In a sprawling city like Houston, it is important for busy parents to be able to consolidate the many necessary steps to enrolling their children in school. In hopes of making a once headache-inducing chore into something fun and easy, HISD’s Office of Student Enrollment partnered with the St. Austin Center to host Día de los Niños, an enrollment event, carnival, and one-stop shop for community resources all rolled into one.

On Saturday, April 29, Student Enrollment and representatives from Brookline, Carillo, Cornelius, Crespo, DeZavala, and Franklin Elementary Schools as well as Henderson, Deady, Edison, and Navarro Middle Schools gathered in the parking lot of the St. Austin Center, a ministry of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Campus personnel and representatives from other HISD departments were present to speak to prospective students and their parents about various programs available in HISD and help them through the enrollment process.

“Día de los Niños is essential because it allows us to connect with our community by valuing their culture,” said Joel Garcia, Magnet Program Specialist with HISD Student Enrollment. “Families appreciated attending an event that was familiar to them and knowing they had access to resources: schools, immunizations, enhanced library ID card (can serve as a supplemental ID), and other resources.”

While parents and guardians could ready their children for the 2023-2024 year with the resources provided by HISD and community partners, the kids delighted in visiting with the Houston Dynamo mascot, Diesel, and playing games to win prizes like HISD teddy bears and fidget pop-its.

The event saw more than 150 attendees between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

For more information on enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year, please email Enroll@HoustonISD.org, or visit the Student Enrollment website.