Every school day, our amazing SBISD transportation team helps students feel safe, welcome and ready to learn. 💛🚌 At Wilchester Elementary (WCE), families say Mr. Bene has done just that for at least eight years. He greets students with a smile, learns their names, remembers the details that matter to them and celebrates their birthdays. Along the way, he encourages positive behavior and creates a sense of belonging. To show their appreciation, families on his route pooled their funds and donated to the WCE PTA to name the bus circle in his honor. Students were thrilled, including one fifth grader who said, “Wow, he really deserves it!” Thank you, Mr. Bene, and our entire transportation team for the care and kindness you bring to every route. Your impact reaches far beyond the ride to school. #IAMSBISD
We’re #SBISDProud to celebrate our amazing principals this month! Thank you to all of our school leaders for leading by example with heart, building strong school communities, and making every student feel seen and supported. #NationalPrincipalsMonth
A little pampering for our paws on patrol! 🐾🛁 Our SBISD K-9s recently stopped by the Agricultural Science Center for a spa day through our new Enterprise services. Students worked alongside our police officers to help these hardworking dogs look and feel their best, ready to serve! A whole lot of #CollectiveGreatness. 💙💛 Explore our student-powered Enterprise offerings on the Guthrie Center website: guthriecenter.springbranchisd.com #SBISDPossible
From SBISD Student to Future Teacher: THRIVE Creates a Path Home
In May, Eddie Palmeros graduated from Northbrook High School. Just months later, he returned to Spring Branch ISD as a teacher assistant supporting emergent bilingual students at Spring Woods Middle School.
His long-term goal: become a middle or high school history teacher.
Through THRIVE SBISD, Eddie is now working full time in the district while attending Houston City College and pursuing his degree and teacher certification.
His path toward education began while he was still an SBISD student. Through the Career and Technical Education Education and Training program, Eddie completed coursework in child development and instructional practices and gained firsthand classroom experience through the Practicum in Education and Training.
Today, THRIVE is helping him take the next step by providing:
Experience working in SBISD schools
Support while pursuing a college degree and teacher certification
Monthly opportunities to learn and collaborate with other aspiring educators
A pathway toward becoming a certified SBISD teacher
“It gives you a chance to grow within SBISD and turn the work you are already doing into a career in education,” Eddie said.
🔗 Read Eddie’s story and learn how THRIVE SBISD is creating a pathway for future educators.
Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) surprises SBISD staff with $300,000+ in grants The Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) brought some exciting news to campuses across SBISD, surprising teachers and staff with more than $300,000 in grants for the 2026–27 school year. We went along for the ride to capture their reactions. Thank you to the Foundation, its board and our generous community for investing in our educators and supporting our promise to inspire minds and shape lives for Every Child. Visit the SBEF website to see a complete listing of grant winners. Watch the video to share in the celebration.
A special night celebrating our #SBISDProud community! 🌟
At last week’s Board of Trustees meeting, we recognized outstanding students, staff, community partners and district teams for achievements that continue to make a difference across SBISD.
SBISD Police Chief Larry Baimbridge received the IAMSBISD Award for going above and beyond in his commitment to public safety and service.
Our Summer Reading Rockstars were celebrated for keeping the pages turning all summer long.
Seven students were recognized as National Math Stars for their exceptional mathematical talent.
Spring Woods High School graduates Lizbeth Lopez and Narhalie Padilla were honored for earning Blue-Ribbon recognition at the Educators Rising National Conference.
Student artists and writers were recognized for their achievements in the 2026 I Am Texas Writing and Art Contest and I Write Short Stories for Kids anthology.
Spring Branch Education Foundation celebrated a record-breaking year of support, providing more than $3.68 million for SBISD students, staff and campuses.
The SBISD Financial Services Division was recognized for earning the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 34th consecutive year.
Congratulations to all who were recognized! #SBISDProud
Mark your calendars! You're invited to College Night 2026.
College Night brings more than 100 colleges & universities to Spring Branch ISD.
Prep now to make the most of College Night:
☑️ Write down schools you want to visit
☑️ Prepare a list of questions
☑️ Bring a pen and notebook to take notes
🗓 Oct. 7 | 6–8 PM
📍 Spring Woods HS (2045 Gessner Rd, Houston, TX 77080)
🔗 Learn more!
💙💛 October is National School Principals Month! Join us in celebrating leaders who support our teachers, partner with families and help Every Child feel welcomed, challenged and inspired to succeed. 💙💛 #SBISDPossible
From fifth grade teammates to the Field of Dreams, Grant Sperandio and Quinn Fitzpatrick have shared a love of baseball for years. This summer, they competed together on the national stage, making memories along the way, including this stop on the iconic field. Now, they’re preparing for their senior seasons as cross-town rivals. The uniforms may change and the competition may get bigger, but their friendship has been there all along. ⚾ Read the full story.
Happy National Custodian Appreciation Day! 💙💛 Thank you to our SBISD custodians for the hard work, dedication and care you bring to our schools every day. You keep our campuses clean, safe and welcoming, helping create spaces where students can learn and staff can do their best work.
Big excitement for our youngest readers at Terrace Elementary! 📚 Today, the Houston Public Library Curiosity Cruiser brought 10 free books for every K-2 student to take home and enjoy. Thank you to @BarbaraBushFoundation and sponsor @CITGOfuelinggood for helping our students build their home libraries and discover their next favorite read! 💙💛
📚 Thirty minutes a week. A connection that matters. Reading Buddies are back in SBISD schools, helping students practice reading, build confidence and connect with another caring adult who cheers them on. Thank you to our community volunteers for showing up week after week and supporting our students’ success! 💙💛 Want to become a Reading Buddy? Read the story and learn how to get involved.
#SBISDProud #SBISDPossible
From the floats to the cheers, the Spring Woods High School Tigers brought the hype at their Homecoming Parade last night! 🎉
📸 Click here to see all the photos!
🏈 Friday night lights are here! Get ready to cheer on our SBISD teams all month long! Check out the October football lineup and make plans to join us under the lights. Visit the SBISD Athletics website for complete schedules, game times, locations and ticket information. See you at the game! 🏈
Keeping Every Child safe starts with awareness, education and open conversations.
SBISD Police encourages families to talk with their children about firearm safety, including the importance of never handling a firearm and knowing what to do if they encounter one:
Never touch it.
Leave the area immediately.
Tell a trusted adult.
Take a few minutes to watch this important safety message and continue the conversation at home.
Behind the Badge: Building Relationships and Trust in SBISD
In SBISD, keeping schools safe starts with relationships, trust and being present for students every day.
At Spring Branch Middle School, Officer Nancy Avila has spent the past five years working alongside students, staff and families to help create a school where students feel safe, supported and connected.
“What I love most is the opportunity to build relationships with students,” Avila said. “Sometimes something as simple as taking the time to listen, encourage them or let them know that someone believes in them can make a difference.”
Across the district, Officer Rigoberto Hernandez and K-9 Wat support SBISD schools through the Police Department's patrol division. Wat is specially trained to assist with safety efforts, but he also has a unique ability to connect with students and help break down barriers.
Go behind the badge with Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Blaine as she visits with Officer Avila, Officer Hernandez and K-9 Wat to learn more about the people and everyday connections helping create safe, supportive schools in SBISD.
🎥 Click to watch the video
The Northbrook High School game scheduled for tomorrow evening, Saturday, Sept. 26, vs. Westbury High School has been canceled. The cancelation is due to the tragic death today of a Westbury varsity football player who was killed as a result of a shooting near the Westbury campus this morning.
All of us in Spring Branch ISD and at Northbrook High School send our condolences and prayers to all in the Westbury community.
The Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) brought some exciting news to campuses across SBISD, surprising teachers and staff with more than $300,000 in grants for the 2026–27 school year. We went along for the ride to capture their reactions. Thank you to the Foundation, its board and our generous community for investing in our educators and supporting our promise to inspire minds and shape lives for Every Child. Visit the SBEF website to see a complete listing of grant winners. Watch the video to share in the celebration.
Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) students earned nine nominations for the 2026 Lone Star Emmy Student Production Awards, with four projects from Spring Woods High School (SWHS) and five from the Guthrie Center.
Spring Woods High School
Valentina Urteaga — “Immigration,” hard news report
Janette Zapeta — “Hardships of Motherhood,” nonfiction short form
Anaisa Ferrera — “My Little Angel,” editor
Trey Flores — “Tiger TV Script 5/11/2026,” writer
The Guthrie Center
Xavier Alexander — “Everything I’m Not; Everything I Am,” nonfiction short form, and “Picture Me Better,” fiction long form
Sebastian Mendoza — “Mouse,” fiction short form, and “Cinematography Reel – Sebastian Mendoza,” photographer
Uriel Abalo, Maximus Richey, Alan Hernandez and Miguel Hernandez — “Behind the Smoke,” public service announcement
From reporting and writing to filmmaking and cinematography, the nominations recognize the range of stories SBISD students are telling and the skills they are building.
Congratulations to every student nominated and to the educators who support their work.
See the full Lone Star Student Production Awards nominees list.
Three Generations of Service at Memorial Middle School
For Mackenzie Pickett, teaching sixth-grade social studies at Memorial Middle School is the continuation of a family connection to SBISD that spans three generations.
Her grandfather served as a counselor at MMS beginning around the late 1960s or early 1970s. Her mother later taught science at the school in the 1990s. Today, Mackenzie is carrying that tradition forward in a classroom of her own.
“My family history is parallel with SBISD's history,” Mackenzie said. “Working with SBISD runs in the family, I suppose!”
Mackenzie's path to teaching also reflects her lifelong interest in history and learning. Before joining SBISD full time, she:
Earned a master's degree in history from the University of Oxford
Gained experience with museums, archaeological excavations and laboratories
Shared her knowledge of world history and ancient cultures with MMS students
Joined SBISD as a substitute before becoming a full-time teacher
Today, she brings those experiences into her sixth-grade world geography and cultures classroom, helping students discover new people, places, ideas and connections to the world around them.
As SBISD celebrates 80 years, Mackenzie's story reflects the generations of educators and staff who have chosen to invest their talents in the Spring Branch community.
