Over the past several months, Victoria ISD has developed and introduced two major districtwide initiatives to support student success: The Citizenship Ready Plan and the Showing Up for Excellence Attendance Initiative. These plans were first shared with staff and the community earlier this summer. Now, with the start of the 2025–26 school year, they are being formally introduced to students and sent home to families on the first day of school.
Both initiatives are grounded in VISD’s belief that when students feel supported, respected, and accountable, they are better prepared to grow their genius and thrive both in and out of the classroom.
The Citizenship Ready Plan outlines the expectations for student behavior across all VISD campuses. At the center of the plan are the 10 VISD Values, which guide how students treat themselves, others, and their environment. Students will take part in classroom lessons this week that explore each of the values and how they apply in daily life.
“This plan helps students understand what it means to be respectful, responsible, and ready to learn,” said Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Justin Gabrysch. “It also ensures that all campuses are consistent in how expectations are taught and how behavior is supported.”
The Citizenship Ready Plan provides a consistent, tiered framework for addressing behavior when expectations are not met, ensuring fair and supportive discipline across all campuses.
Also being reinforced this week is the Showing Up for Excellence Attendance Initiative, which focuses on the critical importance of being in school every day.
“Daily attendance directly impacts student success,” said Executive Director of Student, Family, and Community Support, Dawn Maroney. “Showing up every day matters, and we are committed to helping every student and family make attendance a priority.”
This effort highlights the importance of daily attendance and its direct connection to student achievement, well-being, and long-term success. While the district continues to see gains in attendance over the past four years, we remain committed to achieving the goals established prior to the pandemic. This initiative is designed to build on our progress by fostering a continued upward trend in attendance through proactive communication, meaningful student and campus incentives, and strengthened partnerships with families.
As part of this initiative, every student, parent or guardian, and campus principal is being asked to sign an Attendance Commitment, showing a shared promise to prioritize being present every day. Superintendent Sheila Collazo has already signed the commitment, demonstrating the district’s leadership in this collective effort to support student success through daily attendance.
Printed information about both the Citizenship Ready Plan and the Attendance Initiative is being sent home with students on the first day of school. Families are encouraged to review the materials and partner with their campuses to help students succeed.
To learn more about the 10 VISD Values, the Citizenship Ready Plan, or the Showing Up for Excellence Initiative, visit www.visd.net.