A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Dear IDEA Families,
Welcome to our newsletter! We are grateful for the trust you place in us each day and for the opportunity to partner with you in your child's educational journey. This space is designed to keep you informed, celebrate student and staff achievements, and share important updates and resources from across our schools.
Thank you for being an essential part of the IDEA community. Together, we are helping students build bright futures, and we look forward to sharing that journey with you throughout the year.
With gratitude,
Jeff Cottrill, Ed.D.
CEO & Superintendent
(Note for reviewers - intro message can rotate between senior leadership)
Important Reminders 📅
Back-To-School Resources
Don’t forget! Visit our Back-to-School webpage for access to campus school supply lists, academic calendars and more!
First Day of School!
Mark your calendars! We can’t wait see our students back in the classroom. Let’s commit to showing up every day from day one and make the 2026-2027 school year amazing together!
BOY Survey
We’re excited to start the new school year! Please take a few minutes to complete our Beginning of Year Survey, your feedback helps us support our students and families from day one.
Backpacks for Bright Futures
Backpacks for Bright Futures is IDEA Public Schools’ annual community celebration that helps families kick off the new school year with excitement and support. At each Backpacks for Bright Futures event, families can enjoy a fun-filled day with music, family activities, community resources, and free backpacks for students. .
Our Top Priority
We are committed to providing a safe learning environment through proactive planning, strong partnerships, and clear communication with families. Our safety practices are continuously reviewed and updated to reflect current guidance, best practices, and the evolving needs of our school communities.
Here are Top 5 Safety Practices:
- All IDEA schools maintain a “closed campus,” meaning visitors can only enter through the main office and must first be granted access via a locked and closed gate.
- Our classrooms are safe and secure spaces with locks.
- There is a staff emergency response team on every campus tasked with addressing safety concerns and leading campus emergency response.
- We have emergency plans in place in case of the unlikely event that a threat occurs.
- Our district follows the Standard Response Protocol. This means that we train and practice emergency research and evidence-based response protocols with staff and students all year long.
We Bring Joy! 😊
Where it Begins
We're excited to welcome our students and families back for another incredible school year at IDEA Public Schools! Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to create a successful, supportive, and engaging learning experience for every child.
In the News 📰
Hot Off the Press!
Get the latest buzz from IDEA! Check out these recent stories highlighting IDEA Public Schools' impact-from campus investments and free summer meal opportunities to the inspiring achievements of our graduates. Read more below! IDEA MESA HILLS 5TH GRADE PLEDGE 06/08/26 - KVIA
➡️Kinder students published own book: https://www.kxan.com/news/education/idea-round-rock-students-become-published-authors/
➡️IDEA Mesa Hills 5th grade class does pledge:
➡️Thousands of Backpacks with School Supplies Will Be Given at Six Events in San Antonio: Where to Find Back-to-School Giveaways in San Antonio
IDEA Family Information Center
Whether you’re seeking insights into your child’s learning experience or looking for information and resources to assist you, our IDEA Family Information Center is your one-stop destination for the tools and information you need every day.
