YWA Updates

EPISD Transportation has been working diligently to ensure that our students are picked up at the designate time frame and arrive to campus with enough time to eat breakfast. They have also adjusted the afterschool drop-off schedule so students leave at 4:10pm. See the attached bus routes.

YWA Revised Bus Routes- Letter to Parents with Routes

Thank you, parents, for helping our students follow our dress code and uniform guidelines. Teachers reviewed the guidelines with students during the first week of school, and Dr. Ontiveros also provided reminders during last week’s class meetings. We ask for your continued support in monitoring student compliance. Starting this week, administration will begin issuing consequences for students who are out of compliance.

Formal Uniform Deadline- Families have until October 20, 2025 to purchase the full formal uniform. We understand that Lands’ End currently has some items on back order.

Special Offer
Use the 40% off coupon below until January 2026:
Code: Welcome
PIN #: 1234

PTSO Logo Support

• Two free iron-on YWA logos for polos per student.

• Additional logos available for $1 each in Room C103.

Do you need support purchasing uniforms?
We are committed to supporting families in need.

• To request assistance with uniforms: Click here

• To donate or help a family in need: Click here

Dress Code Reminders
Students must follow all guidelines. Recent issues addressed include:

• Nose rings

• Excessive accessories (bracelets, gloves, etc.)

• Sweaters/jackets that are not in school colors

📎 Please refer to the attached documents (English & Spanish) for detailed dress code guidelines.
📌 View our New Uniform FAQs here: FAQ YWA New Uniform Questions in English_Spanish.docx

Contact for Questions
Ms. Jaclyn Dominguez, Secretary
📞 915-236-4892
📧 jydoming@episd.org

Our YWA Spirit Shirt sale ends on 8/13!

Volleyball and Flags are also selling spirit shirts, their sales end on 8/16/25!

Just a reminder that students are allowed to wear any YWA approved Spirit Shirt on Fridays!

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

🛒 You can purchase your spirit shirt at:
SchoolCashOnline.com

We will begin our Beginning-of-Year (BOY) testing these next two weeks for ELA and Math, grades 6-8th. All testing will be completed in the classroom, and students will have ample time to finish their exams. The results will serve as a baseline for ELA and Math concepts. We will also administer Middle-of-Year (MOY) and End-of-Year (EOY) exams to measure student growth throughout the year.

These assessments will not count toward a grade; however, students who score below expectations may be invited to attend tutoring sessions or participate in the Fall Intersession for additional support.

Thank you for a successful Pick-up and Drop-off process during the 1st week of School! We need to keep this up for the entire year! We will start clearing the parking lot within the first 10 minutes of dismissal!

Just a reminder, 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.

Please ensure your student is present every day. If you need to schedule appointments, please arrange them after lunch whenever possible.

If your student will be absent, email YWAnotes@episd.org so we can document your request. For medical absences, please attach a doctor’s note. All other absences require a Parent Request Form. You may email Mrs. Monica Granados (mxgranad@episd.org) or visit the front office to obtain the form.

Please note, it is at the Principal’s discretion to excuse non-medical absences without a doctor’s note. Absences such as out-of-town travel will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Students with excessive absences and/or tardies will be placed on a YWA Attendance Plan. Continued attendance concerns may result in transfer revocation or a mandatory court referral.

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 two 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.

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

Please see this week's menu for lunch/breakfast!

🚫 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. Deliveries for middle school students will not be accepted and returned to the food delivery drivers.

  • 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.

• High School students may order from food delivery vendors. High School students can pre-order ahead of time so that students are not using their devices during the school day.

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

🏐 Interested in Middle School Softball? Come Try Out!
*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 11 – First Warrior Rally of the School Year (student-only event during advisory)

• Middle School Softball Tryouts- 4:10pm-5:30pm (YWA Field)

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

  -YWA Parent Engagement Topic: Technology Tools for Parents- 8:30am B100

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

• August 14- YWA Spirit Shirt Sale ENDS (Go to Schoolcashonline.com)

  - PEL Title 1 Mtg 8:30am B100

• August 15 – PTSO Lunch Meeting for Teachers at 12:10pm in B100 (Bring your lunch)

  -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)