May 16, 2025

Dear Bobcat Families & Staff,

We are almost at the finish line of the 2024–2025 school year. I know many of our students are excited about summer break. As always, we want them to stay safe and enjoy their time off.

While the finish line is in sight, we still have one more week of school. Parents, I ask that you encourage your child to finish the school year strong. Making smart choices during these final days not only sets the tone for a great summer, but it also ensures your student begins the next school year on the right track, rather than facing consequences for poor decisions at the very end. We are all Bobcats, and we will maintain our high standards through the final bell.

The last day of school is Friday, May 23. It is an early release day. Please stay engaged with your child’s campus for any final week of school activities and events. 

I’d like to give a big shoutout to several of our teachers who received Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) checks for their outstanding work with students. 

Congratulations to the following TIA recipients:

Hempstead Elementary

• Tabitha Collins - Master

• Beatriz De La Cruz Merlock - Exemplary

• Dominique Donald - Exemplary

• Amy McCaffery - Recognized

Hempstead Middle School

• Christina Conklin - Exemplary

• Jessie Trimboli - Exemplary 

Hempstead High School

• Christine Herbert - Exemplary

This is a huge accomplishment, and I want our entire community to know they earned this recognition. I’m incredibly proud of them and deeply grateful for all they do. Beyond that, I’m thankful for all of our dedicated teachers who care so deeply and give so much of themselves to serve our students.

These last days of school are filled with fun and meaningful activities, field days, banquets, awards ceremonies, and more. The biggest event of all will take place on Friday, May 23, at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairie View A&M University Baby Dome. Graduation! I hope you’ll join us to celebrate this amazing milestone for our seniors. They’ve worked hard for this moment, and your presence will mean so much as they take their next steps into the future.

As we close out the school year, I want to thank you, our families, staff, and community, for your continued support of Hempstead ISD. This year has marked real progress: we celebrated the ribbon cutting of our upgraded stadium, began the work on projects made possible by our historic bond, and most importantly, we’ve seen powerful shifts in teaching and learning across our classrooms. None of this could have happened without your trust, partnership, and commitment to our students.

I hope you all enjoy your summer, and let’s keep going to #HigherHeights together!

With Bobcat Pride,

Herbert O’Neil
Superintendent of Schools
Hempstead ISD

Check out stories about students learning and engaged in academic and extracurricular activities across the district. Plus, read how our dedicated staff are teaching, learning, and making an impact every day!

Rooms Support

Hempstead ISD is making it easier to stay in touch with teachers and get class information from one app. Using the Hempstead ISD app you can easily switch from district and school information to Rooms where you can see your student's classes and engage directly with teachers. Rooms can be accessed via the web and from our district app, which is available for free and can be used from both Apple and Android phones. Get Rooms Support