Whitehouse ISD Families,   The first days of a new school year are always special. Hallways are filled again with student voices, laughter, and energy. It’s been great to see kids and teachers smiling as we settle into routines. September is almost here, and we’ll keep working hard to make sure your students are comfortable, encouraged, and ready to learn. If your house is anything like mine, the start of school brings a busy schedule — kids running one way, parents running another, and lots of activities in between. With that in mind, I want to remind you of some upcoming dates, along with a few important updates and events to look forward to in the weeks ahead.

Skyward Family Access You can always monitor your student’s grades and even set up grade alerts in Skyward Family Access. Click here to log in. For questions about UIL eligibility, please reach out to your child’s coach or sponsor. August 29 – End of Progress Report One Available in Skyward Portfolio on September 4 September 19 – End of Progress Report Two Available in Skyward Portfolio on September 25 October 9 – End of the First 9 Weeks Report card available in Skyward Portfolio on October 16 October 14 – First day of the new grading period

Enrollment
This year, our enrollment (4,855) is higher than in the last couple of years. If you’ve noticed a little more traffic on the streets or in the halls, thank you for your patience as everyone adjusts. Attendance is also crucial in ensuring students thrive. Every day matters, and we appreciate your help in making school a priority for your child.

Labor Day - Monday, September 1, 2025

Don’t forget, our first holiday of the year is this Monday. All schools and offices will be closed for Labor Day, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, refreshed and ready to keep this strong start going.

School Funding Election

On Monday, August 18, 2025, our Board of Trustees approved the 2025–26 budget and unanimously voted to place a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election on the November ballot. We did not arrive at this decision lightly. This referendum aims to address critical budget priorities, including providing competitive teacher and staff salaries, maintaining small class sizes to allow for more one-on-one instruction, and maintaining current safety programs. If approved, the referendum is expected to generate approximately $2.5 million annually. It includes a proposed 9-cent increase in the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate to support these essential needs and secure a better educational environment for the future. Please keep in mind that with the additional Homestead Exemption, the average WISD home will still see a decrease in its overall property tax bill. Please be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks, and please reach out to me if you have any questions at all!

A-F Accountability

Several new state laws are taking effect this year, and we want to share how they connect to what we’re already doing in Whitehouse ISD:

• Parents now have new tools to preview library books, see what their child has checked out, and manage access to materials they feel may not be a good fit. The parent portal is available on each campus website under the Families and Students page in the Learning Resource Center tab.
• A new law requires that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom across the state.
• House Bill 1481 prohibits the use of personal communication devices such as cell phones and smartwatches during instructional time. In Whitehouse ISD, this is the third year we have had this expectation at the junior high and high school. The new law and our updated board policy reinforce what was already in place to support our student code of conduct and create a stronger learning environment.
• House Bill 6 requires us to provide all parents with an overview of school discipline in Texas. Please use the hyperlink to access the document, which highlights expectations for student behavior, the role of teachers and campus behavior coordinators, disciplinary procedures, and parent rights. Whitehouse ISD follows the Student Code of Conduct (COC), which outlines the rules for student behavior and the consequences when those rules are broken. Texas law also sets discipline requirements. 

School Health and Counseling Consent Form

In compliance with Senate Bill 12, parents are required to provide annual consent before students can receive non-emergency health or counseling services at school. The consent form is now available in Skyward Family Access and should be completed by September 1, 2025. Step-by-step instructions are included below.

Think Ahead Thursdays One of our district goals is for every student to have a plan for life after graduation. Each path may look different, but we want students to see the countless opportunities available to them. Every Thursday, staff wear jeans and a college, career, or military shirt as a reminder of what’s possible. We’d love for families to join us in this tradition. Students don’t have to wear jeans, but we’d be glad to see them in their “think ahead” shirts. Looking Back at First Day Faces The first day of school was one for the books! Thank you for sharing your photos with us on social media — we loved seeing the excitement of Wildcats across the district. Here are just a few of our favorites that captured the spirit of the day. Partnership with UT Tyler We’re proud to announce a new partnership with the University of Texas at Tyler that creates opportunities for our students and staff to continue their education. This partnership also helps prepare more public educators for the future. Wildcat Community Leader Award At Convocation, we presented the first-ever Wildcat Community Leader Award to Jim Nipp in recognition of his lasting impact on our schools and community. This award is our way of saying thank you to those who make us better, bring us together, and exemplify One Town. One Family. One Whitehouse. Jim’s contributions do not go unnoticed, and his belief in our students, teachers, and schools has helped make Whitehouse an even better place to teach, learn, and live.