Fabens ISD

It was a fun and wonderful Homecoming for all Fabens Wildcats!  The parade on Thursday was again a traditional highlight that the community looks forward to every year.  The people lining the parade route were full of smiles and glowing with Wildcat Pride!  The climax of the night was the roaring bonfire that lit up the spirit and carried on to Friday night where the Fightin’ Wildcats clawed their way to a great Homecoming victory (28-7) over the El Paso High Tigers.  Congratulations to our Homecoming Queen, Haidee Nunez, Homecoming King, Jose Fernancez and the Homecoming Court.

This past week, the recently established Wildcat Booster Club met for our second official meeting of the year.  Mike Terrazas, president, welcomed the membership and conducted the flow of several agenda items.  It was great to see the turnout and the support that our community members are giving to our various students athletes.  A sizeable amount of funds have already been raised in an effort to supplement our support to all Wildcat Teams.  Several coaches were introduced and they talked about their respective coaching assignments and expressed their thanks to the booster club.  We are very excited that these community members have rekindled the spirit of the Wildcat Booster Club!  If you were at the Homecoming football game this past Friday night, you probably noticed many booster club members actively going around recruiting, selling fund raiser tickets, and promoting the Booster Club.  Again, thanks to all the members for their work in helping all student athletes as they represent the Fabens Wildcats!!!

The turnout of parents at the parade and the involvement of the booster club brings to mind the importance of the relationship between parents and teachers.  We always encourage principals to encourage their respective campus teachers to establish an ongoing relationship with all parents.  As we start the third week of school, I encourage you to set one of your goals to be “active ongoing parent/teacher communications.”  It is so important to make every effort to get our parents involved in their child’s educational success.  Remember, the most important communication link is the teacher and parent and keeping everyone updated.

For your information, the Texas Legislature passed a law in 2007 requiring fingerprint-based criminal background reviews for certain school employees.  The legislation was enacted to ensure the safety of all children, teachers and staff in public schools.  Mr. Gilbert Alarcon, Assistant Superintendent, attended a recent session in regard to this process and has informed me that Fabens ISD is scheduled for this process in the near future.  All new non-certified school employees must submit fingerprint information to the Department of Public Safety before starting work for a district.  All substitute teachers must be fingerprinted by September 1, 2011.  All active certified educators must be fingerprinted by September 1, 2011.  The following school employees are required to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check:  All certified educators, all substitute teachers and aides certified or not, non-certified employees hired on or after January 1, 2008 and charter school teachers and other professionals.  The following employees are not required to submit fingerprints but must undergo a name-based background check:  Non-certified employees hired before January 1, 2008, contract employees hired before January 1, 2008 who have direct contact with students, student teachers and volunteers.  If you have any questions in regards to this State Law, please feel free to visit the SBEC website for frequently asked questions regarding this state law.  As soon as we get more information in regard to the scheduling of this process for Fabens ISD employees, we will let you know.

We appreciate your hard work and dedication to the district.  The ongoing successful operations of the district are a reflection of your service and commitment in making a difference in the overall success of the district.  We thank you and have a great week!!!  GO WILDCATS!!!

Poncho Garcia Jr.
Superintendent