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ECHS OWL Update

February 16, 2025

ECHS OWLUpdateFebruary 16, 2025

Early College High School News

Mission Statement

Our ECHS Owls are taught to have H.O.P.E.--faith in the premise that they can create OPPORTUNITY and a better future through EFFORT, HARD WORK, and PERSONAL COURAGE. This idea of H.O.P.E. is woven into the fabric of our ECHS family.


Greetings ECHS Community!


It was very nice to begin the week by surprising the Early College High School Class of 2025 with Senior Signs! Highlights are shared within the OWLstanding News section. In addition, it was an honor to celebrate two dedicated and well deserving members of our Early College High School Community this week. Check out our OWLstanding News section for highlights regarding our 2026 ECHS Teacher of the Year and 2026 ECHS Staff Member of the Year.


Culminating our week on Friday, February 14th, the ECHS College and Career Day was Wonderful! We had 39 guest speakers over a wide variety of professions, 13 colleges/universities and 3 military branches participating. Many of our speakers were ECHS parents and we Truly Appreciate them for sharing!


On Friday, ECHS Candy Grams, coordinated by ECHS PTSA, were delivered! Given the participation of our students, parents and school community; numerous Candy Grams were sold in support of ECHS Prom 2025! KUDOS to our PTSA President, Mrs. Lynch & our PTSA Vice President Mrs. Reass for leading this effort! SHOUT OUT to our Student Volunteers for their assistance! THANKS to the members of our school community who also participated in the February 14th Raising Cane’s fundraiser in support of the 2nd Annual ECHS/CHE Carnival!


Tomorrow Monday, February 17th, is a RRISD student and staff holiday. However, ACC classes ARE STILL IN SESSION on Monday, February 17th. As a reminder, there is no RRISD bus transportation on February 17th, given it is a RRISD student holiday. ECHS students, please plan accordingly for your ACC classes.


Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.


GO OWLS!

Dr. Wilson

UPCOMING Events:

2/17 - YOU Day (Day off for RRISD Staff) and No school for RRISD students (***ACC CLASSES ARE STILL IN SESSION)

2/20 - ECHS Site Based Advisory Council Meeting

2/24 - Texas PTA Rally Day at the Texas Capitol

CAMPUS REMINDERS:

ECHS “OWL”standing News!

SENIOR SIGN DISTRIBUTION DAY AT ECHS! :-)

Mrs. Ross and Dr. Wilson were very pleased to SURPRISE the Early College High School Class of 2025 by presenting them with Senior Signs on February 10th!


If you are a ECHS Senior who didn't receive your Class of 2025 sign to proudly display; please stop by the main office.


WE ARE VERY PROUD OF ALL OUR ECHS SENIORS!!! GO OWLS!!!

The ECHS College and Career Day on February 14th was a SUCCESS! We had 39 guest speakers over a wide variety of professions, 13 colleges/universities and 3 military branches participating. Many of our speakers were ECHS parents and we Truly Appreciate them for sharing! KUDOS to our students for being engaged and attentive throughout the sessions.

Many Thanks to Mrs. Wagliardo & Mr. Clinscales for ALL the planning and preparation that went into ECHS College and Career Day 2025! Also, Our Gratitude goes to Mrs. Lynch, Mrs. Reass and PTSA for providing breakfast and lunch for our College and Career Day presenters! KUDOS to our ECHS student ambassadors for assisting presenters and staff for helping within the sessions!

ECHS Teacher of the Year & ECHS Staff of the Year 2025!

We were pleased to celebrate two dedicated and well deserving members of our Early College High School Community this week.

Robin Foerster is a great teacher leader and collaborator. She serves as the Special Education teacher at ECHS. In addition, Ms. Foerster is sponsor of our newly established UIL Team, the UIL enrichment club and is our District Advisory Council campus representative.


Colleagues shared, “Robin does an amazing job of advocating for both our students and our campus as a whole. She is always willing to help out teachers, answer questions, and problem solve. She is extremely hardworking and one of the most student-centered educators. Ms. Foerster promotes and champions the needs of her students while also working to extend the opportunities of all students.”


CONGRATULATIONS MS. FOERSTER!!!

Helen Holmes is a great campus leader and collaborator. Since the inception of ECHS, Mrs. Holmes has served as a caring and dedicated counselor.


Colleagues shared, “Mrs. Holmes works tirelessly to make sure that all our students are given every opportunity to succeed. Mrs. Holmes works extremely hard to meet the needs of her students. She is kind, compassionate and very knowledgeable about all areas related to the job of a high school counselor.


CONGRATULATIONS MRS. HOLMES!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWLstanding ECHS Students nominated since the start of the 2024-2025 school year:

Jackie E.

Alex P.

OZ D.

Gabriela M.

David I.

Elijah P.

Vonara P.

Evelyn Y.

Isaac W.

Forrest M.

Maurena I.

Sophia R.

Flor S-V.

Tatiana G.

Amelie H.

Selena C.

Savanna C.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWLstanding ECHS Staff nominated since the start of the 2024-25 school year:

Keith Clinscales

Sandra Lucero

Lois Conovan

Mckenzie Eggers

Robin Foerster

Jaynelle Wagliardo

Jason Lynch

Todd Spillers

Angelica Ross

Helen Holmes (Students whose last names begin with M-Z)

helen_holmes@roundrockisd.org


Valerie Laugier (Students whose last names begin with A-L)

valerie_laugier@roundrockisd.org

Wellness & Student Voice at ECHS!

Mental Health & Other Resources for 2024-2025

Crisis resources for anything related to mental health, dating violence, and substance use. This includes a 24-hour hotline and text line.


Community resources including financial, food, medical, dental, and mental health assistance.



More student and parent resources can be found on the district Counseling Services and Behavioral Health websites.

RRISD Health Services website for info and medical forms:

https://roundrockisd.org/health-services/



RRISD Covid website:

https://roundrockisd.org/covid/

ACC UPDATES:

ACC RESOURCES

DISTRICT UPDATE:

District completes sale of $350 million in 2024 bonds

Feb 7, 2025


More than 150 high school students throughout the district gathered at the Raymond Hartfield PAC earlier this week to watch as the district sold bonds on the New York Stock Exchange.


Board Pres. Tiffanie N. Harrison, Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez, and CFO and COO Dennis Covington were on hand in New York for the sale to ensure that bonds were sold at the lowest interest rate possible.

This bond issuance—the second sale of 2024 Bonds for the first year of the district’s Bond Program—secured favorable market conditions and garnered an interest rate of 3.98%. The lower rate reflects the district’s strong credit ratings of Aaa by Fitch’s through the Permanent School Fund Guarantee Program and AAA underlying by ratings firm KBRA.


“This successful bond sale is a significant milestone for Round Rock ISD, ensuring we continue to provide safe, innovative, and high-quality learning environments for our students,” Azaiez said. “We are grateful for the community’s support of our 2024 Bond Program, and with these funds, we are poised to strengthen our schools and prepare our students for the future.”

Proceeds from the bond sale will fund:

  • The purchase of new laptops and devices for students and teachers.

  • New construction, renovations and expansions at campuses.

  • Enhanced safety and security measures districtwide.

  • The purchase of new school buses.


On Jan. 8, the district sold the first $100 million tranche of bonds, receiving a 3.33% interest rate on those shorter-term bonds.


The district worked with financial advisor Rudy Mejia of Nickel Hayden Advisors and structured the 2024 Bond Program at a 4.5% percent interest rate. The lower interest rates received on both of this year’s sales will save taxpayers roughly $15 million in interest over the course of the repayment. No taxpayer dollars were spent on the travel to New York by Harrison and district staff. Underwriters covered all costs for both trips.

This Week’s Inspirational Quote:

Have you seen Early College High School on Facebook and on Twitter?

Early College High School is on Facebook and Twitter!


Please like us on Facebook @RRISDECHS and follow us on Twitter @ECHS_RRISD to see what is happening at ECHS!

In an effort to maintain our good health, safety and well being; we are ALL encouraged to please continue following the current restrictions instituted within our school district, city, state and nation.


Please take care of yourselves!

Elizabeth Wilson
Elizabeth is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters