SECA Parents, Students and Staff,

I want to thank all of our parents, students and staff that took part in our Open House on September 15. We had a great turnout and it is the partnership between us all that will set our students up for success and they continue through their education.

There will be a virtual meeting for Parent Volunteers on Wednesday September 28, at 5:30pm (see link below) for those that would like to know about volunteer activities for the Fall semester. We will also discuss some possible campus and student activities to consider for the Spring semester. We are working to increase and improve our opportunities for parents to volunteer and engage on the campus. I would love to hear your input and suggestions. I hope you can join us.

SECA will continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with various activities and celebrations sponsored by our Culture Club including our "Kick-Off your Boots" dress up day on Friday September 23. Many thanks to our Culture Club members who are planning events throughout the year for our campus to inform, engage and celebrate the diversity and many cultures of our students and staff.

We have a great bunch of students and we are just getting started. Join us for a great year ahead!

Sincerely,

KGuidry

The Board recognized the yearbook program at Spring Early College Academy – overseen by faculty advisor Cassie Landrew – for being named a recipient of the 2022 National Yearbook Program of Excellence Award by Jostens.

The National Yearbook Program of Excellence recognizes schools that strive to create and deliver an exceptional yearbook to every student. Award criteria include effective project management by yearbook staff, creativity and professionalism, an outstanding finished product, and the successful delivery of a meaningful and inclusive yearbook for all students.

The 2021-22 yearbook staff produced Spring Early College Academy’s senior yearbook uniquely designed to commemorate the school’s ten-year anniversary.

Shortly before graduation, yearbook staff were informed by their Jostens representative that they were selected as a recipient of the award for 2022. According to Jostens, only 2% of schools in the state of Texas received the honor this year, with a similarly select group being recognized nationwide for their efforts in producing some of the country’s most outstanding yearbook publications.

The student yearbook staff members who collectively received the award for their efforts were:

• Chelsea Acuna, Editor-in-Chief
• Jesse Gonzales, Photo Editor
• Selena Montero, Design Editor
• Al-Eyah Jabbar, Event Coordinator
• Mihael Mendo, Marketing/Advertising Manager
• Mina Diamande, Photographer
• Sharon Mathew, Staff Writer/Designer
• Henry Tejada, Photographer
• Dariah Berry, Photographer
• Michelle Aguilera, Copy Editor
• Emaan Jivani, Staff Writer/Designer

If students are absent, parents must send an email to Eva Lopez, at emoran@springisd.org in order to have absence excused.

All absences are automatically coded as unexcused, in order to excuse an absence a parent note or doctor's note must be sent.

No exam exemptions for any student with three or more unexcused absences. Students must have a 90% or better attendance rate in order to receive class credit.

You may check your daily attendance in the Home Access Center (HAC).

Spring ISD voters will decide on a $850 million bond measure on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, with three propositions that would include the rebuilding of Spring High School, construction of a district wide education and performance facility, renovations for several campuses, updates to technology, and safety and security features for all campuses.

After hearing the recommendation from the Bond Steering Committee, the Spring ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved calling the election that will seek voter approval to fund the following projects:

• Improve the district’s safety and security capabilities

• Rebuild Spring High School

• Refresh the current or design the future Westfield High, Reynolds Elementary, and Jenkins Elementary Schools based on community feedback

• Address districtwide facility maintenance improvements

• Build a districtwide education and performance facility. Spring ISD would utilize this building as a reunification center in the event of emergencies. The center will also be used for districtwide and community educational events, graduation ceremonies, performance and visual arts programs, and indoor athletic events and competitions.

In addition, the proposed measures would include funds to address districtwide technology and specific safety and security needs, including:

• Add shooter-detection systems for all locations

• Enhance the coverage and density of security camera systems

• Provide technology improvements

• Purchase regular education and special needs buses

“I am so appreciative of the many hours our Bond Steering Committee put in to ensure they had a firm understanding of the safety and security, facility and technology needs we have in the district,” said Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, Spring ISD Superintendent. “Our students and their learning are at the core of everything we do, and now more than ever we have a responsibility to provide them with a safe and innovative learning environment.”

The Bond Steering Committee dedicated many hours to reviewing safety, security and facility maintenance needs. Its recommendation presented to the Board also addressed technology and rebuild projects. The committee was composed of parents, teachers, staff, students, current and former board trustees as well as faith-based leaders and community/business members.

“This bond presents us with the opportunity to provide our students with the tools and facilities they need to succeed and thrive, all while doing so in a safe, inclusive and equitable environment,” said Spring ISD Board of Trustees President Justine Durant.

If approved by voters, design work of the new construction projects is projected to begin in Spring 2023, with the first construction projects starting in Fall 2024.

The potential $850 million bond is estimated to require a property tax increase of 5 cents per $100 of valuation, which is expected to be offset by an anticipated decrease in the 2022 tax rate; therefore, the resulting tax rate will be the same or lower than the current tax rate.

In 2016, voters supported the district by passing a $330 million bond program, which was completed in 2021. Click here for more detailed information about the work completed under the 2016 bond. For more information on the 2022 bond, please click here.

All students driving and parking at LSC must have a SECA parking sticker and must park in the SECA assigned parking area located near DTEC across from staff parking. Stickers are free and can be obtained at the front office. Students must provide proof of driver's license and insurance to secure a parking pass.

All students must be in dress code daily including grade level dress for 9th and 10th grade students, and Spring ISD dress code for all. Students not in proper dress will be expected to correct the issue before reporting to class. If dress code violations are persistent, students will be referred for disciplinary considerations/consequences. Encourage students to correct any dress code considerations before they report to campus.

Attached please find the Chromebook checkout form for parents to request a Spring ISD device for their student(s). All 9th and 10th grade students should check out the SISD device in order to be able to seamlessly participate in school lessons, testing and other portal related activities. Please complete the form if you have not already done so.

If you have any questions regarding the Chromebook checkout, please contact Dr. Edwards at bedwar1@springisd.org.

Spring ISD Guidance on Monkeypox

Spring ISD is monitoring cases in the community and surrounding areas of the monkeypox virus.

Although monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus not commonly seen in the United States, cases have been steadily rising across the country over the past few months. This includes Houston and the surrounding areas.

By knowing the facts, staying informed, and working together, we can help stop the spread of monkeypox.

Symptoms of Monkeypox

Symptoms of monkeypox can vary, but often include:

• A rash, which may look like pimples, blisters, or sores

• Flu-like symptoms before or after the outbreak of a rash, while some may develop only the rash.

Symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash one to four days later.

How Monkeypox Spreads

Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, skin-to-skin contact including:

• Direct contact with monkeypox rash, sores, or scabs

• Contact with objects or fabrics (clothing, bedding, towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox

• Contact with respiratory secretions, through kissing and other skin-to-skin contact.

How To Prevent the Spread

Spring ISD is following guidance from local, state, and federal health authorities to help stop the spread of the virus, and will adapt if that guidance changes in the future. The current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local health authorities for prevention have guided Spring ISD to advise the following precautions:

• Students and staff should wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer

• Anyone should stay home and contact their healthcare provider if they feel sick, have a fever, chills, or swollen lymph nodes

• Have a new or unexplained rash, which may look like pimples, blisters, or sores

• Staff and students who experience these symptoms should alert their campus nurse and administrator.

The risk to most people remains low, but Spring ISD urges everyone to stay informed to help ensure a safe and healthy start for the 2022-2023 school year!

For more information about monkeypox, visit the CDC website.

As we begin the new school year, we wanted to provide you with updated protocols related to the reporting of positive COVID-19 cases as a result of recent changes in guidance from the CDC. Spring ISD is not under a mask mandate this school year, but masks are allowed and discretionary based on student and staff health needs.

Within the linked document provided in this email, you will find information related to both student and staff reporting procedures and quarantine protocols.

Please review the complete document linked here for students and here for staff members, which both contain a link to the COVID Positive Test Form that will need to be completed for any student or staff member who reports positive test results.

Email: ksalinas@springisd.org
Website: https://www.springisd.org/earlycollege2
Location: 2700 West West Thorne Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: (281)891-6880
Twitter: @SpringAlphas