Spring 2011 HUMBLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Spring 2011 HUMBLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT “The more The more you that you learn, the more read, the places you’ll more things go.” you will – Dr. Seuss know. “I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!” Random House, 1978 Cuts for Schools National Merit Homework Tips Humble ISD Cares Humble ISD facing National Merit Getting children to Services for children drastic cuts in state Honorees from do homework in a when families face funding across Humble ISD timely manner tough times page 5 page 7 page 8, 9 page 11 2 Your SCHOOLS Spring 2011 Superintendent’s View Trustee’s Perspective Texas is facing a $27 billion our way to an Exemplary rating. shortfall in the upcoming bienni- It is well known that our um and the state budgets proposed school district is struggling to over- by both the House and the Senate come serious financial obstacles. include devastating funding cuts to The initial budget drafts from the public schools even as both our lo- House and Senate call for mas- cal and state enrollments continue sive cuts to public education and to rise rapidly. to other critical services. Now is a In Humble ISD, our commu- crucial time for parents and com- nity’s voters overwhelmingly ap- munity members to make sure that proved a 13 cent tax rate increase our lawmakers get the message: in 2008 that put us at the maxi- Make Education a Priority. mum operations tax rate. We have One of the most serious prob- cut $32 million since 2002. Under lems we must address is the Texas the proposed state budget, we Education Agency’s unprecedented would have to pursue an additional move to recapture $18 million in cut of $31 million - $45 million in Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone by Dr. Guy Sconzo one year! by Keith Lapeze, Board President (TIRZ) funds from Humble ISD This has been a banner year Texas currently is 42nd in its You get a different perspec- despite the fact that the school dis- for our school district. Humble ISD per capita spending on schools and tive of schools, teachers, parents trict accurately reported its TIRZ is an outstanding school district ac- will likely head even closer to the and students when you serve on a data to the TEA. It appears to be cording to every rating system used bottom if the proposed $10 billion school district’s Board of Trustees. no more than an attempt by TEA to in the State of Texas and we all in cuts are made in public educa- You learn more about everyone’s improve its own financial position have many reasons to be proud. tion funding. Texas prides itself on role in educating a child. You see at our expense, but the loss of those • We are a Recognized school dis- being business-friendly, but what innovations in classrooms and kids’ funds would be devastating to our trict under the Texas Education business will want to be in a state reactions to them. You marvel at district. Agency’s rating system. that cannot adequately fund its what some students overcome and It is important that you know • We are a Superior Achievement schools? the successes that they earn despite that the Board of Trustees will not district according to the Finan- The difference between the incredible odds. You become more let this crisis stop us from doing cial Integrity Rating System of state budgets that have been pro- involved on a deeper emotional all we can to provide children with Texas (FIRST). posed and what is finally adopted level with the progress of our stu- the best educational opportunities • Thanks to our “high” student will be a function of what legisla- dents and our district. possible. While we are fortunate achievement and “very low” tors hear. Legislators can and will I am more aware of our to have a true friend in Austin— spending, the State Comptrol- be influenced by what they hear board’s tireless commitment to help former Humble ISD School Board ler’s Financial Allotment Study from their constituents. Extensive forge the best education possible President Dan Huberty who is now of Texas (FAST) rated our dis- information is available on the for all of our students. The Recog- a member of the Texas House of trict 4.5 Stars out of a possible 5. Humble ISD Legislative Watch nized rating Humble ISD earned Representatives—we all have to • Our Board of Trustees is one of web site, as well as the School Fi- this year from the Texas Education make our voices heard during this only five Honor Boards named nance Frequently Asked Questions Agency was not by chance. It took critical time. I hope you will join in Texas this year. There are section in this newsletter. Your the hard work of parents, students, the entire board in sharing our more than 1,000 school districts voice must be heard in Austin dur- teachers and others to make it hap- message to all of our representa- in the state. ing this legislative session. pen. It is a cause for celebration tives that now is the time to Make and it appears that we are well on Education a Priority. Board of Trustees On the Cover Humble ISD Some homes not served by Humble ISD receive Keith Lapeze, president Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible this newsletter as a result of postal routes cross- ing over district lines. To save money, we must Dr. Bonnie Longnion, vice president and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot mail to an entire postal carrier route. Charles Cunningham, secretary Humble Independent School District does not discrimi- Brent Engelage, parliamentarian Children enjoy reading in Valerie Sammon’s fourth grade class at Elm nate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, Robert Scarfo, member Grove Elementary. Pictured clockwise, from upper left: Ethan Fagerquist, sex or disability in providing education services. Janet Dave Martin, member Orth (281-641-8000) has been designated to coordinate Nicole Rios, Michael Zalewski, Eric Morgan and Alexandria Andrade. compliance with the non-discrimination requirements Lynn Fields, member of Title IX and compliance with the non-discrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Humble Independent School District •• www.humbleisd.netwww.humbleisd.net Your SCHOOLS Spring 2011 3 Remaining days of 2010-11 Have you received text messages from Humble ISD Services for students School Calendar about emergency situations? You can be a part of this with disabilities March 14-18 ................ Spring Vacation communications network by establishing a free account. Humble ISD is respon- April 22 .................Good Friday Holiday sible for identifying, locating and April 21 ........................ Student Holiday How do I sign up? The system automatically established evaluating all children with dis- Prof. Growth/Workday accounts for many parents using data abilities who are in need of special May 30 ............... Memorial Day Holiday on file. To see if you have an account, education and related services who June 1 ..................... Last Day of School click the Your Schools Insider icon on the district’s home page (www. reside and/or are located within humbleisd.net) and log in using your email address. If the system rec- the school district’s boundaries or ognizes your address but you don’t know your password, click the “I attend a private school within the Humble ISD can’t log in” button and your password will be emailed to you. If your district’s boundaries, even if they email address is not recognized, you may not have an account. You are not district residents. 2011-12 can easily set one up by following the on-screen instructions. Children who have a dis- Calendar ability or who are suspected of Who can have an account? having a disability may be referred Days of Instruction Anyone. Indicate if you are a parent or community member and the to Humble ISD through one of the Students Teachers type of information you want to receive. Be sure to list your children’s following means: 1st Semester 78 85 schools in the “School Relationships” field to get news specifically • For children of district resi- 2nd Semester 99 102 related to those campuses. dents, who are school-age (3 to Total Days 177 187 21), please contact the elemen- Holidays tary, middle, or high school that Independence Day ........July 4, 2011 serves your particular neighbor- Labor Day ......................Sept. 5 Remaining hood or location. Thanksgiving .................Nov. 21-25 early release dates for Winter Break ..................Dec. 19-30 • For children of district residents (Students off Jan. 2; Staff returns) 2010-2011 school year who are below school-age (birth MLK Day ........................Jan. 16 Elementary Schools through 2 years old), please Spring Break ..................March 12-16 contact the Special Education Good Friday ...................April 6 March 31, May 19, June 1 Department at 281-641-8326 or Memorial Day ................May 28 Classes are dismissed at the following times: Independence Day ........July 4, 2012 one of the following ECI Pre-K morning session, 10 a.m. Agencies: Semesters Pre-K afternoon session, 11:30 a.m. ECI Keep Pace Program at 281- 1st ...................August 22- Dec. 16, 2011 Grades K-5, 11:30 a.m. 397-4000 (all areas excluding 2nd..................Jan. 3 - June 1, 2012 zip code 77044) Middle Schools ECI Bay Area Program at 281- Professional Growth for staff May 31 - June 1 838-4477 (all areas with zip Holidays for students code area 77044) August 15-19 Students will be taking final exams. Classes will dismiss at noon.