DeBakey PTO Newsletter

November 20, 2022

• Important Upcoming Dates
• MED Theatre - "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"
  Dec 7 and 9
• Junior Class Winter Wonderland Event - Donations needed
• Debakey in the News
• December Spirit Night - December 14
• HISD PD Launches Citizen Reporting Tool for Increased Safety
• Class of 2025 Movie Night - Dec 9 - Donations needed
• School Choice applications and feedback survey
• Student Spotlight
• Important Dates for College Preparation
• Odds and Ends

• Nov 21-25 - Thanksgiving Holiday - HISD Offices and Schools closed
• Dec 07 - 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)

Michael E. DeBakey (MED) Theatre will be hosting (4) performances of the production "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" at the DeBakey High School Black Box Theatre. Tickets are available now for $7 each!

*If attending, please be sure to have your ticket order number and name ready.

• December 7: 4PM and 7PM
• December 9:  4PM and 7PM

Synopsis:
"15-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain: He is exceptional at mathematics but struggles to interpret others and everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his street. He detests being touched and meeting strangers. Now, 7 minutes after midnight, Christopher finds his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, speared with a garden fork. Finding himself under suspicion for the killing, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime. His detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey of self-discovery."

Date: December 2, 2022
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Gym

The junior class officers and teacher sponsors worked very hard to create this "Winter Wonderland" theme event to celebrate the juniors' hard work this semester and relax before finals begin. This is an exclusive event for the juniors to bond with their class and to create a fond memory in their high school experience! At the same time, the goal is fundraising for their future class events. 

Please consider supporting the juniors by signing up for their requests before Wednesday, November 30. The donated items should be dropped off in the school front office with a label for "Junior Class Winter Wonderland" by Thursday, December 1st. We are thankful for your generosity!

If there are any questions, please contact ivylluong@gmail.com, S1874813@online.houstonisd.org, Fadia.Boughaba@houstonisd.org, and epenny@houstonisd.org.

DeBakey HSHP was recently featured in the Houston Chronicle in a spotlight recognizing the school's 50th anniversary.

"The high school, considered one of the best in the nation, has opened the door to many students who went on to successful careers in health care."

"Dr. Sara Andrabi, assistant professor of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, graduated from DeBakey High School for Health Professions in 2004. Learn how her time at DeBakey High School impacted her career in honor of the school’s 50^th anniversary."

Wednesday, December 14
4PM – 9PM

(dine-in only)

1333 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054

20% of the restaurant sales mentioning DeBakey will be donated to the general PTO fund.

In addition, a representative will be there with a few select items from the school store (aprons, decals, drawstring bags, 2023 calendars, lunch bags and plastic bottles) so you can also do some last-minute Christmas shopping while you are at it.  Cash or online orders for school store purchases only.

We hope to see you there!

"...The Axon Citizen for Communities portal is now active on the department’s web page. The new system allows HISD Police to receive video evidence captured by community members through a public submission form. The information provided by citizens will assist officers in solving crimes."

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.

Congratulations Dashiell Helmer for braving the cold and wet conditions during the Great Houston Pie Run 5k! Thank you Mr. Cotton for being there to support.

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.

DeBakey High School For Health Professions PTO

2545 Pressler St

Houston TX 77030