Here are some of the most common "How do I..." questions we get about SISD. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   and we'll get you the information you need.

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Answer: To view your child's grades online, make sure you have registered for a username and password to log in to the e-HAC system. Once you have received that information, visit the e-HAC page.

Answer: Transfers are allowed in SISD. Please view our Student Transfers page to review the transfer process and details.

Answer: Each campus creates and maintains its own policy on parents eating lunch with their children. If you want to eat lunch with your child, please contact the main office at your child's campus to find out if their policy allows you to do so. To find the number to your child's campus, visit our Directory.

Answer: The following table contains all 2009-2010 meal prices for meals served here at SISD:

Answer: Students are not allowed to carry medications or to self-administer their medications on the campus except under certain circumstances (Asthma inhalers, EpiPens); consult with the school nurse for more information. If your child is required to take prescribed medication during school hours, you and the medical practitioner must sign a completed permission form that is available at the school nurse’s office. Consult with the school nurse about the “Practitioner’s Written Order/Parent Consent” form that requires a practitioner’s signature if there is not a signed written practitioner’s order for the medication. Medications from Mexico cannot be administered. Only medication, in its original container and properly labeled and prescribed by a practitioner licensed to practice in the state of Texas, will be administered. The school nurse shall return unused medication only to the parent/legal guardian.

Answer: If your child missed the bus, you should immediately contact the main transportation office at 937.0600 to inform them. Depending on the timing and location of your child's bus, your child will be picked up either right away or after their bus has run its entire route. To make sure that this does not happen to you though, we recommend being at your respective bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to your pick up time.

Answer: During your child's registration process, an emergency contact form is presented for you to fill out. There is a place on this form to list alternate people who are able to pick up your child from school. Anyone of these people can pick up your child as long as they present a valid picture ID of themselves. To allow someone who is not on this list to pick your child up, you MUST make prior arrangements with the schools front office before the pick up time.

Answer: To qualify for a teacher position you must either:

• Be Texas certified in the field you are applying for or;
• You must present a letter from an alternative certification program and
  • If you are applying for a generalist position in grades PK - 8, you must pass the content exam respective to the grade group you are applying for.
  • If you are applying for a secondary position, you must have 24 college semester hours in the subject area you are applying for with 12 of those hours being upper division courses if you have not taken the TExES exam for the subject area.

Answer: To become a substitute teacher with SISD, you must have completed 45 college semester hours. If you meet this qualification, visit our Jobs@SISD site to apply.

Answer: The holiday and vacation schedule is decided before the beginning of each school year.  The complete catalog of SISD calendars are posted on our 'SISD Calendars' page.

Answer: To schedule a parent/teacher conference, contact the front office of your child's campus. You will then be directed to the person who will set up a conference with your child's teacher. Please visit our directory page to find the phone number to your child's school.

Answer: The report card schedule for the 07-08 school year is as follows:

Answer: The campus which you graduated from retains the transcripts of all of the students who have graduated from the school 5 years prior to the current date and after. You can request a transcript from the campus if the year you graduated falls within this time period. If it has been more than 5 years since you have graduated, visit the District Service Center and fill out a request for information form and submit it to the Human Resources Dept.

Answer: Yes, all SISD schools maintain their own website.  You can visit the sites by accessing their direct links through our 'Schools' page.  Once on the page, choose one of the directories and follow the links the official school website.

Answer: Umbrellas are not allowed for football games, band competitions, and graduations. They may be allowed for use during track meets and soccer games if they do not block the view of other spectators.

Answer: Ice chests and outside food are not allowed to be brought into the stadium during football games and band competitions.

Answer: Varsity Football tickets are sold at the high school involved the week of the game through lunch time on the day of the game. Pre-game tickets are: $4.00 for Adults and $2.00 for Students. Tickets can be purchased at the gate the day of the game for: $5.00 for Adults and $3.00 for Students.

Answer: No, tickets are not sold in the office. They have to be purchased either at the school involved or at the gate.

Answer: Spiked heels, bubble gum, sunflower seeds, shelled nuts, chewing tobacco and silly string are not permitted on track or field.

Answer: The stadium is located right off Joe Battle Blvd., between Rojas and Pelicano.

Answer: No, spectators are not allowed on the field for safety reasons.

Answer: The SAC offices are located on the north side of the stadium under the flag poles.

Answer: The Athletic Department, Fine Arts Department, Bilingual Department, Police Services, Security Department, Attendance Officers, and the Aquatic Center are located at the SAC.

Answer: These offices are open from 8:00am through 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Answer: Please contact the Aquatic Center at (915) 937.0544 for seasonal operational hours and fees.

Answer: If you are interested in renting the stadium, you contact Paula Gonzalez, SISD Athletic Director, at (915) 937.0506. If you are interested in renting the Aquatic Center you contact Jaime Escalera, Aquatics Technician at (915) 937.0546.

Answer: We offer classes at various sites in the District. Please see “schedule of classes and sites” located on our website.

Answer: For daytime classes and Family Literacy, you should register at the Community Education Office at 313 S. Rio Vista. For our evening classes, you should register at the site you would be attending. See “registration dates and sites” located on our website. You will need some type of identification, preferably a driver’s license or a picture ID and if you have a social security number, your card. If possible, please bring a copy of your ID and social security card.

Answer: English as a Second Language(ESL), Beginning, Intermediate, and Advance levels and English and Spanish GED classes. Computer classes are available to the community Monday through Friday from 12:45 pm to 2:45 pm. Morning classes are reserved for students enrolled in our ESL classes.

Answer: e-HAC is a web-based Student System that allows parents, guardians, and students to view information:

Answer: In order to access e-HAC, the following items are required:

Answer: Socorro Independent School District uses Security Socket Layer (SSL Certificate) to encrypt data transmitted to and from your computer.  Parents, guardians, and students will have the responsibility to ensure that their user name and password are kept secure at all times. The ability to change a password anytime is available through e-HAC.

Answer:
At the Home Access-Login page

Answer: SISD provides you a rich and competitive benefits package that is among the very best in the region. SISD provides a choice of three different medical plan options to meet the varied needs of our employees and their families along with Group Life insurance that is at no cost to eligible employees. You may select Medical coverage for your dependents, and other voluntary options that best meet your needs such as Dental, Vision, Disability and Supplemental Life insurance. SISD also provides the opportunity to participate in the 403B Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan and a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. In addition there are many programs and privileges that you can participate in such as EP Fitness membership discount, and other free Health/Wellness programs.

Answer: Our Benefits package is a total compensation cost of approximately $6000 per employee.

Answer: The Employee Benefits Office is here to help you with any benefit question or concern. Please contact (915) 937.0000 and ask for the Employee Benefits Dept. for more information.

Answer: The internet is replete with resources for every topic imaginable. The Instructional Technology website  gathers many of these resources for use in the following locations

Answer: Socorro ISD takes every precaution possible in safeguarding our students while using district equipment to access online content. However, it is also the responsibility of parents and their children to become familiar with and follow the guidelines set forth in the Acceptable Use Policy.

Answer: There are several classes that are provided by the Community Education Services department as well as by the SOCRATES and Dream Machine. Additionally, each campus instructional technologist may provide classes for the community members. Information on the classes they provide will be distributed through the schools.

Answer: The Excellence in Technology Awards is a district-level competition in which the outstanding technology-based work done by the district’s students is showcased. The work must be sponsored and submitted by a teacher with whom the student is enrolled. Campus instructional technologists can provide additional information.

Answer: SISD is a public entity. Your application is considered a public document and is subject to disclosure, upon request, whether you apply with a paper document or through the on-line process. Applications for teaching positions are available to principals to review as vacancies occur. You may be asked to provide your social security number as part of the employment process with the Socorro Independent School District. In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 USC 552(a), disclosure of your social security number is optional except for purposes of receiving wages; however, failure to provide it may result in processing delays if we have multiple applicants with the same or similar names.

Should you elect to disclose your social security number for reasons other than receiving wages and withholding taxes, Socorro ISD would utilize your social security number for the following reasons: (1) Submission for the purposes of performing mandatory criminal background checks; (2) submission to the Texas State Board for Educator Certification for purposes of determining your professional status or other licensure status. Should the Socorro ISD require your social security number for any other purpose not listed above, we will obtain your consent before utilizing your social security number.

Answer: If you do not find the right information to select for your certification or school major, leave the field blank and fill in the information as it appears on your certificate and / or transcript in the appropriate box.

Answer: If you have taught for one (1) full year, you do not have to enter your student teaching experience.

Answer: All professional applications remain active for one (1) full year. You may keep your file active by updating your information. Go to the online application and select the ‘already applied’ link. Enter your user ID and password. If you have forgotten your password, click on your password hint and follow the directions on the page. If you continue to have difficulty, call the Human Resources Office (915) 937.0000.

Answer: Yes, you may submit as many letters of interest with a resume as you wish for posted positions. However, only one application is required.

Answer:
1. Documentation of Education (as required by the position)
    a. Official College and/or University transcripts that show all degrees earned.
2. State Driver License
3. Social Security Card
4. Professional Licensure/ Certificates
5. Police Department Background Check/County Sheriff’s Background Check forms (If you are an out-of-state applicant, use these)

Answer:
1. Hand-carry any pending documents required to complete application
2. Check website www.sisd.net for current vacancies
3. Contact campuses administrators who have the vacancy you are interested in and certified to teach.
4. Campus administrators will make contact in order to schedule you for an interview

Answer: SISD pays its teachers based on the amount of experience they have in years. View teacher pay scale.

Answer: SISD pays its counselors based on the amount of experience they have in years. View counselor pay scale.

Answer: Early College High Schools are small high schools from which students may leave with a two-year Associate of Arts degree, or with sufficient college credits to enter a four-year, liberal arts program as a junior.

Answer: Mission Early College High School is located on the El Paso Community College Mission del Paso campus at 10700 Gateway East.

Answer: Aside from incoming high school 9th grade students who have a sincere interest in academics, a willingness to work hard and reside in the Socorro District, Mission Early College High School will center on students for whom a smooth transition into post-secondary education is challenging. Mission Early College High School is designed to substantially increase the number of low-income students, minority students, English Language learners and first-generation, college-bound students who will pursue advanced studies.

Answer: No. Students and parents need only demonstrate a commitment to fully participate in an academically rigorous program.

Answer: Mission Early College High School is designed to assist students in pursuing advanced studies and careers in Education, Criminal Justice or General Studies. The curriculum is designed to enable students to graduate with an associate of arts (A.A.) degree or transfer, with up to two years of college credit, to colleges and universities throughout Texas.

Answer: Maximize the instructional quality of the years of high school and facilitate the transition of motivated students to higher education. Demonstrate new ways of integrating levels of schooling to better serve the intellectual and developmental needs of young people. The school’s small size (approximately 100 students per year) will provide the opportunity for individualized attention. It enables highly motivated students to move in four years from ninth grade through the first two years of college, earning the associate of arts (A.A.) degree as well as a high school diploma. Provide rigor, depth and intensity of college-level work in high school. Inspire average, underachieving and well-prepared high school students to work hard and stretch themselves intellectually. Save money and time by integrating high school and college-level work.

Answer: Since the focus of Mission High School is primarily academics, we will not have athletic teams or fine arts programs. However, we will have student clubs and organizations which will center on student curricular interests, academic advancement and social growth.

Answer: Yes, Socorro ISD police officers are real police officers. They've attended training just like any law enforcement officer and are certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.

Answer: The jurisdiction of the Socorro ISD police officers is all the territory within the geographical boundaries of the District and all property, real and personal, outside the geographical boundaries of the District that is owned, leased, or rented by or otherwise under the district's control.

Answer: Socorro ISD police officers may arrest offenders of the law and issue citations on and off campus within their jurisdiction and scope of authority.

Answer: Tickets issued by Socorro ISD Police Officers are adjudicated in Justice of the Peace Courts in El Paso County within their designated areas of jurisdiction.

Answer: If you do not appear in court or pay your fine, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest. Any police officer may arrest you once the warrant is issued.

Answer: There are three opportunities for students to pass the TAKS tests in order to be promoted to the next grade. In third grade, students must pass reading in order to be promoted to 4th grade. In 5th and 8th grade, students must pass both math and reading in order to be promoted to the next grade.

Answer: Students must pass English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies in order to participate in graduation ceremonies. There are five opportunities to test before graduation in May. If a student does not meet the testing requirement, s/he may continue to test as an out-of-school student until the requirement is met. Once the credit and testing requirement is met a diploma will be awarded.

Answer: The Credit by Exam is given three times a year. For students wanting to advance a level or to earn credit for a course not previously taken, they must earn at least a 90 in all sections. For students wanting to reclaim a credit lost for grades or attendance purposes, a student must earn at least a 70. For elementary students, it is recommended that students be tested in the summer so that no instruction is missed if a grade is skipped. The dates for registration deadlines as well as test dates will be posted as soon as they are set.

Answer: It is recommended that you contact your child’s teacher or campus administrator to see about scheduling a Teacher Support Team meeting to discuss you child’s needs. If you need further information or your child s not enrolled in our schools at this time, it is recommended that you contact the Special Education Department at (915) 937.1800.

Answer: When you know that you will be residing in the Socorro Independent School District, it is recommended you contact the Special Education Department at (915) 937.1800. We can help you get in touch with the appropriate Educational Diagnostician or other specific staff member to address your child’s specific needs.

What does TIPS stand for?

What do TIPS facilitators do?

Answer: TIPS facilitators work in tandem with district administrators, campus administrators and staff to support new teachers in their first years of teaching.  They observe new teachers teaching, scribe what they observe, and engage them in reflective conversations that allow them to express what's working and what their challenges are.  TIPS facilitators provide constructive feedback and suggestions.  Collaboratively the facilitator and new teacher set goals and timelines for next steps.  Facilitators provide scheduled on-going trainings as well as requested trainings throughout the school year.

How often does a TIPS facilitator meet with new teachers?

Are TIPS facilitators evaluators?

Answer: All facilitators are PDAS trained, however their role is NOT that of an evaluator.  They are a guide, coach, mentor, friend, and advocate for new teachers.

How can I reach my TIPS facilitator when I feel I have an emergency?

Answer: TIPS facilitators will give you their personal contact information.  If they do not return your call right away, you can always call Lupe Lopez, TIPS secretary, at 937-0316 for immediate assistance.

Why do new teachers need a mentoring program?

My child has a new teacher who does not have control of the classroom.  As a parent what can I expect from TIPS?

What kind of feedback will TIPS facilitators provide new teachers?

What kind of training do you provide that is specifically for new teachers?

Can any district employee/teacher attend TIPS trainings and meetings?

Do you only work with new teachers?

What is the framework and research TIPS is based on?

How long will a new teacher have TIPS support?

Answer: The TIPS program focuses support on teachers who are in their first year through the second year of teaching.  However, a TIPS facilitator is available to support teachers as long as necessary.

What is the ratio of new teacher to TIPS facilitators?

Answer: Based on past data, the ratio is anticipated to be 1 mentor per 15 new teachers.