<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1EupNn_0uulIGBM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1EupNn_0uulIGBM00" width="650" height="433" ><figcaption>The Laredo Independent School District held its annual convocation event where administrators teachers and staff celebrated the start of the 2024-20 school year at Sames Auto Arena on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (Courtesy/LISD) </figcaption></figure> In a festive atmosphere, the Laredo Independent School District held its annual convocation event this past week, where administrators and staff celebrated the start of the 2024-25 school year at Sames Auto Arena. The celebration began with a parade of the different schools that were cheered on by the teachers who belonged to them as they passed by. Then the president of the Board of Trustees — Juan Ramirez Jr., a product of LISD schools — took the microphone to send a message of encouragement to the teachers. “I remember many of my teachers fondly. They helped me move forward and become the person I am today,” he said. He invited the teachers to continue giving their best for the children of their schools. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3gMe8Y_0uulIGBM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3gMe8Y_0uulIGBM00" width="650" height="433" ><figcaption>The Laredo Independent School District held its annual convocation event where administrators teachers and staff celebrated the start of the 2024-20 school year at Sames Auto Arena on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (Courtesy/LISD) </figcaption></figure> Dr. Sylvia G. Rios, superintendent of LISD, thanked the teachers for their dedication and effort in educating the children of the district. “Just as Mr. Ramirez remembered everything his teachers did for him, so will your children remember you,” she said. Rios continued to report on the achievements of the district and its schools, which she attributed directly to the work of the administrators, teachers, staff and students of the campuses. Among the achievements mentioned by Rios were the positive state performance academic outcomes and accountability ratings; garnering another Blue Ribbon nominee for a total of 11 district national awards; and completed construction projects at Dovalina, Kawas and Milton Elementary Schools, and Cigarroa and Martin High Schools, among many others. Rios also expressed pride in the district's attendance, noting that they achieved a 94% district average daily attendance rate this past school year. Martin High School and Memorial Middle School achieved the highest attendance. She mentioned the schools with the most improved attendance were Nixon High School, Lamar Middle School and Daiches Elementary. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4FShn9_0uulIGBM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4FShn9_0uulIGBM00" width="650" height="433" ><figcaption>The Laredo Independent School District held its annual convocation event where administrators teachers and staff celebrated the start of the 2024-20 school year at Sames Auto Arena on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (Courtesy/LISD) </figcaption></figure> Rios also celebrated that 15 of LISD’s schools achieved an A or Exemplary grade according to Texas Education Agency student performance. She also spoke about the challenges facing Texas public school funding and explained that Texas public schools are funded on a non-biennium cycle with allocation approved by the Texas Legislature during their legislative session. “Texas legislators did not award public schools with any new monies over the last two years or biennium,” she said. “This lack of funding resulted in districts approving deficit budgets.” She said that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and legislators promised to increase teacher pay and operational funding but withheld money because of the push to fund charter schools with public school funding. During her explanation of why no raises had been awarded to teachers and how the district would have contributed performance pay compensation for their employees, a voice in the crowd shouted, “We want more!” followed by applause and cheers from the audience. “Yes, we want more,” Rios answered. "But we will have to wait for the next legislative session, which is scheduled for January 2025." <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=16uQUm_0uulIGBM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=16uQUm_0uulIGBM00" width="650" height="433" ><figcaption>The Laredo Independent School District held its annual convocation event where administrators teachers and staff celebrated the start of the 2024-20 school year at Sames Auto Arena on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (Courtesy/LISD) </figcaption></figure> Kaedyn Vo, a third-grade student at Leyendecker Elementary School, addressed the employees of LISD, defining the word "best" and how it was applied in the district. “The best is being here at Laredo ISD,” he said. “At our school, we follow the triple A’s: Always being ready, Always responsible and Always respectful. We follow the rules, listen to our teachers, do our work, no playing in the cafeteria, and for me, also, trying not to fight with my baby sister, Ekko.” He thanked Rios for allowing him to speak and wished the teachers gathered there the best in the school year that begins. “I hope this school year 2024-25 brings you much success. I dream that we continue to have a healthy and safe environment for everyone,” he said. “I wish you the best in this school year and remember, Laredo ISD is the best place to be.” Other speakers at the event included Nixon High School senior Xerina Coleman, Kawas Elementary School teacher Fernando Martinez and head custodian Norma Juarez. The event ended with a raffle of several gift cards and a raffle for a Mercedes Benz car for one year, which was won by Dovalina Elementary School teacher Kimberly Reyes. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3cuNvW_0uulIGBM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3cuNvW_0uulIGBM00" width="650" height="433" ><figcaption>The Laredo Independent School District held its annual convocation event where administrators teachers and staff celebrated the start of the 2024-20 school year at Sames Auto Arena on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (Courtesy/LISD) </figcaption></figure></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Laredo ISD celebrates starting a new school year

LISD celebrated a new upcoming school year and spoke on topics including seeking more money for teachers at the district's annual convocation event this past week.