Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

Education is of keen interest to me and is one of my top priorities. Therefore, I have asked that an in-depth parent’s handbook be prepared which will be distributed to parents through the School Liaison Officer. Every question that a parent may have will be answered in this handbook or a point of contact will be given for more information. Most school districts in the area have magnet and specialized programs tailored to meet students’ interests in a particular career path, and in preparation for attending college, business or technical school.

Superintendents of most districts in El Paso and surrounding areas meet regularly with me and my staff to work on issues that are of interest and concern to students transferring in and out of local schools. The following is a short excerpted summary from the handbook about various schools in the area.

The El Paso, Ysleta and Socorro Independent School Districts offer a wide variety of schools and school programs; their belief is to provide students with meaningful, multi-faceted instruction and to prepare them to make positive choices for themselves and their community.

The El Paso Independent School District is the largest school district in the El Paso area with 62,229 students and more than 90 campuses that stretch from west El Paso to the northeast, central and east areas of the city. EPISD is the district which has the most military-connected students in attendance. EPISD follows a traditional school-year calendar. The mission of the EPISD is to meet the diverse needs of all students and empower them to become successful members of a global community. Some positive developments in the district include:

• New Police Drop-In Center opens at Austin High School.

• Roosevelt principal honored by state educators.

• Guillen Middle School is in the know with Dell Tech Know

• Bowie High School Academy for International Business and Public Affairs Magnet Program is located in South El Paso and was built on 65 acres of land, the Rio Grande’s Cordova Island, formerly in Mexico.
Ysleta Independendent School District is the second largest school district in the El Paso area with 42,579 students and more than 60 campuses that stretch from northeast El Paso to the east and southeast areas of the city. YISD has established an open enrollment policy that allows them to open their doors to students from neighboring districts. YISD follows a traditional school-year calendar. Their mission for all students who enroll in district schools is that they will graduate from high school, fluent in two or more languages, prepared and inspired to continue their education in a four year college, university or institution of higher education so that they become successful citizens in their community.

• In 1998 Ysleta ISD became the first urban school district anywhere in the state to be named a recognized district for student performance on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills test. Year in and year out, YISD students continue to build on this achievement.

• Eight district schools have been named national blue ribbon schools while seven others are national Title One Distinguished Campuses.

• Top Texas Math Teacher of the Year, Riverside High School.

• Don Quixote Language School National Winner, Alicia Chacon School.

Socorro Independent School District is the third largest district in the El Paso area with over 30,000 students and 33 campuses. SISD is one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas. It covers 136 square miles stretching north to the Texas/New Mexico state line and south to the Rio Grande at the United States/Mexico border. SISD operates under a modified 45 – 15 year-round calendar. The SISD exists to maximize our children’s academic, artistic, athletic and social skills.

• The Socorro ISD has had seven national and Texas Blue Ribbon Schools.

• 82 percent of 2004 SISD high-school graduates surveyed plan to attend college.

• In the Spring 2004, an average of 23 percent of students taking the SAT exam scored above the national average.

• In 2004, 36 percent of students scored at or above the national level for the ACT exam.

• In 2004, more than $5.3 million in scholarships was awarded to the SISD graduates.

Clint Independent School District is a fast-growing district encompassing a diverse geographical area of 379.9 square miles within the Upper Rio Grande border region. CISD is 25 miles east of El Paso. The eastern El Paso area is one of the fastest developing areas in the county. CISD follows a traditional school year calendar.

The mission of the CISD is to prepare all students to be successful citizens. The district will work in
partnership with the community and the family to create opportunities for the student to maximize personal potential.

Other El Paso area school districts include Anthony, Canutillo, Fabens, San Elizario and Tornillo. There are also charter schools, private schools and home schooling in Texas is accredited by the Teachers Education Association. All districts have winning programs and student achievers that are well prepared by their districts to attend institutions of higher learning.

I believe education is the most important factor in preparing students for a successful future. Parents, educators, community leaders, individuals and the military here in this area are working together to make sure they work as a team. Their goal is to do everything possible to ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their goals. Information and communication is the key to making our schools the learning institutions they can be for future generations.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	April 7, 2005

	Troop Talk Education is of keen interest to me and is one of my top priorities. Therefore, I have asked that an in-depth parent’s handbook be prepared which will be distributed to parents through the School Liaison Officer. Every question that a parent may have will be answered in this handbook or a point of contact will be given for more information. Most school districts in the area have magnet and specialized programs tailored to meet students’ interests in a particular career path, and in preparation for attending college, business or technical school. Superintendents of most districts in El Paso and surrounding areas meet regularly with me and my staff to work on issues that are of interest and concern to students transferring in and out of local schools. The following is a short excerpted summary from the handbook about various schools in the area. The El Paso, Ysleta and Socorro Independent School Districts offer a wide variety of schools and school programs; their belief is to provide students with meaningful, multi-faceted instruction and to prepare them to make positive choices for themselves and their community. The El Paso Independent School District is the largest school district in the El Paso area with 62,229 students and more than 90 campuses that stretch from west El Paso to the northeast, central and east areas of the city. EPISD is the district which has the most military-connected students in attendance. EPISD follows a traditional school-year calendar. The mission of the EPISD is to meet the diverse needs of all students and empower them to become successful members of a global community. Some positive developments in the district include: • New Police Drop-In Center opens at Austin High School. • Roosevelt principal honored by state educators. • Guillen Middle School is in the know with Dell Tech Know • Bowie High School Academy for International Business and Public Affairs Magnet Program is located in South El Paso and was built on 65 acres of land, the Rio Grande’s Cordova Island, formerly in Mexico. Ysleta Independendent School District is the second largest school district in the El Paso area with 42,579 students and more than 60 campuses that stretch from northeast El Paso to the east and southeast areas of the city. YISD has established an open enrollment policy that allows them to open their doors to students from neighboring districts. YISD follows a traditional school-year calendar. Their mission for all students who enroll in district schools is that they will graduate from high school, fluent in two or more languages, prepared and inspired to continue their education in a four year college, university or institution of higher education so that they become successful citizens in their community. • In 1998 Ysleta ISD became the first urban school district anywhere in the state to be named a recognized district for student performance on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills test. Year in and year out, YISD students continue to build on this achievement. • Eight district schools have been named national blue ribbon schools while seven others are national Title One Distinguished Campuses. • Top Texas Math Teacher of the Year, Riverside High School. • Don Quixote Language School National Winner, Alicia Chacon School. Socorro Independent School District is the third largest district in the El Paso area with over 30,000 students and 33 campuses. SISD is one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas. It covers 136 square miles stretching north to the Texas/New Mexico state line and south to the Rio Grande at the United States/Mexico border. SISD operates under a modified 45 – 15 year-round calendar. The SISD exists to maximize our children’s academic, artistic, athletic and social skills. • The Socorro ISD has had seven national and Texas Blue Ribbon Schools. • 82 percent of 2004 SISD high-school graduates surveyed plan to attend college. • In the Spring 2004, an average of 23 percent of students taking the SAT exam scored above the national average. • In 2004, 36 percent of students scored at or above the national level for the ACT exam. • In 2004, more than $5.3 million in scholarships was awarded to the SISD graduates. Clint Independent School District is a fast-growing district encompassing a diverse geographical area of 379.9 square miles within the Upper Rio Grande border region. CISD is 25 miles east of El Paso. The eastern El Paso area is one of the fastest developing areas in the county. CISD follows a traditional school year calendar. The mission of the CISD is to prepare all students to be successful citizens. The district will work in partnership with the community and the family to create opportunities for the student to maximize personal potential. Other El Paso area school districts include Anthony, Canutillo, Fabens, San Elizario and Tornillo. There are also charter schools, private schools and home schooling in Texas is accredited by the Teachers Education Association. All districts have winning programs and student achievers that are well prepared by their districts to attend institutions of higher learning. I believe education is the most important factor in preparing students for a successful future. Parents, educators, community leaders, individuals and the military here in this area are working together to make sure they work as a team. Their goal is to do everything possible to ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their goals. Information and communication is the key to making our schools the learning institutions they can be for future generations. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane Fort Bliss Commanding General