DeBakey PTO Newsletter

April 07, 2024

Important Upcoming Dates

School News

• April 10 - Spring Holiday
• Class of 2028 Resources
• Class of 2026 Fundraiser
• Donations Needed: Poetry Cafe - Apr 19
• Rising Senior College Night
• Athletics Banquet RSVP
• Smashburger Fundraiser

Class of 2024 News

• Prom - Apr 13
• Senior Shoutouts - Signing Day Booklet - Due Apr 15
• Senior Trip - May 31

HISD News

• HISD previewed our 2024-2025 Action Plan for the District
• HISD's Teacher Leader and Principal Academies serve more than 165 campuses across HISD
• Scholarship List - Apr/May

Student Spotlight

• KPRC2 Scholarship winner - Athitiya Singhapan
• Scholastic Art Awards
• Girl's Varsity Volleyball - District Champs

Odds and Ends

• DeBakey Spring Market
• Summer Interdisciplinary AI Program by Stanford Alumni
• Running Club Ice Cream Fundraiser

• Apr 09, 6:30-8PM - PTO meeting, virtual | Meeting Link
• Apr 10 - Spring Holiday (no school)
• Apr 13 - Prom
• Apr 22 - Cycle 6 Begins
• May 02, lunch - Uniform Pick Up
• May 02 - 5-7PM - Senior Signing Day
• May 14, 6:30-8PM - PTO meeting, in person - vote on NEW PTO board 
• May 17 - Senior Lock-in
• May 22 - Athletic Banquet
• May 27 - Memorial Day (no school)
• May 31 - Senior Trip to Fiesta Texas
• Jun 5 - Last day of School for students
• Jun 7, 7PM - Class of 2024 Graduation - Delmar Stadium

Virtual via Microsoft Teams

 < Click to Join the Meeting >

Meeting ID: 245 873 244 201
Passcode: td5knL

No Classes

A warm welcome to our new Class of 2028 parents!

Here are some resources aimed at our new rising freshmen

Who wants pizza??? Everyone loves a slice. Class of 2026 has partnered with Dominos for their Slice the Price of Pizza campaign. The Slice the Price card can be used to buy a large pizza and get a large pizza until the expiration of the card. Deadline to purchase is April 22nd

https://store.dominos.cards/43070

Our goal is $1,000.00 and will support class activities

Please support our class event! 

Fun Fact: 15 students that sell 15 cards will earn us free t-shirts. Also, you can earn $50 Amazon cards for your cards sales too!

Donations are needed for Poetry Café. Poetry Cafe’ is an event where students, and staff can showcase their talent reciting poetry, singing a song, or playing an instrument.

The Spring Edition will be held on Friday, April19th, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Black Box Theater, on the 5th Floor.

Please click here to sign up to donate. If you donate money, please send it via Zelle to president@debakeypto.organd please include “Poetry Cafe” in the comment section. If you donate an item please deliver it to the front office by Tuesday, April 16, 2024 and label the item for Poetry Cafe’.

If your child participated in any of the school's athletics-related activities this year or played for their zoned high school, and they would like to attend the annual Athletics Banquet, please have them sign up to RSVP here.

The banquet will be held at the school the evening of May 22.

Ready for a mouthwatering meal that supports a great cause? Join us at Smashburger (7811 S. Main St.) on Sunday, April 14th between 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM and make a difference! With every order you place, 20% will be donated to Debakey PTO.  Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to dine for a purpose! RSVP & details here: https://grouprai.se/s277387

Theme: Clair de lune

Where: Intercontinental Houston Medical Center - 6750 Main St, Houston, TX 77030

When: Saturday, April 13 from 8PM-12AM

All students and guests must arrive between 8p-9p. Guests must arrive with DeBakey student and photo id proof of birthdate under 21 years of age and over 16. Any student and guest arriving after 9pm will need to enter with a parent/guardian. Students may not leave venue site and return to Prom; once you have entered the ballroom, you must stay until your planned departure, no later than 11:59pm.

• Keep in mind that this is a school function, therefore formal dress is required.
• Plans are to announce Prom King and Queen at 10p. 
• We will have an eclectic menu of fruits, veggies, dips, sliders, pasta, hot/cold canapes, desserts, and soft beverages for all to partake. 
• Your teachers, class sponsors, and admins are excited to celebrate the Senior Class of 2024’s four years of accomplishments at DeBakey with you! 

The Senior Filed Trip has been planned for May 31, 2024 and will take seniors to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, TX 78257.

We are still looking for parents to help us chaperone the students. Chaperones do NOT need to be senior parents. Students and chaperones will leave at approximately 5:30AM and arrive that same evening.

HISD previewed our 2024-2025 Action Plan for the District, Principal, and Teacher Advisory Committees. This plan outlines the key actions we are taking to increase student achievement, improve failing schools, and preserve quality options. This includes expanding Pre-K seats, right-sizing the central office, investing in the development of teachers and leaders, and improving the delivery of special education services. 

Read more here via the Houston Chronicle: https://bit.ly/49iOciY

HISD's Teacher Leader and Principal Academies serve more than 165 campuses across HISD. This is just one of the ways we invest in our staff to develop them as educators and give them the tools to improve student outcomes in their classrooms, campuses, and throughout the District. Learn more here.

Join us in congratulating Athitiya Singhapan as a KPRC2 Scholarship winner! Athitiya is a self-published author that highlights her personal life journey and obstacles through children’s books.

She is a first generation immigrant diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s Disease. She is the creator and founder of ImmuniTeens, an online community for adolescents with chronic and autoimmune illnesses to share their stories. With her $2500 scholarship, 

Athitiya plans to enroll at the University of Texas at Austin to study science. Huge thanks to KPRC 2 and American Furniture Warehouse for this scholarship opportunity.

Source: Instagram: dhshpcounselors

Huge congrats to all the Gold and Silver Key winners of the Scholastic Art Awards!  Your talent inspires us all. Keep painting, sculpting, and creating magic!

Source: DeBakey HSHP FB

If you are a small business owner or simply love crafting then this event is for you! Bring your artisan skills and craftsmanship to Debakey’s Spring Market and showcase your work. Connect with local vendors and community members and earn a little cash while you enjoy good food and music. Students, teacher and parents are encouraged to participate. Space only cost $25 and includes 1 table. 

We are also searching for talent to provide entertainment during our event, if you are interested please email us for more information. fundraising@debakeypto.org

<< Register Here: >>

Interdisciplinary Generative AI Summer Program by Stanford Alumni:
Inspirit AI is a 25-hour project-based AI program taught by Stanford graduates that introduces middle and high school students to fundamental AI concepts to build interdisciplinary AI projects across disciplines. In 2024, the team is excited to announce new projects such as Generating Language Safely with ChatGPT. No CS experience is necessary to apply and priority applications are due soon.

DeBakey Running Club is hosting a fundraiser through Apr 12 each school day from 3:30PM-4PM selling ice cream on the 1st floor. Come out to support and enjoy a refreshing treat!