CAMPUS REMINDERS:

ECHS | Food & Beverage Handbook Addendum: 

Food and Beverages in the Learning Environment

The guidelines below went into effect February 23, 2026 and are provided to maintain a focused, respectful, and safe learning environment. Please note that all food and drinks must adhere to the RRISD Student Code of Conduct.

Food Consumption

Food consumption in classrooms will be limited to designated, pre-approved times, and settings. Food may only be consumed during approved events or activities (e.g., pre-approved celebrations, pre-approved instructional activities involving food, or other administrative approval). Outside of these designated and pre-approved instances, students may have food items packed away but eating is not permitted in instructional spaces (i.e.: Gym, 2nd floor, 3rd floor). 

When food is permitted, students are expected to:

*Eat quietly and respectfully.

*Clean up all trash, crumbs, and spills immediately.

*Properly dispose of waste in designated receptacles.

*Avoid sharing food due to allergy and safety concerns.

*Follow any additional expectations communicated by the teacher or administration.

These guidelines help protect instructional time, classroom materials, technology, and the health and safety of all students.

Beverage Containers

Only beverages in secure, spill-resistant containers are permitted in classrooms. Acceptable containers include bottles with screw-top lids with or without straws or other fully closable designs. Open-top cups, drinks without secure lids, or beverages without lids are not permitted in instructional spaces (i.e.: Gym, 2nd floor, 3rd floor).

During approved activities or events (e.g., pre-approved celebrations, pre-approved instructional activities involving drinks, pre-approved enrichment clubs, or other administrative approval) alternate beverage containers may be used in designated areas only. 

Students are responsible for ensuring their beverages do not spill or damage school property. Any disruption caused by improper containers or spills may result in the loss of beverage privileges.

February 2nd- 6th, 2026  is National School Counselors Week! We are very pleased to recognize the dedicated work of our WONDERFUL & DEDICATED ECHS Counseling Team, Mrs. Helen Holmes and Mrs. Tara Hornecker! ALL they do for the students, staff and ECHS community is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

Early College High School is very pleased to welcome our new Campus Office Specialist, Lori Baumgarten!

Mrs. Baumgarten is an experienced office team member within RRISD. She has worked as an Elementary Attendance Specialist and Registrar. She is pictured with her husband, high school son Alex and middle school daughter Lily. Mrs. Baumgarten loves to travel and learn about new places. Her family loves to go camping together. In free time, she is either reading a book (actual paper books) or taking long walks listening to true crime podcasts. She is very excited to join the ECHS community! Welcome to the ECHS Family!

Early College High School is very pleased to welcome our new Senior Administrative Associate, Geneva Guardiola!

Mrs. Guardiola is an experienced office team member with over twenty years in RRISD. She has worked as a H.S. Records processor, Elementary Campus Office Specialist and most recently as ECHS Office Specialist. Outside of work, Geneva Guardiola enjoys spending time with family, who are a constant source of encouragement and pride. Geneva’s family includes her husband of 25+ years Leo, adult son Christopher, adult daughter Marissa and middle school son Ethan. Mrs. Guardiola is excited for the opportunity to continue to support the students, parents and staff of ECHS in this new capacity!

ECHS PTSA Candygrams! February 1st - 11th Cookies - $2, Carnations - $2, Combo (both) - $3 Buy online at https://tinyurl.com/54cn9fhz Buy in person Wednesday, Thursday & Friday in the commons.

Location Map for ECHS New Campus & Live Ribbon Cutting Link

View the livestream of the Early College High School ribbon-cutting below when the event begins 9:30 a.m. Jan. 13.

January 6-16th Schedule

KUDOS to the ECHS American Sign Language (ASL) Club, its co-leads: (Authur P. and Kylie W.) and teacher sponsor, Mr. Thomas! 

ASL Club gives students a fun and supportive space to learn American Sign Language. Through interactive games like Charades, Concentration, Bingo, and a semester-long challenge, members are motivated while building real ASL skills. Members are now able to describe themselves, their families, and their state. Some are even starting to practice outside of the club and use it in real-world situations. The club has continued to grow as a community through teamwork, encouragement, and a shared passion for a new language. 

Come support ECHS at the Texas Stars Hockey Game

Happy Retirement Esther!

December Digital Citizenship

Media Literacy & Critical Thinking

ECHS Student Ambassadors

We Appreciate Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Hornecker for planning our Middle School Recruitment Visits during the day several Fridays (during the Fall 2025 semester); along with evening family information sessions within each learning community. 

SHOUT OUT to our numerous ECHS student ambassadors, 9th - 12th grade, who have taken time to present and share during these events.

Recently, ECHS 8th grade Info Sessions took place at Deerpark M.S.     

ECHS Pie Day

Our ECHS staff culminated the week by receiving a very kindhearted expression from our PTSA president, board, ECHS parents and students! We greatly appreciate ECHS PTSA President, Robyn Lynch, Kendall Reass (PTSA Treasurer), along with ALL ECHS parents and families who shared Thanksgiving Pies for ECHS staff and ACC teammates, to enjoy with our families! THANK YOU!!!

Fall 2025 AVID Expo

For our Fall 2025 AVID Expo we had student presenters across grade levels that showcased their projects from high school classes and enrichment clubs. We had a total of TWENTY FOUR Student Presenters and TEN student volunteers. It was a huge success & the student presenters were awesome! 

The AVID Expo is a way that our students are able to showcase their projects and tie in the AVID skills that have helped them be successful. 

Our Appreciation to our ECHS teacher leader & AVID Site Coordinator, Mrs. Wagliardo and her team, for planning this great event! 

We were pleased to welcome representatives from our district team including: Michelle Moak (RRISD Gifted Services Coordinator) and David Baird (RRISD Enrichment Coordinator) who were in attendance. Also, thanks to our staff, student volunteers, parents and the ECHS school community for your presence and support.

We look forward to our Spring AVID Expo which will be held on April 2nd, 2026.