DeBakey PTO Newsletter

June 02, 2024

Important Upcoming Dates

School News

• Class of 2028 Resources
• ATTN Class of 2028
• Japan - June 2025
• Athletics Banquet Recap
• Uniform Donations
• Senior Signing Day - Donations Needed
• Honor Your Graduate or Loved One with the a Benefactor Wall Plaque

HISD News

• Spring Graduation Information
• Learn more about HISD’s potential bond proposal
• Parent and Family Engagement Survey

• Jun 04 - Senior Signing Day - All
• Jun 05 - Last day of School for students
• Jun 05 - Senior Sunset at Hermann Park, Breakfast, Graduation Practice from 9AM-10:30AM
• Jun 07 - 7PM - Class of 2024 Graduation - Delmar Stadium

A warm welcome to our new Class of 2028 parents!

Here are some resources aimed at our new rising freshmen

Email the following documents or bring documents in person to Mrs. Dania Lopes any day before 3:00 PM.  Add the name of your student in the subject when you send email to Dania.Lopes@houstonisd.org

1. The most current report card of this academic year 2023-2024 (Cycle 5)
2. STAAR Results 2023 or other Testing documents (MAP, ERB, IOWA, etc.)
3. TELPAS Results 2023 (Only applicable to Emergent Bilingual students)
4. 504 Plan, IEP/ARD Documentation* (Only applicable to students receiving those services)

*Please keep in mind of the following steps if your student is currently receiving services such as 504, SPED and/or LEP.  Entrance to any program is PENDING PROMOTION to the next grade level.  Students receiving any special services are required to have an Admission, Review, and Dismissal/Individualized Education Program (ARD/IEP), Section 504 committee, or Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) meeting prior to enrolling in the program or school.  We need to ensure that the student’s IEP, Section 504 plan, or English Proficiency Level can be implemented within the Magnet Program or Program Choice school.

Laptop Distribution and Viper Camp UPDATE:

Dates are confirmed. Laptop Distribution sign up will be sent out soon.

You will need to pick a time slot for Laptop Distribution on one of the following dates: June 24-25.

Freshman Viper Camp will be a 2-day event that will be held from June 26-27.

**Please note, these events are NOT REQUIRED.

Students who cannot attend will be able to get all information discussed in these events once school starts in August.

MUSIC UPDATE:

Please see message below from DeBakey’s Orchestra Director, Mr. Jordan Stewart: 

For students who have more than 1 year of Orchestra or Band experience:

For Full Orchestra placement, including Wind(band), String(orchestra), or Percussion(band),

please sign-up for an audition slot here.

For students who have 1 year or less of Orchestra or Band experience:

If you are interested in learning a String Orchestra instrument, please contact your counselor and indicate on your schedule/interest form: Orchestra I, in the comment section make sure you include that the incoming student does not have adequate experience. 

Click here for a FAQ regarding incoming music students. 

Dear students and parents,

I am reaching out to remind you that the exciting 9-day trip to Japan will happen in Jun 2025. We just opened 5 spots for students to sign up. The flyer is attached. If you are interested, please send an email to me at hli1@houstonisd.org, and I will be very happy to provide you with more information.

Sincerely,

Dr. Hongyan Li

Forensic Science Teacher

Medical Microbiology Teacher

HOSA Advisor

DeBakey High School for Health Professions

The 2024 Athletics Banquet was held on May 22 to recognize all of our amazing students who juggle academics alongside the sports offerings at DeBakey and their respective zone high schools. Additionally, our Class of 2024 athletes were gifted plaques with group and solo photos.

Many thanks to our wonderful team of PTO volunteers who coordinated and supported the event along with the supporting families, school administration, teachers, and custodial staff who made the event one to remember!

View the 2024 Athletics Banquet program [PDF] for a full list of athletes.

If you have a student interested in joining one of the sports offerings at the school, please take a moment to fill out the Athletics Interest form so that our team representatives can reach out to them.

If you are able, please consider donating snacks for our upcoming Senior Signing Day to be held in the gym on June 04. We want to make sure our seniors have a memorable sendoff! View the SignUp Genius form here. Please deliver the snacks to the front office by June 03 and label it "PTO Senior Signing Day".

If you would like to make a monetary donation, you can Zelle president@debakeypto.org and set the memo to "Seniors".

Become a permanent part of DeBakey's legacy with a $500 donation.  Your donations are tax-deductible and will optimize the success of the entire student body and teachers.

<< Donate Now >>

Information is subject to change. Please visit https://www.houstonisd.org/Page/201449 for the latest information.

Guest Tickets and Parking

HISD police will be available to direct traffic in and out of the graduations. There are no fees associated with parking; however, please practice safety while locating a parking space.

Seating will be limited and require ticketed access at HISD Fieldhouses and NRG Arena. Campuses will provide additional information on tickets and seating.

Bag Policy and Screening Measures

In keeping with HISD’s core value of student safety, all graduates and guests will be screened using metal detectors and/or security wands. To expedite movement of guests through the lines to enter the facilities, we strongly encourage guests not to bring any bags, however, if needed then consider a bag that is clear (size recommendation no larger than 12” x 6” x12”) or carry a small clutch purse (size recommendation 4.5” x 6.5”) approximately the size of a hand. All bags are subject to search.

Prohibited Items

• Please note that failure to comply with guidelines may result in denial of entry and/or ejection from the venue.

  • Disorderly conduct
  • Smoking/Vaping
  • Use and/or possession of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited
  • Firearms, explosives or weapons of any kind are not allowed
  • Laser pointers
  • Littering
  • Noisemakers, air horns, cowbells, whistles
  • Flowers/bouquets
  • Use of drones
  • Balloons, confetti, powder, large posters, signs, and streamers
  • Outside food (clear water bottle is permissible as applicable for health needs)
  • Glitter (thrown)
  • Wandering away from the designated areas or into restricted areas
  • Any item deemed inappropriate for the event by Houston ISD staff

Senior Attire

Graduates will dress in appropriate attire under their academic regalia and must have their cap and gown upon entrance to the venue. Graduates may want to consider wearing heels of modest height as they will be walking up steps and steep ramps to access/exit the stage. Campuses will contact parents of graduating seniors to provide more information on ordering their cap and gown.

Graduates are allowed to wear:

• academic medals and/or athletic achievement they have earned throughout their high school journey,
• honor cords representing various achievement (such as honor societies, clubs, or academic excellence, 
• HISD ribbons denoting a specific accomplishment, 
• graduation stoles symbolizing their academic journey or other stoles with the approval of the campus principal/designee,
• decorated and/or personalized graduation cap with the approval of the principal/designee. 
• No electronic devices including cellular phones will be allowed onto the venue floor by the graduates.

HISD is exploring a bond to prioritize the District’s most urgent needs, including an aging facility infrastructure that’s become more critical in the aftermath of last week’s storm.

Your feedback in this effort is very important to this process.

HISD’s newly named Community Advisory Committee will hold four community meetings to share information about specific facility needs and gather feedback about the District’s proposed priorities.

Please join us for one or more of the following meetings:

• Tuesday, June 4, 6-8 p.m. - Fondren Middle School
  6333 S Braeswood Blvd, 77096
• Wednesday, June 5, 6-8 p.m. - Fleming Middle School
  4910 Collingsworth St, 77026

Please RSVP here. We hope to see you there.

Learn more about the Community Advisory Committee and its members here.

We want to know your views on how well your child’s 2023–2024 Title I school partners with you to improve the academic quality of your child’s or children's education this school year.  

The survey should take about 10 minutes. Your views will be kept confidential.  
 
Please submit your survey(s) by Friday, June 7, 2024. If you need help, please contact staff at the school.  

Follow this link to the Survey:
Take the Survey

Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser:
https://houstonisd.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2nurY6Q0xF13xrM?Q_DL=679pmWSACFaAnmQ_2nurY6Q0xF13xrM_CGC_F1FCknFcFDMZZv1&Q_CHL=email