The Socorro Independent School District invited parents, faculty, staff, and community members for a discussion on the future of Socorro ISD at two community meetings April 21 and 28 at Socorro High School and Americas High School.

Hundreds of SISD stakeholders attended the meetings to hear from SISD Superintendent Nate Carman, Ed.D., who talked to the community about the legacy of SISD’s success, endless opportunities available to students and upcoming plans for new programs and events in the district. 

“The purpose of these two community meetings was to engage with the public because there are some great things going on in our district and that’s something we want to share,” Dr. Carman said. “I’m also new to the community so I wanted to have the opportunity to introduce myself and share my goals for the district.”

Parents and stakeholders were invited to enjoy student entertainment, which included choirs, mariachi groups, and orchestra ensembles, and refreshments prepared and served by SISD culinary arts students at the start of the community events.

During his presentation, Dr. Carman introduced two new schools of choice for elementary students in SISD and across the region. The Paso Del Norte Fine Arts Academy and Escontrias Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) Academy will be opening for the 2022-2023 school year.

At the Paso Del Norte Fine Arts Academy, students will receive specialized instruction in dance, music, visual and theatre arts. At the Escontrias STEAM Academy, students will receive hands-on experiences with state-of-the-art technologies in specialized labs for a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Students in both academies also will receive core curriculum instruction and traditional elementary school experiences. 

In addition, the Dual Language Academy will be expanding for the 2022-2023 school year with the program being offered at Bill Sybert School and Hueco Elementary. The successful academy also will continue to be offered at Myrtle Cooper and Dr. Sue A. Shook elementary schools, where it opened in 2019. 

Dr. Carman also reminded parents about the current open enrollment and registration open for all students, free Pre-K and 3-year-old program opportunities, and end-of-the-year events, such as STAAR testing and 2022 graduations.

Eva Quezada, parent of a Socorro High School student, said she attended the event with her son, who is in athletics, to show school support at the meeting at the home of the Bulldogs.

“It was important as a parent to come and see what they are offering and talking about,” Quezada said. “It’s important to get to know the new superintendent, hear the questions and concerns of the other parents, and know what is going on in the community.”

A question-and-answer session followed the presentation to allow parents and stakeholders to openly ask questions on school or district topics and hear directly from SISD leadership members.

Discussion included topics such as student meal options, special education, school schedules, facilities improvements, and social, emotional, and mental health.

During the community meetings, high school students also gave tours of new facilities at Socorro and Americas high schools and had booths open to showcase student programs and academies, such as athletics, advanced academics, early college high school, CTE opportunities and school clubs and organizations.

Fabiola Jordan, a parent and employee at SISD, shared a testimony during the discussion at Americas High School about her child’s success as a recent graduate of the district’s Early College Program.

“I came today to hear Dr. Carman share his vision for the district, but I also came to give thanks to our educators,” Jordan said. “My daughter had the opportunity to graduate with her associates degree, which really prepared her for college life, and she is about to graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso after only two years.”

Claudia Carrillo, mother of a Desert Wind School student, said she attended the community meeting with her daughter to learn more about the Advanced Academic Academies offered at the high school level.

“This was a really good opportunity to gain information,” Carrillo said. “It allows the community to be informed about what is going on, otherwise parents wouldn’t know.”

Sandra Castro, a part-time employee at Jane A. Hambric Elementary, said she attended the event at Americas High School because it is critical to know what is going on in the district and in the community. She said communication and the opportunity to voice concerns is an important part of a successful school district.

“I think today was important because people, including myself, were able to ask questions,” Castro said.