September News Letter

Message From The Superintendent
Dear Triumph Team:
As we begin this new school year, I want to take a moment to recognize the outstanding achievements of our students, teachers, and staff. The Rio Grande Valley earned a Districtwide A rating, and our Laredo South campus also received an A rating. These accomplishments reflect your tireless dedication, perseverance, and belief in our mission. I could not be prouder of the example you are setting for our students and communities.
September also marks Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans who have enriched our nation and shaped the future for generations to come. This celebration is especially meaningful for Triumph, as many of our students see their own stories reflected in this legacy of resilience, family, and community.
This year’s summer conference theme, Beyond the Classroom, Beyond Graduation, calls us to look deeper at the impact we have, not only on academic performance, but on preparing our students for meaningful lives after high school. In that same spirit, we are also celebrating a historic milestone together: Triumph has now reached 10,000 graduates. This mark is a true testament to what we can accomplish when we create strong communities of support for our students and families.
As we step into this new academic year, let us carry these successes and values forward. May they inspire us to continue creating classrooms filled with opportunity, encouragement, and hope. Together, we triumph, not only in ratings, but in the lives we touch each day.
Thank you for the commitment, passion, and heart you bring to our mission. I wish each of you a rewarding year ahead.
Sincerely,
Frances Berrones-Johnson
Superintendent/CEO
Congratulations to our RGV district for earning an A Rating from the Texas Education Agency! Four campuses—Brownsville, McAllen, Mercedes, and Laredo South—also received A Ratings. Thank you to our students, staff, and parents for achieving this prestigious honor!
Making Connections
As the 2024–2025 school year comes to a close and preparations begin for 2025–2026, staff members from all our campuses have been actively spreading the word about Triumph for the upcoming year. Campuses have engaged in block walking, hosted on-campus events, and participated in community events throughout their areas. In addition to recruiting, they have been building valuable connections with local non-profits and informing the community about all that Triumph has to offer.
Abilene
Brownsville
Laredo North
Laredo South
Lubbock
McAllen
Mercedes
San Antonio
San Benito
Targets Met
Congratulations to Mrs. Castillo and the Laredo South Campus for meeting both their enrollment and attendance goals, and to Mrs. Romeo and the Abilene Campus for meeting their enrollment goal.
Laredo South
Mrs. Castillo-Principal
Abilene
Mrs. Romero-Principal
2025
Employee of the Year
Congratulations to these outstanding employees for their dedication and hard work. This award honors exceptional performance and a strong commitment to excellence. This year's recipients have consistently gone above and beyond in their roles.
Abilene
Brownsville
El Paso East
El Paso West
Laredo North
Laredo South
Lubbock
McAllen
Mercedes
San Antonio
San Benito
San Antonio Central Office
Business office
IT
Welcome back
Laredo South
McAllen
Mercedes
Laredo North
San Benito
El Paso East
#RuntoTriumph
Hi, I'm Laura Estefania Carranza, and in September 2025, I'll be running the BMW Berlin Marathon in honor of my amazing brother, Leonardo Emmanuel Carranza, who has down syndrome-and for the thousands of families like ours across the world.
My running journey began as a way to cope with postpartum depression. Running became my outlet—it cleared my mind and gave me a sense of freedom. Around the same time, Brownsville, TX saw the rise of local running clubs, and I joined them all: Embrace the Pace, M2M, PMP Kashmir, Coffee & Miles, and Mpower. I was that "mother runner" with the double stroller, pushing through the miles.
Sharing my love for running on social media inspired other moms to lace up their shoes and hit the pavement. I didn’t just want them to fall in love with running—I wanted them to find themselves in it, just like I did.
That same passion led me to start a running club at the alternative high school where I work. Our school serves students who haven’t found success in traditional settings or who have already dropped out. Triumph Public High Schools is a dropout recovery program, and now, my students are waking up early on weekends to join local runs. They've discovered a new outlet, a new reason to keep going.
I want to keep inspiring others and showing them just how beautiful the running community can be. But it’s not just about running—it’s about why we run. I’ve run for wildlife conservation, for VEDS awareness, for various nonprofits—and now, I have the honor of running for my brother, and for all the families who love someone with Down syndrome.
This journey is bigger than me. It’s about healing, purpose, and racing for a cause.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, foster hope, and promote resources that support mental health and well-being. Schools play a vital role in creating safe and supportive environments where students feel seen, heard, and valued. School communities are encouraged to engage in conversations, share resources, and participate in activities that promote emotional safety and resilience. Together, we can help prevent suicide and support students in need. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—help is available 24/7.
Teacher Spot Light
San Antonio Campus -Elective Teacher
Mark Your Calendar
National Calendar
September Awareness Month
Events
Question of the month
What is your 2025-2026 walk up song?
If you have any news from your campus and would like to share in the future issues please send your ideas, pictures and video, with a brief description by the 15th of each month for the next issue.
email :jennifer.gonzales@triumphpublicschools.org
Text: 956-455-3160