Whitehouse ISD Families,   Yep, it’s here! It’s hard to believe we’re already looking ahead to a brand-new school year. Summer always seems to fly by, and we hope yours has been filled with good memories, a little rest, and plenty of time with family. Things are picking up across our campuses as we prepare to welcome students back soon. This summer marks one full year since I stepped into the role of superintendent in Whitehouse ISD. I’ve learned a lot in that time — and one thing I know for sure is that this community is full of good folks who care deeply about kids. I’m grateful for the partnership we share and excited to continue building on the momentum in year two that we’ve created together.

Whether you’re a returning Wildcat family or joining us for the first time, we want to make sure you have everything you need to start the year strong. You’ll find helpful information like school supply lists, Meet the Teacher nights, and academic calendars on our Back to School page.

While you’re there, you might notice the district website looks a little different. We’ve redesigned the site with our families in mind. A new Quick Links menu at the top makes it easier to find the most-used pages, and you’ll now see both district and campus newsletters posted right on each school’s homepage. We hope this updated design makes it easier to stay connected.

As a quick reminder, here are a few of the ways we keep families informed throughout the year:

• Family Focus – This monthly newsletter (sent on the last Thursday of every month) keeps you up to date on districtwide news and celebrations.

• WISD Board Notes – A recap of each school board meeting’s (sent on the Tuesday after each board meeting) highlights and key actions.

• ParentSquare – Our primary tool for day-to-day updates, events, and communication from your child’s school.
  
  

We’re ready for a great year ahead, and we’re glad you’re part of it.

We can’t wait to welcome our students back on the first day of school. If you have time, consider snapping a first-day photo at home or in front of the school and tagging Whitehouse ISD on our First Day Faces post on Facebook. It’s always a highlight to see our Wildcats’ smiles and excitement as they return!

A Quick Note About the 89th Legislative Session

This session, we saw approximately 9,000 bills filed and a little over 1,000 passed; additionally, 1,482 public education bills were filed, and 103 of them passed! We are still working to interpret all the changes, modifications, and additional items we must address. Thank you in advance for your patience! If you have questions, please reach out to me directly and I’ll do my best to provide you with the most up-to-date information. A few of the most important changes that will take place as school begins are below: 

• Personal Electronic Devices
  As families begin reviewing campus expectations for the upcoming year, we want to share an important update. The Texas Legislature recently passed House Bill 1481, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, which prohibits the use of cell phones, smartwatches, and similar devices during instructional time.
  Here in WISD, our junior high and high school campuses have had a cell phone policy in place for the past two years. This new law reinforces what we’ve already seen: fewer distractions lead to more learning. For full details, please review your student’s Campus Code of Conduct, available on their campus webpage under Campus Profile, or view our electronic device policy directly.

• Parental Consent Now Required for All Student Clubs & Organizations - Online Consent Forms Will Be Provided by Club Sponsors
  In compliance with new state requirements under Senate Bill 12, students can no longer join school clubs or organizations without written parental consent. This applies to all clubs whether they meet during or after school, on or off campus.
  To support this process, Whitehouse ISD is using a standardized Club and Organization Consent Form. Sponsors will send this form to parents once a student expresses interest in joining a club. The form will be available online through ParentSquare for quick and easy review and digital signature.
  By signing the form, parents give or deny permission for their child to take part in all club meetings, activities, and events for the current school year. The form also serves as a reminder that students are expected to follow all school rules while participating.
  Thank you for your support as we meet this new legal requirement.

• New Consequences for Vaping & Other Behaviors
  House Bill 6 brings important updates to state law and has resulted in several changes to the Whitehouse ISD Student Code of Conduct. [Link}
  One major change involves vaping. Under the updated law:
  Any student found using or possessing an e-cigarette will receive 10 days of In-School Suspension (ISS) for the first offense. A second offense will result in placement at the District Alternative Education Program (DAEP).
  Any student caught with THC in a vape will continue to receive an automatic DAEP placement. Any student caught selling or distributing a vape-regardless of substance will also be placed at DAEP.
  House Bill 6 also affects other areas of student discipline. We strongly encourage all parents and students to review the updated Code of Conduct and be aware of the consequences tied to specific behaviors.
  
  

Accountablity Ratings Update

The 2025–2026 School Board meeting schedule has been posted. We encourage families to stay engaged and informed — all regular meetings are live-streamed and open to the public.
You can view the meeting schedule and find the live stream link on the district website.

A Night to Meet the Wildcats

We’re starting the school year with a celebration of our student-athletes, band, cheer, and spirit groups at Meet the Cats on Monday, August 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium. It’s a great way to show support and kick off the year the Wildcat Way.

High School Highlights A few exciting changes are happening at the high school this fall: Seniors can now paint their reserved parking spots — a new tradition we’re excited to launch. Painting days just wrapped up, and we can’t wait to see how our seniors made their mark. Over the summer, the campus also got a fresh look with seal coating and restriping of paved areas, including the main drive and parking lots. Everything looks sharp and is ready to go.