Rusk County is updating its plan to help prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies that could affect our community.
To make the plan as helpful as possible, county leaders want to hear from local residents. Your feedback will help identify concerns and find ways to make our community safer and better prepared for future emergencies.
Families and community members are encouraged to take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your answers will help county leaders understand what matters most to the people who live and work in Rusk County.
Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback: https://tinyurl.com/RuskCountyHMAP

📚🎉 Attendance pays off!
Henderson ISD recently celebrated students across the district for their outstanding attendance and commitment to being at school every day. From perfect attendance awards to campus incentive drawings, these students were recognized for making attendance a priority.
A special thank you goes to our community partners who helped make these celebrations possible through their generous donations and support:
• Walmart
• Scrumptious Cupcakes & Desserts
• Chick-fil-A
• McDonald's
• Herschel's Restaurant
• Jalapeño Tree
• AT&T
• Deadwood South Boutique & Co.
Their contributions helped provide prizes, gift cards, meals, and other incentives that encouraged students to be present and engaged in their learning. Every day in school is an opportunity to learn, grow, and build toward future success. Thank you to our students, families, staff, and community partners for helping make attendance a priority.
#TraditionOfExcellence #AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts #HelpingKidsSucceed #HendersonISD
School may be out for the summer, but Henderson ISD is still helping kids! ☀️
Beginning June 1, Henderson ISD will once again offer FREE summer meals for children ages 0-18 through our Summer Meals Program.
Good nutrition doesn't take a summer vacation, and we're proud to help ensure children in our community continue to have access to healthy meals while school is out.
📍 Henderson Middle School Bus Shuttle Area
📅 Monday-Thursday, June 1-25
⏰ 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Whether your child attends Henderson ISD or another school, meals are available. Please review the flyer for important pickup requirements and eligibility details. If your child is attending Summer School or participating in summer workouts, meals will be provided at those locations.
We look forward to serving Henderson families this summer and continuing our Tradition of Excellence by helping kids succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with friends, neighbors, and family members who may benefit from this program.
#HendersonISD #HelpingKids #SummerMeals #TraditionOfExcellence #LionPride

Henderson ISD is seeking an exceptional educational leader to serve as the next principal of Henderson High School. We are looking for a visionary leader who believes in students, values meaningful relationships, and is committed to ensuring every learner reaches their full potential.
Join a district that embraces innovation, fosters strong community partnerships, and upholds a proud tradition of excellence.
Learn more and apply today at HendersonISD.org/jobs.

After extensive discussion and continued monitoring of the weather, Henderson ISD has decided to move tonight’s graduation ceremony to 5:00 p.m. at Lion Stadium.
This decision was not made lightly. Earlier today, we met with our graduating seniors and asked for their input regarding the possibility of postponing the ceremony to another date, which could also require a change in location. The response from the Senior Class was overwhelming—they wanted graduation to remain at Lion Stadium and take place tonight.
While moving the ceremony to an earlier time does not completely eliminate the possibility of weather-related disruptions, current weather models indicate that it provides a much better opportunity to celebrate our graduates as planned. However, we want everyone to understand that weather conditions can change quickly, and there remains a possibility that we may need to temporarily pause or delay the ceremony due to lightning in order to ensure everyone’s safety.
This evening is about our students and celebrating one of the most significant milestones of their lives. We are committed to doing everything possible to make this a memorable and meaningful night for the Class of 2026.
We appreciate everyone’s continued flexibility, patience, and support, and we look forward to celebrating our graduates tonight.

UPDATE (Wednesday, 2 p.m.): We continue to closely monitor Thursday’s weather forecast as we prepare for Henderson High School graduation ceremonies at Lion Stadium.
At this time, graduation is still planned for Thursday evening at 8:00 p.m. at Lion Stadium. Administrators are reviewing detailed weather data and working closely with Perry Weather, the same system used during athletic and outdoor events to help ensure the safety of students and guests during inclement weather.
Current forecasts indicate there may be opportunities Thursday evening to safely conduct the ceremony between passing weather conditions. While graduation currently remains scheduled for 8:00 p.m., the ceremony could begin slightly earlier or later depending on weather conditions.
Our goal is to safely hold graduation on Thursday evening and provide the Class of 2026 with the meaningful celebration they deserve. If weather conditions ultimately worsen to the point that it is unsafe to hold graduation Thursday night, contingency plans are already in place. These plans include moving the ceremony to Friday, either at Lion Stadium or the Rusk County Expo Center.
We appreciate everyone’s patience, flexibility, and understanding as we continue monitoring conditions and preparing for several possible scenarios. Any updates or schedule changes will be communicated through official Henderson ISD communication channels as soon as decisions are made.



Henderson ISD is continuing to monitor Thursday’s weather forecast very closely as we prepare for graduation ceremonies. It remains our commitment to do everything possible to ensure graduation takes place Thursday evening at Lion Stadium.
Current forecasts indicate a line of thunderstorms will move through the area sometime Thursday afternoon. We are evaluating several contingency options, including the possibility of adjusting the ceremony start time slightly earlier or later in order to work around potential weather conditions.
At this time, graduation is still scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening. We ask for your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we continue monitoring conditions and work to provide a meaningful and memorable experience for our graduating seniors and their families.
Updates and schedule changes will be communicated as soon as decisions are made.

Beginning Monday morning May 18th, 2026, Lion Stadium will be closed to the public as preparations begin for Thursday evening’s graduation ceremony.
Following graduation, the stadium will remain closed due to ongoing construction and improvement projects taking place at the facility. The stadium will remain closed until further notice.
We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we prepare for graduation and continue work to improve our facilities.




Summer is almost here! And while you may be headed out on a summer vacation, thieves will not be taking a break. Car thefts increase during summer, so it’s important to make sure your guns are safely stored everywhere they are kept. Learn more at SafeGunStorageTexas.com.
#safegunstorage
#keepemsafetexas
#safestoragesaveslives
(Provided to HISD families in compliance with Texas Education Code 37.222)

If your child is a car rider, medication can be sent home in their backpack as long as you send a note to your child’s school nurse stating to do so. If your child rides the bus, you must pick up the medication at your child’s campus. Medication is not allowed on the bus.
Have a great Summer!!!

Families play an important role in helping students succeed during STAAR testing!
Here are a few simple ways to help:
Encourage your student to do their best
Make sure they get a good night's sleep
Eat a healthy breakfast
Talk about the importance of staying focused
A little encouragement can go a long way in helping students feel confident and prepared!

STAAR testing has begun for students across HISD!
Here are some upcoming testing dates:
• April 14th – HS Biology / HS U.S. History / 8th grade Social Studies
• April 15th – 5th grade
• April 21st – HS Algebra I / 8th grade Science
For more, visit HendersonISD.org/SuperSTAARs
On testing days, please help students by:
• Arriving at school on time
• Bringing their Chromebook fully charged if required
• Avoiding early checkouts whenever possible
A calm and focused start to the day helps students do their best.
Let’s work together to help our students be Super STAARs.

Both students and staff followed standard safety procedures and evacuated the building. The Henderson Fire Department responded and inspected the system. No fire was found, and classes have resumed as normal.
The alarm appears to have been caused by excessive smoke produced during student welding activities, possibly due to a ventilation fan not activating as expected. We appreciate the Henderson Fire Department for their swift response.

We appreciate the healthcare staff and responding officers who assisted in ensuring the student’s safety.
The safety and supervision of students is always our top priority. Campus administration is reviewing the circumstances surrounding this incident and reinforcing procedures with staff.

🚍 Join Our Team!
Henderson ISD is now hiring bus drivers, and we’re looking for dependable, caring individuals who want to make a difference for our students each day. Driving a school bus is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to support the Tradition of Excellence that helps our students start and end their day safely.
If you enjoy working with students and serving your community, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today:
www.hendersonisd.org
For more information, contact Tom Hottman at 903-655-5012.

Dear HISD Families,
We are excited to announce the opportunity for parents to serve on the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) for the 2026-2027 school year. SHAC plays an important role in promoting the health and well-being of our students by ensuring local community values are reflected in health education.
If you are interested in serving on SHAC, please complete the Google Form using the following link: SHAC Google Form
About SHAC:
• Texas Education Code 28.004 mandates that school districts establish a School Health Advisory Council.
• SHAC's responsibilities include providing recommendations to the school board on health program planning and promoting health initiatives.
• The majority of SHAC members must be parents who are not employed by HISD and have students enrolled in the district.
• SHAC meets four times per school year.
If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact Stephanie Gatlin, HISD Health and Wellness Coordinator, at 903-655-5037.


