The Rockwall ISD Communications Department was recognized for their outstanding work in education communications at the annual Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) conference in February.
The team earned a Best of Category honor, six Gold Star Awards, one Silver Star Award, and one Bronze Award. 🔗 https://t.co/d4W3TlfO1m
Today marks the first-ever official statewide Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, all thanks to an idea Charlotte F. had as a young elementary student. What started as a class assignment at Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary has grown into an official new Texas Law.
Charlotte, now a senior at Rockwall-Heath High School, began her journey in fourth grade with a SAGE (gifted and talented) class assignment designed to create a positive impact on her community. Charlotte immediately knew who she wanted to recognize: her school crossing guard.
“I was fascinated by Mrs. Elaine who commanded the carpool lane with a smile and her stop sign,” Charlotte said. “I believed she deserved some recognition.”
Charlotte organized a Crossing Guard Appreciation Day at her campus, and in that moment, she realized her voice could truly make a difference.
By sixth grade, Charlotte partnered with Rockwall ISD’s Chief of Student Services to expand the recognition day district-wide. As she continued researching, she discovered that while other states honored school crossing guards, Texas did not have an official day of recognition.
Determined to change that, Charlotte, now in eighth grade, reached out to then-Representative Justin Holland to share her idea. Representative Holland supported her efforts and filed a bill during a previous legislative session. Although the bill did not pass initially, Charlotte refused to give up.
After years of persistence, advocacy, and dedication, Charlotte’s vision became reality. During the most recent Texas legislative session, the bill was officially passed into law, establishing February 10 as School Crossing Guard Day across the state of Texas. She dedicated the bill to Mrs. Elaine, who passed away at the age of 92.
Today, Charlotte went back to where it all began. To celebrate the first statewide Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, Charlotte passed out special treats to the crossing guards at Pullen Elementary.
Charlotte’s efforts now leave a lasting legacy—one that ensures every Texas crossing guard is honored for the important role they play each day.
January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we’re proud to recognize our Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to our students, staff, and community. Thank you for the countless hours you dedicate to supporting public education and helping shape the future of our District.
🚨 BIG DEAL ALERT! 🥁🎺🎷
BOTH @Rockwall_HS and @RHHSHawks marching bands are heading to state! The Orange Wave Band is returning after seven years and the Mighty Hawk Band is heading to State for the first time in school history! 🤩
We are so proud of both bands! Their hard work has paid off. A huge shoutout to the band directors and band parents for their support.
Read the story here: https://t.co/XnF0Zo6FxN
When we say we have great teachers, this is what we mean!! Congratulations to our incredible teacher at Rockwall-Heath HS, Gennie Holcomb! To be named Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year is a BIG DEAL. You deserve it!
🥳 INCREDIBLE NEWS! 🤩
We are extremely proud to share that Gennie Holcomb, @RHHSHawks teacher, has been named the Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Holcomb is so deserving of this distinct honor. Her dedication to her students and community shines bright! Congratulations, Mrs. Holcomb. ❤️🖤
⭐️ Alumni spotlight 🎓
Colton Carson, Rockwall-Heath HS 2013 graduate, reflects on his time as a Rockwall ISD student and shares what he's doing now 👨🏻🚒!
Happy School Communicators Day to the Rockwall ISD Communications Department! The communications department has many different roles, including:
🧠 Chief communication officer leading overall strategy and messaging
🗣️ Public information specialist managing public information requests
✍️ Writers and content creators crafting newsletters, press releases and updates
🎨 Graphic designers creating visuals that engage and inform
💻 Webmaster maintaining accurate, accessible websites
📸 Photographers capturing the moments that tell our district’s story
🎥 Video producers bringing our schools’ stories to life
📱 Social media managers keeping families and communities connected
📝 Executive assistant who help coordinate events, large and small
🖨️ Print shop serving the printing needs of our campuses and district
Thank you to the communications team for all that they do!
💫 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! ❤️
We have some pretty amazing teachers in Rockwall ISD. They are the heart of the District, inspiring students to reach for the stars every day. They’re mentors, cheerleaders, role models, and everyday heroes. We thank our teachers for their dedication to serving the students of Rockwall ISD.
I was not able to attend Monday's board meeting, but we were recognized for our success at TSPRA this year! Proud to represent a phenomenal school district like Rockwall ISD! 🤩
The Rockwall ISD Communications Department earned 16 state awards at this year’s Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) competition, which recognizes outstanding work in print and electronic media. TSPRA, with over 900 members, received more than 1,800 entries, all judged by independent, private-sector professionals based on their individual merit. Competing in the 15,000-40,000 student category, Rockwall ISD earned:
⭐️ State Finalist Crystal Award for the Rockwall ISD Job Recruitment Campaign
🥇🥇 Two Best in Category Medals (ranked #1 in the state) for the I-30 football poster and a Rockwall High School softball photo.
🟡 10 Gold Star Awards, 1 Silver Star Award, and 2 Bronze Awards.
Congratulations to Renae Murphy, Sarah Rak, Luci Mouton (not pictured), and Chris Curtis!
The Rockwall ISD Communications team attended TSPRA this week in San Antonio with over 800 educators from other Texas public school PR teams. We were recognized for some incredible pieces of creative that took home the following awards:
⭐️1 Crystal Merit Award
🏅2 Best of Category #1 in State
🥇12 Gold Awards
🥈1 Silver Award
🥉2 Bronze Awards
#VivaTSPRA
Rockwall ISD is proud to announce its selection as a CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT). This esteemed recognition celebrates districts across Texas that demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment to student success through high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
The CTE District of Distinction program, launched by CTAT, highlights districts that excel in workforce readiness, foster innovation in CTE, and inspire others through their dedication to student achievement and community impact. Honored districts serve as models of excellence, showcasing best practices and driving progress in CTE statewide.
“I am beyond proud that our district was recognized in the inaugural year of the CTAT CTE District of Distinction among 38 districts in Texas,” said Alison Belliveau, Executive Director of CTE. “This is a testament to how hard our teachers work and the excellent outcomes for our students. We are blessed to have the support of our central administration and our community through our business and industry partnerships.”
About the CTE District of Distinction Program
The CTE District of Distinction program was designed to celebrate outstanding career and technical education programs across Texas. Honored districts are selected based on their ability to meet rigorous criteria, including innovative programming, industry-based certifications, alignment with workforce needs, and exceptional student outcomes.
With the drop in temperature, we wanted to share a few helpful tips with our families to help students stay warm.
❄️ Dress students in multiple layers like fleece to keep them well insulated.
❄️ Drive safely and be cautious on the road, especially near school buses, as they may experience delays due to weather conditions.
❄️ Rather than students waiting outside in the cold for their bus, have them wait inside a warm vehicle close to the bus stop.
❄️ If possible, drive your student if they typically walk or bike to and from school.