Category Archives: FACE

2015-2016 HIPPY participants gather for graduation ceremonies

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HISD’s Family and Community Engagement department on Tuesday hosted an end-of-year ceremony at Chavez High School to honor 2015-2016 HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) graduates.

More than 500 parents and children completed the program this year. FACE held two additional end-of-year gatherings at Fondren Middle School on May 16 and Sam Houston MSTC on May 18. Together, those gatherings honored another 1,281 participants.

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26 HISD campuses attain Family Friendly Schools certification

As the first year of the Family Friendly Schools certification program draws to a close, the Family and Community Engagement department has certified 26 participating campuses as either gold, silver and/or bronze, and one as an honorable mention.

The FACE department established the certification program to recognize and honor the dedication and commitment of principals, faculty, and staff who are determined to ensure their families and communities work together toward a common goal. The program was founded to assist schools in three vital areas related to family engagement: building relationships with family and community, linking family events to students’ learning, and supporting parents’ advocacy.

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Trustee to host Family Learning Academy on emerging career opportunities Feb. 27

HISD Board of Education Member Rhonda Skillern-Jones has partnered with the Family and Community Engagement and Linked Learning Departments to host the District II Family Learning Academy on emerging career opportunities.

The free event will take place from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at Washington High School (119 East 39th Street, 77018), and will connect families with resources to help parents engage in their children’s education.

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Four more campuses recognized as ‘model’ Family Friendly Schools

DeAnda ES parents (pictured) were able to purchase books at discounted prices from local retailers after obtaining library cards from the Houston Public Library, thanks to a special arrangement made by Principal Erwin Garcia Velazquez.

DeAnda ES parents (pictured) were able to purchase books at discounted prices from local retailers after obtaining library cards from the Houston Public Library, thanks to a special arrangement made by Principal Erwin Garcia Velazquez.

Last month, HISD began honoring district campuses for their successful implementation of the Family Friendly Schools program.

Now, four more campuses have been recognized by the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department for their efforts to make parents feel welcome and valued at their children’s schools.

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HISD assistant superintendent named ‘Educator of the Year’ by LULAC

Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo

Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo

Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo has been named “Educator of the Year” for 2016 by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 402. The assistant superintendent of HISD’s Family and Community Engagement Department will be formally recognized during the council’s annual scholarship gala on Feb. 17.

“I am humbled by this honor from LULAC Council 402, a group that has been distinguished by its historic service to our community and its commitment to education,” said Dr. Arredondo. “I am also quite humbled to have been included on this list. Past honorees are all life-long educators who deeply value parents and caregivers. They not only welcome them to be part of their child’s education, but view it as a privilege and the highest honor to provide a high-quality education to all students. They also understand that despite the gains that we’ve made, too many children are not achieving their maximum potential, and it is our duty as a whole community to alter those conditions, using every possible opportunity we have from cradle to career.”

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