The truth of the adage “It takes a village to raise a child” is made most obvious when we take time to recognize the hundreds of individuals who volunteer their time to help our public-school systems run. As the largest school district in Texas, HISD is no exception and boasts a cohort of dedicated parent and community volunteers.
Continue readingCategory Archives: FACE
HISD to hold inaugural Multicultural Day created by MLK Oratory Competition winner
The HISD Multilingual Programs Department is proud to host the district’s first ever Multicultural Day. This event was conceived of by Law Elementary fifth-grader Kadence Smith, winner of the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Speech Competition.
Continue readingHISD to offer series of webinars and podcasts for parents
HISD’s Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Department is launching a series of webinars and podcasts where parents and caregivers can watch recorded virtual sessions and listen to recorded podcasts.
Continue readingIt’s a Game Changer: Parent Organization Expo gets parents involved and empowered
The 2023 Parent Organization Expo, held on Feb. 4, was met with explosive enthusiasm by HISD PTO and would-be PTO members. Nearly 600 people attended the expo at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center which was the first of its kind to be held in person. PTOs from across the district gathered to network and learn how to be more effectively involved in their child’s education.
It’s a Game Changer: How parent participation sets schools up for success
HISD is readying to “Change the Game” with its annual Parent Organization Expo. It’s the perfect opportunity for parents to consider the benefits parent organizations provide for the schools they support and what a difference their involvement can make.
The Parent Organization Expo is set for Feb. 4, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092). The event is a valuable launchpad for parents and caretakers who are new to their school’s parent organizations as well as an opportunity for seasoned Parent Teacher Organization/Parent Teacher Association participants to build upon their knowledge base and make useful connections to further support their schools. The expo will include fundraising strategies and workshops on effective PTO/PTA practices.
Continue readingHISD connects families to information and resources through Parent Link
Houston Independent School District is improving the way it helps families find information and support for their child’s learning.
The HISD Parent Link is a one-stop resource center with staff prepared to help parents and caregivers navigate processes such as enrollment, school nutrition, academic support, and much more.
HISD launches 2022-2023 Family Friendly Schools Program
HISD’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department is excited to launch the 2022-2023 Family Friendly Schools (FFS) Program. With this newly redesigned initiative, FACE will be supporting every school’s efforts to engage parents, families, and the greater Houston community and work to establish a culture of trust in order to achieve its goal of preparing students to succeed in college, career, and beyond.
Continue readingParents and caregivers invited to a live preview of new SchoolFinder tool
All pre-K through Grade 12 parents and caregivers are invited to attend a live walkthrough of HISD’s new SchoolFinder tool and provide feedback. SchoolFinder is expected to launch in Summer 2022, and the insight from HISD families is valuable ahead of implementation.
Continue readingHISD parent leaders join FACE’s Parent Organization Spring Expo
The HISD Family and Community Engagement Department recently welcomed parent leaders from across the district to the Spring Parent Organization Expo.
Attendees gathered virtually on May 11 to learn about resources and tools to support their work with their respective parent organization groups, such as recruitment best practices, fundraising ideas, transition to a new school year, and more. In addition, the audience got to hear from guest speakers: Brenna Pilcher from the well-known Get Movin’ fundraising organization, Lisa Holbrook from Texas PTA, and Rolando Martinez, PTO treasurer for Cornelius Elementary School. The FACE department also presented valuable information for parent organizations to prepare for the summer months.
Continue readingVirtual Parent University session to focus on non-academic supports
The Houston Independent School District will host its next virtual Parent University workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9. (Please note: this was rescheduled from February due to inclement weather.)
The theme of the fourth session will be “Non-Academic Supports Offered in HISD.” The workshop will begin with a general session followed by virtual breakout sessions that will include information on district programs, parent engagement, and community resources.
Continue reading