Studies have shown that children enrolled in dual-language programs can benefit tremendously from receiving instruction in two languages. Students in such programs routinely outperform their peers on standardized tests, do better on college-readiness exams such as the SAT, and can earn up to 20 percent more in wages as adults.

That’s why HISD is expanding its dual-language offerings to an additional 14 elementary campuses this fall, and has a six-year plan in place to make the program available in at least half of its elementary campuses by the year 2020.

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HISD Police, Aramark Education partner to promote character building

The HISD Police Department, together with Aramark Education, has launched a new partnership devoted to promoting positive character building in HISD schools.

The “Kids with Character” mentoring program will recognize elementary students who have displayed outstanding citizenship in their classes. The program kicks off with a festive event on Monday, February 3, at 11 a.m. at Sherman Elementary School, 1901 McKee, Houston, Texas, 77009.

“The Kids with Character program is a wonderful opportunity for HISD police officers to interact with and mentor students in HISD,” HISD Police Chief Robert Mock said. “Students gain valuable perspective from the officers for doing the right things for the right reasons.”

The kick-off will include a celebratory lunch for the first group of “Kids with Character” from Sherman and HISD police officers, as well as a training session for participating campus coordinators. A “Kid with Character” is a student who promotes responsibility, fairness, citizenship, caring, honesty and respect in their school.

Twenty schools will participate in the program, which aims to reduce disciplinary issues and absences by recognizing students for being role models for their peers. Each month, 10 students at each participating school will be recognized during a celebratory lunch with the HISD police officer assigned to their school.

“For 15 years, Aramark Education has provided management of the food service program at HISD, serving healthy meals that fuel students’ academic day,” said Ray Danilowicz, Executive General Manager of Aramark Education/HISD Food Services. “This latest initiative is just one of the ways Aramark Education is committed to helping all students flourish.”

During the monthly lunch, students will receive special certificates from the assigned police officer for becoming a “Kid with Character.” Students who maintain their “Kid with Character” status will be recognized during a special end-of-year program. Lunch for all participating officers will be provided by Aramark Education.

According to the state of Texas, if a student is attending a low-performing school, that student is eligible to transfer to another school. In order to request this transfer, the student must be enrolled in a school that meets either of the following criteria:

• Fifty percent or more of the students at the school did not perform satisfactorily on the STAAR or TAKS tests in any two of the preceding three years;
• The school was identified as low-performing by the Texas Education Agency’s Commission of Education at any time in the preceding three years.

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HISD students were back in class on Wednesday, Jan. 29 as scheduled.

Parents, please also remember that Wednesday is a previously scheduled early dismissal day, with schools releasing 2.5 hours earlier than usual.

Because of an officiating scheduling problem, all middle school basketball games scheduled for Wednesday were postponed to Thursday.

For additional updates, please visit www.houstonisd.org, call the HISD Inclement Weather Hotline at 713-267-1704, or follow the district on Twitter and Facebook: twitter.com/houstonisd (handle: @houstonisd) and facebook.com/houstonisd.

Many concerned parents and students are already asking about how lost instructional time will be made up, and if students will be required to attend class on April 18 (HISD’s Spring Holiday) or May 26 (Memorial Day). These days are scheduled holidays, but also the district’s designated make-up days for the current school year.

To learn more about make-up days, click here.

Classes expected to resume Wednesday

The Houston Independent School District has canceled all classes tomorrow — Tuesday, Jan. 28 — as a result of the potential for inclement weather and related dangerous road conditions.

HISD officials have been closely monitoring the weather for the past 24 hours and have determined that icy road conditions in some parts of the Houston area may make for dangerous driving. As a result, all HISD schools and district administrative offices are closed for the day on Tuesday. All afternoon activities and athletic events are also canceled. Parents, students and staff are being notified by phone.

Classes are scheduled to resume as usual on Wednesday, Jan. 29. However, we are continuing to monitor weather conditions and will notify parents if that changes.

For additional updates, please visit www.houstonisd.org, call the HISD Inclement Weather Hotline at 713-267-1704, or follow the district on Twitter and Facebook: twitter.com/houstonisd (handle: @houstonisd) and facebook.com/houstonisd.

The district’s 2013-2014 academic calendar adopted by the HISD Board of Education, designates the Spring Holiday (April 18, 2014) and Memorial Day (May 26, 2014) as makeup days. To make up the days lost due to wintry weather on Friday, January 24, and Tuesday, January 28, HISD schools will now be open April 18 and May 26 for students, faculty and support staff.

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions:

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The Board of Education’s team building session at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Houston has been canceled because of the inclement weather. The board meeting will begin Saturday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. or as soon as there is a quorum.  The event will take place at the Hattie Mae White administration building.

The meeting is open to the public.