Houston Chronicles Vol 6

Dear Houston Families,

I hope this message finds you well. As we wrap up our first week of the new school year, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. It has been a wonderful week filled with enthusiasm, excitement, and a renewed commitment to learning.

Our students have returned with smiles on their faces and a positive attitude, eager to engage in their studies and connect with their peers. This is a testament not only to their own resilience and dedication but also to the incredible support they receive at home. Thank you for preparing your children for success and for entrusting us with their education.

I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our teachers and staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition back to school. Their passion and professionalism have set the tone for what I am confident will be a successful and rewarding school year.

As we continue the school year here are some reminders:

• Doors Open: 7:40 AM. Do not leave students unattended before 7:40 AM.

• Dismissal Information:

  • Car Pickup: All parents picking up their child by car must display their car tags. If you do not have your car tag, you will need to wait until after dismissal to pick up your child using your ID at the office.
    
  • Arrival and Dismissal Procedures: Please review the arrival and dismissal procedures provided to ensure a smooth process for everyone.
  • At 4:10 we will stop bringing your child to your car and you must come to the office to pick up your child with your car tag!

Thank you once again for making this first week of school a memorable one. I am excited about the journey ahead and the great things we will achieve together!

Warm regards,

Dr. Daberechi Okafor

Principal

We met with our students today regarding our theme of Honor at ALL times, Exceed in ALL things and Serve ALL people! Please talk to your child about what this looks like in the Restroom, Hallways, Cafeteria and Hallway. We will select one student in each class that exemplifies this based on Dojo points and they will get a PIZZA PARTY!!

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students. To help us understand how each student will be getting home, we kindly request that you complete our Back-to-School Survey. The information provided will assist us in managing student transportation more effectively and ensuring that every student is safely accounted for.

Please complete the survey using the following link: Back-to-School Survey.

Our school day ends at 4:00 p.m. Parents, Van drivers, etc. will remain in cars during drop off and pick up. Early pickups will not be allowed Students will be identified by a unique pin number (Ex: Student ID) to pick up, etc. Parents will not be allowed to “walk-up” to the building to pick-up students. All walkers will be escorted by a member of the HES team to the cross walk to be dismissed. All other pick ups must be by car so please ensure that you pick up students promptly at dismissal time! Be sure you have your HES-issued hangtag for a safe and smooth process. After 4:30, late pickups will be in the office and parents must sign their child out.

Students will not be released to individuals who are not on your documented contact list. For your child’s safety, pick-up tag will be required to pick up your child on the first day of school. Parents will be required to wait after dismissal is over if you do not have the Pick-Up tag.

See example below:

All student meals will be eaten in the the cafeteria. Students must scan their student ID when going through the lunch line. Students receive free breakfast and lunch in Lancaster ISD. Visitors will not be allowed to eat in the cafeteria or classrooms with students. Outside food or beverage in a lunch bag will be allowed. Dropping off food from a restaurant, fast food, etc. is strictly prohibited.

This summer, our district met to review our safety and security protocols and emergency management procedures thoroughly. As a result of these meetings, several safety and security enhancements will take place this school year. One safety enhancement will require all Lancaster ISD students to carry a clear or mesh backpack. This decision is a preventive safety and security measure, and all students who attend Lancaster ISD must adhere to this requirement.

Backpacks must be clear or mesh, and students may carry a non-clear pouch no larger than 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches to hold personal items, such as cellphones, money, and hygiene products. Below is a list of retailers where the backpacks can be ordered.

Safety, Security and Dress Code Updates.

The safety and security of our students and staff have always been our top priority in Lancaster ISD, and we continuously strive to implement measures that enhance their well-being. After conducting a thorough review of safety measures and carefully considering the feedback from our board of trustees, district leadership team, campus principals, and the district's safety and security committee, we have updated our dress code policy to enhance our safety and security efforts throughout the district. These updates will be implemented during the upcoming school year.

The dress code updates include eliminating the option for students to wear hoodies and any outerwear with hoods inside any district campus or building, continuing required student uniforms and clear or mesh backpacks, and expanding the district-wide student ID badge requirement.

This change in dress code to eliminate hoodies aims to remove barriers that hinder the quick and accurate identification of students' faces. Hoodies, hooded sweatshirts, and other outerwear with hoods can obscure a student's face, making it challenging for staff to identify them properly. Removing the option for hoodies and similar outerwear to be worn inside of schools will ensure a clearer line of sight, enhance our ability to identify students promptly, especially during emergencies, and will contribute to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff within our campuses.

In addition to the dress code update, we will be implementing a district-wide student ID badge requirement for grades K-12. Student ID badges will facilitate student identification and ensure that only authorized individuals have access to our school facilities. Each campus will provide additional information regarding the ID badge distribution process. Furthermore, we will continue enforcing our clear or mesh backpack and school uniform requirements.

We understand that hoodies and outerwear with hoods are popular among our students. We want to clarify that this decision is not an attack on this specific clothing item. Instead, this dress code enhancement is a district-wide initiative aimed at proactively preventing any obstacles that may hinder our ability to identify students during campus emergencies. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. By working together, we can continue to provide a safe and secure learning environment for all students.

Please review the following information so that you are aware of the most recent updates to the student dress code for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

• All Lancaster ISD students have a district-wide uniform requirement

• All Lancaster ISD students must carry a clear or mesh backpack

• Student ID badges will be required for students K-12

• Hoodies or outerwear with hoods are no longer considered acceptable clothing items within Lancaster ISD and may not be worn inside any district campus or building. Articles of clothing falling within the unacceptable list include the following but are not limited to:

• Hooded sweatshirts with or without a zipper (hoodies)

• Hooded jackets

• Hooded sweaters

• Hooded coats

• Hooded windbreakers

• Hooded parkas

• Hooded raincoats

• Hooded fleeces

• Hooded vests

Please note that any outerwear or clothing item with an attached hood will be considered unacceptable according to the updated policy.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these changes, please do not hesitate to contact your child's school administration via our Let's Talk app under the dress code topic. We value your partnership and thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring campus safety.

In accordance with the Texas Education Code, Section 22.083, Lancaster ISD may obtain criminal history record information on an individual who has indicated, in writing, an intention to serve as a volunteer. Completion of the online volunteer registration will serve as a written intent to serve as a volunteer at a designated Lancaster ISD campus and a release to conduct a criminal background information check. Criminal information obtained is confidential and used only for the purpose of ensuring student safety.

The Lancaster Independent School District attendance policy will be followed for all students. Students are expected to attend class AND complete assigned tasks to demonstrate engagement in learning and mastery of concepts. Student attendance is MANDATORY as absences may result in denial of credit. Attendance will be taken daily in the TEAMS student data management system. Please review the district attendance policy outlined in the LISD Student Handbook by clicking here.

Order your School Spirit Shirt using the link and QR Code below!

We’d love to hear from you about Houston Elementary! Let us know what you think is working well and if there are areas where we could improve.

We’re also excited to start a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and would love for you to join us! The PTO helps with communication between home and school, organizes events, and supports our school activities. If you’re interested or want to know more, just let us know.

Your input and participation are really important to us. Let’s work together to make our school even better!

Please be aware, if your student is in need of immunizations they will not be able to attend school for the 2024-2025 school year. Please reach out to loricullum@lancasterisd.org if you have any questions. See your primary care physician or you can contact Dallas County Health & Human Services to make an appointment.