Making and reinforcing strong connections!

San Benito Consolidated Independent School District

Our MissionThe mission of the San Benito CISD is to provide a premier education for all students, through a positive and safe learning environment, so that its graduates are college, career, and workforce ready.

Our VisionThe vision of San Benito CISD is to be the gold standard in all areas of public education.

Congratulations, staff & students!

Motivationa

l

Minute!

Congratulation to the following campuses for having been presented with “Certificates of Excellence” from the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees for their 2017 State Accountability Distinctions as indicated on the Texas Education Agency’s 2017 Accountability Report:

Dr. C.M. Cash Elementary ê 6 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Academic Achievement in Mathematics• Academic Achievement in Science• Top 25 Percent Student Progress• Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gaps• Postsecondary Readiness

Ed Downs Elementary ê 5 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Academic Achievement in Mathematics• Academic Achievement in Science• Top 25 Percent Student Progress• Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gaps

Rangerville Elementary ê 4 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Academic Achievement in Mathematics• Top 25 Percent Student Progress• Postsecondary Readiness

Judge Oscar De La Fuente Elementary ê 3 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gaps• Postsecondary Readiness

Sullivan Elementary ê 3 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Academic Achievement in Science• Top 25 Percent Student Progress

La Encantada Elementary ê 1 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in Science

San Benito Riverside Middle School ê 1 out of 7 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in Science

San Benito Veterans Memorial Academy ê 4 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Academic Achievement in Mathematics• Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gaps• Postsecondary Readiness

August 2017

San Benito CISD Board of Trustees for their 2017 State Accountability Distinctions as indicated on the Texas Congratulation to the following campuses for having been presented with “Certificates of Excellence” from the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees for their 2017 State Accountability Distinctions as indicated on the Texas

• Top 25 Percent Student Progress• Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gaps• Postsecondary Readiness

Ed Downs Elementary ê 5 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Academic Achievement in Mathematics• Academic Achievement in Science• Top 25 Percent Student Progress• Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gaps

Rangerville Elementary ê 4 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Academic Achievement in Mathematics• Top 25 Percent Student Progress• Postsecondary Readiness

Judge Oscar De La Fuente Elementary ê 3 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gaps• Postsecondary Readiness

Sullivan Elementary ê 3 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading• Academic Achievement in Science• Top 25 Percent Student Progress

La Encantada Elementary ê 1 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in Science

San Benito Riverside Middle School ê 1 out of 7 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in Science

San Benito Veterans Memorial Academy ê 4 out of 6 Distinctions• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading

Naviance LoginSchool Family Connection

Re-Imagine 2021 Strategic PlanDetails and Updates

TxEISEmployee Access Login

Eduphoria!Login to Eduphoria!

The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its employment practices in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. • Es norma del Distrito Escolar de San Benito no discriminar por motivos de raza, religión, color, origen nacional, sexo, impedimento o edad, en sus procedimientos de empleo, tal como lo requieren el Titulo VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; el Titulo IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación de 1972; la Ley de Discriminación por Edad de 1975, según enmienda; y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.

SAN BENITO CISD EDUCATION CONNECTION

“Education Connection” is a news-centered publication produced by the SBCISD Communications Department for both district personnel and the general community. It highlights district students, staff, schools, departments, and programs. It also serves to disseminate general education news.

THE CONNECTION TEAM

Editors:Isabel C. GonzálezCelia Longoria

Contributing Writers:Isabel C. GonzálezCelia Longoria

Photographers:Alondra CardozaDavid CortezIsabel C. GonzálezCelia LongoriaDulce QuirozJose Ramos

Layout Design:Alondra CardozaSergio GarciaIsabel C. GonzálezDulce Quiroz

SHARE YOUR NEWS

News items for this publication should be submitted to the Communications Department via electronic mail to the following:clongoria@sbcisd.net or icgonzalez@sbcisd.net.

San Benito CISD@sbcisd

@SanBenitoCISD

sanbenito.cisd

View KSBG TV programming on YouTube and LiveStream.

DAY DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME

Friday Sept. 1 Laredo United “FB Parents’ Night” Home 7:30 PMFriday Sept. 8 San Antonio East Central Away 7:30 PMFriday Sept. 15 McAllen Memorial Away 7:30 PMFriday Sept. 22 OPENFriday Sept. 29 Los Fresnos * “Band Parents’ Night” Home 7:30 PMFriday Oct. 6 Weslaco East * Away 7:30 PMFriday Oct. 13 Brownsville Rivera * Away 7:30 PMFriday Oct. 20 Harlingen South * “Homecoming” Home 7:30 PMSaturday Oct. 28 Brownsville Hanna * Away 7:00 PMFriday Nov. 3 Weslaco High * “MS FB Recognition Night” Home 7:30 PMFriday Nov. 10 Harlingen High * Home 7:30 PM* Denotes District Games Updated 08/17/2017

SAN BENITO GREYHOUND2017 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

MEET THE GREYHOUNDS! 2017

News Briefs & Upcoming Events

School supplies available for migrant studentsThe San Benito CISD Migrant Education Program (MEP) began distributing basic school supplies to local migrant students on Monday,

August 28. In order to receive school supplies, migrant students must meet eligibility guidelines for MEP services.Supplies will be distributed Monday through Friday, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM from August 28 through September 1 at the

Migrant Department Office, located at 600 N. Austin Street. The distribution will continue throughout the 2017-2018 academic year, based on the availability of supplies.

Local MEP initiatives are aimed at helping migrant students succeed in school and successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment. For additional information, please contact Rick Hernandez, Migrant Program Coordinator, at (956) 361-6136.

Cultural Pow Wow set for September 23 at VMASan Benito’s Native American Cultural Pow-Wow 2017 will be held on Saturday, September 23, at San Benito Veterans Memorial

Academy beginning at 10:00 AM.Admission is free of charge for the colorful and action-packed event sponsored by the Texas Heritage Independence Celebration

Association (THICA). The event is designed to preserve and create a greater awareness of the Native American culture in the City of San Benito and throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

For more details, please call THICA President Bruce Kidd at (956) 873-2959, Fred Garza at (956) 215-6980, Ruben Cordova at (956) 793-2357, or Anabeth Molina-Cordova at (956) 821-7402. For additional information, you may also go to the San Benito Pow-Wow (@sb.pow.wow) Facebook page or the THICA’s website, happybirthdaytexas.com.

Trustees approve revised school calendarOn August 8, 2017, the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees approved a revision to the 2017/2018 school calendar in order to comply

with the requirements of TX House Bill 441, which prohibits Texas public school districts from requiring students to attend classes on Memorial Day.

The Board-approved holiday changes to the calendar are the following: Memorial Day – which falls on Monday, May 28, 2018 – is now a holiday, and the previously approved Columbus Day holiday – which falls on Monday, October 9, 2017 – is now a full instructional day.

The revised calendar also reflects changes made by the Texas Education Agency on June 28, 2017, to the state testing calendar.For a full-size rendition of the Board-approved revised calendar, click on the following SBCISD website link:

http://www.sbcisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/School_Calendar1718_revised.pdf.

The San Benito CISD Family and Community Engagement Department will proudly open district parent centers on Monday, September 11. The staff includes, Front form left, Rosemary Delgado, Zulema Cavazos, Elizabeth Medina, Mary Longoria, Lupita Cervantes, Dalia Cantu; middle, Luis Gonzales, Brittany Castillo, Frances Gonzalez, Nellie Chirinos, Rose Limon, Norma Padilla, Frances Garcia; back, Ymelda Sanchez, Denisse Castillo, Daniela Garcia, Imelda Niño, Felix Almaraz, Juan Hernandez, and Mario Aguirre. Staff member not pictured include Adriana Guerra, Ben Gomez, Gina Moreno, and Jane Gil.

SBCISD parent centers scheduled to open September 11The San Benito CISD Family and Community Engagement Department is excited to begin the new academic year.In October, the parent-centered department’s name will officially transition from the Parental Involvement Department to the Family

and Community Engagement Department in order to align with the federal requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) signed into law on December 10, 2015.

“The 2017-2018 school will be an exciting year of transition for the school district and for the Parental Involvement Department,” said Parental Engagement Coordinator Luis D. Gonzales, Jr.

“The Family and Community Engagement designation will better recognize the invaluable contribution of parents and family members of San Benito CISD students and of our dedicated community volunteers,” he added.

Beginning on Monday, September 11, the campus parent centers will be open from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM according to the following districtwide schedule:

Monday:

• Ed Downs Elementary,• Frank Roberts Elementary,• Landrum Elementary, and• San Benito High School;

Tuesday:

• Dr. C.M. Cash Elementary,• Dr. Raul Garza, Jr. Elementary,• Fred Booth Elementary,• La Encantada Elementary, and• Sullivan Elementary;

Wednesday:

• Angela G. Leal Elementary,• La Paloma Elementary,• Judge Oscar De La Fuente Elementary,• Rangerville Elementary, and• San Benito Veterans Memorial Academy;

Thursday:

• Berta Cabaza Middle School,• Miller Jordan Middle School,• San Benito Riverside Middle School,• Joe Callandret Positive Redirection Center, and• Gateway to Graduation Academy.

Gonzales cordially invites and encourages all family and community members to participate in campus parent center activities as well as to attend districtwide events throughout the school year.

“Volunteer opportunities are available at all SBCISD campus parent centers,” he explains.For additional information, please contact the Family and Community Engagement Department at (956) 361-6310.

Congratulations, Chief Garcia!San Benito CISD Chief of Police Santiago “S.R.” Garcia, right,

is congratulated by Donna Garcia, Director of Texas Police Chief Leadership Series, part of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. This specialized training is provided by the Criminal Justice Center of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

All Texas police chiefs must attend a 40-hour training every two years in order to maintain their police officer's license. This past July, about 200 police chiefs from all over Texas gathered in San Antonio for their required training.

Chief Garcia was recognized for having the most years (over 48 years) as a police officer. He received a 30 year anniversary medal from the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. Having started his career in law enforcement on April 17, 1969, with the Harlingen Police Department and fresh out of the Marine Corps, Chief Garcia received a standing ovation from his fellow chiefs.

Teach for America ... One Day, All Children

San Benito CISD partnered with Teach For America, serving as one of the districts from across the entire United States invited to participate in the Accelerate Fellowship Program.

Shown alongside Director of Curriculum Development Julie Treviño (center) are the six TFA students – Calvin Anderson, Sabrina Hernandez, Shreya Mohan, Nicole Piña, Alexander Rodriguez, Carli Stuart – that, for 6 days, worked on project-based learning plans to be used in the district’s proposed Migrant Go Center.

TFA is a nonprofit organization that aims to recruit and select college graduates from top universities around the United States to commit to serve as teachers for at least two years in a low-income TFA community.

Teamwork makes a difference!Not only have Transportation Department team members been

preparing their school buses for the new school year, they have also stayed busy participating in team building activities designed to highlight the importance of teamwork and trust.

Recently, department personnel participated in a “Hungry Hungry Hippos” game activity during which they were able to sharpen their teamwork skills and have fun in the process.

Transportation team prepares for the new school year

The Transportation Department, under Director of Transportation Erica Flores, has stayed busy attending training sessions and participating in various activities in preparation for the new school year.

Department personnel have stayed active with the following activities and events:

• 70 hours of training planned and executed for drivers or 2 weeks of training August 14-18, 21-25th, training in the classroom and hands-on.

• Positive Culture – team spent time participating in team building activities in effort to build team rapport, trust, synergy, and camaraderie.

• “Bus Route Dry Runs” – 2 weeks before school started, drivers drove their assigned routes to practice actual bus stops as if it were the actual school day.

• “Texas School Bus Driver Responsibility” training with the Department of Public Safety, Lieutenant Johnny Hernandez.

• “Depression, suicide, bullying, abuse” – drivers learned how to recognize these signs after hearing presentations by Department of Public Safety and trainings by Fidela Hinojosa of Region One.

• “Driver Health and Nutrition” by Texas A & M AgriLife Extension - Oscar Zamora (program consist of 12 hours or 8 modules training).

• New uniforms to give a “Professional Bus Driver” appearance.• “NOT ON MY BUS, BULLY FREE ZONE” stickers placed on the school buses to

serve as a reminder that bullying will not be allowed.• Transportation Team participated at registration events at each campus, assisting

parents and answering questions.• “WHAT’S YOUR PURPOSE” training – teaching drivers the purpose and value of

their job aligned to district mission statement of providing a safe learning environment.

• Emergency Response Team - ERT, new team where designated transportation team members are assigned and trained to respond to bus collision sites to assist driver, students, parents, and law enforcement personnel.

Proud supporters, family, and friends of the San Benito High School Mighty Greyhound Marching Band gathered at Bobby Morrow Stadium on the evening of Thursday, August 24, to witness the award-winning band's 2017 Summer Showcase. The community is in for an amazing performance once the marching band’s 2017 show, “The Grid," is fine-tuned and presented in its entirety!

THANK YOU to absolutely everyone that attended the showcase and, especially, to those who proudly participated on the field with members of our marching band for a sample of the show!

San Benito High School

GREYHOUND MARCHING BAND

Coffee with SBCISD Board President Michael A. Vargas!San Benito Chamber of Commerce officials and business leaders heard a “Coffee with ...” session featuring San Benito CISD Board President Michael A. Vargas, who provided an overview on the school district’s status. Vargas was accompanied by Acting Superintendent Hilda G. Rendon (fourth from left) and Director of Public Relations Celia Longoria (fourth from right).

San Benito welcomes new superintendentAfter a special board meeting on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, San Benito

CISD Trustees congratulated the district’s newly-hired Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nate Carman, welcoming him to the district.

Dr. Carman officially begins his duties as the district’s top leader on Monday, September 4, and has already begun visiting campuses throughout the district.

During a regular board meeting on Tuesday, August 8, Trustees had named Carman as the lone finalist; however, the state required a 21-day waiting period before the district could offer him a contract for employment.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Nate Carman to the San Benito CISD family and community. The most important responsibility a school board member is tasked with is the selection of its superintendent, so I’m glad our most recent selection process was executed thoroughly and with integrity,” said Board President Michael A. Vargas.

Vargas spoke about what the future holds for San Benito and how Dr. Carman’s background will enhance the existing plans that are already in place.

“San Benito CISD is in the middle of unprecedented growth, progress and opportunity as we enter year two of the Five-Year Strategic Plan and Re-Imagine 2021 Campaign, and we look forward to Dr. Carman’s background in Curriculum and Instruction and to his contributions to education and our future successes in San Benito. He will indeed help us to continue in honoring our gold standard mandate in all areas of public education.”

Carman has been serving as the superintendent at Teague ISD since 2013. During Dr. Carman’s tenure, TISD increased student achievement as evidenced by the improvement on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), most recently achieving at or above the state level on 17 or 22 (77%) of state assessments.

Under Carman’s leadership, TISD has consistently increased the number of students taking advanced placement courses over the past four years through both dual credit and advanced placement courses in an effort to prepare more students to be college and career ready upon graduation.

“I am proud to be given the opportunity to lead San Benito CISD, a school district committed to providing a premier education for all students, through a positive and safe learning environment, so that its graduates are college, career and workforce ready. I am dedicated to putting students first and I look forward to the challenge to ensure San Benito CISD becomes the gold standard in all areas of public education,” said Carman in a statement issued shortly after being named the lone finalist.

Carman has been recognized throughout his career for improving student achievement. He has been instrumental in implementing measures that have led to increased passing rates and higher achievement scores.

Carman previously served as the assistant superintendent of Pine Tree ISD in Longview.

His professional experience includes both curriculum-related and administrative roles at Grand Prairie ISD, Wilmer-Hutchins ISD, and Lewisville ISD. He also has teaching and coaching experience at the junior high and high school levels.

Welcome, Dr. Carman!Welcome to San Benito, Dr. Carman!Board Trustees, from left, Vice-President Angel Mendez, President Michael A. Vargas, Secretary M.L. Garcia, Orlando López, and Victor Eloy Rosas stand alongside Dr. Nate Carman (third from left) after formally offer him a contract for employment.

Dr. Nate Carman

Dr. C.M. Cash Elementary!

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing.

Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well

you do it.”

Lou Holtz,American football player,

coach & analyst

Back-to-School Convocation 2017

Unveiling of New District Logo & Renovated Board Room

Professional Development 2017