YOUR WAY TO GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE IN HOUSTON!

FROM THE DESK OF PAULA HARRIS: PLANNING THE ROAD MAP FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS!

As HISD continues to develop a strategic plan that will guide the district’s future over the next several years, parents and members of the Houston community are encouraged to give their input. On Tuesday, June 22, at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4440 West 18^th Street), there will be two open discussion meetings surrounding HISD’s Strategic Direction and its effort to become the best school district in America.

Those wishing to attend can RSVP at www.houstonisd.org by clicking in the upper left hand calendar and choosing the “calendar of activities” tab under the resources menu. Those unable to attend can still email their comments to strategicdirection@houstonisd.org.

In addition, HISD will be holding two interactive, live TV shows to gather comments and feedback from the community. The first will be on Monday, June 28, from 7:00–8:00 p.m., on the HISD channel, and will be hosted by KPRC’s Khambrel Marshall, Board President Greg Meyers, and Superintendent Terry Grier. Viewers will be able to phone, e-mail, and Twitter their comments during the live show.

The second show will be broadcast on Univision 45 Houston from 5:00–10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29. The program will be hosted by Board Trustees Diana Dávila and Manuel Rodríguez along with Univision on-air news talent. Throughout the evening there will be periodic updates and interviews during Univision’s regular programming.

The development of the long-term Strategic Direction is a six-month effort that started in February 2010 and will culminate in August with the release of a final plan. The goal is to create a set of core initiatives and key strategies that will allow HISD to build upon the beliefs and visions established by the HISD Board of Education and to provide the children of Houston with the highest quality of primary and secondary education.

Over the past two months, HISD has been gathering input from employees, parents, students, and members of the Houston community, including faith-based groups, nonprofit agencies, businesses, and local and state leaders. After analyzing feedback and conducting diagnostic research, a number of core initiatives have emerged. They include placing an effective teacher in every classroom, placing an effective principal in every school, developing rigorous instructional standards and support, ensuring data driven accountability, and cultivating a culture of trust through action.

For more information about HISD’s Strategic Direction, visit www.houstonisd.org/strategicdirectio