[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000vyJr955Q0g8″ g_name=”20160910-GradWalk” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and a team of volunteers from Booker T. Washington High School walked the neighborhood on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, knocking on doors and talking to dropouts about returning to school. They were part of a team of volunteers from HISD high schools participated in the district’s annual Grads Within Reach walk and convinced students across the city to come back to school and continue their education.

Almost 500 volunteers fanned out across Houston, visiting the last-known residences of students who had not shown up for class this year and leaving information on how to re-enroll if no one came to the door. They made contact with 469 students and/or parents and left door hangers on 609 doors.

Fifty-six students agreed to re-enroll and finish high school. The Northside High School team recovered 12 students, the Advanced Virtual Academy/Middle College High School reached 10, and Sterling High School reached eight. A total of 23 HISD high schools had teams going door-to-door on Saturday morning.

“We were thrilled to have Mayor Turner participate,” said HISD Director of Dropout Prevention Bea Marquez.

Students who want more information on how to return to school may call 713-556-7017 or visit this page. They can also email GWR@HoustonISD.org.