Category: Devine ISD

By Anton Riecher
Enrollment at John J. Ciavarra Elementary remains below pre-COVID numbers with 489 students presently attending, elementary principal Magdalena Strickland reported to the Devine ISD school board on Sept. 16.
Strickland, who has been principal at Ciavarra for three years, said that enrollment during her first year on campus stood at between 520 to 530 students.
“Our goal was always above 98 percent (capacity) but after COVID it has been kind of hard to get our attendance back up,” Strickland said. “Right now we are holding steady at 93.15 precent.”
Families frequently having to move makes it difficult to establish a steady enrollment figure over a length of time, she said. At least 46 students on the Ciavarra enrollment list have some type of military connection.
Among programs that Ciavarra utilizes to improve student performance is the Texas Curriculum Management Program Cooperative, a shared service agreement between the 20 Educational Service Centers across Texas. TCMPC reflects the combined effort of the ESCs to help schools operate more efficiently and cost effectively.
Ciavarra also utilizes the Character Strong curriculum program that supports students in developing important skills and character traits necessary for success in life and school, Strickland said. The three main goals is teaching students to be kind, strong and well, meaning emotional regulation.
The elementary also utilizes the CHAMPS (Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation and Success) behavior management program.
“It’s a proactive approach to classroom management that helps teachers create…

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Devine Learning Academy graduated its biggest class yet in a ceremony that took place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 19.
Twenty-two students received their high school diplomas, with plans for university, military service, and careers ahead of them.
Jodie Dzierzanowski, the DAEP Principal spoke at the ceremony, commending the perseverance of the graduating class.
“What I like to say is ‘life happened’ and it got them off track,” Dzierzanowski said. She discussed how students had shown a good deal of initiative in this program, since it must be sought out and balanced with the other responsibilities.
DLA was started by Devine ISD in 2020 to help young people who were unable to complete high school due to missing credits. It is designed to be flexible, functioning as an online-charter hybrid school.
It is free for students living in Devine ISD, though it is still available to other districts with tuition fees.

Continue reading “22 graduated as Summer 2024 Class of Devine Learning Academy”

SAN ANTONIO – Kaydence Lynn Scott was awarded a $1,000 Hermann Sons Life scholarship. Kaydence is the daughter of Jack and Carissa Clark.
Three past Hermann Sons Life campers are awarded the Hermann Sons Youth Camp-=Shannon Leigh Gaffney Scholarship based on their application and essay, “How being a Hermann Sons Life camper shaped the person I am today.”
Kaydence, a Devine High School graduation, plans to attend the Milan Institute to study massage therapy and esthetics. She is a member of Hermann Sons Life Biry Lodge.

Continue reading “Devine resident awarded Hermann Sons Life scholarship”

If you are new to Devine ISD and your student will be entering 3rd – 5th Grade please come to the Devine Intermediate School front office to register.
Registration Date and Times
July 29 – August 2 8am – 11am & 1pm – 3pm
August 5 – 1pm – 3pm
August 6 & 7 – 8am – 11am & 1pm – 3pm
August 9 – 1pm – 3pm
August 12 – 15 – 8am – 11am & 1pm – 3pm
August 19 – 8am – 11am & 1pm – 3pm
August 20 – 8am – 11am

Incoming 6th grade parents and any students new to DMS!!
We know many of your children are apprehensive about coming to middle school. To alleviate your child’s apprehension about the move, we will be having a parent meeting on Aug. 7 from 6:00-7:00 P.M. in the DMS cafeteria. We will give you information and answer your questions. Students are welcome to come. If you have questions prior to this date, feel free to call our office 830.851.0610.

By Anton Riecher
The Devine Independent School District school board voted 5-0 Monday to adopt a budget of $20.458 million for the 2024-2025 school year, an increase of $1.194 million from the previous year.
“After month and months and lots of discussion and lots of questions we’re going to adopt our 2024-2025 budget tonight,” director of finance Shannon Ramirez said.
Of the seven-member board, only board president Nancy Pepper, board secretary Keri James, and trustees Carl Brown, Alixana Buvinghausen and Renee Frieda were present for the vote.
Action on a tax rate to support the new budget is not expected until August, Ramirez said. The projected maintenance and operations rate would be $.7115 compared to $.7270 supporting the current budget.
However, that M&O rate could be compressed to $.6315 under a property tax initiative pending action by the Texas Legislature in July, Ramirez said.
The projected interest and sinking fund rate is $.2400 with the application of this year’s voter approved bond issue. That is equal to I&S under the current budget.
Projected revenue from local taxes is just over $5 million, Ramirez said. State funding is expected to be…

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This past school year brought great excitement and friendships for me! I was asked to teach Forensic Science and Disaster Response, at the High School!

Continue reading “Forensic Science & Diaster Response class at Devine HS”