Parents have a choice as we prepare for in-person learning on October 19

I want to thank the entire HISD community as we Reconnect Safely and Return Strong for the 2020-2021 school year. With the academic year already underway, we have another milestone ahead as the district begins face-to-face instruction on October 19.

Last week, parents received an email containing information about the selection process for the face-to-face instruction phase on October 19. Again, parents will have from today, Monday, September 21 through Friday, September 25 to make their selection through the HISD Connect Parent Portal.

Parents who have not yet signed up to access the HISD Connect Parent Portal should utilize the access code provided by their home campus to create their accounts online. You can sign up for the HISD Connect Parent Portal online here. While parents’ initial selection is valid for the entire school year, they may choose to change their selection after each six-week grading period.

We understand that many parents have questions regarding how face-to-face instruction will look. For more detailed information on COVID-19 safety measures in place, you can read the district’s Communicable Disease Plan (CDP) here. We have also created three helpful resources for parents to guide them through this next phase:

• A helpful video on how to register and how the selection process works
• A video that illustrates what in-person instruction will look like
• A downloadable Parent Guide to Face-to-Face Instruction

The Communicable Disease Plan was developed by the district’s CDP Task Force — a working group made up of employees, educators, parents, community members, and healthcare officials. The plan outlines the district’s health and safety protocols to ensure the safety of students and staff.  Protocols developed by the district include school entry screening, physical distancing, personal protective equipment, hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, and infection.

Finally, beginning this week, we will offer online training sessions for parents seeking to better understand how to access to the HUB. The “Getting to the know the HUB for Parents” online sessions will be live, with opportunities for Q&A.

“Getting to know the HUB for Parents” will be offered on six dates in September and October from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in English and Spanish. Parents do not need to register for the webinar. Complete schedule information and the links are available on the HISD @ H.O.M.E. page under the webinar section at this link.

I want to assure you that we are committed to communicating information on how we will support the health, safety, and well-being of students who select the face-to-face instructional option.

I can tell our families confidently that HISD is committed to the call to serve them, and this district will continue to go above and beyond for our children. While the beginning of school certainly looked different this year, I remain optimistic that with continued determination, resilience, and flexibility, 2020-21 can be our best year yet.

For more information about HISD’s reopening plan, including safety protocols and the district’s instructional continuity plan, visit HoustonISD.org/Reopening.