Category Archives: Parents

North Forest Families Encouraged to Register for Summer School

Classes to be offered at four campuses in the North Forest community

The Houston Independent School District will offer summer school instruction for students in the North Forest community from July 8 through August 1 at the following schools: Shadydale and Hilliard elementary schools, Forest Brook Middle School, and North Forest High School.

HISD is sending notification letters this week to the households of students who should attend summer school.  The summer school session is intended for students who need to retake portions of the STAAR exam, students who have not met grade-level promotion standards, high school students who need to retake STAAR end-of-course exams, high school students in need of course credit recovery, certain English language learners, and certain students receiving special education services.

Classes will be held Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Transportation will be provided at eight different locations within the North Forest community.  For more information on bus pickup sites, call 713-613-3040.

Deadline to register for summer school is July 11.  Parents can visit their neighborhood schools to register for summer school or register online at www.houstonisd.org/nfsummer.

HISD to Offer Free Summer Meals Program at more than 200 campuses

Families invited to kick-off parties on June 11 and 12

The Houston Independent School District’s free summer meal program kicks off on June 11 at more than 200 schools. Children ages 1 to 18 will be able to enjoy a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost through mid-July.  The start of the program will be celebrated with kick-off parties at Bonham and Kashmere Gardens elementary schools.

The ‘Summer Food, Summer Fun’ kick-off parties on June 11 and 12 will include giveaways, music, games and a special visit from Ace the nutrition mascot.

Children do not have to be enrolled in summer school nor show proof of income in order to receive a free meal at the participating HISD schools.  Adults may also participate by purchasing breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.25.

Continue reading →

Summer School begins Tuesday

Students who plan to take summer school for either course credit, STAAR re-testing, completing courses early or other reasons will begin taking classes very soon.

Each principal will decide their dates of summer school with most campuses expected to begin on June 11, 2013, with an end date ranging from July 3 through July 18. All schools will be closed on July 4.

Continue reading →

Tele-Town Hall Meetings Tonight for North Forest Parents

In an effort to ensure a smooth transition for parents and students as the North Forest community joins the Houston Independent School District on July 1, HISD is hosting two tele-town hall meetings on Wednesday, May 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The meetings will give parents the opportunity to ask questions directly to Superintendent Terry Grier and other HISD administrators.

North Forest parents can participate in the tele-town hall meetings by calling a toll-free number. To participate in the English tele-town hall, parents can call toll-free 855-246-7045, extension 21856#.  Spanish-speaking parents may call 855-246-7045, extension 21911# to participate in the Spanish town hall. HISD will also be calling all North Forest students’ households directly when the tele-town hall meetings begins at 6:30 p.m.

In addition, HISD is hosting a school choice fair for North Forest students in grades 6-12 on Thursday, May 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Northeast Multi-Service Center, 9720 Spaulding. Students and parents can get more information on the variety of options available to them at HISD including magnet, charter, multilingual, International Baccalaureate, Vanguard, early college, college prep schools and career academies.

HISD Conducting Tele-Town Halls for North Forest Parents

Parents can participate by phone in English or Spanish  

In an effort to ensure a smooth transition for parents and students as the North Forest community joins the Houston Independent School District on July 1, HISD is hosting tele-town hall meetings to give parents the opportunity to ask questions directly to Superintendent Terry Grier and other administrators on May 29.

North Forest parents will be able to participate in the tele-town hall meetings by calling the toll-free numbers provided.  To participate in the English tele-town hall, parents can call toll-free 855-246-7045, extension 21856#.  Spanish-speaking parents may call 855-246-7045, extension 21911# to participate in the Spanish town hall. HISD will also be calling all North Forest students’ households directly when the tele-town hall begins at 6:30 p.m.

What:              English and Spanish Tele-Town Hall Meetings for North Forest parents

Who:               HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, HISD Board of Education Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones, HISD Chief Human Resources Officer Rodney Watson, HISD School Services Officer Lupita Hinojosa, HISD Multilingual Program Manager Evelyn Castro

When:             Wednesday, May 29th 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Board Members Encourage Participation in Districtwide Survey

Parents, teachers and principals need to fill out ‘Your Voice’ survey by May 20

HISD Board President Anna Eastman and Board Trustee Manuel Rodriguez Jr. are encouraging HISD parents, teachers and principals to fill out and return the Your Voice customer satisfaction survey by May 20, 2013.  The survey is the largest of its kind in the history of the district and is being conducted by an outside party so all responses will remain confidential and anonymous.  Continue reading →

HISD, UST Offering Master’s in Special Education Leadership

Those interested can attend informational session on May 15

HISD is expanding its current partnership with the University of St. Thomas to offer a Master’s of Education in Special Education Leadership through a grant program. The district already collaborates with UST to offer a Master’s in Business Administration program for aspiring principals. Like its predecessor, this special education master’s degree features greatly reduced tuition, principal certification and participation in a cohort group that will remain with each other throughout the program. Continue reading →

Nominate HISD’s Next Employee of the Month!

The next meeting of HISD’s Employee of the Month selection committee is right around the corner, so don’t wait if you know someone who deserves to be nominated. HISD recently streamlined the process to make it easier than ever for people to submit a nomination. Just click here, fill in the fields, and press “done.” Your nomination will automatically be submitted for consideration at the next meeting. Please note that only employees serving in a non-instructional capacity (i.e. plant operators, secretaries, clerks, custodians, crossing guards, etc.) are eligible for this award.

 

HISD Hosting Community Meetings to Answer Budget Questions

Nine meetings scheduled across Houston in April and May

April 25, 2013 – In an effort to provide taxpayers a guide to understanding the district’s budget, the Houston Independent School District is hosting a series of community meetings across the city that will outline the budgeting process from planning, to adoption and implementation.

“We want our constituents to understand how HISD’s budget process works, how much money does each school get and even how they can get involved,” said HISD Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Huewitt.  “Our goal is to ensure HISD’s budget and financial information is readily available and user friendly so that taxpayers know exactly how their tax dollars are allocated and spent.”

The meetings will cover key aspects of HISD’s budgeting process such as where the money comes from, how much is designated to each of the 276 campuses, who decides how the money is spent at each campus and who monitors the budget, among other topics.

HISD’s General Manager of Budget and Financial Planning Sharon Eaves will be leading the budget presentations at the community meetings.

Upcoming Community Budget Meetings:

  • May 13 – 6 p.m. at Lamar High School (3325 Westheimer)
  • May 14 – 6 p.m. at Revere Middle School (10502 Briar Forest)
  • May 15 – 6 p.m. at Reagan High School (413 East 13th)
  • May 16 – 6 p.m. at Milby High School (1601 Broadway)

Briargrove ES celebrates Earth Day with 1K Fun Run

All proceeds to be split between the school and The Berry Foundation

April 22 is Earth Day and campuses across the district are celebrating with a variety of fun and educational activities.

Jennifer Levy, a kindergarten teacher at Briargrove Elementary School, took a novel approach this year by staging the school’s first annual 1K Berry Earthy Fun Run over the weekend. Continue reading →