Celebrating 126 Years of Serving the communities of Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, and Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties
Lytle ISD News
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By Joshua Chessher-Lytle ISD Director of Bands
The Lytle Pirate Band proudly represented our community at the Hill Country Marching Festival in Fredericksburg on September 27, delivering an outstanding performance that earned them 4th place out of 14 highly competitive 3A bands. Alongside their impressive overall finish, the Pirates brought home 2nd place Drumline, 3rd place Front Ensemble, 4th place Drum Majors, and 5th place Color Guard—showcasing the depth of talent and dedication across the entire program.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that the Lytle Pirate Band held their own against many of the very same programs they faced at the 2024 UIL State Marching Contest, once again proving that Lytle stands among the best in Texas. Their continued growth and excellence highlight the hard work of our student musicians, directors, and families, and we could not be more proud of the way they represent Lytle ISD.
If you haven’t had a chance to see the Pirate Band perform this year, we will be performing this Friday October 3 at Walter Joyce Stadium at 730pm, and admission is FREE! If you’d like to come see us at a Marching Contest, our next Contest is this Saturday, 10/04/25 at Heroes Stadium at 145pm. The band students would love your support!
Lytle ISD is excited to welcome Jennifer Maldonado as our new high school counselor. A dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience in Texas public schools, Mrs. Maldonado brings a strong background in student advocacy, academic advisement, and social-emotional learning. She most recently served as a counselor at Medina Valley Middle School after many years of teaching English Language Arts.
Mrs. Maldonado holds a Master of Science in School Counseling from Angelo State University and is known for building strong relationships with students, families, and educators. Her skills in bullying prevention, conflict mediation and supporting emergent bilingual students make her a valuable addition to school community.
Lytle ISD–July 2, 2025
In response to a newly enacted Texas state law, Lytle ISD will implement a new Student Cell Phone Policy beginning this school year. We understand this change may be challenging for some, especially in our close-knit Pirate community. We are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for all — and this new policy is designed to support just that.
Why the Change?
Texas House Bill 1481 now mandates that school districts prohibit student use or possession of personal communication devices during the school day. In alignment, the Lytle ISD updated policy requires all personal communication devices — cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and similar electronics — to be kept in students’ backpacks and not used from the time they arrive on campus until they are picked up. Devices may not be carried on a student’s person, and their use is strictly prohibited in bathrooms and locker rooms.
Thank You to Our Cell Phone Task Force
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the members of the Lytle ISD Cell Phone Task Force, who met during the past school year to thoughtfully develop a local policy. Their insight and preparation enabled our district to respond quickly and wisely to this unexpected legislation. Because of their work, we begin this school year with clarity, consistency, and compassion.
How Will This Work?
School Day: Students must keep devices stored in backpacks and not in pockets or hands during the day.
Buses & Events: Devices may be used on school buses but without cameras. Use during extracurricular events, including UIL activities, will follow the guidelines outlined in the student handbook.
Violations: If a device is taken out during the school day, it will be confiscated, turned in to the front office, and a parent must retrieve it at the end of the school day. In the event violations become excessive, additional consequences will be imposed.
Exceptions: Students with documented medical needs may be granted exceptions through the appropriate campus committee review.
For more details, see Lytle ISD’s Student Handbook (coming in August) or contact your campus office.
Devine ISD
Elementary School Instructional Aide (PK-2)
Must meet ESSA ‘Highly Qualified’ requirements (48 college hrs./2 hrs. or attend TOPP training at ESC20) and local criteria. Must have knowledge of basic computer operations and skills; ability to operate personal computer and educational software; ability to work with students and teachers effectively; effective organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Intermediate School Assistant Principal (3-5)
Full Texas Administrator’s Certification; Assistant Principal’s experience preferred; T-TESS evaluator; working knowledge of elementary school curriculum and instruction; strong organizational skills; STAAR Test coordinator skills and an ability to evaluate instructional programs and teaching effectiveness; implement policy and procedures; and to interpret data as well as use a variety of software applications for data disaggregation.
Intermediate School Teacher (3-5)
Generalist EC-4 and/or 4-8 or Generalist EC-6 Bachelor’s degree with valid Texas teaching certificate; knowledge of curriculum and instruction; ability to instruct students and maintain highly structured and orderly environment; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Intermediate School Instructional Aide (3-5)
Must meet ESSA ‘Highly Qualified’ requirements (48 college hrs./2 hrs. or attend TOPP training at ESC20) and local criteria. Must have knowledge of basic computer operations and skills; ability to operate personal computer and educational software; ability to work with students and teachers effectively; effective organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Continue reading “Local schools still have 45+ job openings to fill before upcoming school year”
Nathaniel Armendariz will represent Lytle at the UIL 3A Tennis State Championship Meet as the first seed. Nate will play at AnneMarie Tennis Center in San Antonio on Thursday, May 15th. See more photos and story by logging into www.devinenewsmembers.com and get instant online access to our E-edition.
Lytle Pirates Varsity baseball are Area Champions after sweeping the Industrial Cobras 2-0. Lytle moves on to the semi-regional round where they face Orange Grove at Karnes City Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m. Above the Pirates dowse Coach Bippert after the big win.
See more photos and story by logging into www.devinenewsmembers.com and get instant online access to our E-edition.
800M Regional Champion, Warhorse “Devo” Dixon will lead Devine to State for the second time this year as he also qualified in cross country earlier this year. Kourtni Geyer of Devine who advanced in pole vaulting, also setting school records along the way.
3200 m runner Diego Reyna, of Lytle who claimed 2nd place at Regionals, trailing the champion by only a couple of seconds. Good luck to all at State!
STATE QUALIFIERS PICTURED ABOVE: On the far left, is the Best Mayor” Documentary Production Team: Joseph Garcia, Alexa Leal, Miriam Armas, Madison Prather, Romana Perez, Caleb Morton, Jeffrey Vargas and Giovanni Mosqueda. NOT PICTURED: Aylin Casas and Aryana Reyes
Snakes animation video Ashley Trevino (middle)
“He Will Continue to Serve” Production Team (right): Alexa Leal, Miriam Armas, Alieha Rodriguez, Kaelyn Vega, Isaiah Leven, Joseph Garcia, NOT PICTURED: Valentina Ayala. Photoa by L Migura. FULL STORY INSIDE!
It’s official: Lytle High School is an AWARD-WINNING video production program. With hundreds of films to compete against each year, students have had ten documentaries place in the TOP SIX in the State UIL Young Filmmakers competition, since its inception in 2014. And, in February 2023 and 2024, Lytle won back-to-back UIL State Championship honors. Lytle filmmakers will compete at the UIL Young Filmmakers State Competition again on February 26 in Austin.
Photos this week by R Gonzalez and M Byrd. See lots more photos in this week’s paper.
The Lytle Pirate Band is making music and making history! The band placed 3rd in the prelims and earned a final ranking of 4th place in Finals.
“We are over the moon excited, and so incredibly proud of these students!” said band director Joshua Chessher.
The Pirate Band will perform in the Alamodome on Wednesday, November 6, at 10am. If you are interested in attending in person, you can purchase tickets at https://www.ticketmaster.com/uil-state-marching-band-contest-3a-san-antonio-texas-11-06-2024/event/3A00613ED7F94725
Make sure you select 3A prelims.
“ If you come, make sure you wear your “Mirror Mirror band shirt, so we can show how the state how much pride we have in Lytle!” Chessher adds.
See this week’s Devine News for tons of photos.
Lytle ISD has declared that day a holiday for all students and staff so all may attend if they wish! What a wonderful way to support the band! The day will be made up later in February. UIL State Qualifying 2024 Lytle Pirate Band members are: Maddilyn Aguinaga, Andres Arredondo, Eleah Avelar, Valentina Ayala, Auslyn Beazer, Ashley Bowman, Easton Burley, Emiliano Cardenas, Kellyahn Castano, Juju Center, Rosabella Cepeda, Santiago Contreras, Alycia Corona, Lia Corral, Gabi Cortez, Nadia Daniels, Rylee Davila, Ethan Deleon, Adam Dominguez, Alex Dominguez, Benjamin Duty, Emma Emery, Zaira Farfan, Julyana Frausto, Emily Garcia, Andrea Garza, Nathan Garza, Andrea Gomez, Valeria Gomez, Marina Gonzalez, Joshua Guerra, Jasmine Guizar, Orlando Gutierrez, Timothy Gutierrez, Micaela Heath, Ryan Hendrickson, Lidon Hernandez, Madison Hernandez, Jaxon Hunt, Nevaeh Kassin, Koby Lara, Peyton Leverton, Svetlana Lopez, Ivan Lopez-Amaya, Madelyn Maldonado, Michael Martinez, Nicole Martinez, Sophia McBride, Taryn McDonald, Journee Mendoza, Vanessa Mercado, Xoly Montealegre, Lily Morales, Brayden Morton, Nayeli Nunez, Julianna Orozco, Makayla Perales, Makenna Perales, Celeste Ramirez, Novalee Rangel, Brayan Rangel Rodriguez, Laila Reed, James Reed Iv, Federico Reyes, Isabella Reyes, Sofia Rios Garcia, David Aaron Robles, Alieha Rodriguez, Jenna Rodriguez, Reina Rodriguez, Jazmine Ruiz, Mackenzie Schultz, Madison Schultz, Isabella Sewell, Juliet Sittre, Shea Smoot, Aubrey Solis, Collin Sprenger, Noah Stech, Brooke Tollett, Richard Tollett, Alisha Van Zant, Tyler Vaughan, Camila Vega, Naomi Velazquez-Haro, Haylee Ward, and Isaac Ytuarte.
