More than 400 future kindergarten students from across the district and their families celebrated the start of an exciting new chapter during United Independent School District's second annual Kinder Signing Day.

Inspired by the tradition of student-athletes signing with collegiate teams, the event gave incoming kindergarten students the chance to take center stage, receive a clear UISD backpack and sign an official kindergarten certificate alongside their elementary school principal. 

Photo stations, colorful decorations, themed backdrops and appearances by our Longhorn, Wolve, Panther and Bulldog UISD highschool mascots created a festive atmosphere that helped families capture a milestone they will cherish for years to come.

"The moment you step in the door, everyone is welcoming, everyone is smiling, and the staff is excited," said Mark Chavez, whose daughter will attend Salinas Elementary School. "This is something great for them. School should be considered fun."

One of Chavez's favorite moments was watching his daughter prepare to sign her certificate with the event's oversized pencil.

"I told mija, 'Are you ready to sign with that big pencil?'" he said. "I think it's something memorable. I took a lot of pictures, and this is something that is going to be recorded for the rest of their lives."

Mark’s daughter smiling from ear to ear as she posed with Snargg, the iReady mascot.

The excitement was just as evident from the district's newest students.

"I did my name and I take a picture," said one future Borchers Elementary School student with a smile. She added that she was excited to leave her "little school" behind and start kindergarten at Borchers Elementary.

Future kindergartener Alexandra Cisneros was already looking forward to what lies ahead.

"I'm going to make new friends," Alexandra said.

For Daniel Hermosillo, Kinder Signing Day represented much more than a celebration. It marked the beginning of his son's educational journey and reinforced the importance UISD places on welcoming families from day one.

After watching relatives participate in last year's inaugural event, Hermosillo said his family eagerly anticipated the day when his son would have the same opportunity.

"Desde el año pasado que lo vimos con otros familiares que vinieron, nos emocionamos mucho porque sabíamos que mi niño iba a poder cruzar por eso," Hermosillo said. "Estamos muy agradecidos con el distrito y con toda la administración por hacernos sentir muy especiales."

He said events like Kinder Signing Day inspire both students and parents while underscoring the value of education.

"Eventos de esta magnitud realmente motivan a las familias y a los niños," Hermosillo added. "La educación es lo más importante que les podemos dejar a nuestros niños, y agradecemos muchísimo que el distrito la enfoque de esa manera."

Rebecca Coss-Morales, Associate Superintendent for District Administration and Student Services, said Kinder Signing Day has quickly become one of the district's most anticipated traditions because it helps students and families feel connected before the first day of school.

"This is one of our most exciting events to start the school year," Coss-Morales said. "It is a momentous occasion that we want to celebrate and make available to our parents, families and students who are starting kindergarten with us."

She said the event helps ease first-day jitters by giving students and families the opportunity to meet campus administrators and become familiar with the people who will welcome them on the first day of school.

"For many of our students, this is the first time their parents are letting them go to the 'big school,' as they say," said Coss-Morales. "We want to make sure they feel comfortable, that they feel safe and that they know some of the familiar faces they are going to be seeing as we welcome them to the UISD family."

She added that every child deserves to begin school knowing they belong.

"We want them to know that we are happy they are here and that we are going to do everything in our power to make sure their children receive the best education possible and all the support they need to thrive."

With more than 400 students participating, the second annual Kinder Signing Day once again demonstrated UISD's commitment to celebrating every child's first step into public education, creating memories that will last a lifetime while welcoming the Class of 2039 into the UISD family.