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Students at Gililland Elementary School recently stepped into a classroom on wheels—and into a new kind of learning experience.

Through a partnership with Learning Undefeated, Eagle Mountain–Saginaw ISD welcomed the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory to campus, giving kindergarten through fifth grade students a chance to explore science, technology, engineering, math and fun.

“Bringing the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory to the students of Eagle Mountain–Saginaw ISD is important because it expands access to TEKS based high-quality, hands-on STEM learning while directly supporting district and state instructional goals,” said Monica Padilla, Coordinator of Elementary Science Gifted and Talented for EMS ISD.

Learning Undefeated operates the mobile labs in partnership with the Texas Education Agency, which provides grant funding to support the program. The organization supplies trained staff, lab materials, and curriculum—making it easier for schools to host high-quality STEM experiences without added burden on campus resources.

“We're here in our mobile STEM lab at Gililland Elementary, and we're providing awesome hands-on STEM education to students from kindergarten to fifth grade,” said Oliver McSweeney of Learning Undefeated. “We’ve just expanded to have nine mobile labs… now we visit 270 schools a year. And so you have one of your schools, one of the lucky 270 picks, this year.”

Building, Budgeting, and a Big Bad “Test”

Inside the lab, students tackled design challenges that blended literacy, math, and engineering—especially a popular activity inspired by a familiar story.

“Three Little Pigs is one of my favorite curriculums that we have here,” McSweeney shared. “For all of our kinder through second grade curriculum, we have a little storybook… to bring in some English literacy into it. But then our students have to make a house for the little pig, using a budget of tokens… and then they have to budget that to buy materials, to build their house—which we actually try to blow down.”

The lesson goes beyond fun: students practice planning, problem-solving, and decision-making, while using simple, affordable materials teachers can replicate back in the classroom.

Engagement That Lasts

For teachers, the impact was immediate—students were energized, curious, and deeply involved in the learning process.

“My students were significantly engaged,” said Katterine Rojas, 2nd Grade Bilingual Teacher at Gililland Elementary. “This experience promoted critical thinking during their conversations and boosted their creativity when solving a task. This was an experience that will remain in their minds forever.”

"This experience has given the students of GES the knowledge that they can have a career in stem. They are already engineers, Learning Undefeated showed them that they are  problem solvers when completing the challenge in the lab", adds Angela Barrientos
Bilingual PACE teacher at Gililland and Willow Creek Elementary.
GES, WCES 

As the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory continues its route across the state, EMS ISD students are gaining meaningful opportunities to explore STEM in a way that’s memorable, accessible, and connected to what they’re learning every day—one challenge, one question, and one creative solution at a time.

EMS ISD has an official 2026-2027 Instructional Calendar.

At the meeting on Tuesday, January 21, the Board of Trustees approved without changes the calendar presented for consideration in December.

EMS ISD teachers will come back on Monday, August 3, with the first day of school for students on Thursday, August 13.

The calendar preserves the week break at Thanksgiving, the two week Winter Break and the week for Spring Break the third week of March.

The school year will end on Thursday, May 27, with graduation for Watson High School on Friday, May 28 at the Jared Hardy Performing Arts Center at Chisholm Trail High School, and graduation for Boswell, Chisholm Trail, Eagle Mountain and Saginaw high schools taking place on Friday, May 29 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth

Download the 2026-2027 EMS ISD Instructional Calendar

The World Language Academy is an engaging instructional program that provides EMS ISD students and their parents or guardians the opportunity to learn Spanish together. This program supports family involvement while building foundational language skills in a collaborative learning environment.

Eligibility:

• EMS ISD students in grades 2–5 accompanied by a parent or guardian
• EMS ISD students in grades 6–8

Spring 2026 Session Details:

• Dates: January 26 – March 30, 2026
• Day: Mondays
• Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• No class: February 16 or March 16
• Location: Marine Creek Middle School - 5825 Marine Creek Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76179

Cost:
This program is free for EMS ISD students and their parents or guardians.

Space is limited. Please complete the form to reserve your spot in the World Language Academy Spanish course.

The Dr. Jim F. Chadwell Administration Building was filled with warmth and community spirit on Wednesday, December 10, as Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD hosted its annual Holiday Open House. Guests from across the district stopped by throughout the day to enjoy festive treats, meaningful conversations, and outstanding student performances.

The come-and-go event welcomed families, staff, retired educators, and community partners, all gathering to celebrate the sense of togetherness that defines the EMS ISD community. Attendees enjoyed delicious refreshments prepared by the EMS ISD Child Nutrition Department, with support from Culinary Arts students at the Hollenstein Career and Technology Center. Students played a key role in baking many of the dessert offerings and assisted with food setup, service, and cleanup, contributing to a smooth and welcoming experience for all.

Throughout the day, Fine Arts performances showcased the talents of students across elementary, middle, and high school programs. These performances added a joyful touch to the event as students shared music, vocals, and dance with families and guests. This year’s schedule included:

• Creekview Middle School Woodwind Quintet & Brass Quintet
• Chisholm Trail High School Ranger Vocal Band
• Ed Willkie Middle School Cantabile 7th Grade Treble
• Greenfield Elementary Groovin’ Gator Honor Choir
• Lake Country Elementary Honor Choir
• Chisholm Trail High School Charmers Dance Team
• Eagle Mountain Elementary Eagle Singers
• Wayside Middle School Saxophone Ensembles
• Eagle Mountain High School IGKNIGHT & Voices of Gold
• Eagle Mountain High School Majestics Dance Team

The Holiday Open House has been a beloved EMS ISD tradition for decades, continuing to bring the community together year after year. With thoughtful hospitality, talented student performers, and the support of staff and volunteers, the event reflects the district’s commitment to fostering connection and celebrating the achievements of our students.

When seconds count, preparation saves lives. That’s the goal behind the American Heart Association’s "district of lifesavers" recognition — honoring school districts committed to cardiac emergency readiness and whole-child health.

The recognition is part of the Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, which aims to turn bystanders into lifesavers and double the survival rate from cardiac arrest outside of hospitals. The recognition means every campus in the district has an established cardiac emergency response  plan (CERP) — a documented plan that ensures AED access, CPR-trained staff and clear emergency protocols.

“We’re proud to take this step to protect our students, staff and families,” said Dr. Jerry D. Hollingsworth, EMS ISD superintendent. “By training our teams and preparing for emergencies, we’re strengthening our community’s ability to save lives.”

Each year, more than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside hospitals, and nearly 40% of those are sports-related. Immediate Hands-Only CPR can double or triple survival chances, yet only one-third of victims receive it.

By becoming a district of lifesavers, EMS ISD demonstrates a commitment to preparedness, student safety and community care.

“This is more than a recognition — it’s a movement,” said Beth Lotter, school engagement director for the American Heart Association. “Districts that earn this designation are helping build a nation of lifesavers, starting in their own communities.”

To learn how your school district can join EMS ISD and become a district of lifesavers or implement a cardiac emergency response plan, contact Amanda Heffley at amanda.heffley@heart.org.