🚤🔬 Shorthorn Engineers! 🔬🚤
Students in Mrs. Loya’s science class put their engineering skills to the test! Using only 10 straws and tape, students were challenged to design and build a boat that could float while carrying three pennies without sinking! 🪙💦
Students worked together to brainstorm, design, build, and test their creations — turning science into hands-on learning, teamwork, and FUN! 🧠✨
Way to go, Shorthorn scientists! 💜🤘
#MarfaISD #HandsOnLearning #ScienceIsFun #GoShorthorns
🍎✏️ Our Elementary Student Council is the BEST in the Big Bend Area! 🐮 💜
Our Marfa Elementary Student Council spread some SERIOUS cheer by creating special snack buckets for our amazing teachers and staff after a fantastic first week of school! 🌟
They also presented superintendent, Mr. McCanless, his official "Shorthorn Welcome Merch Swag Bag"! 🔥⭐️🐮
We’re proud of these thoughtful young leaders and thankful for the incredible staff they chose to celebrate! 💜
#MarfaElementary #StudentCouncil #GoShorthorns
Support the Marfa High School Junior Class!
Come out this Saturday, August 29, 2026, and support our Junior Class at the concession stand during the volleyball game at the Marfa Shorthorn Gym 11:00-2:00.
They’ll be serving up burritos, noodles, snacks, candy, chips, and drinks!
Every purchase helps — all proceeds will go toward this year’s PROM! 💃🕺✨
Come hungry and help our Juniors make Prom 2027 a great one!
🏐GAME DAY IN MARFA! 🏐
Our Lady Shorthorns are back on the court tomorrow as they take on Grandfalls! Come cheer on our girls!
📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
⏰ 12:00 Noon
📍 Shorthorn Gym
GRANDFALLS 🆚 MARFA
IT’S GAME DAY, SHORTHORNS!
The Marfa Shorthorns hit the road tonight to take on DaVinci!
📅 Friday, August 28
⏰ 7:00 PM CST
📍 Tornillo, Tx.
Come out, bring the energy, and support our Shorthorns as they kick off the season!
Shorthorns,
We had a terrific first week of school. I am more than impressed with each and every student from PK-12th grade. From our PK students learning about lining up, staying seated, coloring in the lines to our 3rd grade students being prepared for their initial STAAR testing readiness, and the 5th grade students seeing what it’s like to be the big man on campus as they prepare to move to Junior High next year!
And we can’t forget our amazing 6th through 12th graders! These students have been on task since day one! They are never roaming the halls or out of class missing instruction. When I visit classrooms, they are focused and hard at work on the lesson. Junior High is a challenging time, but what I’m seeing here tells me they are ready to accomplish excellence. Our High School students are just as responsible and focused on learning. I love going in and seeing them engaged with each other in conversation about the topic or engaged with the teacher on today’s lesson.
We have amazing teachers and staff here in MISD! Thank you to our bus drivers who are the FIRST to greet our students, to our cafeteria staff who serve meals with a smile, our custodians and maintenance who keep the facilities clean and safe, our Technology Director who keeps the internet and computers up and running, and our paraprofessionals who keep all the behind-the-scenes data entry and daily processes in order.
Enjoy your weekend, and we’ll see you Monday morning with a Shorthorn Welcome!
Sincerely,
Stephen W. McCanless
Superintendent
We had a terrific first week of school. I am more than impressed with each and every student from PK-12th grade. From our PK students learning about lining up, staying seated, coloring in the lines to our 3rd grade students being prepared for their initial STAAR testing readiness, and the 5th grade students seeing what it’s like to be the big man on campus as they prepare to move to Junior High next year!
And we can’t forget our amazing 6th through 12th graders! These students have been on task since day one! They are never roaming the halls or out of class missing instruction. When I visit classrooms, they are focused and hard at work on the lesson. Junior High is a challenging time, but what I’m seeing here tells me they are ready to accomplish excellence. Our High School students are just as responsible and focused on learning. I love going in and seeing them engaged with each other in conversation about the topic or engaged with the teacher on today’s lesson.
We have amazing teachers and staff here in MISD! Thank you to our bus drivers who are the FIRST to greet our students, to our cafeteria staff who serve meals with a smile, our custodians and maintenance who keep the facilities clean and safe, our Technology Director who keeps the internet and computers up and running, and our paraprofessionals who keep all the behind-the-scenes data entry and daily processes in order.
Enjoy your weekend, and we’ll see you Monday morning with a Shorthorn Welcome!
Sincerely,
Stephen W. McCanless
Superintendent
🏈💜 Traditions, Team & Community! 💜🏈
Our tradition of Decals with Our Dearest Fans was a hit tonight, along with a great team dinner! We are incredibly thankful for the continued love and support our community shows our student-athletes.
There’s something special about bringing our players, families, friends, and supporters together to share a meal, enjoy some fellowship, and celebrate the traditions that make being a Shorthorn so special.
Special thanks to Mrs. Nunez & Mrs. Alvarez for a terrific dinner!
Now we’re ready… Friday Night Lights are almost here! 🏈
GO HORNS! #RideForTheBrand #MarfaShorthorns #FridayNightLights
IT’S TIME TO MEET THE SHORTHORNS!
Join us Thursday, August 27 at 7:00 P.M. at Martin Field as we celebrate the students representing Marfa this fall!
🏃 Cross Country
📣 Cheerleaders
🏐 Volleyball
🏈 Football
⭐ Student Council
💜 Mini Cheerleaders
Come out, bring your SHORTHORN PRIDE, and help us kick off an exciting year!
GO HORNS! ' RideForTheBrand #MarfaShorthorns #GoHorns
The Lady Horns hit the course today at the Red Rock Run in Van Horn! 🏅 🏃♀️
Run strong, Lady Horns! 💜 Go Horns!
🔬 Science got a little messy in Mrs. Cain’s 5th-grade class today!
Our young scientists brought the digestive system to life with a hands-on experiment showing how food moves through the body—from digestion and nutrient absorption all the way to the final product… 🚽 🧻 😂
Even Superintendent Mr. McCanless joined the fun and got his hands dirty for science! 🧑🔬
Lots of laughs, a few “ewwws,” and plenty of learning! 🦠🧪 Way to make science memorable, Mrs. Cain!
💜🐂 Welcome to Our Newest Shorthorns! 🐂💜
Please join us in giving a big Shorthorn welcome to our newest Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 students! We are so excited to have these little learners join the Marfa ISD family.
We can’t wait to watch them learn, grow, make new friends, and create wonderful memories throughout the school year. We are thrilled to have them with us as they begin their educational journey!
Welcome to Marfa ISD, little Shorthorns! 💜🤘
Elevate Excellence – Every Student. Every Day.
Please join us in giving a big Shorthorn welcome to our newest Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 students! We are so excited to have these little learners join the Marfa ISD family.
We can’t wait to watch them learn, grow, make new friends, and create wonderful memories throughout the school year. We are thrilled to have them with us as they begin their educational journey!
Welcome to Marfa ISD, little Shorthorns! 💜🤘
Elevate Excellence – Every Student. Every Day.
🧪✨ Science Comes to Life at Marfa Elementary!
Mrs. Cain’s 5th graders put science to the test with the “Unpoppable Baggies” experiment!
Fifth graders at Marfa Elementary recently explored the science of polymers through a fascinating "unpoppable baggies" experiment. Students filled plastic Ziploc bags with water and carefully poked sharp teriyaki sticks completely through them.
Amazingly, the bags did not leak because the flexible plastic molecules instantly stretched and sealed tightly around the sticks. This hands-on project perfectly demonstrated chemical structures while bringing science to life for Marfa's young scientists! 🧑🔬
IMPORTANT UPDATE: ODESSA COLLEGE DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS
Marfa ISD has received an update regarding the technical difficulties some of our dual credit students experienced through the Odessa College online system.
Odessa College has identified the issue that caused some students to be dropped from their courses and is currently working to re-enroll all affected students.
Once students are re-enrolled and the system updates, their courses will reappear on their Odessa College student dashboard and they will regain access through Blackboard.
Odessa College is actively working to correct the issue and notified us that these issues should be resolved soon.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and will share another update as soon as the re-enrollment process is complete. Thank you!
Early Release – Monday, August 31
Marfa ISD will have an Early Release on Monday, August 31.
Elementary: Students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Dismissal will take place on the west side of the elementary school on Gonzales Street. The elementary bus will depart at 11:30 a.m.
JH/SH: Students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m. Dismissal will take place at 400 W. Lincoln Street. JH/SH buses will depart at 12:00 p.m.
Thank you for making arrangements to pick up your child at the appropriate dismissal time and location.
Marfa ISD will have an Early Release on Monday, August 31.
Elementary: Students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Dismissal will take place on the west side of the elementary school on Gonzales Street. The elementary bus will depart at 11:30 a.m.
JH/SH: Students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m. Dismissal will take place at 400 W. Lincoln Street. JH/SH buses will depart at 12:00 p.m.
Thank you for making arrangements to pick up your child at the appropriate dismissal time and location.
Thank you to our amazing community partners! 💜
We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our students and staff. Your generosity, kindness, and commitment make a meaningful difference at Marfa ISD. Thank you for investing in our schools and our Shorthorns! 💜
💜 Livingston Insurance – Thank you for treating our staff to T-shirts!
💜 Marfa RenTools – Thank you for brightening our day with a delicious snack!
💜 Marfa Police Department – Thank you for treating Marfa ISD staff to lunch during our professional development!
💜 Marfa Education Foundation – Thank you for sponsoring lunch and gift cards for our classroom teachers and instructional aides!
💜 Marfa PTO – Thank you for starting our professional development day with a wonderful breakfast for our staff!
💜 Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union – Thank you for showing your appreciation for our staff with gift cards!
We are so grateful for your commitment to our students and staff. Thank you for supporting Marfa ISD and helping us Elevate Excellence — Every Student. Every Day! 💜
Let's make it a great year, Shorthorns!
-Class of 2027
Senior Sunrise!
Sunday, August 23, 2026
6:45 AM at Martin Field
🏈 Shorthorns at Dell City
Saturday, August 22, 2026
11:00 CST
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Volleyball at Van Horn Tournament
Bracket play- game one at 9:00 A.M.
Parents, Community:
As we prepare for the first day of school and opening the doors for your child to experience the best school year yet, I would like to take a moment to remind all parents and students to read and familiarize yourself with specific sections of the Student Handbook (posted on the district website). The 2025-26 handbook is currently posted and has not changed for 2026-27. We are in the process of updating all info on the website. For now, please review the current posted handbook. The following sections are the areas most important and prove to be where most issues or questions arise during the school year. I expect your child to be knowledgeable of the handbook and ready to comply come August 24, 2026.
Attendance Health Related Issues
Bullying Leaving Campus
Communication Parking Permits
Conduct Promotion/Retention
Child Welfare/Awareness Safety
Deliveries to School Conduct Before/After School
Disruption of School Operations Searches & Investigations
Dress/Grooming Prohibited Items Tardies
Electronic Devices Transportation
Grading Guidelines Visitors/Volunteers
Immunizations/Illness
Again, I am honored to serve as your District Superintendent and look forward to an amazing school year.
Sincerely,
Stephen W. McCanless
Superintendent
As we prepare for the first day of school and opening the doors for your child to experience the best school year yet, I would like to take a moment to remind all parents and students to read and familiarize yourself with specific sections of the Student Handbook (posted on the district website). The 2025-26 handbook is currently posted and has not changed for 2026-27. We are in the process of updating all info on the website. For now, please review the current posted handbook. The following sections are the areas most important and prove to be where most issues or questions arise during the school year. I expect your child to be knowledgeable of the handbook and ready to comply come August 24, 2026.
Attendance Health Related Issues
Bullying Leaving Campus
Communication Parking Permits
Conduct Promotion/Retention
Child Welfare/Awareness Safety
Deliveries to School Conduct Before/After School
Disruption of School Operations Searches & Investigations
Dress/Grooming Prohibited Items Tardies
Electronic Devices Transportation
Grading Guidelines Visitors/Volunteers
Immunizations/Illness
Again, I am honored to serve as your District Superintendent and look forward to an amazing school year.
Sincerely,
Stephen W. McCanless
Superintendent
