What a great start to the 2026–2027 school year! It has been so good to have our students back on campus and to see classrooms, hallways, fields, and gyms come alive again. This week, I enjoyed spending time on our campuses and visiting classrooms across the district. It was encouraging to see our students engaged in learning and our teachers creating welcoming, supportive environments. The positive energy throughout our schools reminds us what makes Whitehouse ISD such a special place.
We are also seeing continued growth across Whitehouse ISD, with enrollment reaching its highest level in several years. Families are choosing Whitehouse, and we don’t take that trust lightly. To those who are new to our district, we’re glad you’re here and hope you quickly feel what makes this community special.
As we look ahead to the new school year, I hope every student feels welcomed, supported, and excited to learn each day. I want our families to experience a strong sense of connection and partnership with their child’s school, knowing that we share the same goal: helping every student grow and succeed. After spending time on our campuses and in classrooms, I am encouraged by the energy, care, and commitment already evident across Whitehouse ISD. I look forward to all we will accomplish together this year.
We’re off to a strong start, Wildcats. Let’s keep it going! I hope to see everyone tonight at our first home football game against Chapel Hill.
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As we settle into the school year, remember that you can monitor your student’s grades and set up grade alerts through Skyward Family Access. Progress reports and report cards will also be available in your student’s Skyward Portfolio.
August 28 | End of Progress Report 1 (Available in Skyward on September 3)
September 18 | End of Progress Report 2 (Available in Skyward on September 24)
October 8 | End of First 9 Weeks (Report cards available in Skyward on October 19)
October 14 | First day of the second grading period
For questions about UIL eligibility, please contact your student’s coach or sponsor.
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This year, we added 4 early-release days to the school calendar to provide teachers with protected, dedicated time for professional learning, collaboration, and instructional planning. Setting aside this time during the school year allows educators to review student progress, strengthen teaching practices, and respond to students’ needs while learning is taking place. We understand that early-release days create extra planning for families and may create scheduling and childcare challenges; we appreciate your flexibility as we make this intentional investment in our teachers and students. If you have specific challenges, please work with your campus principal; they are ready to assist you!
Students will be released 2 hours before their normal campus dismissal time on:
September 30 | October 28 | January 27 | February 24
We will also continue our traditional early release days before Christmas Break on December 18 and on the last day of school, May 27.
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Our first school holiday of the year is coming up. All Whitehouse ISD schools and offices will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day. We hope everyone enjoys the long weekend, and we’ll welcome students back Tuesday. |
The Texas Education Agency recently released its 2026 accountability ratings, and we are proud to share that Whitehouse ISD earned an A for the 2025–2026 school year!
This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of our students, teachers, staff, campus leaders, and families. We’re proud of this recognition, while also knowing a rating is only one measure of the learning, growth, relationships, and opportunities happening across our schools every day.
We will continue building on this success, addressing opportunities for growth, and working to provide the best possible experience for every student.
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As part of our annual back-to-school communication, we want to make sure families have access to several important resources.
- Parental Rights: Information about parental rights and required district postings is available on our website.
- Firearm Storage Safety: Texas law requires school districts to share information with parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. We encourage all families to review these important resources and reminders about keeping firearms securely stored. For more information, visit the Keep ’Em Safe Texas website.
- Library Materials: Parents can preview library books, see what their child has checked out, and manage access to materials they feel may not be a good fit through the Follett Parent Portal.
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Thank you to everyone who shared first-day photos with us. We loved seeing Wildcats across the district ready for another year. Here are just a few of the smiling faces that helped make the day so special! |
At Convocation earlier this month, we were proud to present Ashley Westerfield with the Wildcat Community Leader Award. This award recognizes someone who demonstrates service, partnership, and a commitment to Whitehouse ISD.
When we talk about what it means to serve, Ashley is a great example. She is a familiar face at events across our district, generously giving her time, energy, and support to our students and schools. Her love for Whitehouse is evident in the way she shows up for this community, and we were proud to recognize her.
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Growth across our district also means welcoming new educators to the Whitehouse ISD family. This year’s new teachers bring a wide range of experiences and educational backgrounds, including graduates from universities across Texas. Among our newly hired teachers, 34 hold bachelor’s degrees and 12 hold master’s degrees.
We’re also proud to welcome back one of our own in a new role. Ms. Spearman, a recent Whitehouse High School graduate and former Ready-Set-Teach student, is our first Grow Your Own Scholarship recipient. She is attending UT Tyler to earn her teaching degree while serving Whitehouse ISD as a Resource and Inclusion Aide. It’s exciting to see a former Wildcat beginning her journey toward becoming an educator right here at home.
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There’s already plenty happening across Whitehouse ISD as we settle into the new school year.
Fall Sports Are Underway
Our first varsity football home game is tonight, volleyball season is in full swing, tennis has already started district play, and our cross country team will host a home meet this Saturday. Our student-athletes and coaches are putting in the work across every program, and your support in the stands and on the sidelines means a lot. Go Cats!
Watch the Wildcats Live
Can’t make it to tonight’s football game? Tune in and cheer on the Wildcats live on NETSN Live. NETSN will livestream all varsity football games and select Tuesday night volleyball games throughout the fall. |
Parent Tech Tips Night | September 8
Join us from 6:00–7:00 p.m. at the WISD Education Support Center to learn more about the digital tools available to help you stay connected and support your student. We’ll cover ParentSquare, Skyward Gradebook, Google Classroom Guardian Summaries, and SchoolCafé. Parents are encouraged to bring a device in addition to their cell phone.
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Retired Educators Brunch | September 18
We look forward to welcoming our retired educators back for a special morning that brings together generations of Whitehouse educators. Guests will hear district updates from Dr. Whittle and meet students from Ready-Set-Teach, Culinary, and Floral Design, who will share more about their programs and the work they’re doing at WHS. If you know a retired Whitehouse educator, please help us spread the word and invite them to join us!
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As always, we’ve linked our district and athletics calendars below to help you keep up with games, performances, campus events, and more. |
We’ve packed a lot into these first few weeks, and we’re just getting started. Thank you for helping us begin the year on such a positive note and for continuing to partner with us along the way.
Casey Whittle, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools, Whitehouse ISD
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