Laredo C.A.R.E.S. - United Independent School District

Several United I.S.D. Families
Graduate from Family
Leadership Institute Programs
The United I.S.D. Parental Involvement recently held a graduation
ceremony for parents who attended the Family Leadership Institute (FLI)
Program. Former Laredoan and retired Lt. Colonel Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch
is the creator of the FLI Program and has been dedicated to empowering
a new generation of leaders. The FLI Program entails a series of ten
modules where parents are provided the skills, abilities and attitudes necessary
to enhance their own personal success and serve as better role models
for their children. The workshops are conducted in both English and Spanish.
Each workshop contains a series of lectures, participant discussions,
storytelling, role-playing, group and individual activities.
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Arndt N.E.H.S. & Laredo Boy Scouts Pack #404 Unite Efforts
Arndt Elementary spearheaded this year’s aluminum
tab collection to support Ronald McDonald Charities,
which oversees and operates the Ronald McDonald
family rooms in Laredo and the Ronald Mc Donald
house in San Antonio. The facilities provide waiting
or overnight quarters for families of children with
serious illnesses. Elsa Santos, Arndt Elementary
kinder teacher and Chapter Advisor for the National
Elementary Honor Society (N.E.H.S.), said that it
was the combined effort of many people that resulted
in the collection of thousands of aluminum tabs that
will be recycled and converted into cash. “Our 4th
and 5th grade students and the Arndt N.E.H.S. started
collecting tabs from their friends and families. This
year we received additional support from Dr. Eduardo
Gomez -Vasquez and the Boy Scouts troop that
he leads at Mary Help of Christians. In addition, we
received assistance from Juan J. Garcia, Attorney at
Law. All of these great people asked their friends and
families to give us their aluminum tabs for a great
cause’” said Santos. Pat Bivin, Executive Director of
Ronald McDonald House Charities, said that several
Laredo families benefit from the facilities in Laredo
and San Antonio. “There are many occasions when
local families must take their children to see out-oftown
specialists. The Ronald McDonald House in San
Antonio allows for overnight stays so that parents can
remain close to their children,” said Bivin. Juanita
Pictured left to right: back row, Dr. Eduardo Gomez-Vasquez, M.D.; Elizabeth Medina, Exec. Assistant, Ronald Mc-
Donald House Charities; Pat Biven, Exec. Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities; Juanita Zepeda, Principal;
Elsa Santos, Teacher and N.E.H.S. Chapter Advisor; Juan J. Garcia, Atty. and Alfredo Valdez, fifth grade teacher.
Center row: John Paul Gomez-Aguirre, Enrique Mireles, Eduardo James Gomez-Aguirre, Ivan Franco, and Gerardo
Gomez Aguirre, members, Laredo Boy Scouts Pack #404. Front Row: Grace Serna, Citlali Palapa, and Gilbert
Cerda, Arndt students and N.E.H.S. Officers.
Pictured from left to right: Mr. Gregorio Reyes, Jr., and Mrs. Esthela
Reyes, FLI graduate, and their children Rodrigo and Regina.
Zepeda, Arndt Elementary Principal, said she was
happy that her campus was involved in a project that
helps so many families. “It’s inspiring to know that we
can make a positive difference, especially during tough
economic times”, said Zepeda.