DeBakey PTO Newsletter

March 24, 2024

Important Upcoming Dates

School News

• HISD Closed for Chavez-Huerta Day (Mar 25)
• No School - March 29
• Additional News from Ms. Rodriguez
• Teacher of the Year: Ms. Castro
• Boys Soccer Match - Mar 28
• March 28 - 3PT Contest Fundraiser
• 2024 AP Exam Schedule

HISD News

• 2024-2025 Budget
• HISD Reverses Course on midyear principal screenings...

Student Spotlight

Odds and Ends

• Pet Supply Drive - Mar 20 - Apr 19
• Interact Book Drive - Mar 18 - Apr 5
• All sessions are 1-2PM and 1:1 with student tutors
• Attention High School Girls: YWLC applications open
• Casa de Esperanza Donation Drive
• AP Exam Prep Bootcamp by AP Tutors

• Mar 25 - Chavez-Huerta Day (no school)
• Mar 29 - Spring Holiday (no school)
• Apr 04, lunch - Uniform Pick Up
• Apr 09, 6:30-8 pm - PTO meeting, virtual
• Apr 10 - Spring Holiday (no school)
• Apr 22 - Cycle 6 Begins
• May 02, lunch - Uniform Pick Up
• May 14, 6:30-8 pm - PTO meeting, in person - vote on NEW PTO board 
• May 17 - Senior Lock-in
• May 22 - Athletic Banquet
• May 27 - Memorail Day (no school)
• Jun 5 - Last day of School for students
• Jun 7, 7 pm - Class of 2024 Graduation - Delmar Stadium

Spring Holiday

The school will remain closed this Saturday, so no tutorials will be offered. 

Saturday tutorials will resume on April 6.

• On Wednesday, March 27th the school will administer the ACT assessment required of 65 students at all grade levels. This group has been identified by the district and we will notify them in a separate call/email. While we anticipate minimal disruption to the student's schedule and room assignments, we ask that students check the Canvas Calendar or Announcements page for the schedule and reassigned rooms. These students must ensure they bring their fully charged HISD laptops. 
  
  
• This Thursday, March 28th is the deadline for all assignments to be submitted to teachers for Cycle 5 progress reports. This is a mid-cycle report informing parents of their student's grade prior to the end of the Cycle 5. There is still time for this grade to go up. Students, look at your assignments and reflect on whether you neglected to turn in homework or project, did you fail a quiz? Make a strategy for how you can raise your course average in the next few weeks. Start by refering to your class syllabus and see if there is anything you can do to raise this grade. Do not ask your teachers to give you points, that's not how things work. But don't be afraid to ask your teachers if a retake or redo is possible. Get to it.

Mid-Week Calendar:

• Tuesday, March 26 (A day)
  • Information on Course selection for 2024-2025 academic year
  • Cycle 4 Ends - Last day to turn in assignments or make up assessments
• Wednesday, March 27 (B day)
  • Interact Club Meeting at 4:00pm, Flex Lab
  • New and Returning Clubs info meeting during both lunches
  • ACT assessment
• Thursday, March 28 (A day)
  • Laptop Audit - students bring their laptops to HR
  • Cycle 5 Progress Report period - Last day to turn in assignments or make up assessments for Cycle 5 progress reports

Hats off to Ms. Ilba Castro selected DeBakey's Teacher of the Year 2024! Her dedication, passion, & impact shine bright in every lesson taught! And a round of applause for Coach Hellen, earning the Beginning TOY! Cheers to these stellar educators!

Photo: DeBakey HSHP Facebook

The 2024-2025 budget will reflect the District’s most urgent priorities:

1. Increase student achievement for all students.
2. Improve our D and F rated schools.
3. Deliver high-quality special education services to all students who need them. /li>
4. Protect unique school options such as magnet programs and schools.

Like most school districts in the country, HISD is facing difficult budget choices next school year. State funding has not increased and the one-time money (ESSER) the federal government gave districts to support students during and after the pandemic goes away at the end of this academic year. This means HISD will be working with less money than we have had in previous years.

Read the full email >>

Huge congrats to the DeBakey Debate team! Kashyapi Atri & Sebastian Pan clinched City Championships in Public Forum, w/ Shining Sun & Cynthia Kong securing 2nd place! Winning $4,000 in scholarships, they're real courtroom stars!

Photo: DeBakey HSHP Instagram

Congratulations to the DeBakey Name That Book team for their recent victory!

Photo: DeBakey HSHP Facebook

All sessions are 1-2PM and 1:1 with student tutors

Sign Up: Google Forms

Who is YWLC designed for?

High school girls, including rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, as well as graduating seniors.

Why apply to YWLC ???

My friend couldn't stop raving about her experience with YWLC. She called it one of the most empowering and impactful programs she's ever participated in. Hearing her enthusiasm, I knew I had to check it out for myself and see how YWLC could help me grow as a leader.

We have a program in Houston AND Austin this year!

We also welcome girls from high schools outside of Austin and Houston who are able to take care of their own accommodation and transportation for the summer conference.

Cost? 

$500 ($25 application fee + $475 program fee)

Scholarships?

Yes, we offer a $475 scholarship based on financial need. Scholarship recipients are responsible for the $25 application fee.

<< Learn more and Apply >>