UPDATE: The water leak at Henderson Middle School has been stopped, and crews are currently working on cleanup. Water service remains available on campus, and students will continue with the regular school day.
Lunch will be served as normal, and buses will run at their regular times this afternoon.
Families who would prefer to pick up their student early may do so. Student checkout will take place through the front office. A photo ID will be required, and anyone picking up a student must be listed as a guardian or emergency contact in the student’s record.
We appreciate the assistance of the Henderson Fire Department and the work of our maintenance team in responding quickly to the situation.
To allow emergency crews and staff to address the situation as quickly and safely as possible, families are asked to avoid coming to the campus at this time.
The district will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
Update Regarding Lifetouch Photography Services
Over the next few weeks, families may receive information from Lifetouch, especially concerning yearbook services. While Henderson ISD continues to review its relationship with Lifetouch, the district has decided to move forward with campus yearbooks currently in production, allowing campus yearbook staff to deliver a product that many families have already ordered.
Several campuses have already fulfilled all contract requirements with Lifetouch for the 2025–2026 school year and have no remaining picture dates. Spring Picture Day at Wylie Elementary and Kindergarten Graduation photos at Wylie Primary remain scheduled in April. Families who prefer that their child not participate may opt out by contacting the campus office.
Lifetouch has renewed its assurance that all previously taken student photographs remain secure and have only been accessible to families and authorized HISD officials. The limited information shared with the photography provider consists of basic roster information such as a student’s name and grade level, along with the student photograph. These are the same photographs and data that are ultimately used for campus yearbooks and school records.
The safety and well-being of students and staff remain Henderson ISD’s highest priority throughout this process. This commitment will remain a guiding principle as the district evaluates photography and yearbook partners in the future.
Statement from Henderson ISD
Yesterday, during routine monitoring of the Henderson High School parking lot, a staff member observed what appeared to be a weapon inside a student vehicle parked on campus. School administrators immediately began investigating the situation and contacted the Henderson Police Department. Following the investigation, a student was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
District and campus administrators do not believe there was ever an active threat to students or staff.
STAAR testing begins soon in Henderson ISD, and our students are preparing to show what they have learned this year. Over the next several weeks we will share reminders and tips families can use to support their students during testing.
Families can help by:
• Encouraging students to do their best
• Making sure they get a good night's sleep
• Helping them arrive at school on time
Visit www.HendersonISD.org/SuperSTAARs for dates, information and tips!
Together we can help our students be Super STAARs!
Their latest project involved preparing and delivering the new Chromebooks recently approved by the Board of Trustees for students at William E. Wylie Elementary. After helping inventory and prepare the devices, students assisted the technology team in delivering them to the campus so they can soon be placed in classrooms.
Several students participated in the project throughout the year. Pictured are Fernando Sanchez and Luis Soriano, working alongside Kevin Bryan, Director of Technology, and technology team member Gray Young, during the Chromebook delivery. #TraditionOfExcellence #CTE
We’re proud to recognize four students who earned selection to the ATSSB All-State Band—an honor awarded to just 286 students out of more than 10,000 across Texas. 👏
Congratulations to:
🎵 Julian Montes
🎵 Rory Richardson
🎵 Melinda Cooley
🎵 Staley Weatherford
These students represented Henderson ISD in San Antonio as part of the ATSSB All-State Band, showcasing their hard work and dedication at the highest level. 🎺
Another great example of the Tradition of Excellence! 💙❤️
Reminder: Free UIL physicals available for some HMS and HHS students
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) requires a physical for students who plan to participate in athletics, band, cheer, and drill team.
UT Health will provide free UIL physicals for:
• Current 6th, 8th, and 10th grade students participating in athletics, band, cheer, or drill team during the 2026–2027 school year; however,
• ALL students in athletics, band, cheer, and drill team regardless of grade level need to fill out the Medical History form so athletic trainers can review medical histories to ensure proper documentation is on file for safe participation. This is an annual requirement.
Date: March 25
• The Medical History Form AND the Waiver and Release Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian (unless the student is 18 or older). Students must also sign the bottom of the Medical History Form. PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL YES ANSWERS IN THE BOX PROVIDED.
• Please return the signed forms to your child’s coach, director, or sponsor by March 20th.
If you have any questions, please contact one of the athletic trainers at: ahorton@hendersonisd.org | mescamilla@hendersonisd.org | jware@hendersonisd.org
Free UIL physicals available for some HMS and HHS students
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) requires a physical for students who plan to participate in athletics, band, cheer, and drill team.
UT Health will provide free UIL physicals for:
• Current 6th, 8th, and 10th grade students participating in athletics, band, cheer, or drill team during the 2026–2027 school year; however,
• ALL students in athletics, band, cheer, and drill team regardless of grade level need to fill out the Medical History form so athletic trainers can review medical histories to ensure proper documentation is on file for safe participation. This is an annual requirement.
Date: March 25
• HMS – 8:00 AM
• HHS – 1:15 PM
Your child will bring home two forms this week:
• Preparticipation Physical Evaluation – Medical History Form
• UT Health East Texas Waiver and Release of Liability Form
The Medical History Form AND the Waiver and Release Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian (unless the student is 18 or older). Students must also sign the bottom of the Medical History Form. PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL YES ANSWERS IN THE BOX PROVIDED.
Please return the signed forms to your child’s coach, director, or sponsor by March 20th.
Forms are also available below:
UIL Physical Form
If you have any questions, please contact one of the athletic trainers at:
ahorton@hendersonisd.org | mescamilla@hendersonisd.org | jware@hendersonisd.org
Congratulations to Jesstin Starling, known to many as “Meaty,” on signing with East Texas Baptist University this morning.
Jesstin has been a cornerstone of the Henderson High School athletic program. Known for his relentless work ethic and determination, he showed up every day committed to getting better. That dedication paid off as he finished his high school career as the second-leading rusher in Henderson High School history.
While fans saw the results on Friday nights, those close to the program saw the hours Jesstin put in behind the scenes. His success was built on preparation, consistency, and a refusal to quit.
ETBU offers Jesstin more than an opportunity to continue his football career. It provides an education, relationships, and lifelong connections that will help shape his future well beyond the field.
We are proud of the player Jesstin has become, but even more proud of the young man he is. We wish him continued success as he takes this next step.
We hope to see you there!
Henderson ISD will have Neffy®, a nasal epinephrine medication, available on every campus. Neffy® works similarly to an EpiPen®; however, instead of being given as an injection, it is administered as a nasal spray.
Each HISD campus has designated staff members who have volunteered to receive training in recognizing the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and in properly administering Neffy®. This proactive measure helps ensure a rapid and effective response in the event of a severe allergic emergency.
Henderson ISD remains committed to maintaining a safe and prepared learning environment for our entire school community.
Marc Collins, Aubrey Hays, Amari Odum, Ella Delgado, and Blaire Jennings were honored. 👏
Superintendent Brian Bowman (left), Primary Campus Principal Jodie Morse (center), and Board President Russell Brown (right) joined in recognizing the students.
The tradition of excellence begins early at Henderson ISD. 🦁
The district now has 76 teachers holding a TIA designation, including:
• 43 Exemplary Teachers
• 24 Recognized Teachers
• 8 Master Teachers
During this designation cycle, 32 teachers earned a new designation or advanced to a higher level. Henderson ISD also has four National Board Certified Teachers, three of whom hold a TIA designation.
TIA designations are based on demonstrated instructional effectiveness, including student growth measures and professional practice. These results reflect consistent, high-quality instruction across campuses and classrooms.
The work of these educators has a direct impact on student learning and supports the district’s ongoing focus on instructional excellence.
A student athlete sustained a leg injury while working out and was evaluated by both HISD staff and medical personnel. There was no threat to students or staff, and normal campus operations continued throughout the response.
We appreciate the quick actions of campus staff and emergency responders and wish the student a speedy recovery.
We want to inform you about an important upcoming presentation at HHS that will address critical health topics for our students: Tucker's Law.
We will be addressing HB 3908, also known as Tucker’s Law, which mandates that all school districts provide research-based instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness. This law requires schools to educate students in grades 6-12 about these crucial issues, helping to ensure their safety.
Tucker’s Law instruction covers:
• Suicide prevention
• Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to fentanyl
• Awareness of local school and community resources and any process involved in accessing those resources
• Health education that includes information about substance use and abuse, including youth substance use and abuse
The Texas Department of State Health Services will be leading the presentation at HHS on February 19th during an assembly.
Together, we can empower our students to make informed, healthy decisions.
Thank you for your continued support in promoting the well-being of our students.
To opt out of the HHS Tucker’s Law presentation for your child, please follow the link and submit the Google Form.
https://forms.gle/5i8bKLrKUbpfaLhw8
Henderson ISD will be OPEN tomorrow, January 29th with classes beginning at their regularly scheduled times. Road conditions have improved, and campuses are safe for students and staff.
Please note that some bus routes may take longer than normal as we prioritize safety. Families should plan for possible delays and allow extra time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
For the most current updates, please visit www.HendersonISD.org/weather.
