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.
We want to clarify some recent questions about attendance notices and the attendance incentives at Henderson High School and Henderson Middle School.
Many families have shared that attendance rules can be confusing. We certainly understand this! The difference between excused and unexcused absences, how absences count toward earning credit, and how they relate to state attendance requirements can be complex. Our goal is to help students and keep families informed and supported.
Showing up for school is essential for student success. When students are in class consistently, they grow academically, build confidence, and stay connected with their teachers and friends. Consistent attendance also helps ensure our district receives the resources needed for every student.
The letters families receive about student absences are sent because of state-required attendance rules. Texas requires all public schools to notify families when a student reaches certain absence levels. These notices are not disciplinary, but are part of the rules all Texas schools must follow.
To encourage better attendance, both HHS and HMS offer attendance incentives each semester. Even if a student did not qualify for the fall incentive, the spring incentive is still within reach. Students who meet the requirements can earn:
- Exemption from final exams
- Spring incentive days with no school on certain days
If you have questions about attendance codes, excused absences, or how any of this applies to your child, please contact your campus attendance clerk. They are happy to walk through the details with you.
Thank you for your partnership in encouraging student attendance. When students are here, they learn more, grow more, and stay on track for a bright future.
Henderson ISD Communications
🎉 Perfect Attendance Pays Off! 🎉
Our Henderson High School Perfect Attendance Winners for November enjoyed a free drink of their choice from 7-BREW this week! ☕🙌 District-wide, HISD attendance is holding strong at over 96% — and we couldn’t be more grateful for our families and community who help make that possible. 💙❤️
Thank you for supporting our students and celebrating the #TraditionOfExcellence every day! #7Brew #HendersonISD #AttendanceMatters #HHSLionPride #StayInSchool #EastTexasSchools
** REUNIFICATION DRILL COMPLETE **
Today’s full-scale reunification exercise at Northside is now complete.
All students and staff have returned to campus, and normal operations have resumed.
We want to thank our families, staff, transportation teams, and community partners for their cooperation and professionalism throughout this planned drill. Exercises like this help ensure that Henderson ISD is prepared to safely reunify students with their families if an actual emergency ever requires it.
We also want to thank our local first responders and emergency management partners for their support and collaboration.
Thank you for supporting Henderson ISD and our tradition of excellence in school safety.
Henderson ISD Community Notice - ** THIS IS ONLY A DRILL **
Henderson ISD is currently conducting a required full-scale reunification exercise at Northside as part of our ongoing school safety program. This is a planned drill in coordination with local first responders, the Texas School Safety Center’s guidance, and the Standard Reunification Method (SRM).
There is no emergency, and all students and staff are safe. During the exercise you may see increased school and public-safety activity in the area, including buses, district staff, and emergency partners participating in the drill.
These exercises help us strengthen our reunification procedures so that, in a real emergency, we can safely and efficiently reunite students with their families.
We appreciate the community’s support as we work to maintain a safe learning environment for all students.
- HISD Admin.
** This is an exercise. **
