HISD Board of Education approves 2021-2022 academic calendar

In April, the Houston Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2021-2022 academic calendar, which includes 15 additional academic days to help address learning gaps caused by COVID-19.

These additional days were added to the calendar after input from teachers, parents, students, and educational experts. Additionally, recent statewide results for the STAAR test show that learning loss has occurred because of the pandemic.

This provides the district an opportunity to address student academic needs and utilize resources to regain learning. That informed the decision to add the 15 additional days of instruction as well as a full return to in-person instruction in the fall. We expect this will produce better student outcomes. Additionally, we are formulating plans that will mitigate students’ lost time and improve educational performance.

The calendar consists of a one-week Thanksgiving break, two-week winter break and a one-week spring break. Students will be off on Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Chavez-Huerta Day, and Memorial Day. The school district will also observe a Fall holiday on September 16, 2021, and Spring holiday on April 15, 2022.

The approved 2021-2022 school year can be found at houstonisd.org/2021AcademicCalendar.

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HISD Police Department’s K-9s Boni and Thor to get donation of body armor

HISD Police Department K-9s Boni and Thor

The Houston Independent School District Police Department’s K-9s Boni and Thor will receive bullet- and stab-protective vests, thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.  

K-9 Boni’s vest is sponsored by Kathleen Pellissier of Temecula, Calif., and will be embroidered with “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.” K-9 Thor’s vest will be embroidered with “This gift of protection provided by Teresa.” Delivery is expected within eight to 10 weeks.

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Nurses of the Month named at School at St. George Place, Jane Long Academy

It’s not easy surprising a school nurse.

As Human Resources snuck into the back entrance of the School at St. George Place, Nurse Hsueh Beveridge was working on her morning tasks near the front entrance. They had to be careful not to spoil the surprise of Nurse Beveridge being named the March Secondary Nurse of the Month.

As she entered the school cafeteria expecting a medical issue, Beveridge was surprised to find HR waiting along with several teachers, the school principal, and one special guest—her husband.

“I’m very honored,” Beveridge said. “And overwhelmed!”

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HISD Interventions Office Conference set for April 17

The HISD Interventions Office is set to host its inaugural conference on Saturday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Designed for both HISD employees and educators across the country alike, the one-day, virtual conference will focus on educational interventions for suffering students and other assistance for special populations.

The theme of the conference is Momentum: Getting Back on Track, and will have four different tracks. The four tracks are:

  1. Technology: developing responses to providing instruction, learning opportunities, and tools in a pandemic.
  2. Whole Child: fostering a learning environment with empathy, creativity, and engagement that support the needs of a diverse learner.
  3. Leadership in a Pandemic: creating accommodations for virtual learning, supporting staff members, moral, engaging parents.
  4. Interventions Resources: implementing independent learning opportunities and strategies for ongoing success.
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Sixth six weeks selection period for in-person or virtual instruction begins

With the sixth six weeks of the 2020-2021 school year approaching, HISD families have the option starting Monday to revise their selection for either in-person or virtual instruction for students. The first day of the sixth six weeks is May 3.

The selection process remains the same. Parents will have from Monday, April 12, through Friday, April 16, to make their selection through the HISD Connect Parent Portal “Forms” section. If parents would like to keep their selection as-is, no action is needed. The current selected mode of instruction will carry over to the sixth six-weeks grading period.

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Superintendent Search meetings planned for students, parents, teachers

The Houston Independent School District is undergoing a nationwide search for a permanent superintendent. As we continue this process, it is important to receive your input. 

The district is hosting several virtual meetings for teachers, students, and parents as follows: 

  • Virtual Parent and Community Townhall Meeting – Wednesday, April 7 at 6 p.m.

Attendees can provide their comments in advance here.

The meetings will seek feedback about the candidate profile and offer an opportunity to discuss the search process. For more information on the search process, go to HoustonISD.org/SupeSearch. 

We hope you’ll join us, and we look forward to your valuable input.

14 EMERGE students accepted to Middlebury College with full-ride financial aid

Sitting in English class at the High School for Law and Justice, listening to a lesson on Macbeth, Roy Urbina knew his life would soon be completely different.

In just a few short months—just over 150 days, he’ll tell you—Urbina will leave his home near Hobby Airport and fly to Vermont, where he’ll be attending Middlebury College. From the largest city in Texas to a town of about 9,000 people a two-hour drive from French Canada, the first-generation college student is ready for the adventure.

“I can’t wait for the independence of college,” he said, laughing. “But I’m looking forward to the environment. You can go hiking, you can go outside, having that openness right there. Living in Houston, it’s pretty urban, and Vermont is so different.”

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Hobby ES, Alcott ES named ‘Culture Cultivator Campuses’ by Harris County Department of Education

The Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) has named two HISD elementary schools as 2021 Culture Cultivator Campuses.

Both Hobby and Alcott Elementary Schools were named Culture Cultivator Campuses, or schools that have gone above and beyond to implement systems and practices that best support the students, staff and community in a dynamic way – especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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HISD to celebrate National Library Week, National School Librarian Day

A strong library is a central part of any school campus, and Houston Independent School District is recognizing the hard work of school librarians and school libraries as part of National Library Week, which is April 4-10, and National School Librarian Day, which is April 4.

“Our school librarians work hard every day to provide the resources and information that HISD students need to thrive,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan said. “Their work is a vital part of our schools, and their dedication to all of our students is important every year and especially this year.”

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