All levels are welcome to join. The DeBakey Chess Club has a well established program and the proper software to teach chess online. No late entries will be accepted because we will need to plan accordingly.  The lessons will be on Mondays from 4:30-5:30pm and will begin Monday, February 1st, 2021.

Kylan Naidoo, the President of the DeBakey Chess Club, will use his committee to teach chess to all the students that are interested.  All interested students will need to join by January 28th, 2021.

Please fill out this google form, and we will email you the login details for DeBakey chess classes: https://forms.gle/ahBDG1joFJMojMTg6

 

 

 

HPA MEETING

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Admissions Department, invites all interested SENIORS and their parents to attend an informational meeting concerning the 2021 Houston Premedical Academy (HPA). Representatives from BCM and University of Houston (UH) Honor’s College will present important changes to the application process and implementation of the HPA.  Join the meeting on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm via Zoom. The Zoom link and password has been emailed.  If you are a parent of a Senior and did not receive an email with this information, please email Andrea at communications@debakeypto.org to receive the Zoom link.

 

 

COVID19 TESTING

RapidDx Laboratory is a Houston based high complex molecular lab that uses cutting-edge technology to provide the community a safer, faster, and more accurate way of receiving COVID-19 testing.  They provide RT-PCR testing with a 24-hour result turnaround time. The test is free of charge for those that are insured, and the State covers the cost for those that uninsured. For more information, visit www.rapiddxlabs.com

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year and welcome back!  We hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing winter break.  On December 17, 2020 the PTO Teachers’ Appreciation team delivered hot lunches and Christmas gifts to school for the entire staff of 87.  They were given choices between American burgers, Italian lasagnas, Mexican torta and tinga, as well as Chinese chicken salad or Lebanese chicken fattoush for lunch.  Each also received an apron for a Christmas gift. Thank you Trina and  Ziba!

 

 

The next PTO Meeting is this Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 6:30 PM via Zoom.  Please plan to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5641701447

Meeting ID: 564 170 1447

 

BENEFACTOR WALL UPDATE

Dear Parents,

We’ve made it through 2020!  Thank you so much for all of your support to the school and the PTO.  Let’s start 2021 with exciting news.  First, the school will soon have its first Benefactor Wall by the end of January or early February.  If you would like to give your family or child a gift of a lifetime while helping the students at DeBakey HSHP have an enriched learning experience, you can purchase a name plaque on the Benefactor Wall.  Click onto this link to make your contribution:

 https://debakeypto.org/fundraising-2/donate/ 

 

The  Senior Class will find out their college acceptances and decide where they will spend the next four years of their life.  They have worked very hard throughout the last four years, especially this last year of not seeing each other, for this moment.  They deserve a heart-warming celebration for their accomplishments.  We are selling aprons to raise funds for the Senior Class year-end event.  Please support the Senior Class with your purchase of the apron, which is $15 each.  To purchase, please email fundraising@debakeypto.org your name and the quantity that you would like.  We thank you for your continuous support and wish that your families are always in good health.

 

 

 

VIRTURAL BINGO for All students/All grades

Encourage your student to sign up in advance. All DeBakey students are welcome to play Virtual Bingo on January 19, 2021 @7pm. Must register in advance by emailing 10thliaison@debakeypto.org .Reservations accepted until 1/18/21 at 6pm. **Prizes will be awarded.** More information will be posted on the HUB for students.

 

Virtual Volleyball for All students/All grades

Encourage your student to sign up to attend. We may not be able to play in person (yet), but we can online. Starting January 19, 2021- Tuesdays & Thursdays at 4pm-5pm. No experience needed- all levels welcome. Topics will include: skills, ball handling, positions, nutrition, exercise, drills, plays, indoor/beach, teamwork, conditioning, rules of play, and much more. This will help us get ready for when we can return to play in person. Students that are interested can email 9thliaison@debakeypto.org. More information will be posted on the HUB for students.

 PSAT at DeBakey

 

DeBakey Aprons for Sale

Hello DeBakey HSHP Parents, If you are looking for a great holiday gift for your loved one who enjoys cooking and baking, look no further. The PTO is selling an apron that has the school logo, a colorful “#1 High School, Houston Independent School District” message, an adjustable neck strap, as well as pockets for your pen and phone or recipe for only $15. Order yours today and have your Holiday shopping list checked off. To order, please email fundraising@debakeypto.org your name and the quantity that you need. You can pay (cash or check payable to DeBakey PTO) when you pick up at BELLAIRE DENTAL CENTER, P.A. 8282 Bellaire Blvd., Suite 147 Houston, TX 77036 Mon, Wed, Thur., Fri, Sat: 10am-4pm (now until Dec. 23rd, no Tues and Sun) We thank you for your continual support and wish your families a healthy, happy Holiday Seasons!

 

 

 

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 

87TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION PRIORITIES 

SCHOOL FINANCE 

• Maintain funding levels set in House Bill (HB) 3 
• Protect HB 3 funding that helps address the needs of at-risk students and dyslexic students
• Eliminate penalties on school districts that provide property tax relief to homeowners 
• In determining recapture thresholds, continue HB 3’s focus on student needs and consider  extra costs not currently covered by school finance formula for special need students 

STUDENT EQUITY 

• Provide additional funding to address the digital divide and to ensure connectivity for all  students who need remote instruction 
• Reestablish the telecom discount program to support distance learning 
• Provide school districts the ability to quickly shift to remote instruction (both full-time or  as-needed, as determined by the district) when a disaster has occurred 
• Assist school districts in supporting families with remote instruction and needed  technology, such as hot spots, to ensure that parents have the necessities for continued  education of students 

CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) CONSIDERATIONS 

• Help school districts with resources and flexibility in addressing staff shortages,  attendance variations, health and safety issues, mental health issues, and truancy issues  arising from COVID-19 
• Address recapture problems that could arise from potential tax collection issues due to  COVID-19 
• Help school districts with funding to protect students with cybersecurity software and/or     hardware appliances for internet filtering and other protective technologies 

• Help school districts with funding to help with the systems management of devices such  as computing devices and hotspots that include asset management, software application  deployment, and engagement tracking