Are you for the First Day of School

We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and staff for their dedication and hard work. We did it! Young Women’s STEAM Research & Preparatory Academy will be designated as an ‘A’ Rated Campus on the Texas Education Agency’s A–F Report Card! This accomplishment reflects the extra effort, high expectations, and commitment of our entire school community. Our students and teachers rose to the challenge and set a new standard for future classes. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing team and supportive parents. This achievement belongs to all of us.

Congratulations, Warriors! Together, we continue to raise the bar.

👩‍🏫 Mrs. Corina Favela – Assistant Principal

📐 Miss Yesenia Chavez – Math Teacher

We are thrilled to have them on board and know you’ll enjoy getting to know them. Be sure to say hello when you see them around campus!

Welcome to the Warrior family! #YWAProud #TeamWarrior

We’re excited to share that our College Board AP testing data from May 2025 has arrived!

We are proud to announce that many of our students earned college credit by scoring a 3 or higher on their AP exams—an incredible accomplishment that reflects their hard work and dedication. Way to go, Warriors!

As a reminder: All students enrolled in AP courses at YWA are required to take the AP exam.
Completion of the AP exam demonstrates persistence, aligns with our graduation expectations, and upholds our commitment to excellence through our partnership with the Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN).

We are so proud of our students and their achievements—we’re college-bound and future-ready! 💪

We'll be sharing this data this during our first week of school! Students can also login to their AP College Board account to see how they did!

Families have until October 20, 2025, to purchase the full formal uniform. We understand that Lands' End does have some items on back order. We knew this before posting the uniform details, that is why we pushed our start date to October 20th! We will work with our families if there continues to be a delay at that time!

In the meantime, students are required to wear a school-color polo with the YWA logo and black uniform bottoms (leggings are not permitted). OR students can go ahead and start wearing their NEW FORMAL UNIFORM NOW!

📎 Please refer to the attached documents (available in English and Spanish) for detailed dress code guidelines.

🔹 PTSO will continue to offer iron-on YWA logos for polos. The first two are free, and additional logos are available for $1 each in Room C103.

✨ Need Support?
We are committed to supporting families in need. Please click the link below if you require assistance with uniforms: https://forms.office.com/r/p7JAH6t0Ak

OR if you are inclined to help a family in need or donate items, click on the following link:

https://forms.office.com/r/QqhyBSQwGx

🚫 Please Note:

• Leggings, jeans, and baggy pants are not permitted.

• As we launch the school year with our new uniform, dress code and uniform checks will be enforced. Please review the guidelines carefully.

• Facial piercings and excessive makeup are not allowed under EPISD dress code guidelines. Students should remove all facial piercings and apply only modest makeup. Parents, we appreciate your support in helping us uphold these expectations in alignment with EPISD policy.

📌 Check out our FAQs on the New Uniform Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ YWA New Uniform Questions in English_Spanish.docx

For any additional questions or concerns, please contact our Secretary,

Ms. Jaclyn Dominguez:
📞 915-236-4892

📧 jydoming@episd.org

We’re excited to officially welcome the Class of 2029 to high school at our upcoming 9th Grade Coating Ceremony!

As a special gift, Dr. Ontiveros will be purchasing either a YWA Blazer or a YWA Letterman-style Sweater for every 9th grade student—students will get to choose their preferred item!

📏 Sizing information and additional details will be shared soon!

📅 Save the Date: September 25, 2025
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM

Location: YWA Cafeteria

All students are welcome to wear YWA Spirit Shirts every Friday!

To participate, students must wear their spirit shirt with black uniform bottoms.

✅ All official YWA spirit shirts are approved—including PTSO Spirit Shirts!
#GoWarriors!

🛒 Purchase your spirit shirt at:
SchoolCashOnline.com

Be sure to include your student’s name at checkout so we can deliver the shirt directly to them!

For questions, please contact Mrs. Liz Jones at:
📧 ereyesjo@episd.org

***COMING SOON- The Flags and Volleyball Teams will each be selling spirit wear next week! Check out schoolcashonline.com to support our teams!

Milam Elementary has now been added as a pickup location.

Bus cards will be issued this coming week.
In the meantime, all students are allowed to ride the bus without issue.

📍 Look for YWA students at the designated bus stops assigned to your pickup area.
Please note that pickup locations may vary by campus.

*Please note that buses will run 10 minute early or late the first day of school. Times will be adjusted so students arrive in time to eat breakfast.

Our full shipment of school supplies has not yet arrived. However, we have made essential supplies available for students in teacher classrooms and in the bookroom. Please feel free to grab what you need to get started!

Please do not bring all of your school supplies on the first day! Just bring something to write with and something to write on. Classroom supplies will be available for students as needed.

💻 Laptop Distribution will continue this week for:

• 6th grade students

• 9th grade students

• New students

A huge thank you to the families who came out last week—we appreciate your continued support!

💻 FOR ALL OTHER STUDENTS- Don’t Forget to bring your Charged Device!

Be sure to bring your fully charged device on the first day of school—
we're diving into the curriculum starting Day 1!

For the safety of all students, staff, and families, please follow the video instructions for drop-off and pick-up at YWA. We ask that you:

• Drive slowly and stay alert for pedestrians.

• Model safe behavior for our students.

• Always use the crosswalk when walking from the parking lot to campus.

🚗 Important Reminders:

• Enter campus via Poplar Street—not Palm Street. Poplar is a one-way entrance and exit.

• Do not form two lines when entering the school. The left lane is reserved for buses only.

• Avoid parking too close to the gate—buses need clear access to enter safely.

ATTENTION ALL High School Students who drive- Please park in the back of the school. Use the Lower Level parking lot off of Walnut!

Thank you for helping us keep our campus safe and orderly!

📽️ Pick-Up & Drop-Off Video Instructions – Watch Here

See the MAP for PICK UP and DROP Off Instructions

This year, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1481, which prohibits the use of cell phones and electronic devices in schools during the instructional day.

At YWA, we will continue enforcing our Cell Phone/Electronics Policy with an important update:

🔹 Students are not permitted to use electronic devices at any time—from morning arrival until afternoon dismissal.
🔹 All devices must be stored in a purse or backpack and may not be carried on the student’s person (i.e., in pockets or hands).

Thank you for your continued support in maintaining a focused learning environment.

The law defines “personal communication devices” broadly to include:

• Cell phones

• Smartwatches

• Tablets

• Laptops

• Radios, pagers, and other digital communication-capable devices

✅ Allowed Exceptions

The law allows students to use their devices in limited cases, including when required by:

• An Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan

• A medical directive from a physician

• Legal safety requirements or approved emergency procedures

Please review the full policy carefully to ensure understanding and compliance.

Make sure your student is present on the first day of school! Students who are absent on the first day will be automatically dropped from enrollment, and parents will be required to visit campus to re-enroll.

To help students find their first period, a Student Locator (listing names and first period assignments) will be posted in the cafeteria.

🕣 Students must report to their first period class by 8:30 AM, where they will receive a NEW or UPDATED schedule.

Our counselors have been working hard to finalize and balance student schedules. Please remind your Warrior to check the Student Locator in the cafeteria and go directly to their listed first period because their schedule may have changes since last week!

🥣 Breakfast will be served from 7:30 AM to 8:20 AM. Students will be dismissed to class at 8:20 AM.
🚫 No food or drinks are allowed in classrooms, and students may not eat after 8:20 AM.

Let’s start the school year strong—be present, be prepared, and be ready to learn on Day 1!

📎 Attached is our bell schedule, which includes regular days, early release, testing days, and special events.

Our counselors have been working around the clock to balance class sizes and accommodate schedule change requests that were submitted last week at our Open House!

If you submitted a Schedule Change Request Form, please know that most requests have already been addressed, and adjustments have been made where possible.

Please note: Some classes may be larger than usual during the first few weeks of school. This is normal, and our counselors will be working to balance class sizes during this time. To ensure an efficient process, counselors will not be meeting individually with students regarding schedule changes at this time.

If a student would like to request a schedule change, they must complete and submit the Schedule Change Request Form (see attached).

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to finalize schedules for the year!

We are pleased to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students!
Students may also bring their own lunch from home.

• A limited number of microwaves are available in the cafeteria for student use.

• Please note: We do NOT provide refrigerator storage for student lunches.

🏫 Cafeteria Guidelines

• Middle School students must remain in the cafeteria or directly outside the cafeteria during lunch to ensure proper supervision. They are not permitted to walk around the campus during lunch.

• High school students are permitted to eat outside of the cafeteria, but they are expected to clean up after themselves to help maintain a clean and welcoming campus environment.
• To accommodate all students during lunch, the gym will be open as an additional eating space, as some classrooms will be closed to allow teachers their designated lunch period.

🚫 Food Delivery Policy

• No food deliveries are allowed for any student during instructional time. Deliveries will not be accepted.

• Food deliveries (including Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.) are NOT permitted for middle school students.

  • Parents are welcome to bring lunch in person or join their student for lunch.

🚶 High School Open Campus Privilege

• YWA is an open campus for high school students during lunch.

• Students are permitted to leave campus; however, they must return on time for their afternoon classes. Late returns may result in disciplinary action and revocation of open campus privileges.

• Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, clean, and respectful environment for all Warriors!

🏐 Interested in Playing High School Volleyball OR Middle School Softball? Come Try Out!
Join the YWA Volleyball Team and show us what you’ve got! 💪 #YWAVolleyball

High School Tryouts: August 2 and August 4th

For more information, see Coach Gracia, Coach Martin, or Coach Aguirre.

*Middle School Softball Tryouts will take place on August 11th, 4:10pm YWA Field. All students must have a physical - use the EPISD Physical Form and complete their account through https://www.aktivate.com

You can also visit our EPISD Athletic Website for more information: https://www.episd.org/page/parents-and-athletes

For more information, see Coach Pacheco, Coach Aguirre, and Coach Perez

Let’s go, Warriors!

📅 Please use the link below to access our LIVE Calendar—updated regularly as new events are confirmed. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

🔗YWA LIVE LINK

📌 August 2025 Events

• August 4 – First Day of School

• August 7–8 – YWA Class Meetings with Admin (during instruction)

• August 8 – PTSO-Sponsored Breakfast for Teachers — Thank you, PTSO

• August 11 – First Warrior Rally of the School Year (student-only event during advisory)

• Middle School Softball Tryouts

• August 12 – HS Volleyball vs. San Elizario @ Home — 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 6:30 PM

• August 13- YWA Spirit Shirt Sale ENDS (Go to Schoolcashonline.com)

• August 15 – PTSO General Meeting — 4:15 PM in the Cafeteria

• August 15–16 – HS Volleyball Tournaments (various locations)

• August 18–22 – Howdy Dress-Up Week! 🎉 Stay tuned for daily themes—details will be posted on the calendar.

• August 18 – Warrior Rally (student-only event during advisory)

• August 19 – HS Volleyball vs. Ysleta @ Home — 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 6:30 PM

• August 22 – HS Volleyball Tournaments (various locations)

• August 25 – Pan Dulce & Coffee with the Principal — 8:30 AM in Room B100

• August 26 – 6th & 7th Grade Class Meetings (during advisory)

• August 27 – Campus Improvement Team (CIT) Meeting
  All parents are welcome to get involved in campus decision-making. We will be accepting nominations for the roles of parent, community member, business member, and teacher/staff representatives.

• August 28 – 8th Grade & High School Class Meetings (during advisory)

• August 29–30 – HS Volleyball Tournaments (various locations)