STISD open house for students and parents

MERCEDES - As another school year kicks off, South Texas Independent School District (STISD) is now focused on learning more about the students and parents.

STISD will hold open houses for its students and parents on Sept. 4 from 6-8 p.m. The event is scheduled for both South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High) and The Science Academy of South Texas (Sci Tech). Staff members including all teachers, counselors and social workers are expected to attend the event, school officials said.

Med High Principal Barbara Heater said the campus holds open house in the first few weeks of the fall semester and another one in the spring. Heater said the goal of the event is to get parents to visit the campus and talk with their child's teachers to familiarize themselves with STISD operations.

"A lot of returning parents can come and meet new parents," Heater said. "It gives them the opportunities to (interact). It works for us as a staff and parents the other way."

More importantly, Heater said she would like the parents to get acquainted with staff to make future meetings easier.
"If they know that parent, it won't be a cold call," Heater said.

Heater said that during the event, a booth will be set up for students looking to participate in extra-curricular activities. Heater said there are a wide range of activities, including UIL academics, One Act Play, Pan-American Student Forum, HOSA, student council, music club, science club and the honors society.

"Many people don't think we have extra-curricular activities because we don't have a football team," Heater said. "But we have a wide range."