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.
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Parents 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 readingDistrict mentorship programs, HISD PD’s C.O.R.E Team promote positive youth-police dialogues
Students from across the district participated in a virtual conversation with the HISD Police Department’s C.O.R.E Team that focused on the importance of relational policing between police and youth.
During the event, Let’s Talk: Youth Promoting Social Action, more than 150 students from HISD’s mentorship programs, Ascending to Men Project (ATMP) and the Resilient Outstanding Sisters Exemplifying Success (ROSES), engaged in dialogue and asked officers questions about how to best establish relationships with local police.
According to Officer Odell McKinney, building relationships based on trust and understanding leads to strong partnerships between officers and students that help solve problems, break barriers, and create positive environments.
Continue readingVirtual Parent University session set for Jan. 19 to focus on college and career readiness
The Houston Independent School District will host its next virtual Parent University workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
The theme of the fourth session will be “College and Career Readiness.” 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 readingHighland Heights ES welcomes students back with Family Resource Center
HISD campuses may have been closed for months, but the team at Highland Heights Elementary School has been working around the clock to make sure their school community is safe, clothed, fed, and supported.
The Highland Heights Resource Center officially opened its doors on Monday, welcoming new and old Honeybees to the first-of-its-kind center, which offers families much-needed items such as food, clothes, shoes, and toiletries.
Highland Heights Wraparound Resource Specialist Brendella Chavis has worked diligently to make sure students were supported.
Continue readingVirtual Parent University session set for Oct. 20 to focus on family engagement
The Houston Independent School District will host its next virtual Parent University workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The theme of the second session will be “Family Engagement.” The workshop will begin with a general session followed by virtual breakout sessions that will include information on district programs, parent engagement, community resources, and how parents can become active partners in the successful education of their children.
Continue readingHISD to hold first virtual Parent University of the 2020-21 school year
The Houston Independent School District will kick off its third year of Parent University on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. with the first of six virtual workshops.
The workshops will connect parents and children to resources offered by the district to create successful academic careers as well as safe and healthy environments at home and at school.
Continue readingInterim Superintendent gathers feedback from parent leaders during virtual roundtable
HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan on Wednesday hosted the first in a series of three virtual roundtables with PTA/PTO parent leaders to share feedback, provide insight, and address questions regarding distance learning efforts and information about the coming 2020-2021 school year.
During this first Virtual Parent Connection session, much of the conversation centered around HISD’s pursuit of the District of Innovation designation, resources to engage students and families, as well as ways that parent organizations can support their schools while the district is operating remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lathan said students, parents, and staff have done a remarkable job adjusting to distance learning and asked parents to share some of the needs they are experiencing. She also asked parents to share what would they need from her and HISD team as they prepare for the 2020-21 school year, and what assistance families need to navigate HISD virtual platforms.
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