Since moving to El Paso a month ago from California, the Daly family has been busy settling into a new home and community. They relocated after the father, Vincent Daly, a military chief warrant officer, was transferred to Fort Bliss. Their children, including a freshman at Pebble Hills High School and two younger siblings in third and fifth grades at James P. Butler Elementary School, started school on Aug. 4.
“I haven't really had any issues in school or enrollments or anything that has been involved. But mainly my wife does most of that,” Vincent Daly said. “But as far as what we've seen, it really hasn't been a hard transition.”
To further ease the transition, the Daly family attended the Socorro Independent School District’s Military-Connected Families Recruitment and Information EXPO at the District Service Center on Aug. 9. The event allowed active duty, retired, and transitioning military-connected families to explore various opportunities the district offers in academics, sports, and college and career readiness programs, ensuring a successful transition and a bright future for their children. Attendees also were treated to breakfast, prizes and gifts and entertainment from the district’s cheerleaders and mascots.
“I do think this is very helpful. I've been able to connect with several people – not just from the school but also in the community. So, it's been extremely helpful, and I love the cheerleaders. It just adds to the vibe,” Kristin Daly said.
SISD proudly serves nearly 6,000 military-connected students, the highest number in the region. Additionally, 46 out of SISD’s 51 schools have been designated Purple Star Campuses by the Texas Education Agency, recognizing their strong commitment to providing comprehensive support for students from military families.
SISD Superintendent James Vasquez said the district’s strong relationship with Fort Bliss has helped to facilitate the transition of military-connected students into the district.
He emphasized that all students benefited from the district's exceptional academic, athletic, and fine arts programs, including SISD’s elementary academies and career and technical education programs, which offer 43 different career certifications.
“This is really the place to be for students who want opportunities to learn and grow. That's going to help them with their future,” Vasquez said.
Lisa Espinoza, and her husband, Casimiro Espinoza, an Army recruiter, moved to El Paso from Colorado three weeks ago. They, along with their daughter Chloe, who is a fifth grader at Desert Wind School, attended the event to learn about various resources available to military-affiliated families, such as military and family support programs. The family also includes two students who attend Pebble Hills High School.
During the event, the family spent a few minutes talking to Desert Wind’s military and family life counselor. Although the school has only a small group of military-connected students, Lisa Espinoza appreciated that the school had a military liaison available to assist her daughter with her unique needs.
"It's nice to get her into a community where it's not just military, but it's also going to be a little difficult because a lot of the other kids don't understand the military life, having to pick up and move, and dad gone and things like that," Lisa Espinoza said. "So, it's good she gets the best of both worlds right now, and now that we know that there are support services for her at the school, it makes it a little bit easier.”
Fort Bliss School Liaison Officer Simone Hendricks said events such as the expo not only help military families learn about the district’s services but also help them connect with one another.
“As a former military spouse myself, when you come to a new location, it is really tremendously helpful if you find other military families because you know we have to establish our community presence,” Hendricks said. “These events where others can connect are really, really just great and very important.”