United Independent School District

A segment of the school year’s final “Community Role Model” program was devoted to the recognition of all four UISD high schools.

Each school received a plaque of appreciation for their “unwavering support to make a difference in the lives of students who have been recognized for the their outstanding contributions to the community.” Sheriff Martin Cuellar said that his department and fellow sponsors are pleased to participate in helping Laredo’s students build the “groundwork for success.” UISD would like to express much gratitude to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, Fernando A Salinas Charitable Trust, KGNS-TV, Laredo’s CW, and Telemundo.

Officer Tony Flores received the Superintendent’s Award as “Police Officer of the Year” during the recent District Police Awards ceremony. The award is presented to the police officer who has goes beyond the accomplishment of police department goals, and who has conformed to the policies and rules of the Department.

UISD handler wins 1st place at “K-9 Narcotics Competition”
Congratulations to Officer Benjamin Bondoc and his K-9 partner “Marimar”. The formidable team was swift in taking first place for the UISD Police Dept. during the first National Police Week “K-9 narcotics competition.” Bondoc and his partner edged out 25 other K-9 teams representing the Sheriff’s Dept., Border Patrol, Customs, LISD P. D., L.P.D., and the Webb County Constables office. Competing teams took turns walking their drug sniffing K-9’s through a warehouse that contained hidden packets of marijuana and cocaine. Bondoc and his partner triumphed by making the most “drug finds” without any false alerts.
Bondoc said that he has had a great working relationship with his partner. ‘Marimar and I have made an impressive number of finds since we started working together in 2007. I spend a lot of time with her, so I know what her abilities are and I never doubt her.” Bondoc is now interested in competing on a much larger scale. “UISD Police Chief Ray Garner has told me that he fully supports my desire to compete at the national level.”

Bondoc would like to thank Chief Garner along with Sgt. Jorge Luna, Master Trainer Jerry Lerma, and Master Trainer Rolando San Miguel from the Laredo Police Department. “All these great people have helped me refine my skills as a dog handler. “Bondoc’s future plans with the Police Dept. include training with a K-9 that detects explosive materials.

Police Department introduces “Kelly”
K-9 Handler Ben Bondoc recently introduced bomb detective dog “Kelly” at a press conference. Kelly has been specially trained to inspect and detect explosive devices. She was a free gift to the District’s K-9 Unit from Lackland Air Force Base out of San Antonio. As part of her basic training, Kelly did a six month tour in Afghanistan. Handler Bondoc will be working with Kelly at all schools and departments. Kelly is now one of five specially trained dogs in the District’s K-9 Unit. The other four dogs are specially trained to find illegal drugs on school campuses and District property.

Laredo Federal Credit Union, KGNS –TV, Telemundo, and the CW honored United Middle School 6th grade math teacher Joseph Byrd as the latest “One Class at a Time” recipient.

Byrd is known as an innovative and patient teacher who makes math understandable. Many former students have said that Byrd did a great job of preparing them the rigors of high school mathematics.
Byrd received a $500 check which will be used to purchase supplies and books for his classroom.

The Board of Trustees, together with Superintendent Roberto J. Santos, are pleased to announce the following appointments of five individuals who will serve pivotal roles for the District in their respective positions. These individuals are:

Gilbert Castro is a graduate of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Masters of Science degree in Educational Administration. Castro has twenty-two years of experience in the field of education. His professional journey has provided him with the opportunity to serve as a teacher in Laredo and San Antonio public schools. He has served as summer school principal and his most recent assignment as an Assistant Principal at Kennedy-Zapata Elementary School. Castro is a member of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA), and has participated in many professional development programs throughout his career.

Raul Ramirez, Jr. is the new Director of Food Services. Ramirez succeeds Adalberto Ramirez, who retired after 21 years of dedicated service to the District. Ramirez earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Laredo State University in 1986. He began his career as an Assistant General Ledger Coordinator for Laredo Independent School District (LISD). Ramirez was then hired by UISD in 1998 as a Food Services Accounting Manager, and has served in that capacity to the present day. Ramirez is a member of the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO), and has participated in many professional development programs that focus on school nutritional awareness, purchasing, accounting and the management of department personnel and finances.

Realizing the need for an influential and innovative administrator, who knows what it takes to help all students achieve academic excellence, Superintendent Santos has tapped Sylvia Ruiz to be the new principal at Roosevelt Elementary School. Ruiz, a long-time educator, is the current principal at Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary School. Before joining UISD as a counselor at the school in 1999, Ruiz was a second and fifth grade teacher for nearly a decade at Alma A. Pierce Elementary School at LISD. While at Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary School, Ruiz worked her way up the administrative ladder. First, by serving as the school’s counselor, later by moving to the position of assistant principal, and then to the present position of principal where she has been since 2004. Ruiz will replace veteran educator Sylvia Reash who officially announced her retirement as principal at Roosevelt Elementary School at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

Raul Nuño is the new Principal at Salvador Garcia Middle School. Nuño is a graduate of TAMIU and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Masters of Science Degree in Educational Administration. Nuño’s appointment as the new Principal at Salvador Garcia Middle marks his return to the fold since starting his career at the school in 1990 as an Instructional Aide for Special Education. Nuño also served as Vice Principal and Summer School Principal at Lyndon B. Johnson High School from 2002 to 2009. More recently, Nuño served as the Career Academies Dean at Dr. Leo Cigarroa High School. Nuño will continue his studies in the Superintendent Program at TAMIU where he plans to enroll in the Special Education Doctoral Program.

Currently serving as an assistant principal at Trautmann Middle School, Melissa Shinn will be the new principal at Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary School. Shinn started her career in education at LISD, first as teacher at Kawas Elementary School, then as a reading trainer at Ryan Elementary School, where she later moved to the position of assistant principal. She also served as an assistant principal at Daiches Elementary School. Shinn has a Business degree from the University of North Texas and her Master’s in Educational Administration from TAMIU.

Fasken Elementary: L-R: Seated in front-Maria Morales, Sara Alicia Juarez L-R: Standing in back-Miguel Ubaldo, Francisco Campero, Juan Rodriguez, Jorge Rodriguez (Head custodian), and Gregorio Moreno. Perez Elementary: Top row L-R: Francisco Cabriales, Mario Martinez; Head Custodian, & Mr. Aguirre, Handy Man. 1st. row L-R: Ana Rivera, Leticia Morales & Maria Morales.

Fasken and Perez Elementaries Schools Custodial staff garnered an excellent award for their schools. Together, and working a very efficient team they were given the “Cleanest School Award.”