De Zavala Elementary Families,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share an important update regarding the Dual Language Program in San Marcos CISD.

Beginning next school year (2026-2027), the Dual Language Program, currently housed at De Zavala Elementary, will transition to Mendez Elementary, with Principal Suzanne Perkins, former Assistant Principal at De Zavala. This change comes as Mendez prepares to open a brand-new facility designed to support specialized academic programming and student needs better.

We understand that changes like this can bring questions, and we want to assure you that this decision was made with our students’ long-term success in mind. The new Mendez campus will provide enhanced resources, modern learning spaces, and the capacity needed to strengthen and grow the Dual Language Program. This move will allow us to better support high-quality instruction, collaboration among staff, and an enriched learning experience for all participating students.

Our goal is to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition for students and families. We will be sharing additional information in the coming weeks, including opportunities for you to learn more about the new campus and what to expect for the upcoming school year.

Both principals will work with the Director of Multilingual Services & Community Engagement, Dr. Monica Valdez, throughout the transition. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Monica.Valadez@smcisd.net and your campus principal, Nicole.Recio@smcisd.net. 

We appreciate your continued support and partnership as we work to provide the best possible educational opportunities for our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Cardona

Superintendent of Schools

San Marcos CISD