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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Wilson Montessori implements Virtual Spirit Week to lift spirits, showcase learning

The Monday after Spring Break, pictures of students proudly showcasing their family heritage flooded Wilson Montessori’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

With schools closed amid COVID-19 precautions, the Montrose-based campus has found a creative way to support their students and families during this time with a Virtual Spirit Week.

“We must be mindful that this may be a difficult time for children and their families,” said Wilson Principal Shameika Sykes-Salvador. “While we won’t be seeing them in person, it’s still important for children and families not to feel isolated.”

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HISD @ H.O.M.E. distance learning plan provides essential resources for students online

The Houston Independent School District is launching 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.

Students and parents will be able to access the site on their school’s main landing page by clicking on the HISD @ H.O.M.E. icon or visiting the site at: HoustonISD.org/HOME

The HISD @ H.O.M.E. distance learning plan includes curriculum by grade level and subject matter that is designed to maintain productive instruction for students using computers, laptops, tablets, iPads or smartphones.

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Friday food distribution sites rescheduled for Monday due to weather forecast; sites to be open again next week

Curbside pickup service will still be available and social distancing required at all locations

Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Houston Independent School District and the Houston Food Bank are rescheduling Friday’s food distribution sites for Monday to ensure the safety of families and volunteers.

Additionally, food distribution sites will extend operations throughout the week of Monday, March 23.

Curbside pickup service will continue to be available at all 39 food distribution sites districtwide next week to help promote personal health and social distancing. Families who do not have transportation and must walk to the site can continue to stand in line but will be required to stand six feet apart from each other. HISD Police and staff volunteers will be on site to enforce these measures and help with crowd control.

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HISD extends districtwide closure through April 10

As districts around the state and across the country continue to grapple with how to proceed in this unprecedented challenge to public health and education, the Houston Independent School District supports the nation’s need to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, HISD will extend its districtwide closure through Friday, April 10. All schools and offices are scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 13.

District administration will re-evaluate on Monday, April 6, to determine whether a longer closure beyond April 10 will be necessary. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that the state will waive STAAR testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. STAAR testing was scheduled to begin in April. The district also will provide more information about online learning and alternative education later this week.

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Curbside pickup service to be available, social distancing required at district food distribution sites

The Houston Independent School District and the Houston Food Bank will offer curbside pickup service at all 36 food distribution sites districtwide beginning March 16 to help promote personal health and social distancing.

Families who do not have transportation and must walk to the site can continue to stand in line but will be required to stand six feet apart from each other. HISD Police and staff volunteers will be on site to enforce these measures and help with crowd control.

“Social distancing is a key measure we must implement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so adding curbside pickup and keeping lines spaced out are important steps,” said HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. “Thanks to our partners at the Houston Food Bank and our police and staff volunteers, we are able to safely distribute meals to our families in need during this time.”

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HISD expands number of food distribution sites to 36

In response to high demand on Saturday, March 14 at Chavez High School, HISD, in partnership with the Houston Food Bank School Market program, will offer daily food distribution at 31 additional campuses beginning Wednesday, March 18 and continuing through Friday, March 20.

The five campuses previously scheduled to serve as food distribution locations will remain unchanged on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17.

“After witnessing first-hand, the enormous need in the community at our first distribution site, it was clear that we needed to increase our efforts to help more families in partnership with the Houston Food Bank,” said HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. “Our top priority right now is doing our part to ensure that our children are being fed during these unprecedented times, and I am thankful to all who are stepping up to serve families.”

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HISD to operate daily food distribution sites during districtwide closure

HISD, in partnership with the Houston Food Bank School Market program, will offer daily food distribution at five area high schools, beginning Saturday, March 16 to Friday, March 20.

A sixth high school will host a one-time food distribution site on Saturday, March 14.

The measure is being implementing to ensure all HISD families, many of whom have students who depend upon school meals, have access to healthy food while the district is closed.

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