United Independent School District

Pat Campos, UISD Board Member, says “Thank you for all your hardwork” @ at Cuellar Elementary.

United ISD Teachers received a $2,500 incentive and all full time and returning employees $2000.

Ricardo “Rick” Rodriguez, UISD Board Secretary; David Canales, USHS Principal & Juan Antonio Molina, Board Member, during a Staff Development at United South High School.

Judd Gilpin, UISD Board President, a UHS graduate, visited UHS 9th Grade Campus.

Christ Worship Center Pastors Sam and Noemi Lopez recently donated school uniforms and school supplies to students of Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary School.  The presentation of items to the students was held in the school library on behalf of church members.  Pictured are the Pastors presenting the items to a Cuellar Elementary student, also some members of CWC, United ISD Board Members and Administrators.  These items will help students get ready for the new 2012-13 school year.

Teachers with the District’s Dyslexia Program were recently trained to use new assistive technology devices which where graciously donated by Care Innovations, an Intel GE Company from Northern California.  The donated items included 15 Intel Readers and 10 portable Capture Stations.  These items will be used to help students with Dyslexia or hearing impairments.  Pictured is Col. Santos Benavides Elementary teacher Elizabeth Guevara and Care Innovations Market Development Manager Lou Meier.  Meier explained that he asked for the items donated to children in Laredo since he attended and graduated from high school here when his family was stationed at the former air force base.  Meier is also Dyslexic and knows these devices will help students gain more confidence and independence with the printed word.  The teachers will be utilizing this much needed equipment in the new upcoming school year which begins August 27, 2012.

Carmen Escamilla, pictured fifth from right, was appointed to the Texas Library Association’s new Professional Issues and Ethics Committee.  Membership in this committee is made by appointment only.  TLA Executive Director Pat Smith summarized the role of the committee members in this way: to promote professional issues and ethics and to focus on how to educate Texas librarians about ethics issues.  TLA President-elect Sherily Bird appointed Escamilla as one of the nine committee members to serve a three-year term and address issues relating to professional code of conduct and ethics. Escamilla is the Lead Librarian for the United Independent School District and has been the Library Media Specialist at J.B. Alexander High School for the past seven years.  She previously taught English at United High School for nine years, and was an elementary school librarian for 18 years.  The UISD Board of Trustees recently recognized Escamilla on her appointment.  Pictured from left to right are UISD Board Members Ricardo Molina, Sr., Pat Campos, Javier Montemayor, Jr., Board President Judd Gilpin, Honoree Escamilla, Board Members Juan Antonio Molina, Jr., and Ricardo “Rick” Rodriguez, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Guadalupe Gorordo, and Superintendent Roberto J. Santos.   The Texas Library Association is the largest State Library Association with over 7,000 members employed in all types of backgrounds including academic, public, and school library settings.

WE’RE READY FOR TO START OFF A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!!!  Students at Finley Elementary School are ready for school with their brand new backpacks which were donated from C.R. England Global Transportation Company.  The backpacks also came with $15 voucher for school supplies.  Pictured with the students in the school’s library are Principal Anna M. Wirsching, Assistant Principal Maricela Quintanilla, Counselor Myrna L. Canales, and UISD Board Vice President Juan Roberto Ramirez.  The first day of school for all UISD students is August 27, 2012.

With the first day of class just around the corner, U.I.S.D. hosted a special press conference to remind our community that it is everyone’s responsibility to put student safety first. Representatives from various local law enforcement agencies accompanied U.I.S.D. Board Members, Superintendent Roberto J. Santos, the U.I.S.D Police Department and U.I.S.D. students to share the message “Obey the Signs or Pay the Fines”.

Motorists are asked to reduce their travel speed in school zones and to obey the instructions of traffic control officers and signs.  In addition, Texas state law forbids drivers from talking or texting on any hand held devices while traveling through school zones. Students will return to classes on Monday, August 27.

Perez Elementary fourth grade student Yadira Garcia (pictured center) recently auditioned for a role in an upcoming movie called “Lights Out” which is due out next Spring.  The movie is about a former boxer who learns how to get back into the sport with the help of his trainer.  Yadira plays the daughter of the trainer and wrapped up filming a few weeks ago.  Pictured with Yadira are her sisters Alicia (left) and Blanca (right) who also make cameo appearances in the production.  Mr. and Mrs. Hector and Rosemary Garcia are the proud parents of the girls.  Yadira enjoys participating in school productions – most recently “The Wizard of Oz” last school year.

Jennifer Gonzalez from Texas Roadhouse visited UISD administrative offices to deliver goodies as we start the new school year. Delia Campos received them.

New teacher at United High School Debbie Hernandez is pictured with UISD Superintendent Roberto J. Santos.  She was one of the individuals who attended the UISD New Employee Orientation that was recently held at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex.  Hernandez is a former graduate of United High School and was a member of Santos’ Student Advisory Council when she was in high school.  Hernandez will be the new Choir teacher at the Longhorn campus.

Congratulations Class of 2012!

Summer Commencement Ceremony.

Kaleb Canales, NBA Assistant Coach for the Portland Trail Blazers, recently hosted basketball camps at LBJ & Alexander High Schools. Canales is an Alexander HS, Class of 1996, graduate.

During a recent press conference held in the UISD Boardroom, Jeff Rayden, Marketing Director for IZOD Schoolwear and Monica Rodriguez, Service Leader for J.C. Penney in Laredo, announced the donation of 1000 uniforms for United ISD students. “J.C. Penny and IZOD have a very special relationship with the Laredo community and we are very familiar with the needs of local students. We are please to donate these uniforms which helps both the students and their families”, said Rayden. This is the sixth year that J.C. Penney and IZOD have pooled their resources to provide uniforms for UISD students.

L-R, back row: Roberto J, Santos, UISD Superintendent; Jeff Rayden, Marketing Director for IZOD; Monica Ramirez, Service Leader, Laredo J.C. Penney and Juan Roberto Ramirez, Vice-President of the UISD Board of Trustees.

Previous UISD football season ticket holders will be able to purchase tickets from August 6 to August 10. The general public will then be able to purchase their season tickets on Aug. 13. Tickets can be purchased at the Student Activity Complex (Highway 359, 5208 Sta. Claudia Lane) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. United or Alexander tickets are $35, and LBJ and United South tickets must be purchased on a game-to-game basis. For more information, please call the Athletic Office (473-7100).

Wiggles Children’s Rehab recently donated $1,027 to the United ISD “Partners for Scholars” Scholarship Program.  The monies raised was from their “Wiggle For Kids 5K Run” that was held to promote better speech and hearing.  Standing from left to right is Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Laida P. Benavides, proud Wiggles employees Valerie Lopez, Graciela Huerta, David Gonzalez, Cindy Lopez, and Diana Sanchez, and Superintendent Roberto J. Santos.  For any organization wanting to give a tax deductible donation in the form of a scholarship to students at United ISD, please call (956) 473-6283.

For prices and more information call 473-6201.

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Laredo, Texas – One of the nation’s leading transportation companies has also become one of the United Independent School District’s most generous donors.

That’s because for the second year in a row, C.R. England Global Transportation located in Laredo, Texas donated 500 backpacks with vouchers for school supplies to help students in need at the District. The announcement was made by the UISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Roberto J. Santos during a press conference held on July 30, at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex Auditorium located at 5208 Santa Claudia Lane.

“We need to recognize companies such as C.R. England Global Transportation because they are true community leaders who understand the importance of giving back to the community and helping our students,” said Superintendent Santos who recalled they reached out to the school district with their generous contribution last year.

“As responsible corporate citizens, it is important to give back to the Laredo community that has been so supportive of our industry.  And we are proud to be sponsors of this donation again this year” said Dave Akers, C. R. England Vice-President – Mexico.

Also attending the press conference were students and District representatives who said “Thank you” to C.R. England Global Transportation for their kind contribution.

About C.R. England
Founded in 1920, C.R. England, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, Utah and is one of North America’s largest transportation companies and the world’s largest temperature-controlled carrier. C.R. England services include National, Mexico and Regional Truckload service in addition to Dedicated and Intermodal services. For more information, visit http://www.crengland.com.

The United Independent School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent Roberto J. Santos are pleased to announce that Sandra Higareda as the new principal at Clark Elementary School.  The announcement was made at the recent UISD board meeting held on July 18, 2012.

Higareda is the oldest of four children born to Santa Cestou and Francisco Higareda.  Her family immigrated into the United States in 1987. Starting life in a new country was very difficult at the beginning, but her parents instilled in their children the value of education, hard work, and the importance of family and friends.  She graduated with honors from J. W. Nixon High School in 1990 and in 1993, she completed an Associate’s Degree in Secondary Education at Laredo Junior College.  At that point in her life, feeling she would be of more benefit to the community if she could service recent immigrant children at the elementary level, Higareda decided to change her major from Secondary Education-Spanish to Elementary-Bilingual.  She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree with a Major in Bilingual Education from Texas A & M International University in 1995. Upon completion of that degree, she was hired by UISD as a fourth grade bilingual teacher at Juarez-Lincoln Elementary.  Inspired by her students in Rio Bravo and the desire she had to provide a solid bilingual education foundation for her students, she continued her college studies. She pursued and completed a Master of Science in Education with a Major in Bilingual Education and a Minor in Psychology from Texas A & M International University in 1999.  That same year she transferred to J.B.J. Muller Elementary where she worked as a fifth grade bilingual teacher.  In 2002, feeling the urge to impact a wider range of children, she joined the UISD Area One Team where she served as a Reading and Bilingual Specialist.  Higareda recognizes and treasures the experiences she lived while working with the teachers serviced by Area One. For it was they who led her to the conclusion that once again she wanted to further her education.  Higareda decided to return to the classroom and joined the Rodolfo C. Centeno Elementary as the fifth grade pathfinder while she pursued and completed a Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Educational Administration.

Higareda is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Education degree program in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Bi-literacy that is offered in collaboration from Texas A & M International University and Texas A & M College Station.  She has proudly been servicing the UISD students at Clark Elementary as the Assistant Principal for the last three years and will continue to commit herself to her students and the Clark Elementary School community as the Principal of the school.  She has been employed at UISD for 18 years.

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