HISD extends districtwide closure, will continue online instruction

With the federal government extending social distancing guidelines through the end of April, the Houston Independent School District will remain closed, providing online instruction until further notice.

In addition to the federal guidelines, this decision comes in response to the new executive order by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday to close all Texas schools until May 4. During this time, we will continue remote learning.

Until traditional classroom instruction resumes, the district has launched HISD @ H.O.M.E. (Home-based Online Mobile Education), a distance learning plan to ensure students’ academic and non-academic needs are met as the district remains closed due to COVID-19 precautions.

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Participating in 2020 Census has big impact on future of HISD

The 2020 Census is in full swing, and the Houston Independent School District needs the participation of every HISD household to ensure the district receives the federal funding it needs to serve all students.

The 2020 Census is a snapshot taken by the federal government every 10 years of all people who live in the United States and its five territories. The survey will ask how many people are living in a household, as well as their age, sex, and race. The 2020 Census does not ask about citizenship.

Everyone living in the U.S. on April 1, 2020, is counted, including children, babies, homeless or people living in shelters. Immigrants, regardless of their legal status in the country, are also counted.

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HISD to provide educational programming through HISD @ H.O.M.E. TV

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The Houston Independent School District is launching HISD @ H.O.M.E. TV to provide educational programming as part of the district’s HISD @ H.O.M.E distance learning plan.

HISD @ H.O.M.E. TV will kick off on Tuesday, March 31 with instructional videos that include lessons from teachers and teacher development specialists in several subject areas, including math, science, reading and writing, social studies, and fine arts.

“Our mission is to support students in every community with the educational resources they need to thrive, and this is an important step in that effort – especially given the current need to deliver instruction virtually,” said Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. “I want to thank our HISD Communications and Academics teams for supporting our students during these unprecedented times.”

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HCC dual-credit classes to continue online

The Houston Community College System last week announced that due to nationwide school closures, high school students will have access to dual-credit courses online.

Beginning Monday, March 30, all HCC classes, including dual-credit courses, will resume with all coursework online. All courses will be completed through the college’s learning management system (LMS), Canvas.

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Food distribution efforts reach nearly 40,000 families

In a matter of eight days, the food distribution sites operated by the Houston Independent School District in partnership with the Houston Food Bank assisted nearly 40,000 families.

The 61 food distributions served approximately 1 million pounds of food to families in need before being canceled late Wednesday. Nearly 2,000 staff and volunteers assisted with the efforts and were able to serve 5,000 families per day throughout HISD. 

The cancellation of the distribution sites will remain in effect as the district re-evaluates its process for safely delivering this service to students and families.  

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Rucker ES holds neighborhood parade to connect with students

Rucker Elementary School Principal Eileen Puente knew that her staff would need to rethink how they would engage with students following Spring Break and the closure of HISD campuses due to COVID-19.

So, on Thursday, Puente and over 20 of her teachers and staff convened at Rucker with their vehicles, formed a parade, and drove through nearby streets and neighborhoods to check in with their students from a safe distance.

Like tens of thousands of other elementary school children across HISD, the 400-plus students, who call the southeast neighborhood school home, will not be returning to campus for several weeks due to intensifying precautions around the spread of COVID-19.

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College Board AP exams to continue, will be available online

The College Board last week announced that due to nationwide school closures, students will have access to remote-learning activities and the option to take a 45-minute exam online.

According to the College Board, students who are already registered for an exam can choose to cancel at no charge. The College Board will provide two dates for each AP subject exam – the dates will be announced by April 3 through the College Board.

Students will have two dates to choose from if they want to take the exam online. Students can submit an online exam using a computer, tablet or smartphone, as well as providing a photo of handwritten work. All AP exams will only include content covered in class by early March.

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Food distribution sites canceled for remainder of week

As COVID-19 precautions intensify, food distribution sites operated by the Houston Independent School District in partnership with the Houston Food Bank have been canceled for Thursday and Friday.

The cancellation will remain in effect as the district re-evaluates its process for safely delivering this service to students and families.  

“This is a difficult decision to make, but the safety of the community, staff, and volunteers is our top priority,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “We are proud that in the past two weeks we have provided meals for thousands of Houston families.”

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Kinder HSPVA receives 10 Tommy Tune nominations, including best musical, for ‘The Color Purple’

HISD’s Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts has received 10 nominations for its production of “The Color Purple” in the annual Tommy Tune Awards competition, which celebrates the educational value and excellence of high school musical theatre in the Greater Houston area.

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