Oneida Salazar
Explorer Families,
I hope that you and your students have had a wonderful summer and are getting just as excited as we are to kick off the 2026-2027 school year. Last year, we built on our foundation of strong systems ensuring a safe and focused learning environment, to ensure we lived out our believe value by providing radical access to rigorous and engaging curriculum and opportunities to each and every student. We revamped our expanded student leadership opportunities by creating a Grade Level Student Council for each grade level. We expanded elective offerings and continued our robust Advanced Placement (AP) course program, resulting in a 3% increase in our students’ performance on STAAR exams.
This year we are excited to build off the opportunities we are providing students to further Rise Together. We are launching our Welding Pathway Program in partnership with HCC to allow a cohort of students to graduate with a Level I Welding Certificate and college credits. We are taking a data driven approach to providing radical access to students while providing targeted supports to support students’ growth. We are continuing to empower student voice through further expanded Grade Level Councils. We are excited to see our students take on new opportunities and continue to grow!
If you are not already doing so, please follow us on Instagram at @ypeastend for all the most up-to-date information and on download Parent Square for communication directly with your students’ teachers.
We cannot wait to welcome each of our rising 6th and 9th grade students to campus on Wednesday, August 12th and all of our students back on campus on Thursday, August 13th. See you all soon!
-Ms. Peterson
📚 2026–2027 School Supply Lists are Here! ✏️
Get a head start on back-to-school shopping! The school supply lists for all incoming 6th–12th grade students are now available. Supply List 26-27
A few reminders:
- 🎒 Mesh or clear backpacks only are permitted.
- 📝 Some elective classes will provide additional supply lists during the first week of school.
Front Office Food & Item Drop-Off Guidelines
· To protect instructional time, front office staff will not interrupt classrooms to notify students or call them to the front office.
· Students are responsible for picking up any food or items left for them in the front office.
· For health and safety reasons, students may not share food with others at any time unless explicitly permitted by campus administration.
· Only parents, guardians, or approved emergency contacts may drop off food. Food delivery services are not permitted.
Attendance & Tardy Policy Reminder
To ensure students receive the full benefit of instruction, all students must arrive by 8:15 AM to be considered on time. Students arriving after 8:30 AM will be marked tardy.
Attendance is taken every class period. Official Average Daily Attendance (ADA) reported to TEA is taken at 10:00 AM during 1st period. Any student not present, at that time will be marked absent for ADA purposes. Written excuses must be submitted within three business days for an absence to be considered excused.
Early sign-outs are only allowed in emergencies and are not permitted after 3:30 PM, unless it is an emergency.
Students must arrive on time, in full uniform, and wearing their school ID. Students who are tardy or without an ID will receive a demerit. Every third tardy will result in detention.
Excused Absences & Submitting Notes
Excuse notes must be submitted within 48 hours of the absence.
Only three handwritten parent notes will be accepted per six-week grading period.
Families may upload absence excuses directly into Skyward for review and approval. Please review the instructional video for step-by-step guidance.
Truancy Procedures
-
3 unexcused absences: Truancy warning letter sent via Skyward
-
6 unexcused absences (semester): Parent/guardian conference required
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9 unexcused absences (semester): Parent/student conference to discuss possible loss of credit
Student Assistance Forms
We know that you may have some needs that arise as a parent, guardian, or student. You can receive direct help by submitting a “Student Assistance Form” or, a SAF. To communicate any support needs you may have, please click on the SAF link on the district website or use the QR code below. A campus Student Support Counselor will follow-up with you to determine the best way to get your need met. SAFs can be submitted for:
- Urgent family concerns
- Family or student supplies or resources needed for school (i.e. uniforms, calculator, books, food)
- Student social and emotional concerns
- Student home or family concerns
- Student relationship concerns
- Concerns about harassment, race, or equity
Samantha Marquez, ASPIRE/HYPE Coordinator
The YES Prep ASPIRE (After-School Program for Identity, Relationships and Enrichment) exists for students to participate in supplemental academic and enrichment activities. We will roll out the application in August so we can begin programming the first week of September!
What we offered last year at YES Prep East End:
- Crochet
- Yearbook
- General Sports
- Technolochicas
- Debate
- Music
- Folklorico
- Exploring Chapters Book Club
- Girasol
Rising Juniors and Seniors are welcome to lead a club to increase their leadership and communication skills on campus. Family members are also highly encouraged to host a club at our school to create a positive impact in our community. For questions about leading or hosting a club, reach out to our ASPIRE coordinator at Samantha.Marquez@yesprep.org
Can I drop off food to my student(s)?
- Yes, you OR an emergency contact listed in skyward can drop off food for your student(s)
Can I uber food to my Student(s)?
- NO, YOU CANNOT UBER EATS, DOOR DASH, GRUB HUB food to your student(s).
How to purchase Replacement ID’s & Pricing?
Student(s) can purchase a replacement ID through Ms. Martinez, the school registrar, before school 8:00 A.M -8:25 A.M
- New ID card: $3
- New ID pouch: $1
- New ID lanyard: $1
- ID bundle (all 3): $5
How to order uniforms
How can I communicate with my Student(s) Teachers?
How can I upload a school excuse?
Where can I see my child Schedule?
- Family Notes
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