The Breakthrough Bulletin

Dear YWA Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! Whether you are returning to YWA or joining our family for the very first time, we are so excited to have you with us.

As many of you know, I joined Young Women's Academy as principal this past spring, and I am honored to officially welcome you into what I know will be an incredible year. Over the past week, our faculty and staff have been hard at work preparing our classrooms, collaborating with one another, and setting high expectations to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Our theme this year is Breakthrough.

At YWA, we believe every student is capable of breaking through barriers, reaching new heights, and accomplishing more than they ever imagined. This year, we are committed to pursuing breakthrough growth in every area, from academics and attendance to athletics, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and college and career readiness. Most importantly, we are committed to helping every girl discover her potential and achieve success.

We know that none of this happens without strong partnerships between home and school. Thank you for choosing YWA and for trusting us with your daughter each day. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and challenging environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive.

Please take a few minutes to read through the information in this newsletter. It contains important updates and reminders to help your family start the school year successfully.

As always, if there is ever anything we can do to support your family, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our doors are always open, and we look forward to partnering with you throughout the year.

Here's to a year of breakthroughs and exponential growth!

With appreciation and a full heart,

Jennifer Arias
Principal
Young Women's STEAM Research & Preparatory Academy

One of the things that makes YWA truly unique is our partnership with the Young Women's Preparatory Network (YWPN).

YWA is proud to be an El Paso ISD public school, and through our partnership with YWPN, our students have access to opportunities that extend far beyond the traditional classroom. Together, we work to prepare young women for success in college, careers, leadership, and life.

YWPN helps expand opportunities for our students by supporting:

• 🎓 College readiness and college advising
• 💰 Scholarship guidance and financial aid support
• 🌎 College visits and enrichment experiences
• 🌟 Leadership development
• ❤️ Personal wellness and whole-student support

We are excited about the addition of a College Success Advisor (CSA) through our partnership with the Young Women's Preparatory Network. This position will further expand the opportunities available to our students by supporting college readiness, scholarship opportunities, leadership development, and career exploration. We look forward to sharing more information with families as the program gets underway.

Throughout the year, you'll also see new opportunities made possible through this partnership, including workshops, guest speakers, leadership experiences, college visits, and programs that help prepare our students for success long after graduation.

We're incredibly grateful for the Young Women's Preparatory Network and the many ways they invest in our students. Together with El Paso ISD, we're creating opportunities that empower every girl to dream bigger, lead with confidence, and achieve her goals.

Want to know what's happening at YWA? We've made it easy!

Our YWA Live Calendar is your one-stop resource for the latest campus events and activities. Because it's a live calendar, it's continuously updated throughout the year with the most current information.

We encourage every family to bookmark the link on your computer or save it to your phone's home screen for quick and easy access. That way, you'll always have the most up-to-date information at your fingertips.

The calendar includes:

• 📚 Academic events and important school dates
• 🏐 Athletic events and competitions
• 🎭 Fine arts performances and activities
• 👩‍👧 Parent meetings and family events
• 🎉 School-wide celebrations and special events
• 🏫 Activities for students in grades 6–12
• 📅 And so much more!

We encourage families to check the calendar regularly, as new events and updates are added throughout the school year.

📆 Access the YWA Live Calendar here: https://tinyurl.com/s96f6yrb

To help keep all of our students safe and ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, please take a few minutes to review our Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures before the first day of school.

Please read the map carefully and watch this short video YWA PickUp_DropOff Instructions.mp4 that walks you through the traffic pattern for entering and exiting the campus.

A few important reminders:

• Enter campus from Poplar Street using the designated entrance.
• Please remain in the right lane and follow the flow of traffic.
• If traffic is backed up, we ask for your patience as the line moves forward.
• Students should only exit the vehicle in the designated drop-off area along the sidewalk.
• Once your student has safely exited the vehicle, continue through the traffic pattern and exit using the designated exit lanes. Please do not drive through the bus loading zone.

Thank you for helping us keep our arrival and dismissal procedures safe and efficient for everyone. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated!

To help the first day of school run smoothly, here's what you need to know:

Finding Your First Period Class

• When students arrive on campus, they should report to the cafeteria.
• Student locator lists will be posted and separated by Middle School and High School.
• Students should find their name to locate their first period classroom.
• Once the bell rings, students will report directly to that classroom.

Receiving Final Schedules

• Students will receive their finalized class schedule from their first period teacher.
• Please note that schedules may have changed due to higher-than-anticipated enrollment and balancing class sizes.

Bell Schedule

Students will follow an A/B Block Schedule.

Monday (A Day)

• 1st Period
• Advisory
• 2nd Period
• Lunch
• 3rd Period
• 4th Period

Tuesday (B Day)

• 5th Period
• Advisory
• 6th Period
• Lunch
• 7th Period
• 8th Period

Schedule Change Requests

Beginning Wednesday, counselors will provide Schedule Change Request Forms to students who need them.

Please keep in mind:

• Forms will be reviewed in the order they are received.
• While we will carefully consider every request, schedule changes are based on curriculum/graduation requirements, course availability, class size, and overall scheduling needs. Because of this, not every request can be accommodated.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure every student has the best schedule possible.

Student IDs are an important part of the YWA uniform and should be worn visibly on a lanyard around the neck every day while on campus.

If your student has not yet received an ID, there's no need to worry! Throughout this week, we will be calling students to the office during Advisory to have their school picture taken and their ID created.

Please remember:

• 🪪 Student IDs are required.
• 👕 IDs are considered part of the daily school uniform and should be worn at all times while on campus.
• 📸 Students who are still missing an ID will be called during Advisory to complete the process.

Thank you for your patience as we finish creating IDs for all of our students. We appreciate your support in helping students wear their IDs every day to promote a safe and secure campus.

At YWA, we are proud of the positive culture our students have built, and cell phones have rarely been a concern. As we welcome many new students this year, we'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of our expectations.

Effective August 4, 2025, Texas House Bill 1481, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 22, 2025, prohibits the use of cell phones, smartwatches, and other non-instructional communication devices during the school day for El Paso ISD students.

At YWA, cell phones and other personal communication devices may not be used during the school day. Students should keep their devices turned off or silenced and stored away from the beginning of the school day until dismissal.

Our goal is simple: we want our students fully engaged in learning, building relationships, and participating in the many opportunities available to them throughout the day.

If a parent or guardian needs to reach a student during the school day, or if a student needs to contact home, our front office is always available to assist.

Please take a few minutes to review the district's Cell Phone Policy using the link below. It includes additional information about expectations, exceptions, and consequences for policy violations.

📱 EPISD Cell Phone Policy: https://www.episd.org/page/cellphonepolicy

Thank you for partnering with us to create a focused, distraction-free learning environment where every student can thrive.

Our 2026–2027 Student Handbook contains important information about school policies, expectations, procedures, dress code, attendance, technology use, and other resources to help your student have a successful school year.

We encourage every family to take a few minutes to review the handbook together.

At the end of the handbook, you will find a Parent/Student Acknowledgment. After reviewing the handbook, please complete the online acknowledgment form.

Helpful Links:

• 📘 2026–2027 Student Handbook: Scan QR Code or find link here: YWA student handbook 2026
• ✅ Parent/Student Acknowledgment Form: Scan QR code or find link on the last page of the handbook

Thank you for taking the time to review this important information and for partnering with us to make this a successful school year!

Lockers are available for students on a first-come, first-served basis.

If your student would like a locker, please follow these steps:

1. Bring your own lock
2. Find an available locker in your designated area:
   • Middle School: Building C (downstairs)
   • High School: Building D (upstairs or downstairs)
3. If the locker does not already have a lock on it, write down the locker number located on the outside of the locker.
4. Bring that locker number to the Front Office, where Ms. Jackie will officially assign the locker to you.

If you are using a combination lock, we strongly encourage you to share your combination with Ms. Jackie. Your combination will be kept confidential and only used if you need assistance accessing your locker.

Sharing your combination is optional. However, if you choose not to share it and later forget the combination, the only way to access your locker is to remove the lock, which could require it to be cut off and replaced.

We look forward to helping students stay organized throughout the school year!

• EPISD Transportation Website: https://www.episd.org/page/transportation
• Find Your Bus Route (Click on East Central and then YWA): https://www.episd.org/page/busroutes
• Bus Stop Locator: https://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=EPI1VEWXIDIT
• For Transportation related questions or concerns please email mailto:transportation@episd.org
• Stopfinder How-To Video: https://youtu.be/JLjG-wg45z8?si=icBs4tboYtRVewR9

EPISD will be strictly enforcing the 90% attendance rule during the 2026–2027 school year. Attendance will directly impact whether students receive credit for their classes.

https://www.episd.org/page/attendance

Under the 90% rule, all absences count toward the attendance limit, whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

For each semester, students may incur a Loss Of Credit for a class after exceeding the allowed 4 absences per class. Once students fall below the required attendance percentage, they will be required to fulfill a Principal's Attendance Plan.

For detailed information please read the PDF below titled "YWA 90% Rule Presentation".

Please submit your questions to link provided in images below...

We're happy to share that all YWA students receive free breakfast, lunch, and an after-school meal every school day!

Breakfast

To receive a complete breakfast, students must select 3 items, including:

• 1 fruit or juice
• 2 additional items of their choice

Lunch

To receive a complete lunch, students must select 3 meal components, including:

• 1 fruit or vegetable
• 2 additional components of their choice

After-School Meals

Beginning Monday, August 10, after-school meals will be available for students. Students may select any 3 items offered during after-school meal service.

Menu Changes

While we make every effort to serve the posted menu, occasional substitutions may be necessary. If there is a change to the breakfast or lunch menu, we will make a school-wide announcement so students are aware before meal service.

Food Allergies & Dietary Concerns

If your student has a food allergy or any dietary concerns, please contact our school nurse, Ms. Alexis Vaughan (atvaughan@episd.org), as soon as possible. She will work with the appropriate staff to help ensure your student's needs are communicated and accommodated.

Breakfast and lunch menus for this month are included below.

Beginning this school year, YWA will be a closed campus for all students in grades 6–12 during the school day, including lunch.

This aligns with the practice at the majority of EPISD secondary campuses. After thoughtful discussion, the Campus Improvement Team (CIT) voted in early spring to implement a closed-campus model beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.

Students are not permitted to leave campus for lunch. We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we implement this change to help maintain a safe, secure, and focused learning environment for all students.

While we are disappointed to no longer offer French, we remain committed to providing students with exceptional world language opportunities through our strong Spanish program.

Our Spanish program continues to provide an outstanding pathway for language learning, allowing students to progress from Spanish I through Spanish V AP. Students have the opportunity to take Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III Pre-AP, Spanish IV AP, and Spanish V AP, building advanced language skills while preparing for college and future careers.

Our AP Spanish courses provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit. At many universities, including UTEP, students who earn qualifying AP exam scores may receive significant college credit. Depending on the university's policies and the student's AP exam scores, those credits may even place students well on their way toward earning a minor in Spanish.

Interested in Accelerating?

If your student is scheduled in Spanish I or Spanish II and you believe she is ready for a higher-level course, she may have the opportunity to earn credit through a Credit by Exam (CBE).

Beginning Wednesday, students may indicate their interest on the Schedule Change Request Form by requesting to take the Spanish I and/or Spanish II Credit by Exam. Students who successfully earn credit could begin in a more advanced Spanish course, such as Honors Spanish III.

A New Course with Real-World Impact

Although we were disappointed to lose our French program, we are incredibly excited about what we gained.

We welcomed an outstanding educator to YWA who brings expertise in Personal Finance, Business, and Career Readiness. Through his courses, students will develop practical life skills that are often not taught in traditional classrooms, including budgeting, saving, investing, understanding credit, managing loans, and making informed financial decisions that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Even more exciting, he is leading the effort to bring the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to YWA. Through this nationally recognized IRS initiative, students receive specialized training to prepare tax returns for qualifying individuals and families in our community. In the process, they gain valuable financial literacy, workplace experience, and community service opportunities while earning certification as IRS Volunteer Tax Preparers.

This is an incredible opportunity that we're excited to offer our students, and it's just one example of the innovative experiences our new educator is helping bring to YWA.

In addition to the classroom, he also serves as a golf coach in our district, and we are excited to begin exploring the possibility of adding a girls' golf program in the future. If your student has an interest in golf, we'd love to hear from you as we continue planning for future opportunities.

Whether your student is an experienced athlete or interested in trying something new, YWA offers a variety of opportunities to get involved, build leadership skills, and represent our Warrior family. Here are a few important athletic updates!

🤼 High School Wrestling Update

We're excited to share that YWA is in the final stages of adding girls' wrestling as a high school sport!

Over the past several months, we've made tremendous progress, including securing a dedicated wrestling practice space and mat room. We're also working closely with our district and community partners to finalize the remaining steps.

If everything proceeds as anticipated, our high school wrestlers will begin preparing for the upcoming season, which starts in October.

We look forward to sharing more exciting updates over the next couple of weeks!

Questions? Please contact our Athletic Coordinator, Coach Pacheco (lamedran@episd.org) or our middle school wrestling coach, Coach Pulisci (fapulisc@episd.org).

🥎 Middle School Softball

Calling all 7th and 8th grade girls! Have you ever thought about playing softball?

We're looking for students who are willing to learn, grow, and try something new! No prior experience is necessary.

Softball clinics begin Monday, August 10, giving girls who are new to the sport an opportunity to learn the fundamentals, build their confidence, and prepare for tryouts in a fun and supportive environment.

We encourage all interested students to come out, meet new friends, develop new skills, and give softball a try. You might just discover your new favorite sport!

Practices will begin after school during the second week of classes. Students interested in participating should contact our Athletic Coordinator, Coach Pacheco (lamedran@episd.org).

📄 See the Softball Calendar Below for Additional Details.

📋 Athletic Physicals & Rank One

Planning to participate in athletics this year?

A current athletic physical and all required Rank One forms must be completed before a student may participate in any practice or tryout.

🏐 High School Volleyball Tryouts

Calling all Warriors in grades 9–12!

Whether you're a freshman who's never played volleyball or an experienced athlete looking to compete this season, we'd love to have you join our program!

Our coaching staff has experience developing both novice and elite athletes, so if you're willing to work hard, learn, and be part of something special, we encourage you to come try out.

Tryouts will be held Monday and Tuesday after school in the gym until 6:00 p.m.

Before participating in tryouts, students must be cleared through Rank One, including:

• Parent and student electronic signatures
• A current 2026 UIL Physical

Students who are not cleared through Rank One will not be permitted to participate.

For questions about Rank One, athletic eligibility, physicals, or any athletics-related information, please contact our Athletic Coordinator, Coach Pacheco, at lamedran@episd.org.

📄 See the Volleyball Tryout Flyer Below for Additional Details.

Our Parent, Teacher, and Student Organization (PTSO) is an incredible partner to YWA, and we are so grateful for the many ways they support our students, staff, and campus throughout the year. We encourage every family to get involved!

Uniform Logo Sales & Iron-On Service

The PTSO will be on campus Monday (Aug 3) and Tuesday (Aug 4) from 8:00–9:00 a.m. in the PTSO Room (downstairs C) selling official YWA uniform logos.

They will also be available to iron the logos onto your uniform items while you're there. Simply bring the clothing item(s) that need the logo attached.

🎉 Birthday Sashes

Would you like your student to be recognized on her birthday with a special YWA birthday sash?

This tradition is completely free and available to all YWA students, but families must complete the sign-up form in advance.

➡️ See the flyer below for registration information.

Become a PTSO Member

Joining the PTSO is one of the best ways to support our school community. Your membership helps provide programs, events, and resources that directly benefit our students and staff throughout the year.

➡️ See the membership flyer below to join today!

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways to get involved at YWA! Whether you can volunteer occasionally or throughout the year, we'd love to have your support.

➡️ Check out the volunteer opportunities flyer below to learn more and sign up.

Thank you to our amazing PTSO for everything they do to help make YWA an exceptional place for our girls to learn, grow, and thrive.