HBMS Warrior Parent Update
Weeks of March 1, 2021
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Week of March 1, 2021
Monday
Students - B Day (Periods 5-8)
TELPAS Online Testing Begins - Select Students
Tuesday
Students - A Day (Periods 1-4)
Course Selection Begins
Wednesday
Students - B Day (Periods 5-8)
Course Selection
Boys and Girls Track Meets - 5:45 - BHS and RTMS
Reese Experience Night - 6:00 -8:00 pm
Thursday
Students - A Day (Periods 1-4)
Course Selection
Friday
Students - B Day (Periods 5-8)
Saturday
Saturday Detention - 8:00-10:00 - Select Students - HBMS Cafeteria
Spring Break - March 15 - 19 (all Students)
Spring Break - March 22-26 (most students)
Principal Corner
Happy Saturday, Warriors!
I hope this newsletter finds you in good health and spirits. We have had quite a hard two weeks, with many student and staff families that were severely impacted by the winter storm and I hope that you are getting back to normal. We are happy to report that Face to Face students will be returning to campus on Monday, March 1.
I am asking for your support in making sure that EVERY morning, you are completing the Wellness Survey in Skyward. It is extremely important that the survey is done each day and that students who are either sick or exposed to a positive COVID diagnosis do not report to campus. We count on you and your family to comply with this important COVID mitigation step. We want to make sure everyone is safe.
During this week your child will be involved in Course Selection. This is your opportunity to select the classes that your child will be enrolled in next school year. For our 8th grade students, it is especially important that you get the information from your designated HS, so that your schedule is to your liking. If no course selection is completed, you will be randomly placed in classes.
I also encourage you to engage in our Virtual Spring Open House, which will be held on Tuesday, March 9, from 6:00 - 7:00. Please be on the lookout for emails from your child's teachers, with links to join their classes.
Thank you very much for your support, understanding and flexibility as we work to provide the best learning environment during a pandemic. I understand that it is a stressful time and I appreciate your support. Thank you.
Ms. Cortez
Principal
Food Distribution Site
Kempner HS Information for 8th Grade Students
Greeting 8th Grade Parents,
This email is being sent on behalf of Kempner High School counseling team.
By now we hope you have had an opportunity to view Kempner’s virtual Coog Fest. We know the transition from middle to high school can overwhelming for some students and parents and you might have questions.
In a non-COVID world Kempner counselors would host a day for 8th Grade parents to schedule one-on-one sessions with a counselor to answer lingering questions or concerns about Course Selection. This year in lieu of one-on-one sessions please email your Kempner Counselor based on alpha split below with your Course Selection 2021-22 questions.
Thank you.
KHS Counselors:
Renee.Edwards@fortbendisd.com / Students A – C
Dwana.Durgens@fortbendisd.com / Students D – I
Tysi.Burrell@fortbendisd.com / Students J – NE
Donna.Minix@fortbendisd.com / Students NG – R
Kerry.Jongeward@fortbendisd.com / Students S – Z
PTECH Program at WHS
Hello, 8th Grade Parents and Students!
I am Mr. Terence Hayden, the Principal at Willowridge High School – Home of the Mighty Eagles! Our PTECH Dean, Mr. Efrem Pierce, and I would like to recruit your grade 8 scholar to our PTECH program for the 2021-22 school year!
What is PTECH?
Pathways in Technology Early College High School (PTECH) is a specialized program in FBISD that has been in existence for two years now. At Willowridge HS, PTECH is an integrated high school and college curriculum program focusing on computer programming and artificial intelligence, while providing workplace skills including leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Houston Community College (HCC) is the college that has partnered with FBISD to provide the college curriculum. There is NO COST for the PTECH program which is inclusive of books, transportation, and any HCC fees.
Program Benefits
Dedicated PTECH Teachers, Administrator, and Counselor
• Each teacher in the PTECH program is highly qualified and skilled to foster and increase the academic skills of your scholar.
• The PTECH Dean/Administrator, Mr. Pierce, is an experienced leader who supports and encourages every scholar in the program and cultivates them to be great leaders and scholars.
• The PTECH counselor, Mrs. Anderson, ensures that each scholar is on the right path academically and offers social and emotional support throughout the entire program and beyond.
Small Academic Community with Strong Academic & Social Emotional Support
• PTECH is a school within a school, which allows for strong relationships to form and garner support from not only the PTECH administrator and counselor but from student peers.
Earn an Associate Degree in Computer Programming from HCC at NO COST
• Scholars graduate from high school with not only a diploma, but an Associate Degree!
Internship Opportunities
• Scholars will have opportunities to gain experience and shadow experts in their field.
Transferable College Hours (Texas)
Earn Industry-Based Certifications
• Level 1 programming certificates in (Java, Java Script)
• Level 1 Certification in Web Applications Development
• Level 1 Certification in Mobile Application Development using SWIFT Programing Language
Summer Programming “Boot camps” with Houston Community College
Academic Curriculum
• This program combines academic rigor and a career focus in Computer Programming. When our scholars are enrolled in the PTECH program in the 9th grade, they are recognized as a college student during the Spring semester of their freshman year. They will receive their college ID from HCC and will have access to all perks HCC has to offer.
• ALL PTECH scholars are enrolled in our AVID program.
Internships Requirement
• Scholars enrolled in our PTECH program will participate in internships with our PTECH business and industry partners to receive real-world experience before graduation. These internships are a requirement of the program.
• Upon graduation, our PTECH scholars will be regarded as viable candidates for employment with partnering agencies.
Current PTECH Success
• Two of our PTECH 10th grade scholars are currently ranked as Valedictorian (#1) and Salutatorian(#2) for the Class of 2023.
• Current 10th grade PTECH scholars will have earned at least 12 college hours by the end of this Spring semester.
We encourage your scholar to enroll in the PTECH program at Willowridge High School and reap all of the benefits aforementioned. The application window opened on January 19th and will close on March 2nd. All applications must be completed online!
Below is the link to complete the application for the PTECH program at Willowridge HS!
Check out more about our program here---> https://www.wevideo.com/view/2014583305
Application link here-----> https://earlycollegeprograms.fortbendisd.com/
If you have any questions, please contact me or our PTECH Dean, Mr. Pierce, at 281-634-2585 or email Efrem.Pierce@fortbendisd.com.
James Reese Career and Technical Center will host Reese Experience Night
Reese Experience Night is designed and geared to students in the following categories:
- Current 7th grade, 8th grade
- You have started a CTE pathway that ends at Reese Center
- Declared an interest through your 4-year graduation plan in one of the program areas offered
This virtual event will begin with a welcome session hosted by a Reese Administrator where you will learn general information about the center and the application process. a Q/A session will be live for the duration of the evening where you can chat with a CTE counselor, Dr. Valenzuela if you have additional questions.
CTE programs offer students a competitive advantage in preparing for their future, whether their plans include college, immediate entry into the workforce, or a combination of both. A number of pathways allow students to earn industry certifications.
Coursework is available at the Reese Center in the following disciplines: • Veterinary Medicine • Cosmetology • Culinary • Automotive • Diesel • Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) • Welding • Plumbing • Electrical • Law Enforcement • Emergency Services • Networking Systems • Digital Communications • Health Science
Each household can register to attend the free event by clicking this link https://hopin.com/events/reese-experience-night-march-3rd . When registering, select the participant option and create an account. Be sure to utilize Google Chrome for the best experience on the day of the event. Tickets are limited
We look forward to connecting with you!
Travis HS Habitat for Humanity Club
Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports
Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Tips for Parents:
Our lives during this pandemic have been impacted in more ways than one; and last week’s eventful winter storm only added more worry and stress. Challenging times take a toll on adults’ physical, mental, and emotional states. As parents and caregivers, it is our responsibility to ensure we take care of our children/adolescents. However, the same is true for taking care of ourselves as the parents and caregivers of our children.
Though our daily lives must continue business as usual and require that we find solutions to problems that we face daily, it is critically important to take a moment to take care of our personal and necessary needs. These needs may come in the form of remembering to take your vitamins, scheduling your yearly wellness exam, talking to a friend or even something as simple as sitting down for a 15-minute break. We help our children more when we take care of our personal health. Remember, no one else knows our needs better than ourselves. Take a break, you deserve it.
Intervenciones y Apoyo para la Conducta Positiva Consejos para Padres:
Nuestras vidas durante esta pandemia se han visto afectadas en más de un sentido; y la agitada tormenta de invierno de la semana pasada solo agregó más preocupación y estrés. Los tiempos difíciles afectan los estados físicos, mentales y emocionales de los adultos. Como padres y cuidadores, es nuestra responsabilidad asegurarnos de cuidar a nuestros niños/adolescentes. Sin embargo, lo mismo ocurre con el cuidado de nosotros mismos como padres y cuidadores de nuestros hijos.
Aunque nuestra vida diaria debe continuar como de costumbre y requiere que encontremos soluciones a los problemas que enfrentamos a diario, es de vital importancia tomarnos un momento para ocuparnos de nuestras necesidades personales y necesarias. Estas necesidades pueden surgir en forma de recordar tomar sus vitaminas, programar su examen de bienestar anual, hablar con un amigo o amiga, incluso algo tan simple como sentarse para un descanso de 15 minutos. Ayudamos más a nuestros hijos cuando nos ocupamos de nuestra salud personal. Recuerde, nadie más conoce nuestras necesidades mejor que nosotros. Tómate un descanso, te lo mereces.
ACES - Academic Courses for Educational Success
- Academic Concerns (failing classes)
- Attendance Concerns (more than 10 absences)
- Special Education Compensatory Education
Each Face to Face student received a letter for the parent/guardian to sign and return. This letter was also emailed to the family for notice. Please make sure to respond to our Dean of Instruction, lashonda.phillips@fortbendisd.com with your intention to send your child or not.
Please be advised that all campuses will have some type of intervention. Our time will be from 8:50-11:20 am and if a child qualifies for transportation, it will be provided.
Online students that meet one of the three criteria are also invited to attend. This is your child's opportunity to improve their grades or make up some of the attendance hours that they missed. Online students invited would have received an email invitation.
If you child DID NOT receive a letter this week, they will be able to enjoy Spring Break from March 15 - 26.
If you have questions, please let us know. Thank you.
Order Your Yearbook Today!
Student Access to Support Portal
See the information below and access when you have a technology concern.
Students Struggling Academically or With Attendance - Requirement to return Face to Face
If a student is struggling academically, with attendance, or in any other way, a district can require the individual student to report to campus for in-person instruction with a notice sent to the student’s parent or guardian.
The District has the authority to take this action even if the parent(s) or guardian(s) request online learning for Term 4. The District must provide notice to the student’s parents, provide opportunity for appeal for medical or other reasons, and hold a meeting (which can be virtual) if required by the appeal. If the District follows these steps fully, the District may ultimately discontinue remote learning as an option for a student while continuing it for other students. This provision along with its supporting details can be found in policy number 22 of the Remote Attendance Requirements section of the TEA’s Academic and Enrollment FAQ on pages 20-21.
We have identified students that will be required to attend face to face classes, beginning on March 29 and letters have gone out to those families.
Library News
HBMS Family Center
Attendance is Important!
Email your absence notes to: AttendanceHBMS@fortbendisd.com
Hodges Bend Middle School
Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/hbms
Location: 16510 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 281-634-3000
Twitter: @HBMS_Warriors