PSJA ISD's 4th Annual Family Posada: A Festive Celebration of Community, Culture, and Sustainability

PHARR - Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) welcomed thousands of families to the 4th Annual PSJA Family Posada on Thursday, December 21, at the PSJA Stadium. 

The annual event featured numerous live performances from various PSJA Fine Arts groups, including mariachi, conjunto, choir, dance, orchestra, and band, to name a few. Additionally, two Parent Folklorico groups consisting of parents taking classes through the PSJA Parental Engagement Program also performed on stage for attendees. 

"This is our 4th Annual PSJA Family Posada, and to see so many families here enjoying the student performances and the many other activities this event has to offer makes us joyful,” said Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias during his remarks. “We would like to thank everyone that had a part in organizing this wonderful event. This is what our PSJA Family is all about.” 

In addition to the live performances, the event included holiday food items sold by campus organizations, a Holiday Gift Market featuring handcrafted items by parents enrolled in the PSJA Parental Engagement Program, as well as students and staff from the district's campuses, and free entertainment. Proceeds from the event went to benefit students and participating programs. 

This year’s theme, A Sustainability Celebration, featured a special Lighting of the Tree Ceremony where students, in collaboration with the PSJA Office of Sustainability, powered a 20 ft tree made from recycled plastic bottles collected from across the district, emphasizing PSJA ISD’s mission of promoting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals districtwide. 

Throughout the event, attendees visited informational booths led by PSJA department staff, including the PSJA Police Department, PSJA Counseling and Guidance Department, PSJA Library Services, and PSJA Dual Language Department. At these booths, attendees walked away with free goodies, including fingerprint kits, library books, blankets, and socks, and even had the chance to participate in a bicycle raffle led by the PSJA Police Department. 

“I was very surprised and excited to have won the scooter,” said PSJA Family member Maria Ramirez. “I have a grandbaby that will be using it; it was an amazing holiday surprise. Thank you PSJA Police Dept for your generosity and for putting a smile on children’s faces this holiday season.” 

In addition to the numerous holiday festivities taking place, the PSJA Transportation Department made some holiday wishes come true by distributing over 600 donated gifts to PSJA ISD students. Gifts were donated by community members and PSJA ISD staff from across the district’s 43 schools and departments. 

“I was inspired to organize a toy drive because when I was a child, we went through hard times, and being a bus driver sometimes I get to witness children playing with broken toys,” said PSJA Bus Driver Jose M. Rodriguez. “When I went to my director with the idea, he was all for it and told me to run with it. We gathered over 600 toys, and we would like to thank everyone that helped us with the donations.” 

For photos and highlights of the 4th Annual PSJA Family Posada, visit the PSJA ISD Facebook page @PSJAISD. 

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