Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Message from the Superintendent August 16, 2016


Welcome to the new 2016-2017 school year.

I am so very excited about this new year and the possibilities it holds.  I am as excited now, this August of 2016, as I was in the summer of 2012 when we passed the school bond to build all new campuses for our students.

We have many new faces with us this year and some faces that are not new but rather returning.  The energy level, enthusiasm and excitement are tangible.

Use of technology in the classrooms:  Blessing and Markham Elementary Schools have done a great job of implementing and using technology in the classrooms.  The elementary teachers' use of technology in the classroom has been so successful that the elementary staff hosted a technology conference at the high school.  The elementary staff members shared with the JH and HS staff members many easy ways to use technology in the classrooms.  The technology conference was a sterling success!  Great job Blessing and Markham!

BYOD is not a new initiative for Tidehaven High School and Junior High, however we are focusing our educational efforts and use of technology in the classrooms.  So many fascinating aspects have been achieved prior to this point.  Three years ago, Tidehaven ISD was operating on 10 mbps of internet bandwidth.  With the rapid pace at which technology changes, we found this amount of bandwidth not meeting our needs.  Currently Tidehaven ISD is partnered with YK Communications and Ganado Telephone to supply 100 mbps of bandwidth.  For the 2016-2017 school year, YK Communications is doubling our bandwidth to 200 mbps.  Thank you YK Communications!

Free WiFi in all buildings:  Tidehaven ISD is very proud to offer free WiFi to anyone inside our buildings, just as you would in the state capital in Austin, Texas.  All internet and WiFi is filtered for inappropriate content and everyone's safety.

Coach David Lucio is a Tidehaven ISD graduate, and our new athletic director.  He has assembled and recruited an amazing and energetic coaching staff.  Our coaching staff has proven success in previous districts and we are enthusiastic about the future for Tidehaven athletics. Volleyball and Cross County have already started.  Be sure to come out and support the students at their events.

Administrators and teachers have already been meeting and preparing to receive students the first day of school, Monday, August 22nd, 2016.

If you would like more information about Tidehaven ISD or how to enroll your child in Tidehaven Schools, please contact the central administration building at 979-843-4307.

For the kids,

Andrew Seigrist
Superintendent of Schools, Tidehaven ISD