Category Archives: Parents

HISD school start times for the 2019-20 school year

The Houston Independent School District’s standardized start/dismissal times will remain the same for the 2019-20 school year. 

This school year, the district will operate with the following standardized times: 

Elementary schools and early childhood centers: 
Start at 7:30 a.m. and dismiss at 2:50 p.m. 

Middle schools and PK/K-8: 
Start at 8:30 a.m. and dismiss at 3:50 p.m. 

High School and 6-12 Schools: 
Start at 8:30 a.m. and dismiss at 4 p.m. 

Exceptions to the standardized start/dismissal times are in effect for certain campuses for the 2019-2020 school year. Please check with your campus directly to confirm start/dismissal times. 

Parent University to kick off for second year with districtwide workshops

The Houston Independent School District will kick off its second year of Parent University on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at all district campuses.

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. 

A variety of district and community program representatives and experts will be available for parents to connect with individually. After the districtwide event on Sept. 17, Parent University workshops will take place monthly at geographically dispersed locations at 5:15 p.m. as follows: 

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HISD students to eat all meals at no charge this school year

As parents prepare for the upcoming school year, Nutrition Services has taken one key responsibility off their plates — providing students with breakfast, lunch, and dinner free of charge for the second year in a row. 

All HISD schools are once again qualified to operate under the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Community Eligibility Provision, which provides students with access to three healthy meals each day — at no cost to them and without having to fill out a free and reduced-price meal application. 

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HISD asking parents to complete socioeconomic form for the 2019-2020 school year

The Houston Independent School District will provide free breakfast and lunch to students for the 2019-2020 school year, but parents will need to fill out a new form to ensure Title I funding for HISD schools. 

All HISD schools are qualified to operate under the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Community Eligibility Provision, which allows HISD to provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner at no charge to all students, eliminating the need for free and reduced-price meal applications. 

While parents will not need to complete and return a free and reduced-price meal application, they will need to complete a socioeconomic form (see below), known as the blue form. 

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Transportation Services announces new tools for parents

Parents of students riding HISD buses now have two new tools designed to ensure better bus service for students and better customer service for parents with transportation-related questions and concerns. 

Beginning this school year, Transportation Services is launching the bus tracking app SafeStop and Let’s Talk!, an easy-to-use, online program that aims to streamline communication between Transportation Services and parents and school staff.  

“We want to provide an easy-to-use service that will help parents who utilize our service,” Transportation Services General Manager John Wilcots IV said. “Increased effectiveness in our operations and our customer service continues to be our main goal for Transportation Services this year.” 

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HISD to host Back to School Extravaganza for 2019-2020 school year

HISD’s Homeless Education Office will host a Back to School Extravaganza on Friday, Aug. 23 to help students get ready for the 2019-2020 school year. 

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Delmar Stadium (2020 Mangum Road 77092). 

Free assistance will be available for Medicaid applications, Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) renewal and recertification, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Health screenings also will be available. 

Also available for free, while supplies last, will be immunizations (must bring original shot record), fresh produce, backpacks, shoes, and school supplies. Students must be present to receive free items. 

For transportation assistance, contact the Homeless Education Office at 713-556-7237.

How and when to access your child’s STAAR results

Beginning June 12, parents can access their child’s STAAR results and a suite of other resources to support summer learning at home by visiting TexasAssessment.gov. HISD schools will also receive paper copies of the STAAR Report Card to distribute to parents over the summer.  

HISD also maintains a STAAR page on the district website that contains instructions in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese on how to access STAAR scores, testing calendars, FAQs, sample test questions, STAAR policies, and much more. There are also STAAR policies regarding testing and tips to prepare your child for STAAR.  

For questions, please contact your child’s principal or counselor.

Register by July 12 for mayor’s Back to School Fest

Click here to view flyer

Registration is now open for Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Back to School Fest, an annual event that helps elementary students across the city access the free resources they need for a successful school year, such as school supplies, backpacks, and medical services.

All participants must register for an appointment by Friday, July 12 in order to attend. To register, visit this link. Families may also register by calling 311 or 713-837-0311 to request an appointment.

The event, held in partnership with Shell and the University of Houston, is a great opportunity for Houston families to take advantage of an array of resources provided by the City of Houston and other sponsors.

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HISD’s Ascending to Men Project will host roundtable discussion with students and community leaders

The Houston Independent School District’s Ascending to Men (ATM) Project will host a roundtable discussion next week with students and community leaders to foster dialogue centered around issues impacting today’s youth.

The discussion will take place from 6 – 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 28 at Jack Yates High School. Dinner will be provided beginning at 5:30 p.m. Participants will discuss the qualities of successful students, while sharing examples of how they can reach their personal and academic goals.

Participants will also share their own perspectives on the importance of developing quality mentorships and the impact they can have on a student’s success.

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Help make this a prom to remember for HISD students

HISD’s Homeless Education Office is requesting donations of formal attire for hundreds of homeless and at-risk high school seniors planning to attend their prom.

The homeless office is requesting formal dresses, shoes, handbags, and jewelry for girls and tuxedo rentals, men’s shirts, and men’s shoes for boys.

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