CBP at the Progreso/DonnaPort Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

Donna, TX – U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Donna port of entry celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month with McAllen ISD Superintendent James J. Ponce, Ed.D serving as the keynote speaker.A leader, team builder and organizer, James J. Ponce, Ed.D has infused McAllen ISD with a focus on rigor in teaching and learning, while leveraging all resources, from the classroom to central staff. Focusing on strengthening and building staff leadership capacity through extensive instructional and leadership training the McAllen ISD has implemented new parent-outreach efforts—parent leadership conversations at every school, a newly established Parent Advisory, Annual Parent Engagement Conferences, specialized informative presentations for parents at every campus, and efforts centered on transitioning students and parents into their new school well before the child moves through the feeder system. Parents are engaged in fulfilling the fundamental mission of the district—to produce graduates who are college and career ready.The National Hispanic Heritage Month this year is from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. This year’s theme is “Keeping the Promise, Unity, Strength, and Leadership.” President Barack Obama has called upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.Progreso/Donna port of entry Port Director Carlos Rodriguez along with invited guests enjoyed accordion music played by local CBP officers, dances preformed by the Weslaco ISD folkloric group as well as traditional ethnic food sampling prepared by CBP officers and staff.U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.