A MESSAGE FROM THE PK-16 DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT
Dear IDEA Texas Families,
As we close out October and welcome November, I want to thank you for the trust you place in us each day. Your partnership is essential to helping our students learn, grow, and build bright futures.
Our number one responsibility is to partner with you to create strong, joyful learning environments for your children. That commitment extends across our schools-in our classrooms, during school events, and in our communication home to you, our parents.
We want every interaction to reflect our shared commitment to your child’s learning, well-being, and success. Throughout October, Safe Schools Week and Bullying Prevention Month reinforced our responsibility to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and valued. That commitment comes to life in everyday moments-when a teacher encourages a student, a classmate shows kindness, or a family connects with their school.
November invites us to reflect on what we are grateful for. For me, that includes the opportunity to work alongside educators and families who believe deeply in our students and their possibilities. Our work together has a ripple effect: the learning, confidence, and opportunities students gain today can shape their lives, their families, and their communities for generations.
This month, we celebrate the families who have made IDEA part of their stories across generations. Thank you for being part of our IDEA Team & Family and for working with us to help every student build a life of meaningful, empowered choice.
I invite you to explore our November Family Connection Newsletter for important updates, helpful resources, and stories celebrating our families.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Dolores Gonzalez
PK–16 Deputy Superintendent
Important Reminders
Student Application Launch
Know a family looking for a great school for the 2027–28 school year? IDEA’s application is now open in STREAM! We’re also excited to offer Pre-K at select schools across our regions. Families can apply early for the opportunity to join IDEA. Share the news with a family who may be ready to take their next step with IDEA!
National School Psychology Awareness Week (November 9-13, 2026)
We would like to recognize our school psychologists for the important role they play in supporting our students. From conducting evaluations to identifying learning and behavioral needs, their work helps ensure scholars receive the support they need to succeed. Thank you for all you do for our scholars and families!
IDEA's Academic Calendars
The holidays are just around the corner, but there's still plenty of learning to be done! As we head into November, let's commit to strong attendance habits and make every school day count.
Between family gatherings and holiday plans, don't forget to check your IDEA Academic Calendar for upcoming breaks and important dates.
🍂 Holiday Break: November 23–27
Crisis Ready: Helping Families Stay Informed and Prepared
At IDEA Public Schools, your child's safety and well-being are our priority. Through our Crisis Ready resources, families can learn how IDEA responds to student safety concerns, what to expect during a crisis, and how our schools partner with families to support students.
We invite all IDEA families to explore these resources, available in English and Spanish, to stay informed and prepared.
New to IDEA? After reviewing the Crisis Ready resources, we encourage you to complete our brief Crisis Ready Family Survey to share your understanding and help us continue improving how we support families.
💙 Stay informed. Stay connected. Be Crisis Ready!
🛡️ Explore Crisis Ready Resources
📝 New Families – Complete the Survey
73 IDEA Schools Rank Among Texas’ Top 25%!
There's plenty to celebrate at IDEA! 🎓 A total of 73 IDEA elementary and middle schools ranked among the top 25% in Texas by U.S. News & World Report. This recognition reflects the hard work of our scholars, teachers, and families who make academic success possible every day. See what makes this achievement so special!
A Holiday Feast for Our Scholars!
This holiday season, we're excited to bring the flavors of the season to our cafeterias with a special holiday meal for our scholars! Scholars will be able to enjoy a festive meal featuring turkey with gravy and stuffing, a honey wheat roll, rustic mashed potatoes with gravy, garlic green beans, assorted fruit, assorted milk, cranberry sauce and a margarine cup.
At IDEA Public Schools, all students receive FREE breakfast and lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), ensuring every scholar has access to nutritious meals that fuel learning, support overall well-being, and help set them up for success in the classroom. Families are encouraged to visit the Child Nutrition Program webpage for menus, nutrition information, and additional resources.
Fall Festivities, Family Fun & Layers of Safety!
October was all about celebrating Safe Schools Week and reminding our school communities that safety is everyone's responsibility! Now, as we step into November and prepare for exciting fall and winter celebrations, we're taking you behind the scenes to show you how IDEA works to keep our campuses safe every day!
In this month's Family Safety Newsletter, we're looking back at Safe Schools Week, revealing IDEA's 5 layers of campus security, sharing what families can expect when attending upcoming campus events, and highlighting November's emergency drills!
Planning to visit campus for a fall or winter celebration? Find out what you should know before you go!
Click here to unwrap our November Family Safety Newsletter!
The Power of Showing Up
For IDEA senior Aritzel, walking across the graduation stage once felt like something she could only dream of. Today, she’s preparing for college, pursuing her goals, and looking toward a future filled with possibilities.
But she didn’t get here alone.
With the encouragement and guidance of her college counselor, Aritzel has grown into a confident young leader, discovering what she’s capable of and finding the motivation to build a better future for herself and her family.
Her story is a reminder that preparing students for college is about more than academics. It’s about building relationships, believing in their potential, and helping them take the next step with confidence.
This is Aritzel's story. This is I Am IDEA.
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.
October IDEA Stories Worth Sharing
From Farm to Cafeteria: Growing Healthy Habits!
Healthy habits start early! 🥕 At IDEA Public Schools, we're helping scholars discover the importance of fresh foods, nutrition, and making healthy choices. See how we're connecting learning with healthy eating and encouraging habits that last a lifetime!
🌿 Read the Full Story!
Safe Rides, Bright Futures!
Safety doesn't stop at the classroom door! 🛑 In recognition of National School Bus Safety Week, we're reminding IDEA families and scholars about the importance of staying alert, practicing safe habits, and working together to keep everyone safe on the road. Explore our latest blog for important bus safety reminders!
Stay Connected!
📱 See what’s happening across our campuses, celebrate our students, and catch the latest IDEA news! Follow us on Facebook!
In the News 📰
📺 IDEA is making headlines! From exciting milestones and campus celebrations to inspiring family stories, our schools are getting noticed across the communities we serve. Catch up on the latest IDEA news below!
🎓 IDEA Henry Celebrates Its First Senior Class: Big things are happening in Midland! IDEA Henry is marking an exciting milestone as its first senior class prepares for a new chapter. It's a special moment for the scholars, families, and staff who have helped build this school community.
🎥 IDEA Lakeland on Great Day Live: Lights, camera, Lakeland! IDEA Lakeland recently appeared on 10 Tampa Bay's Great Day Live, sharing a glimpse of the campus and its school community with viewers across the Tampa Bay area.
📺 IDEA Public Schools Featured on KRGV: IDEA made an appearance on local television! Check out this KRGV feature highlighting IDEA Public Schools in the Rio Grande Valley.
💙 What a Mom of Six Wants Schools to Understand About Attendance: Getting children to school every day isn't always simple. One mother's perspective sheds light on the realities families face and why understanding those challenges matters when it comes to supporting strong attendance.
👨👧 Fathers Walk at IDEA Victory: A memorable morning at IDEA Victory! Fathers and father figures came together to show their support for scholars, celebrating the important role family involvement plays in our school communities. The special event was featured by FOX 13!
