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The Energy newsletter is published every two weeks.
| | Important Upcoming Dates & Deadlines | | |
August 29- New Parent Coffee (7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.)
August 29- 1st Progress Report
September 1 - Holiday - No School
September 2- PD Day/No School for Students
September 10 - Open House (5:30-7:35 p.m.)
September 19 - Club Fair (11:05 - 11:45 a.m.)
September 24- Senior College Night (5:30 - 8:00 p.m.)
September 26- 1st Report Card
September 29- College Fair (9:00-11:00 a.m.)
October 8- Freshman Parent Meeting (5:30-7:00 p.m.)
October 15- PSAT Testing (9th-11th grade)
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First Three Weeks Around Campus
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Mark Your Calendar - Open House is September 10th at 5:30 PM
We look forward to seeing our parents at Open House on Wednesday, September 10th at 5:30 PM! This is a parent only event due to space restrictions. Parents will have an opportunity to meet their child's teachers and learn about content, processes, projects, and more. Your child will bring home a personalized schedule prior to Open House .Please bring the schedule with you to avoid delays. Open House is a quick moving night, so please arrive on-time. You wouldn't want to get a detention for being late!
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9th Grade Summer Bridge Camp Fun
Energy Institute High School’s annual 9th Grade Summer Bridge Camp looked a little different this year. For the first time, camp was held after the school year began. Traditionally, the camp serves as a kickoff where incoming freshmen meet classmates, teachers, and learn their cohorts for the very first time. This year, since students had already formed friendships and met their teachers, EIHS staff adjusted the program to focus on team building and community spirit.
The camp still delivered plenty of excitement, with activities ranging from the blob, recreational sports, archery, axe throwing, ziplines, canoes, paddleboards and the always-popular high ropes course. Students also enjoyed a STEM Challenge and Energy Time with their cohorts. They ended the evenings with s’mores alongside teachers and upperclassmen. The creative adjustments ensured high participation and lots of smiles.
The tradition continues strong, and plans are already underway for next year’s camp, where the next group of Energy freshmen will experience this unforgettable EIHS milestone.
| | Thank you to our mentors for their leadership! | |
2025-2026 Front Office Updates
We’re excited to begin this new school year with a few important updates from our front office team.
| | | | First, many of you will recognize a familiar face in a new role: Ms. Karla Ruiz. Some may remember her as “the front office lady,” but this year she’s proudly reintroducing herself as “the attendance lady with the pink hair.” Students can now find her in her new office right next to the front desk with the large windows. Parents, she is your go-to for student sign-ins/outs, attendance matters, and any PowerSchool updates. Ms. Ruiz is just a phone call or email away at Karla.RuizMelendez@houstonisd.org. She sends her warm wishes for a happy and successful school year. | | We also welcome a new addition to the team: Mrs. Anna Padilla Flores. Though new to EIHS, she brings valuable experience from her years in the medical field. As both, a service provider and an HISD parent, she understands the importance of strong customer service for families. Ms. Padilla Flores will be leading the “command center” of our campus—the front office—and we are thrilled to have her join our community. | | | | |
Greatness remains...
Never fear, while some things change, some of our greatest constants remain. Ms. Maria and Ms. Evelyn are still at the heart of the front office, continuing to welcome and support our community, now in their new roles this year.
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Parent Drop-Off & Pick-Up Safety
Families, thank you for helping us keep our students safe during arrival and dismissal. With more vehicles and additional buses on campus this year, it is more important than ever to follow the traffic guidelines.
Our priority is a smooth, safe process for every student. Thank you for modeling safety and courtesy in the car line. Below are some important reminders and the traffic flow map:
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Energy's VEX Robotics Teams
Energy Institute High School is proud to be home to one of the most competitive and innovative VEX Robotics programs in the region. This year, our program includes four dynamic teams, one of which is among the few all-girls robotics teams in the entire state: a distinction that reflects both the strength of our students and our commitment to opening doors for young women in STEM.
Our teams don’t just compete locally; they represent EIHS across a wide region that spans Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Katy, and College Station. Their track record speaks for itself: year after year, Energy teams advance to the state, national, and even world competitions, consistently demonstrating skill, creativity, and perseverance.
This upcoming season will feature seven tournaments, giving our students multiple opportunities to test their designs, sharpen their strategies, and showcase their talent on the field. Guiding them along the way are dedicated sponsors Coach Perhala and Mr. Hamilton, who ensure that our students have both the technical mentorship and the encouragement they need to thrive.
As the new season kicks off, we invite the EIHS community to cheer on our robotics teams.
Whether on campus or at competitions across the state, these students embody what it means to be Energy Engineers: innovative thinkers ready to solve complex challenges and lead in the world of technology.
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Student Mentors Collaborate before Camp
On Thursday, August 7, Dean MacGregor brought together more than 20 enthusiastic sophomores. juniors, and seniors for a camp planning and team-building session in preparation for the upcoming 2025–2026 Summer Bridge Camp. The day was designed not only to organize logistics but also to empower student leaders to take ownership of their role in welcoming the newest members of the Energy Institute High School family.
During the session, students worked collaboratively to solve problems, brainstorm camp topics, and refine procedures. They engaged in open conversations about expectations and deliverables, ensuring that every aspect of camp, from activities to culture-building traditions, reflects the spirit of EIHS.
Highlights included student-led discussions, interactive gallery walks, and hands-on preparation, as students packed materials and finalized details for camp. More than anything, participants expressed excitement about stepping into leadership roles and guiding incoming freshmen through Energy’s unique traditions of collaboration, innovation, and community.
This gathering set the tone for what promises to be another successful Summer Bridge Camp, with upperclassmen modeling the teamwork, creativity, and responsibility that define the Energy Institute experience.
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Jillian Henshaw kicks off the school year as the first recipient of the TESLA Award
At Energy Institute High School, we believe in recognizing the everyday heroes who make our campus thrive. The TESLA Award is our in-house tradition designed to celebrate staff members who go above and beyond. More than a trophy, it is a “traveling companion of excellence” that passes from one honoree to the next.
Ms. Hinshaw is an Energy Super Hero! She always going the extra mile for our families and staff. We appreciate all the work she did over the summer as our fill-in Magnet Coordinator as well as her dedication to improving systems and giving our students an epic experience! This year she is taking our upper level manufacturing class to a whole new level. She is training those students to be interns/leaders to help students in the MakerSpace when they are working on cohort projects. What a great way to empower our students! Congratulations Ms. Hinshaw.
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TESLA Award Recipient: Ms. Holly Wight
This week’s TESLA Award goes to Ms. Holly Wight, a teacher who consistently goes above and beyond for both her colleagues and her students. Described as the co-teacher every teacher wishes they had, Ms. Wight is known for stepping in whenever she is needed—whether that means backing up a fellow teacher in the classroom or taking on the “bad cop” role to support discipline with students. Her reliability and dedication make her an invaluable part of the Energy community.
Ms. Wight’s care extends far beyond academics. She creates a welcoming environment for her students by offering small but meaningful gestures, such as making hot cocoa and baking treats for them during cold winter lunches. Her willingness to invest time, energy, and heart into her work embodies the true spirit of the TESLA Award—celebrating those who model excellence in ways both big and small. Congratulations, Ms. Wight!
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Student Spotlight: Emmy Cuaresma
This issue’s Student Highlight shines on Emmy Cuaresma, a trailblazer in the Energy Institute High School engineering program. Emmy recently showcased her skills in SolidWorks, one of the most widely used engineering design software programs in the industry. What makes her achievement remarkable is not only her talent, but also the distinction she carries: Emmy is one of the few EIHS students, and one of even fewer female students, to earn an Associate Certification in SolidWorks.
With this prestigious certification, Emmy already holds the qualifications to step directly into the engineering workforce. Her accomplishment demonstrates the value of industry certifications in opening doors to both career and higher education opportunities. For students planning to major in engineering, SolidWorks certification is considered a must-have credential, and Emmy’s success sets an inspiring example for her peers.
At EIHS, we are proud to prepare the next generation of engineers with hands-on experience and professional certifications that make them competitive in college and beyond. Emmy’s journey is proof of how determination, innovation, and access to cutting-edge training can shape future leaders in STEM.
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Back to School Launch
Dean MacGregor recently hosted a Back to School Launch welcoming new families to Energy Institute High School. Parents received detailed information about EIHS’s unique classroom schedules, learning expectations, dress code, and arrival/dismissal procedures. The PTO was also on hand, connecting with families, enrolling new members into its powerhouse stakeholder group, and providing support. Parents were even able to order school polos and jackets, making it a true one-stop event for back-to-school readiness.
The evening highlighted the strong partnership between EIHS staff, families, and PTO, laying the foundation for a successful year ahead.
| | | | $6 sandwich and side on Fridays! September dates: 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 | | |
Join the PTO - it is free at Energy Institute! You'll get our biweekly newsletter and access to our online family directly.
Everyone, even returning families, must use this link to enter or re-confirm your contact information and sign up for the school year. If you are interested in volunteering, please include your volunteer preferences when you update.
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Spirit Wear Announcement: Order Your Energy Polo Shirts
Orders for Energy polo shirts are now being accepted. These polos are required for students when attending field trips and other group events, so be sure to get yours early. To place an order, email spiritstore@energyinstitutepto.org or order online. Shirts will be delivered directly to Energy for easy pickup.
| | Prospective Family Information | | We hope that you find the information on the newsletters helpful. The best way to stay in the know about all things Energy related is to follow us on one of our social media platforms. Follow us today! | |
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Energy is a proud recipient of the 2016 National Merit Awards
More Here!
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Energy is a public school in the Houston Independent School District
More Here!
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Energy is an active participant with the district's Canvas initiative
More Here!
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