December Newsletter

Dear Triumph Family,

As we approach the holiday break, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment each of you has shown throughout this semester. Your passion for education and the care you provide to our students is truly inspiring.

This year has brought many challenges, but it has also highlighted the resilience, creativity, and perseverance of our Triumph community. You have made a significant impact on the lives of our students, and for that, I am deeply thankful.

As we head into this well-deserved break, I encourage each of you to take time to relax, recharge, and spend quality moments with your loved ones. The work you do is so important, and it's essential that you take care of yourselves so that we can continue to do this important work together in the new year.

I look forward to all that we will accomplish in the coming months and am excited to continue this journey with such a talented and passionate team. Thank you for all that you do, and I wish you a joyful, peaceful, and restorative holiday season.

Sincerely,

Frances Berrones-Johnson
Superintendent/CEO

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a vibrant Mexican celebration that honors and remembers deceased loved ones. Held annually on November 1st and 2nd, it coincides with the Catholic observances of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, but its roots are deeply tied to indigenous traditions, particularly the Aztecs, who believed that death was a natural part of the cycle of life. The holiday is marked by colorful altars (ofrendas) adorned with candles, marigolds, photographs, food, and other items that the deceased enjoyed in life, believed to help guide their spirits back to the world of the living. Sugar skulls (calaveras), intricate papel picado (cut-paper decorations), and festive foods like pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and tamales are central symbols of the celebration. Rather than a somber event, Día de los Muertos is a joyous occasion that celebrates the lives of those who have passed, recognizing that death is not an end but a continuation of the eternal cycle.

Veterans Day is a solemn U.S. holiday observed on November 11th each year to honor military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Originally known as Armistice Day, the day was chosen to mark the signing of the armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. While Armistice Day was initially focused on honoring those who served in World War I, Veterans Day was expanded after World War II and the Korean War to honor all veterans who have served, regardless of the conflict. The holiday is a time for reflection, remembrance, and appreciation of the sacrifices made by veterans, many of whom have faced hardships and challenges in defense of the nation. Veterans Day is marked by ceremonies, parades, and moments of silence, as communities across the country come together to show gratitude for the courage and service of military men and women. Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who have died in service, Veterans Day recognizes all veterans, living and deceased, who have dedicated themselves to the defense of freedom and the country. We would like to thank our Veteran staff for your years of service. Thank you.

Teachers and staff from El Paso East and West, as well as Brownsville, are attending the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), an event organized by the Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT). CAST serves as a premier gathering for science educators, providing them with opportunities for professional development, networking, and collaboration. With thousands of science educators and advocates in attendance each year, the conference offers a dynamic platform to inspire, share best practices, and stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in science education. Through workshops, sessions, and networking opportunities, CAST supports educators in enhancing their teaching strategies and advancing the field of science education across Texas.

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 to Jennifer Gonzales at jennifer.gonzales@triumphpublicschools.org by the 15th of each month for the next issue.

The Mission of Triumph Public High Schools is to provide quality educational programs in a community-based, non-traditional setting in which teachers are free to be creative and innovative, and students are free to explore their full potential

The Vision of Triumph Public High Schools is to guide all students to be successful life-long learners, be respectful and responsible citizens who will continue to triumph throughout their lives.

• Respect is the foundation of meaningful relationships.
• Dedication and perseverance are characteristics of success.
• Educators develop the natural capacity of students to their fullest potential.
• The school environment must be physically and emotionally safe for students.
• School makes a difference in the lives of students, families, and communities.