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.
Henderson ISD will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28.
While some conditions have improved, there remain several roads across Rusk County that are unsafe, particularly for school buses. On a typical school day, Henderson ISD drivers travel more than 1,000 miles to pick up and deliver students, and safe transportation cannot be assured given remaining ice and expected refreezing overnight.
District leaders have continued to monitor conditions and coordinate with local emergency management partners. Additionally, several teachers and staff members remain without power or water, further impacting normal operations. This decision was made with safety as the top priority.
All classes and district activities are canceled. Updates will be shared as conditions improve.
Please visit www.HendersonISD.org/weather for the most current updates.
The roads are getting better, but many are still hazardous, especially out in the county. Overnight refreezing is expected, and the safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority. Because of this, Henderson ISD will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27.
All classes and activities are canceled. Please stay warm and visit www.HendersonISD.org/weather for the most current updates.
We continue to evaluate area conditions as we work toward making a decision for tomorrow.
We will assess road conditions across the area later today to determine whether temperatures and melting have improved travel conditions. We will also be considering area power outages as well. Based on that assessment, we plan to make a decision regarding Tuesday's operations later this afternoon or early evening. Once a decision has been made, we will share that information as quickly as possible through our usual communication channels.
Thank you for your patience as we take the time needed to make a careful, safety-focused decision. - HISD Admin
Henderson ISD will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026.
This decision was made jointly with other Rusk County districts after carefully considering multiple factors impacting our students and families, including a rise in illness-related absences across our districts and the winter weather forecast for this weekend and Monday morning, which includes extremely cold temperatures and potentially hazardous conditions. By aligning our decision with neighboring districts, we are able to take a consistent, proactive approach that prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of students, staff, and families throughout our region.
We are sharing this information as early as possible so families have time to plan for Monday and to allow an additional day for rest and recovery where needed. At this time, our plan is to return to school on our regular schedule on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. We will continue to monitor weather and local road conditions closely and will communicate promptly if any additional adjustments become necessary. Please visit HendersonISD.org/weather for the most current information.
Please stay safe and stay warm.
HISD is monitoring weather conditions that could impact the area this weekend and preparing for the possibility of winter weather. Forecasts indicate rain and colder temperatures may arrive Friday afternoon, with temperatures possibly remaining below freezing through the weekend. If this occurs, hazardous road conditions could develop, especially on bridges and rural roads.
Our priority is the safety of all students and staff. The district is in regular contact with the National Weather Service and local emergency planners and is taking steps to prepare campuses and facilities. We will try to make decisions on extra curricular activities, schedules and school delays or closures as early as possible with the most accurate information available. We will share those decisions with you as soon as they are made. Updates will be shared through official district communication channels and the local media as conditions develop.
We encourage you to monitor the district’s Weather Page (www.HendersonISD.org/weather) for the most accurate and current information.
Mark your calendar for this district-wide parent outreach.
HMS Presentations: The Effects of Vaping and Tucker’s Law
We want to inform you about two important upcoming presentations at HMS that will address critical health topics for our students: The Effects of Vaping and Tucker's Law. As part of HISD’s commitment to student health and wellness, the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is working to ensure that our students are well-informed about the risks associated with vaping. These presentations will cover how vaping can negatively affect the body, providing our students with essential information to make healthy choices.
Additionally, 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 these presentations at HMS, and the schedule is as follows:
• February 9th – 6th grade during Science and Social Studies
• February 10th – 7th grade during Science and Social Studies
• February 11th – 8th grade – Tucker’s Law during Technology
• February 12th – 8th grade – Effects of Vaping during Technology
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 one or both presentations for your child, please follow the link and submit the Google Form. https://www.hendersonisd.org/vapingandtlform
More information to come concerning HHS presentations.
