Category Archives: Parents

Accept an offered magnet seat by Thursday, April 6

Parents who submitted magnet applications for the 2017-2018 school year have until Thursday, April 6, to accept any offered seat.

Parents who participated in Phase 1 of the application process (Sept. 30 – Dec. 9, 2016) were notified of the status of their submissions on Thursday, March 23. Phase I includes in-district applications only.

Parents who created online accounts can find the results posted on their dashboards, and letters were sent out by U.S. mail to all parents who submitted an application.

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Meetings offer opportunities to learn more about Recapture before May 6 vote 

HISD voters will be asked on May 6 to decide how the district will pay its Recapture obligation to the state of Texas.

Voters will choose between two options—purchase attendance credits from the state or have commercial property detached. A vote against purchasing attendance credits means that the district permanently will lose tax collections for certain commercial properties. A vote for purchasing attendance credits means that HISD will write a check to the state for local property taxes and continue to make annual recapture payments as long as property wealth grows. A number of community town hall meetings are scheduled for the public to learn more about the vote and HISD’s Recapture status: Continue reading →

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.

Donations may be dropped off at the following locations:

  • Hattie Mae White Education Support Center, Room 3SW11, 4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092 (713-556-6800)
  • HISD Homeless Education Office, Peck Elementary School, 5001 Martin Luther King, Houston, 77021 (713-556-7237)
  • Bee Busy Wellness Center, 8785 W. Bellfort, Houston, 77031 (713-771-2292)

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Special message from Superintendent Carranza on student protections

Houston ISD Superintendent Richard Carranza sent the following message today to parents, community members, and employees:

Houston ISD is proud of its rich diversity. Each and every one of our students has a right to an education that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Our focus and determination to serve all students will not be diminished by the recently announced rollback of guidelines to provide much needed protections for transgender students in public schools.

In HISD, we will continue to provide a safe and positive learning environment for all students.

We do not discriminate. In fact, HISD board policy clearly states that we do not condone discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression, or on any other basis prohibited by law. The HISD Board of Education and I are committed to respecting and recognizing all students for who they are.

Our students represent the best of who we are, and together we are HISD.

Sincerely,
Richard A. Carranza
HISD Superintendent

New Westbury HS video stresses vital role parents play in student success 

It’s all about family at Westbury High School, and parents are a big part of the school’s extended family.

With 2,200 students, Principal Susan Monaghan counts on parents to help with whatever needs to be done.

“It’s important for parents to be part of what we do every day at Westbury,” she says in a new video. “That’s the only way we can become a top school.”

Continue reading →

Town hall meeting planned with Trustee Eastman, Superintendent Carranza at Northside HS

HISD Board of Education Trustee Anna Eastman will host a community town hall meeting for the north region schools with Superintendent Richard Carranza at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at Northside High School.

The meeting will be held as a way to solicit input from stakeholders about the district’s future and learn about key issues across HISD.

Celebrate Black History Month with family-friendly events 

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the richness of African-American culture and recognize the central role of African Americans in U.S. history, as well as the numerous contributions African Americans have made to society.

Below are some ways to celebrate Black History Month in Houston: Continue reading →

Special message from Superintendent Carranza on diversity at HISD

Houston ISD Superintendent Richard Carranza sent the following message today to parents, community members, and employees:

Dear Team HISD,

Houston ISD has always valued diversity. We do not discriminate. We have young newcomers who come to our schools every year. We do not turn them away. All of our students have a constitutional right to equal access to education regardless of any circumstance that is no fault of their own – whether they’re an immigrant or low-income.

We are a public school district. We serve a tremendous amount of English language learners and economically disadvantaged students who depend on us daily. Our schools are safe havens for all students. Places where they not only learn fundamentals but have the opportunity to learn a new language, a different culture, and explore career pathways. Ultimately, we are preparing students for a future in a world that is becoming more diverse every day. We want our students to leave not only academically enriched but with more positive attitudes toward other cultures.

Our schools will continue to be safe and positive learning environments that promote student learning and development versus discrimination and fear.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza
HISD Superintendent

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FAQ: What you need to know about immigration, discrimination, and your rights at HISD

HISD Dyslexia Awareness Family Night set for Feb. 7

Dyslexia in its many forms affects a number of students in HISD. If you would like to know more about dyslexia, understand whether your child might have dyslexia, or find new resources to support your child identified with dyslexia, please join us at our Dyslexia Awareness Family Night on Feb. 7 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street).

The event will include a keynote address and breakout sessions. We will also offer individual student screenings on a first come, first served basis for families concerned that their child shows dyslexic tendencies. Representatives from various colleges and universities will also be on site to discuss their programs/accommodations available to students with dyslexia.

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HISD superintendent shares report on Listen and Learn tour findings

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Watch Superintendent Carranza’s report about what he learned during his Listen and Learn Tour

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza has shared a full report on the results of the Listen and Learn town hall meetings with the HISD Board of Education.

The HISD Board of Education hosted more than two dozen town hall meetings that began in September as a way to introduce Carranza to the community, solicit input from stakeholders about the district’s future, and learn about key issues across HISD.

Continue reading →