2026-27 LA PORTE ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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This publication is produced by the LPISD Communications Department. On the cover: The La Porte High School band performs at halftime of the football game on Oct. 23rd at Bulldog Stadium. This was their last home performance before qualifying for state that weekend.
Jeff Martin President
Danny Hanks Trustee
Melissa Crutcher Vice President
Russell Schoppe Trustee
Mason Peres Secretary
Dee Anne Thomson Trustee
Dr. Walter Jackson Superintendent of Schools
Karen Wheeler-Hall Trustee
A MESSAGE FROM
DR. JACKSON Dear La Porte ISD Community, As we reflect on all that makes
La Porte ISD special, I am reminded that the strength of our district
Our students and staff continue
These achievements remind us
determination, and pride that make our
we face, the heart of La Porte ISD
to demonstrate the hard work, district such a special place.
comes from the people who make
Congratulations to our La Porte High
everyone who took an interest in the
UIL State Marching Contest for the
up this community. I want to thank
Proposition A election, participated
in the process, and continues to care
deeply about the future of our schools. The strong voter turnout speaks to
the passion our community has for
La Porte ISD. We recognize that every family and household is navigating
its own financial challenges, and we understand that decisions involving additional financial commitments
deserve thoughtful consideration.
Our intent with Proposition A was to address the needs of our students
and schools while continuing to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. We appreciate the many perspectives shared throughout
this process and remain committed to listening, learning, and working
together for the benefit of our entire community.
Even as we navigate these important conversations, there is so much
to celebrate across La Porte ISD.
School Band for qualifying for the
second consecutive year, our Bi-District Volleyball Champions, Regional Cross Country qualifiers, and our Bulldogs Football Team for earning its fourth
consecutive District Championship!
that, regardless of the challenges remains strong. Our commitment to providing an exceptional education
and meaningful opportunities for every student remains unchanged. We will
continue working together to make the most of every opportunity and ensure our students have the resources,
encouragement, and support they need to succeed.
We celebrate the La Porte Junior High
As we approach Thanksgiving, I hope
undefeated seasons and are incredibly
slow down, enjoy time with family
8A and 8B football teams for their
proud of James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus for maintaining more than
95% daily attendance through creative incentives that make school fun, from
water balloon tosses at administrators to Rock-Paper-Scissors tournaments.
The Dia de los Muertos creations from
Lomax Junior High students were very impressive! Check out a few of them here. We loved seeing hundreds of
residents come together for the Trunk-
or-Treat event at The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School. From student
each of you has an opportunity to
and friends, and reflect on the many
blessings in our lives. I am grateful to
live and work in a community that cares so deeply about its children and its
schools. Thank you for your continued support of La Porte ISD and for all you do to make a difference in the lives of our students.
I wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings!
In your service,
achievements to strong attendance
and community connections, there is so much to celebrate across La Porte ISD!
Dr. Walter Jackson
Superintendent of Schools
NOVEMBER 2026 What’s Coming Up! Monday
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Tuesday
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ELECTION
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
Saturday
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DAY
Teacher Professional Learning Day
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Teacher Professional Learning Day
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LPISD BOARD MEETING
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Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Break Break Break Break Break
Varsity Home Game BOYS BASKETBALL GIRLS BASKETBALL
lpisd athletics website
FOOTBALL
Varsity Away Game
Visit the QR codes or lpisd.org
for more information on specific event details
lpisd events calendar
LA PORTE HIGH SCHOOL 2026 2027 BASKETBALL SCHEDULES
SHELL SCIENCE LAB GRANT WINNERS
Two La Porte ISD teachers named winners in Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Heritage Elementary science teacher Pamela Swain and Lomax Junior High science teacher Kirsti Fontenot have been named regional winners in the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge, and have been awarded $7,500 and $40,000 grants, respectively. The awards will provide new materials and equipment that will enhance laboratory investigations, STEM activities, and inquiry-driven learning experiences for Heritage Elementary and Lomax Junior High students. This is the second consecutive award for Fontenot, who received $20,000 in 2025. Sponsored by Shell USA and administered by the National Science Teaching Association, the Challenge recognizes outstanding science educators who demonstrate creativity, innovation and a commitment to providing exceptional science experiences for students. Swain and Fontenot now advance to the national phase of the competition, where they will have a chance to win an additional $5,000 of support to attend a future NSTA National Conference.
BAND QUALIFIES FOR STATE!
The Mighty Bulldog Marching Band competed in San Antonio for the second year in a row. The La Porte High School Mighty Bulldog Marching Band and Color Guard competed at the UIL State Marching Band Championships at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Monday, Nov. 2. This marks the program’s second consecutive appearance at State and only its third trip in 36 years— the first time the band has advanced to State two years in a row. The band earned its State berth by receiving a Division I rating at Region and finishing as runnerup at the Area competition on Oct. 24. Hundreds of bands begin at the Region level each year, with only 38 advancing to Area and just six bands per Area earning a place at State. At State, the band performed its 2026 production, A Place Called Home, a show reflecting on memory, belonging, and the meaning of home. The band is directed by Jason Harvey, with assistant directors Mark Fennell and Wilmaure Mejos.
CROSS COUNTRY ADVANCES TO UIL REGIONALS Boys and Girls Secure Regional Berths with Strong District Performances
La Porte High School’s boys and girls varsity cross country teams earned the right to represent District 20-5A at the UIL Region III Cross Country Meet in Huntsville after strong performances at the Oct. 15 district meet in La Porte. At district, the boys team finished third, outscoring the nearest competitor by 39 points. The girls team also placed third, finishing 28 points ahead of the fourth-place team. In addition to the two qualifying teams, four individual runners advanced to the regional meet: Gianna Palomarez and Mykenzie Willis on the girls’ side, and Adam Alvarez and Thomas Green on the boys’ side. Competing on Oct. 27 at Kate Barr Ross Memorial Park in Huntsville, the Bulldogs closed out their season with multiple personal records. Congratulations to both teams and all of their athletes on a successful and hard-fought season!
La Porte Education Foundation awards $150K during this year’s Dollar Patrol! The La Porte Education Foundation on Oct. 22 awarded $150,013 in grants to La Porte ISD teachers and administrators during its annual Dollar Patrol. The grants will fund 132 innovative classroom projects across the district. The Dollar Patrol, which included Foundation members, donors, school district administrators and community members, visited every school in the district to present grants to teachers. Grants awarded for the 2026-27 school year will be used to fund resources such as math robots, educational software, and text-to-speech reading pens, to name a few. “We are in awe every year with the software programs and gadgets that the educators research to bring into the classrooms,” La Porte Education Foundation Executive Director Charlotte Pennye said. “The excitement that we witness on the faces of the teachers and students when the grants are awarded brings such a feeling of happiness. None of it would have been possible without the continued support of our donors. We appreciate them so much,” Since 1993, the La Porte Education Foundation has awarded $3.1 million in grants to teachers, counselors, and administrators in La Porte ISD for innovative educational projects.
CTE DISTRICT OF DISTINCTION LPISD honored for the second year in a row
La Porte ISD has been selected as a 2026 CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas. This esteemed recognition celebrates districts across Texas that demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment to student success through high-quality Career and Technical Education programs. This is the district’s second consecutive year to receive the honor. The CTE District of Distinction program highlights districts that excel in workforce readiness, foster innovation in CTE, and inspire others through their dedication to student achievement and community impact. Honored districts serve as models of excellence, showcasing best practices and driving progress in CTE statewide. It was designed to celebrate outstanding career and technical education programs across Texas. Honored districts are selected based on their ability to meet rigorous criteria that include innovative programming, industrybased certifications, alignment with workforce needs, and exceptional student outcomes. As a CTE District of Distinction, La Porte ISD is not only celebrating its own achievements but also setting a benchmark for excellence in CTE statewide. This designation opens doors to new opportunities for collaboration with educational and workforce development leaders, further advancing the district’s mission of preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving economy.
ORCHESTRA ALL-REGION
Six La Porte High School students earn All-Region honors Six La Porte High School students earned a chair in the Region 19 All-Region Orchestra after Oct. 3 auditions at Pasadena Memorial High School. Drake Leija (violin) Leilanni Cassanova-Romano (violin) Evan Garcia (viola) Ethan Garcia (cello) William Hoffman (cello) Jason Schumacher (cello)
Pictured left-to-right: Drake Leija, Evan Garcia, Ethan Garcia, William Hoffman, Jason Schumacher ; Not pictured: Leilanni CassanovaRomano
About 360 orchestra students competed for 65 spots on the All-Region Orchestra, according to Head Orchestra Director Christina Bires. All-Region honorees will participate in a Region Clinic on Jan. 15-16 and will play a concert at Deer Park High School.
CLASS OF 2026
HALL OF HONOR DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Steve & Kerry Regan
J.B. Sauceda
DISTINGUISHED STAFF
Henry Einfeldt Vickie Gentile
Tom Holland
This year’s honorees will be recognized before the football game on Friday, Nov. 6.
2026-2027
INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDAR UPDATED 9/22/26
July
4 .............................................. 4th of July Holiday 29-31........................ New Professionals Inservice
August
4-11 ........................... Professional Learning Days
12 ............................................ Freshman First Day 13 ............................................ First Day of School
September
7 .............................................. Labor Day Holiday
21........ Professional Learning Day (No Students)
July 2026 S
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September 2026
August 2026
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October
12 ............ Teacher Exchange Day (No Students) 13-16 ...................................................... Fall Break
November
2 .........Professional Learning Day (No Students) 3 .........Professional Learning Day (No Students) Parent Conferences - Elementary
23-27 .................................... Thanksgiving Break
December
18 ................................................... Early Dismissal 21-31 ................................................. Winter Break
January
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November 2026
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1 ........................................................ Winter Break
4 ........ Instructional Planning Day (No Students)
5 ........ Professional Learning Day (No Students)
January 2027
18 ................................................. MLK Jr. Holiday
February
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W
February 2027
TH
12 ....... Professional Learning Day (No Students)
March 2027
15 ....... Professional Learning Day (No Students)
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Parent Conferences - Elementary
8-12 .................................................. Spring Break 26 ......................................... Good Friday Holiday
April
30 ............. Teacher Exchange Day (No Students)
May
31
27 .................. Last Day of School/Early Dismissal DeWalt Academy Graduation
28 ............................... Instructional Planning Day
LPHS Graduation 31 .................................................... Memorial Day
Instructional Days
Total Number of Student Days: 169
Total Number of Teacher Days: 185 2 exchange days First Semester = 77.5 days Second Semester = 91.5 days
April 2027 S
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Campus Schedules High Schools
7:00 a.m. .........................First Bell 7:10 a.m. .........................Tardy Bell 2:35 p.m. .........................School Day Ends 10:45 a.m. .......................Early Dismissal Days
Junior Highs / James H. Baker
8:25 a.m. ........................First Bell 8:30 a.m. ........................Tardy Bell 4:00 p.m. ........................School Day Ends 12:10 p.m. ......................Early Dismissal Days
Elementary Schools
7:40 a.m. ........................First Bell 7:50 a.m. ........................Tardy Bell 3:15 p.m. ........................School Day Ends 11:25 a.m. ......................Early Dismissal Days
Freshman 1st Day
First / Last Day of School
Holiday
Start / Stop Grading Period
Professional Learning (No Students)
Report Card
PR1
Instructional Planning Day (No Students)
Teacher Exchange Days (No Students)
Inclement Weather Make-up Day
Student Early Dismissal
New Teacher Orientation
Progress Report
Every Student’s Success is Our Number One Priority! Created by LPISD Communications Board Approved 01/13/26