Latest news with #SocorroISD
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Socorro ISD earns district certification from National Institute for STEM Education
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Socorro Independent School District said it is the most recent district in the country to earn the National Certificate for STEM Excellence – District (NCSE-D) STEM certificate. Socorro ISD announced the recognition on Tuesday, May 27, in a news release. Socorro ISD said the district is the first in West Texas and one of only three in Texas in the nation to earn the district STEM certification. The certificate, which comes from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE), recognizes districts for their commitment to continually improving districtwide systems and structures that support STEM educators and their students, Socorro ISD said. 'We are extremely honored to earn the national STEM certification, which validates the hard work and dedication among our faculty, staff and administrators to ensure that our students are receiving meaningful instruction and hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and math,' Socorro ISD Interim Superintendent James Vasquez said. 'Our highly qualified teachers, campus and district leaders are achieving outstanding results integrating STEM instruction across all areas of student learning.' Socorro ISD said NISE, which is headquartered in Houston, Texas, was conceived by seasoned, practicing educators and is based on thousands of hours of research, professional development, curriculum design, and educational leadership. Using an online platform and supported by a dedicated NISE STEM leadership coach, educators and district leaders work together to refine district operations and instruction to further strengthen STEM practices and the district's overall STEM culture, Socorro ISD added. Socorro ISD said that as part of earning the NCSE – District Certification, along with over two years of sustained visioning, planning, and implementing STEM education system, three campuses also earned the NCSE – Campus Certification, and 97 teachers and administrators earned the National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST). Escontrias STEAM Academy was the first school in West Texas to earn the National Certificate for STEM Excellence – Campus Certification in July 2023, the district said. The district added that Sierra Vista STEAM Academy earned the certification in August 2024, and Montwood High School earned the certification in January 2025. 'I commend the district academics team and our STEM-certified schools who worked diligently to make this national certification a reality for our students and district,' Vasquez said. 'It demonstrates that SISD is a leader in STEM education dedicated to providing students the knowledge, skills and resources to excel in our competitive, science and technology-based society.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SISD considering incentive payment for teachers who voluntarily leave their position
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Socorro Independent School District's (SISD) Board of Trustees will be discussing a proposal to offer a $2,500 incentive payment to 100 teachers and campus-based contract staff, who will voluntarily leave their positions at the end of the school year. The measure will be discussed at a special board meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6 at the district's headquarters at 12440 Rojas Dr, El Paso, TX 79928. If passed, this would grant teachers and select staffers the option to submit a Notice of Voluntary Separation to SISD, effective at the end of the 2024-25 contract year. The payments would be distributed to the first 100 select staffers to submit the notice. This comes on the heels of the district approving a measure to lay off approximately 300 teachers and staff at the end of the school year, to address a projected $38 million budget shortfall that threatens to bankrupt the district. Socorro ISD board approves hundreds of layoffs to deal with budget shortfall Andrew Kim, one of two state-appointed conservators to oversee the district in the midst of their financial crisis, said two weeks ago after a board meeting that the layoffs are estimated to save SISD $30 million. That would leave an $8 million shortfall that would still need addressing. Socorro ISD layoffs shock teachers, students Veronica Hernandez, union president of the Socorro American Federation of Teachers, said that if passed the measure would be a welcome relief for teachers, but that it wouldn't do much to improve their situation. 'The morale, it's just really low right now, extremely low. So yeah, this is a little bit of help, but I mean, that's nothing for 100 people. What about the other 200-300 that (SISD) is going to let go? By the time unemployment kicks in, you're already going to be late on several bills,' Hernandez said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pebble Hills HS gets ‘Superior Rating' at state mariachi festival
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Pebble Hills High School's mariachi program, Mariachi Los Guerreros, received the prestigious Division 1 Superior Rating trophy at the 2025 UIL State Mariachi Festival on Saturday, Feb. 22 in Seguin. Socorro ISD said that the performance and trophy reinforces 'their position as one of the leading mariachi ensembles in Texas.' Isabella Olivas from El Dorado High School's Mariachi Azteca and Sofía Aguilar from Socorro High School's Los Gavilanes were both honored with the Outstanding Performer Award, which is the highest accolade a performer can earn at the state level, SISD said. All six comprehensive high schools in the Socorro Independent School District competed against the top mariachi ensembles in the state, showcasing exceptional musicality, technique, and artistry in their performances, the district said. 'Congratulations to all of our outstanding performers for representing Socorro ISD exceptionally well at the state level,' SISD Fine Arts Director Armando Martinez said. 'The recognitions received by Pebble Hills, El Dorado, and Socorro high schools highlight the extraordinary talent within our schools and contribute to the vibrant mariachi community in Texas.' Los Guerreros is directed by mariachi instructors Daniel Reyes and Eduardo Garcia. Claudia Rascón is the mariachi instructor for Mariachi Azteca. Los Gavilanes mariachi directors are Roger Rosales, José Parada and Juan González. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
