on Thursday when students and staff will wear crazy hair styles because counselors help students when they are having a ‘wacky’ day.  WISD counselors constantly marvel at the tremendous success our students achieve every day and on Marvel Friday students can wear Marvel or DC comic shirts.

“Our counselors work with our students every day and provide a variety services,” Dr. Cid said.  “They focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development and work with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.”    

All WISD school counselors are certified experienced educators with a master’s degrees in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program at WISD, Cid said.

Parents or community members with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs should contact the school counselors at their campus. 

Weslaco ISD is hosting the Critical Incident/Active Shooter Response Training for Parents, Thursday, February 2, 8 – 11 a.m. at the Susan M. Peterson Performing Arts Center. The training will be hosted by Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office retired senior deputy Ricardo Garcia.

“In law enforcement, we have spent a lot of time training schools but we have left out the parents and the community,” Garcia said. “We have incidents where parents are breaking down doors and windows to get to their kids.  We have law enforcement officers fighting with parents outside in the parking lot.  We have missed that critical element of training our communities.”

Through this session, parents will review the ‘Run, Hide, Fight’ model that can be used in the event of an active shooter in a mall or movie theater, or any public space. Garcia will also review the district’s standard school response protocol which includes the types of drills schools may activate.  He will discuss the ‘stop the bleed’ kits available at campuses and the reunification procedures after a critical incident.

Garcia said this is an uncomfortable discussion to have with parents.

“You are not helping when you show up to the school,” he said. “I walk them through that choice that they have to make whether they are going to impede us or help us.”

WISD Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator Erica Garcia encourages all WISD parents to attend.

“This is a great opportunity for our parents to open the communication lines with our school administrators. We encourage them to voice their concerns,” she said.  The presentation will be available in Spanish.

WISD educators and staff attended mandatory “Crisis Reality Training-Surviving the Active Lethal Threat” training in September and October.

Short wait times and no appointments are needed at the Weslaco ISD SchoolMed Clinic now open from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. across from Central Office in Portable #15. WISD staff and students can receive medical treatment quickly through a telehealth visit with a licensed Goodside Health provider.

“I liked it because I was attended to as soon as I walked in,” a food services employee said.  “The Medical Assistant helped me with registration and when I met with the Physician Assistant, she was very friendly, very knowledgeable.”

It’s the rapid diagnosis and treatment that is key. “This helps decrease the spread of communicable diseases,” District Head Nurse Susan Coffman said. “The earlier a communicable disease is diagnosed, the least likely it will spread throughout the campuses.”

Through the telehealth visit, the licensed Goodside Health provider can order tests that will be administered by the medical assistant on site.  Results for flu A, flu B, strep and COVID 19 take a few minutes.  The licensed Goodside Health provider will then prescribe medication and contact the patient’s pharmacy to call in any prescriptions that may be ordered. 

Parents can join in remotely to a tele visit for their children without leaving work.  Another adult must transport any student under 16 years of age and younger to the clinic.

Because this is considered an urgent care visit, the co-payment is $45 for Weslaco ISD staff members. For patients without insurance, the Goodside Cares Program is available.  WISD parents and staff can contact (682) 267-1793 to verify their eligibility for the Goodside Cares Program and other insurance.

“Ultimately, we want everyone in our district to come to work or class in good health,” Coffman said.  “The SchoolMed Clinic is available to ensure everyone has access to prompt medical attention when they are feeling sick.”

The SchoolMed Clinic is not for medical emergencies.

The Weslaco Crime Stoppers Inc., Weslaco Independent School District (WISD), and Weslaco Police Department have teamed up to offer students and staff a new and anonymous way to report any wrongdoing or suspicious activities on WISD campuses. The P3 Campus phone application and the hotline 956-968-TIPS (8477) are now available for students and staff to use, 24/7. In collaboration with Weslaco Crime Stoppers and WISD, the tip line aims to provide a safe and secure way for students and staff to report any criminal or suspicious activity on campus. The P3 Campus phone application can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play.

“This is completely anonymous,” said Weslaco Crime Stoppers Board President Ramon Resendez. “The key is prevention; this is another tool for students and staff to have.”

The Weslaco Crime Stoppers Campus P3 program also offers compensation for tips. If a tip leads to an arrest, the tipster can be awarded up to $1,000, depending on the severity of the case being reported.

Once a tip is entered into the Campus P3 system, the Weslaco Crime Stopper Coordinator will assess the report to determine if it will be handled by the police or WISD administration. Any P3 tips pertaining to violations of law and criminal behavior will be sent to Weslaco PD for follow up. Non-law enforcement sensitive information and administrative tips will be forwarded to WISD administrators for their review.

“By providing this resource, steps can be taken to help prevent harm or loss of life,” said Resendez.

The Weslaco Crime Stoppers program began in 1989 to assist the police in the gathering of information to solve crimes that had already occurred. Resendez hopes the district’s program will help prevent crime and encourages students to submit any reports of concern. All tipsters are asked to not submit any of their identifying information.

J.P. Rodriguez, Weslaco Crime Stoppers Board Vice President, emphasized that the P3 app and hotline are completely anonymous and that there is no identifying information available from the hotline. State law prohibits the disclosure of a tipster’s identity.

WISD staff and students are encouraged to download the P3 Campus app and use the hotline 968-TIPS (8477) to report any suspicious or criminal activity on campus.  The app and hotline are not a substitute for emergencies that require calling 911 for immediate attention.

Dr. Dino Coronado has announced his resignation as Superintendent of Schools for the Weslaco Independent School District. An agreement has been reached which allows Dr. Coronado the ability to pursue other interests and permits the Board to pursue hiring another Superintendent. The Board and Dr. Coronado have entered into the agreement believing it is in their respective best interests and in the best interest of the District.
The board appointed Dr. Richard Rivera as Interim Superintendent. Rivera was Superintendent at Weslaco ISD for 14 years. Dr. Rivera first joined WISD in 1967 as a classroom teacher and coach. In 1974, Rivera became Principal at Mary Hoge Junior High School, serving for five years. In 1979, he became principal at Weslaco High School and held that position for 17 years before becoming Superintendent in
1996. Rivera also served on the Weslaco ISD School Board for eight years.

Beginning January 9, Weslaco ISD students and staff will be able to receive health care services virtually through a partnership with Goodside Health.  This SchoolMed telehealth program will offer quality pediatric care for common conditions like influenza, strep, and COVID-19 as well as cold symptoms, headaches, an upset stomach, cuts and scrapes.

“We are so excited to partner with Goodside Health SchoolMed telehealth program,” WISD Health Services Coordinator Susan Coffman said.  “By bringing these services to our district, our students have convenient access to quality healthcare that will help ensure our students and families are healthy and ready to learn.”

Initially, students will have access to SchoolMed at the Central Administration Building at 319 W4th Street in Weslaco. Program registration is now available for all Weslaco ISD students at https://goodsidehealth.com/weslacoisd/register/.

This collaboration is one way the district is combating absenteeism in the district. 

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of months of great work between our team and the dedicated leaders at Weslaco ISD,” Goodside Health Senior Vice President of Operations Matt Balthazar said. “SchoolMed will help to keep healthy students in class while getting those that need care back to health as quickly as possible.”

SchoolMed empowers school health officials to provide the right care for students, right when they need it. When a school health official identifies the need for additional care, the SchoolMed program provides immediate access to assess, diagnose, and treat a range of conditions through a telehealth visit with a Goodside Health provider.

All students are eligible to register for these services, and Goodside Health providers treat all students regardless of residency or insurance status. WISD families are encouraged to visit goodsidehealth.com/families for more information.

Weslaco ISD has secured over $5 million in additional funding to expand and facilitate programs dealing with student well-being, school safety and curriculum.

“These are outside grants that we have received thus far,” Superintendent Dr. Dino Coronado said.  “It’s a credit to a great team because it takes all of them to put this together.”

Numerous departments worked to secure this additional funding. 

The Texas COVID Learning Accelerated Supports or TCLAS grant program awarded the district with $1.2 million and $882,500 to target reading and mathematics.

“Our goal is to improve reading skills across the district,” Assessment and Accountability Director Elias Treviño said. 

The TCLAS funding will be used to equip new principals with the tools to identify areas of improvement in reading with training, coaching and additional resources.

Over $880,000 will be used to address student tutoring in accordance with House Bill 4545.  This after-school tutoring program provides middle school students with additional STAAR test remediation in math.  The grant will fund staff and resources needed to provide ‘high-impact’ tutoring for 6^th - 8^th grade students across the district. 

The WISD Career and Technical Education Department also received two Jobs & Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling over $1 million for two CTE programs. An Automotive Technology grant award of $481,136 and a Welding grant award of $699,053 will be utilized to purchase equipment that will be used to train and certify students in the respective industries. Automotive Technology students will learn diagnostic and repair skills in the rapidly-growing hybrid electric vehicles automotive industry. In addition, Automotive students will learn to operate the latest industry equipment in order to employ corrective strategies for vehicle repair.   

Using new Virtual Reality Software to supplement and enhance traditional welding training, our Welding students will receive simulated training in order to practice welding techniques that includes learning how to operate a pipe manipulator, a precise and fast plasma cutter, a welding arm and a pipe manipulator saw.  

“We are so excited and thankful for these Texas Workforce Commission JET grants,” CTE Director Sandra Avila said.  “These monies will be used to purchase the latest automotive technology and welding equipment upgrading student training and skills in order to prepare them for their future careers as automotive technicians or welders.”

The district was also awarded $300,296.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the Community Oriented Policing Services Office (COPS) School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). The funding is earmarked to improve overall security at schools and on school grounds which includes law enforcement training, technology for expedited local law enforcement notification during an emergency and other measures to provide security improvements.

The district will continue to secure funding from different agencies. 

 “There are additional resources available, this opens the door,” Treviño said.

Other grant monies awarded to WISD for the 2022-23 school year are: Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative Classroom Resource Grant, $6,160; ARP Homeless II Federal Grant, $221,000; Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) $300,296; Knapp Foundation, $34,000; Nurse’s Grant, $102,700; Raising Blended Learners, $300,000; Strong Foundations Literacy Instructional Framework, $125,000; TEA School Safety Grant, $721,172; and Thespian Relief Grant, 1,000.

Weslaco ISD is excited to announce it is a finalist in the prestigious Holdsworth Center’s Leadership Collaborative.  Holdsworth is a premier education leadership program and now Weslaco ISD administrators will have the opportunity to hone their leadership skills.    

“School business is like no other business,” Superintendent Dr. Dino Coronado said. “Our principals have a tremendous array of responsibilities from budget, to curriculum and staffing.  This leadership program will provide additional opportunities for our school leaders.”

The Holdsworth Center offers programs in which superintendents, central office administrators, principals, assistant principals, teachers and other campus leaders collaborate with a variety of experts in education, academia, government and business. Holdsworth utilizes leadership curriculum and coaching to assist districts in self-reflection and skill-building that leads to an impact on student achievement.

The specific program benefits of the Leadership Collaborative allow for an 18-month program to help district leaders build skills amongst aspiring principals who can provide leadership as positions become available.

“We are investing in our people,” Coronado said.   “Who better understand the needs of Weslaco ISD than our own.”  

The Center was founded by HEB Chairman Charles Butt in 2017. He named the nonprofit organization for his mother, a former schoolteacher and lifelong advocate for social justice.

Hard work, and talent paid off for Weslaco High School Dreamette Arianna Sepulveda.  Arianna was invited to participate in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which will be broadcast live on NBC Thursday, November 24. 

Arianna took part in the Showtime International summer camp and based on her performance, she was invited to participate in the parade. This is a unique opportunity for her to perform with some of the nation’s finest dancers from the Spirit of America Dance group. The Spirit of America organization has sent the choreography to the girls and they have been rehearsing on their own. 

Arianna will travel to New York City on November 19 and will have her first full rehearsal of the choreography that night. She will be able to do some sight-seeing while at the Big Apple and visit the Empire State Building, Central Park and Times Square.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a New York City tradition that dates back to 1924.

Two Weslaco East High School top student-athletes signed their letters of intent to play for Division I teams outside the Valley. Wildcat softball standout Jaisy Caceres penned her name to join the University of Incarnate Word and baseball star Alex Solis committed to the University of Houston.

Team members, coaches and family members were on hand to celebrate the occasion.

“They are model athletes, scholars and citizens of the WEHS community,” assistant principal Araceli Chavarin told the audience.

Jaisy will suit up as catcher for the Cardinals and Alex will pitch for the Cougars.

Both athletes led their respective teams to multiple district and bi-district titles and earned numerous individual distinctions.

Jaisy was named All-District Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 and All-District MVP in 2022.  She was also named the WEHS Female Athlete of the Year in 2021 and 2022.

Alex was named District 32-5A Pitcher of the Year in 2021 and All-District MVP in 2022.  The Monitor also named Alex as the All-Area Pitcher of the Year.

Jaisy hopes to major in kinesiology and Alex will major in sports science.  

Michael Brown is the WEHS Baseball Head Coach and Vicky Vasquez is the Softball Head Coach.   

A little kindness goes a long way. That is the message that Weslaco ISD wants to emphasize
during Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week, November 14 – 18.
District student representatives and school officials gathered at city hall as Weslaco Mayor
David Suarez officially read the anti-bullying proclamation.
“The Weslaco City Commission encourages the citizens of Weslaco to observe Bullying
Prevention and Awareness Week with activities and conversations about respectful and
compassionate relationships in your homes, schools and communities,” he stated.
Throughout the week, students across the district will participate in activities to promote this
year’s anti-bullying theme: Reach Out. Students will learn about what constitutes bullying and
cyberbullying through the Ripple Effects curriculum.
“We want to educate our students so that they know what to do when faced with this issue,”
WISD Intervention Specialist Ernesto Alcazar said. “We want all students to do their part to
stop bullying.”
During the proclamation signing event, Project Administrator for the David’s Legacy Foundation
Lou Ann Sarachene spoke to the students about their role in stopping bullying.
“You can be a bystander and do nothing or be upstander and reach out,” she said.

Weslaco ISD parents can obtain their high school equivalency diploma (GED) as well as, increase their English-language skills free of charge through a partnership with South Texas College.   Spring semester classes are now available and parents can already sign up at the Community Engagement and Workforce Development Office at 969-6602. 

“We look forward to working with our parents,” Community Engagement and Workforce Development Coordinator Erica Garcia said.  “We are proud to offer these opportunities.  If they succeed, we succeed.”

Classes take place via Zoom and parents are responsible for their own device and WIFI.  GED classes are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays and ESL classes take place Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Both courses are led by STC instructors. 

Through the ten-week program GED program, WISD parents are registered as STC students and are able to utilize the college facilities including gym, library and computer lab.

According to Garcia, WISD families have requested these types of programs in the past.

“We encourage our parents to continue their own education,” she said.  “The family home environment improves dramatically when parents are empowered.”

Weslaco ISD will focus on the social-emotional well-being of students and help them stay away from drug use during the National Red Ribbon Week campaign Oct. 24 -28.  The district will also raise awareness regarding the destruction drugs cause. 

“Through social-emotional learning students learn to self-regulate,” Student Support Services Director Cindy Cid said.  “When they can’t self-regulate they tend not to make responsible decisions and turn to drugs.”  

During Red Ribbon Week, WISD students will take part in district-wide activities to promote drug-free lifestyle, following the theme: Celebrate Life: Live Drug Free.  Middle school and high school students will also take part in the curriculum during advisory periods which addresses the consequences of drugs and dangerous trends like vaping.

“Vaping continues to be an issue unfortunately,” Cid said. 

WISD has a comprehensive plan already in place to combat drug use across the district. Random drug testing for athletes, students in extracurricular activities and student drivers are now policy.

A WISD drug awareness and prevention program is available to students and parents.  Drug-use prevention curriculum is presented to high school and middle school and elementary students during class time.  The district also provides training to help faculty and staff identify illegal substances. 

Beatriz G. Garza and Central middle school students successfully auditioned and earned a chair during the Middle School Region 28 Orchestra Band contest held recently. 

“The students worked really hard,” Orchestra Director Yram Leal said.  “They put in the extra hours practicing. I am very proud of them.”

The 7^th and 8^th graders competed against schools from Harlingen and San Benito before a panel of three judges.  Each student successfully performed music excerpts and etudes for three rounds of competition. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our students to utilize their advanced musical knowledge and apply it towards their upcoming UIL contests and high school music careers,” Leal said.

Our students will perform with the elite Middle School All-Region Orchestra November 5 at 5 p.m. in the Harlingen Performing Arts conservatory. The concert is free of charge.

From Beatriz G. Garza Middle School: in front, standing from left, violas Gwen Fuentes, Adrienna Elizondo, Charlize Garcia, Bella Gonzalez and Rhosela Perez.  Back, violins Seth Mora, Allison Olivares, Chloe Solis and Salomon Guerrero.

From Central Middle School: sitting from, left, cellos Ernesto Muñoz and Eori De Anda.  Standing, viola Celeste Garza and violins Sorelle Villarreal, Daniel Martinez, Azul Hernandez and Fatima Luna.

Weslaco ISD was awarded $300,296.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the Community Oriented Policing Services Office (COPS) School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). WISD is among four Valley school districts and 235 communities across the country to share the $72 million federal grant.

“Student safety is top priority in our community and WISD welcomes this federal funding to expand our current school security protocols across our district,” Dr. Dino Coronado said.  “We look forward to working with our local law enforcement to better serve our students and staff.  We appreciate our government representatives for their assistance with this very important issue.”

The funding is earmarked to improve overall security at schools and on school grounds.  Funds will be used for coordination with local law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent school violence against others and self; and other deterrent measures; technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; and/or any other measure that may provide a significant improvement in security.

Congratulations to the Weslaco High School Boys and Girls Cross Country teams for successfully competing in the District 32-6A Meet and advancing to regionals.

The WHS boys team came in 2nd place and the girls team finished in 3^rd place against schools from Harlingen, Los Fresnos, San Benito, Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville Rivera.

Top finisher from the boys’ team was Joshua Rodriguez who came in at 4^th place; and top girl finisher was Kaylee Muñoz in 6^th place.

The teams will now travel to Texas A&M in Corpus Christi, October 24 for the Region IV Cross Country Meet.  The top four finishers advance to state.

A round of applause for District Champion freshman Aaron Nava from Weslaco East High School.  Aaron finished in first place at the 32-5A Cross Country meet and advances to regionals. 

The WEHS boys team came in 2nd place and the girls team came in 3^rd place. The teams faced off against schools from Donna, Harlingen, Edcouch-Elsa, Brownsville and Mercedes. 

Both teams will now travel to Texas A&M in Corpus Christi, October 25 for the Region 4 Cross Country Meet.  The top four finishers advance to state.

While the football teams battle it out on the gridiron, another group of fierce competitors quietly wait on the sidelines. During halftime, all eyes are on them as they take their positions on the field and perform.  The Wildcat Regiment and the Panther Corps are preparing for the Region 28 Marching Contest also known as Pigskin Jubilee. This Saturday, the bands will travel to San Benito, October 15, to showcase what they have been working on all summer and perfecting during the football halftime shows.

Weslaco East High School Head Drum Major Catherine Lopez and Assistant Drum Major Genesis Medrano, as well as Weslaco High Head Drum Major Eliza Gonzalez and Assistants Hailey De La Mora and Lilee Garza have all reluctantly left marching behind to take their spots on the podium to lead the bands.

“I miss being part of the show,” Catherine said.  “This is more stressful.”

“I do miss marching,” Lilee said.  However, Lilee has wanted to be a drum major ever since middle school. “They amazed me, the way they looked,” she said.

“Being a drum major means making sacrifices and putting the band first,” Hailey said. “It’s always worth it in the end.”  Hailey was a member of the color guard.

“What hurts the most though is seeing the guard perform without me. I’m always reminiscing about dancing under the Friday night lights.”

As drum majors, these young ladies are responsible for keeping the bands’ timing, cues and downbeats not to mention, music, visuals and drill team in sync.

“My main job is keeping tempo, watching the drum line so it doesn’t speed up or slow down,” Catherine said.

“Drum majors have to have a really good connection with the drum line,” Eliza said.

Next Saturday, the 140-member Regiment will perform ‘Survivor 3045’ when they face off against Valley 5A schools.  The 260-member Corps is polishing their show, ‘Goddess of the Night’ for the 6A competition. The bands will perform five to seven pieces of music.

Going to State is the ultimate goal for the Wildcat and Panther band leaders.

“I want us to nail the competition and get a Division I rating,” Catherine said.

“I want to push a little more and advance to finals,” Genesis said.

“We have a lot of visuals and our show is challenging,” Lilee said.

“We were close to going to state last year,” Eliza said.  “It takes a lot of work to go to state.”

This year is a State year for Weslaco High and Weslaco East will be able to compete for State next year.