Greetings, La Porte ISD Family. Today is a great day to be a Bulldog!
Our first full week of the school year is in the books, and it has been a spectacular start. Our students have returned with enthusiasm, our staff is energized, and the classrooms are buzzing with activity. Let's keep this positive momentum going as we work together to build on our legacy of excellence.
This is Border Battle Week, one of the most spirited weeks of the year. Each of our campuses celebrates a theme every day leading up to Friday, when the Bulldogs Football Team opens the season against rival Deer Park at Abshier Stadium. I hope you join us on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Bulldog Centre for our annual Community Pep Rally, when we will cheer on student athletes in all fall sports. Be sure and wear your Bulldog orange!
As a reminder, the Bulldogs Football Team will play all home games in Deer Park in the upcoming season as construction of the new Bulldog Stadium wraps up. I can hardly wait until we play our home games in the shadows of an impressive new stadium and Education Complex, and I am very appreciative to DPISD for accommodating us in the meantime (just as they did for our 2024 commencement exercises). See the full season schedule here.
If there is one thing that our successful student-athletes, band members, cheerleaders, Chatos, choir and JROTC cadets all have in common, it's the fact that they attend school regularly. Regular attendance helps students stay on track with their coursework, grasp concepts more effectively, and develop strong study habits. Moreover, it fosters a sense of responsibility and discipline, which are essential for academic and personal success. Missing school frequently can lead to gaps in knowledge and can affect overall academic performance and future opportunities. Thank you for working with us to help ensure that your student is in school every day.
Superintendent Shout-outs
- Mega shout-out to our bus drivers, who safely transport about 3,000 students (and growing) to and from school every day. Every school district in the country expects that the first few days of school might bring delays as drivers and students learn the routine. Our Transportation Department kept those delays to a minimum. Many thanks to the many parents who have contacted us to compliment our drivers.
- Kudos to our volleyball and water polo teams for their fast starts in the 2024 season. Last fall was really good for La Porte High School sports. This year looks even more promising! Be sure and join the volleyball team for Elementary Night this Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Bulldog Centre! Elementary student tickets are free, and they also get a chance to go onto the court and win a prize.
- Major shout-outs to our other fall sports participants, including cross country and tennis, for your diligence and winning attitudes. We are proud of you!
- We are also proud of our award-winning Mighty Bulldog Marching Band and Colorguard, Chatos, Cheer Team, Choir, JROTC and student athletic trainers for all your hard work in pursuit of excellence. I can't wait to see all of you on Friday night!
- Shout-out and huge thanks to our volunteers, campus mentors and Partners in Education. Your support helps ensure that La Porte ISD remains among the best school districts in Texas. We would love to have you as a volunteer. Get started here. Want to partner with us? Learn more here. You can find more information about our H.E.L.P.S. Mentoring Program here.
- La Porte ISD is known across Greater Houston as an innovative school district, thanks to outstanding teachers like Shannon Fanning, who was named this past week to the Honeywell STEM Teachers Hall of Fame. She is very deserving of this prestigious honor, and I hope you join us in congratulating her on achieving such excellence.
While there is much to celebrate in La Porte ISD, we also mourn the passing of Sonja Angelo, a true icon in the community. She was not only the much-deserving namesake for our theater, but also a mentor to thousands of La Porte students who participated in our renowned musical over the past 50-plus years. I feel incredibly fortunate to have known her, and I assured her that La Porte ISD will continue to support these fantastic performances. I hope you join us in keeping Sonja Angelo's wonderful legacy alive for generations to come.
In your service,
Walter Jackson, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
