DeBakey PTO Newsletter

November 13, 2022

• Important Upcoming Dates
• Generation TX Week
• How to Take Advantage of Summer 2023 to Enhance Your College Applications - free webinar
• Class of 2025 Movie Night - Dec 9 - Donations needed
• School Choice applications and feedback survey
• HISD Offering free COVID-19 testing for students and campus staff
• REMINDER: Drop off and Pickup Procedures
• Student Spotlight
• Important Dates for College Preparation
• Use Amazon Smile to give back to DeBakey PTO
• Odds and Ends
  • Need Help with College Applications?
  • K-Cup Pod Drive for Teachers
  • Picture Day - Nov 29/30

• Nov 17 - Uniform & Spirit Wear Store pickup available - during lunch periods
• Nov 17 - Teacher Appreciation/Thanksgiving Celebration
• Nov 18 - Talent Show
• Dec 04 - Michael E. DeBakey Theatre (MED) Winter Production - 4PM & 7PM showtimes
• Dec 08 - Orchestra Holiday Event - 7PM
• Dec 09 - Michael E. DeBakey Theatre (MED) Winter Production - 4PM & 7PM showtimes
• Dec 13 - Home 4 the Holidays PTO Presentation/Meeting - 6:30PM
• Dec 14 - Liberty Taco - Spirit Night (Dine-in only)

Students start planning as early as January for the summer. With colleges more selective than ever, you must take advantage of your school breaks, particularly summer breaks, to build your resume and explore your interests. Plus, many top summer programs have early deadlines.

To help students prepare for summer 2023, we're hosting a free webinar on "How to Take Advantage of Summer 2023 to Enhance Your College Applications."

This presentation will cover:

• Inside the Admissions Office: How Applications Are Evaluated
• Summer Planning: How to Plan for Summer Break
• Case Studies: How Real Students Spent Their Summers

Krista Pickett, a Former Admissions Counselor at #1-ranked liberal arts college Williams, will host this free webinar.

Join us on Monday, November 14th at 5 PM PST/8 PM EST.  Attend live to take advantage of a Q&A with Krista! Can't make it? Register to receive the recording + more free summer planning resources.

The School Choice application process is evolving to better meet the needs of all families, and we'd like your feedback. 

Please take a moment to complete this quick survey and share your thoughts about the School Choice process, program options, and factors that influence your school of choice. HISD will use this valuable information to effect change over the next few years.

The survey closes Wednesday, Nov. 30.

Phase I runs Dec. 14, 2022, through Feb. 2, 2023.

• Families will learn the lottery result the week of April 5, 2023. 
• Additionally, new to School Choice this year, out-of-district applicants will be included in the Phase I lottery once all in-district applicants have been accommodated. 

Phase II runs April 5, 2023, through June 15, 2023.

• During that time, families placed on wait lists will receive offers as seats become available. 
• All families will have an opportunity to apply to campuses with seats available in Phase II.
• Families new to the district will be eligible to apply to campuses with seats available for enrollment in early August.

HISD is once again offering free COVID-19 testing for all students and staff at select campuses through November and December in partnership with the Houston Health Department and Fulgent Genetics.

Testing is completely voluntary and requires a one-time consent from the participant (18+) or parent/caregiver by completing a digital consent form available at www.houstonisd.org/COVIDtesting.

Trained professionals will conduct PCR testing in which a short, shallow nasal swab will be rotated three times in each nostril. Test results are expected to be available on a secure online platform within 24 to 48 hours via email and/or text notification.

To sign-up for COVID-19 screening testing, visit www.houstonisd.org/COVIDtesting.

Learn more about screening testing on the COVID testing FAQ page.

Campus testing locations and times can be found here.

This is an important reminder to please follow the official drop off and pickup procedures to ensure the safety of our students, teachers, and visitors. Safety is our greatest priority!

• Avoid making U-turns in the middle of the street. Ask your child to walk on sidewalks and through crosswalks. 
• J-walking puts  your child at risk for harm. Pull over to the curb to pick up or drop off your child. 
• Tell your child to exit your car on the passenger side. Remember, drive lanes are for vehicles.

Click to View the Video >>

This past Thursday, the DeBakey chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed over 70 new members within its ranks and also introduced this year's NHS officers. The ceremony, led by Dean Shargey and Principal Herrera, included a candle ceremony followed by cake and refreshments for the students and guests.

Thank you for all the parents, family and friends who came to support the new inductees.

"Four main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the beginning: to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; and to develop character in the students of secondary schools. These purposes also translate into the criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter."

Do you know of a DeBakey student, teacher or administrator who should should be recognized for their recent achievement/s? Let the PTO know! We'd love to recognize their accomplishments in our weekly newsletter.

November and December are busy months for scholarship applications, financial aid, and conversations about college. Please take note of the following opportunities for your student:

• College scholarship applications:
  Applications for scholarships ranging from $500 to $50,000 are due in November and December. These are available primarily for seniors, but some allow freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to apply. Click here for a list of these scholarships.
• HISD Dream Summit on Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hattie Mae White:
  The Dream Summit is a half-day event featuring a college and community resource fair, breakout sessions, and other college exploration activities in English and Spanish. All HISD DREAMers, DACA recipients, visa holders, permanent residents, refugees, and asylum grantees along with their parents are cordially invited to attend this event. Click here for more information.
• Money for college:
  To be eligible for the most financial aid money, submit your financial aid application by January 15, 2023. To get started, visit studentaid.gov. If you have any questions about this process, visit your campus college center.

For more information about scholarships, financial aid, and links to academic resources like Khan Academy, go to houstonisd.org/collegereadiness or follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @HISD2College.

As you shop for the holidays season, keep in mind how easy it is to use AmazonSmile to donate to DeBakey PTO!

By setting your AmazonSmile charity to Debakey High School Parent Teacher Organization, a portion of your purchase will be donated to our PTO at no additional cost to you.

To change your charitable organization:

1. Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser.
2. From your desktop, go to Your Account and select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page.
3. Search for "Debakey High School Parent Teacher Organization" and press 'Select'
4. Note: You can also hover over the Supporting notice in the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the Change link next to the name of the charity you’re currently supporting.

For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about.

DeBakey High School For Health Professions PTO

2545 Pressler St

Houston TX 77030