March 29, 2020

Message to DeBakey HSHP Parents

We all understand we are in a very unusual and stressful time.  The adversity we are currently experiencing has changed our lives.  Despite our national emergency, we are finding our way through it all.

As I stated in my March 21^st message, our goal is to provide our students with continuing educational opportunities.  Luckily our staff and students had taken most of their educational resources and laptops home Thursday, March 12^th.  We are now moving to online teaching and learning…. a “new normal”.  This past week, your student should have logged into the HISD HUB and connected with their teachers.  Teachers have posted a schedule of their availability and online “live” times, instructions regarding any missing assignments, and assignment or activities for them to begin which will be due after April 13^th.

As all students are isolated at home, it is important that they connect with their teachers and classmates as often as possible.  Encourage your student to develop a regular routine and secure a quiet place at home to complete their assignments.  They should check the HUB each day and dedicate a minimum of 2-3 hours daily on their assignments.  The College Board Advanced Placement courses will require additional hours.  Academic work, as well as social interaction, are both important to enhance and maintain their well-being.  Parents will be notified if students fail to log in on a regular basis.

DeBakey HSHP students are smart and resilient.  DeBakey HSHP’s teachers are challenged with providing our students with engaging and realistic assignments that will help them finish the school year with the foundation to continue next year at their next educational level.

Please note the following updates:

• Monday, March 30^th is a school holiday.
• The fifth (5^th) Grading Cycle ends Thursday, April 9^th.
• The time frame for making up 5^th grading cycle assignments, students may have not completed through Thursday, March 12^th, is now March 23^rd – April 9^th.
• There should not be any new assignments due between March 23^rd – April 9^th. Any new assignments will be due after April 13^th as part of the 6^th grading cycle.
• Regular and PAP course assignments should not require more than 1 hour a week per course.
• STAAR exams will not be administered this Spring 2020 to students in Texas.
• Advanced Placement course assignments should not exceed 2 hours a week per course. Additional time is required to cover all material that will be on the Advanced Placement Exams.
• The College Board will administer Advanced Placement Exams for college credit during May/June. Additional information will be provided by College Board the week of April 6^th.
• Friday, April 10^th is a HISD holiday.
• As of Friday, March 27^th, HISD Schools are scheduled to reopen Monday, April 13^th. Depending on the National, Texas, or Harris County health status, Dr. Lathan will announce any changes or revisions of the remaining school year during the week of April 6^th. 
• The sixth (6^th) Grading Cycle begins Monday, April 13^th.

You can access your student’s grades through HISD Gradespeed.  Please contact your student’s teacher, counselor or an administrator through their emails for questions, assistance or concerns.  DeBakey HSHP staff emails are available on our website: https://www.houstonisd.org/debakey.

I am wishing the best to you and your family during your “stay at home”.

Please remain healthy.

Agnes Perry

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

A message from your PTO President: Nellie Naidoo

Firstly, I want to check to see how our Debakey families are doing. We are faced with many challenges during this period of difficulty and we are all trying to adapt to making the most of the situation. My heart goes out to the families and we will be praying for your safety. If you are not receiving any communications from school, please email me president@debakeypto.org or Ms. Perry APERRY1@houstonisd.org.  It is very important to be current on what’s going on with your child’s teacher and school.  All assignments and online sessions are on the hub.  It’s a new system and most of the teachers are trying their best, please be patient  while teachers are learning how to use the new system of teaching.

The teachers at Debakey are very concerned about their students and are willing to work with students besides their online session.  Please spend some time with your children and work with them during this difficult time and encourage them to get involved with online teaching. If you have limited resources or no internet access please let your child’s teacher know.  The PTO will be working with the school to make sure that all children have accessibility to online teaching sessions.

Connect with the school staff, reach out to your child’s teacher and other relevant school staff if you have concerns about the coping and keeping up with assignments or activities.

We will be working closely with the school and all the announcements will be on the PTO and the school Websites starting Monday.  Please check daily for new information.

 

There will be school this week for our DeBakey students.  Here is a message from Ms Goudeau with some updates about what to expect this week:

Hello DeBakey Families,

Here are some updates regarding how we will proceed until social distancing is lifted:

1. Internet Access: Xifinity Wifi public hotspots are now open to everyone on the “xfinitywifi” SSID. Public hotspots can be found in small/medium businesses and outdoors in commercial areas. Non-Xfinity subscribers need to accept Terms and Conditions to access the network and repeat when requested to continue to receive free unlimited access.
2. Appointment Required: The building will be open Wednesday, March 25th, for students to pick up medications left with the nurse or to get tech support for school issued laptops. Because of social distancing, students will enter the building by appointment only, and must be accompanied by a parent or have immediate means of departing the campus after they have completed stated business. Students may not remain on campus waiting to be picked up. Schedule an appointment .
3. A survey about student needs regarding access to digital curriculum has been posted to the Houston ISD website. Parents should click on HISD @ H.O.M.E.  and complete the form. Your attention to this matter is imperative and appreciated.

4. Online instruction for DeBakey students will begin Tuesday, March 24th. The daily schedule is attached.

5. March 30th and April 10th are school holidays. Online instruction will not be held those days.

   There are several more resources that will be made available to families. As they are released, we will share the information with you. We look forward to talking with you soon.