Whitehouse ISD Families,   September always seems to fly by, and it’s been a busy month across our district. From classrooms to athletic fields to community activities, our students are working hard and making us proud. It’s been encouraging to see their energy and focus as we settle deeper into the school year. This month is Attendance Awareness Month, and it’s a good reminder of how much being at school each day matters. Over the years, I’ve learned that perseverance and consistency are some of the strongest predictors of long-term success. Every day in class gives our students the chance to learn, grow, and stay on track for the future. Thank you for making daily attendance a priority for your family — those habits today will pay off down the road.

Another key part of student success is knowing that school is a safe and supportive place to learn. Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our students and staff. School safety is not just about locked doors or drills. It is a culture built on preparation, relationships, and trust. 

One of the most important ways families can help is by talking with your children about being mindful of what they say and do, especially online. Even a joke about a threat carries serious consequences, both at school and beyond. The Texas School Safety Center has a short video called “Threats Are No Joke!” that shows how quickly things can escalate — watch it here.

Continuous Improvement

Safety is never “done.” We review our plans after drills and real events, update procedures, improve communication, and invest in training. Your feedback helps. If you have suggestions or questions, please reach out to your campus principal or to my office. We’ll listen.

We’re quickly approaching the end of the first nine weeks of school. The grading period ends October 9, and the new grading period begins October 14. Report cards will be available in Skyward Portfolio on October 16. Students will enjoy a day off on October 10 for staff development, and October 13 is a holiday for everyone. Don’t forget you can always monitor your student’s grades and even set up alerts in Skyward Family Access.

School Funding Election Update

When it comes to supporting our schools, our Board of Trustees has always looked to our families and community for input. With this commitment in mind, the Trustees voted to place a School Funding Election on the November ballot. If approved, the funding will help us keep teacher pay competitive, maintain smaller class sizes, expand academic and job training opportunities, and strengthen campus safety. It will also help offset inflation and reduced state funding. Early voting begins Monday, October 20.

To learn more about what this election means for Whitehouse ISD, please visit our School Funding Election website.

We’ll also be hosting community town hall meetings where you can ask questions, share your thoughts, and learn more about the election’s impact on our schools:

• Tuesday, October 14: 8:15 AM - 9:15 AM at the Education Support Center

• Wednesday, October 15: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Education Support Center

Retired Educators Breakfast

September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with ties to Latin America and Spain. We are proud to recognize and celebrate the positive impact our students and educators of Hispanic heritage have on the Whitehouse community.

Supporting Communication at Home

Texas A&M University offers a program called Coach to Communicate for parents of children on the autism spectrum. It provides webinars and one-on-one coaching to help families use strategies that strengthen social and communication skills, with many parents reporting lasting improvements at home and at school. To learn more or apply, visit the Coach to Communicate website.