HUDSON — Hudson school trustees are deliberating a tax rate cut for the 2021-22 school year budget and reviewed the first draft of the proposed budget Thursday night. The budget presented to the board was balanced, said Barrett Lankford, assistant superintendent of finance and operations. The budget’s total estimated revenue and expenditures are $28,528,048. view article

As the school year comes to a close, Tomball ISD is celebrating the graduation of its inaugural class at Tomball Star Academy, an early college high school the district launched in partnership with Lone Star College-Tomball in August 2017. The inaugural class of 95 students has been instrumental in paving the way for the students yet to finish the program, said Kelly Marchiando, the principal of Tomball Star Academy since January.  “They laid the groundwork for the classes behind them. They were the inaugural class,” Marchiando said. “It’s exciting. They’ve created the legacy; they’ve created the traditions.” Marchiando said more than $1 million in scholarships has been awarded to the first graduating class. view article

The Permian Basin Education Leadership Summit hosted educators from across Texas and New Mexico at the Bush Convention Center on Wednesday. Ideas were shared among superintendents and administrators from school districts big and small at the convention center today. A lot was discussed, but there was one clear objective to improve students’ experience and education. Dr. Ramsey listed three ideas that she took away from the event that she believes would work at MISD. view article

At one online Texas institution, high schoolers learn a high-paying trade, while college is optional. Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville offers a tuition-free online schooling program of Hallsville Independent School District and lets students statewide from grades 3 to 12 attend class wherever there is an internet connection. Students can specialize in one of several career tracks, including health science, information technology, and business, marketing and finance. view article

AUSTIN, Texas — The school year is quickly coming to an end, but Central Texas's largest school district, AISD, is looking ahead to the next school year. Austin ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde said there will be more students learning in-person, but teachers will only teach in-person and online – never both at the same time. "We really don't even know if we're going to be authorized to even have the option of virtual," said Elizalde. "We now know we can do the 3 feet distance safely." view article

Unfinished learning, attracting talent, social-emotional learning and how best to spend federal funds coming districts’ way were just some of the topics covered at the Permian Basin Education Leadership Summit Wednesday at the Bush Convention Center in Midland.  The event was put on by the Permian Strategic Partnership and the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin. Ector County ISD Superintendent Scott Muri and Hobbs Municipal Schools Superintendent TJ Parks spearheaded it. view article

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — With less than a month left of school, some Dripping Springs ISD parents aren’t letting up on their push for the district to reconsider its mask policy. Some are planning to keep their kids out of school one day next week because of it. Parents are calling it a “sit-out” and are circulating a flyer on social media to bring attention to it.  [Flyer circulating on social media explaining the "sit-out" to Dripping Springs ISD parents]  Flyer circulating on social media explaining the “sit-out” to Dripping Springs ISD parents  The flyer reads, “Don’t send your kids to school. Don’t let them log on as virtual to be counted in attendance numbers. Email the registrar and state ‘My child is home today, because I don’t agree with the safety protocols at school, including requiring masks.'”    (06) view article

Teaching is more than a profession for Andrew Loh. It's a calling. “I decided to get into education because of the importance my parents placed on education when I was a kid. Both of my parents were refugees at the time of the Vietnam War,” Loh said. “Growing up in American society, I knew that education was my ticket to opportunity.” Loh is a teacher at Uplift Heights Secondary in West Dallas as part of the Teach for America DFW. He is hoping to provide that same opportunity for his students with a focus on education equity. view article

A federal judge in 2015 found that Texas violates foster children's constitutional rights. At a hearing this week, court monitors found some progress in reforming the foster care system — but also noted several concerns.  At least 23 children have died in Texas’ long-term foster care system since summer 2019, according to a new report by court-appointed monitors for state agencies in charge of the system.  Six of the children died as a result of either neglect or abuse by caregivers. Another is suspected to have died from abuse. Five more deaths are also still under investigation.  “It’s the safety of these children that’s at stake here,” U.S. District Judge Janis Jack said during a federal court hearing following the release of the report. “That’s the most important thing we have … and I expect Texas to live up to its duties to keep these children safe.” view article

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – To close out Teacher Appreciate Week, educators will gather today (May 7) and honor the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year at the Lamar Lively Teacher of the Year breakfast. According to Amarillo Independent School District, “Each year, a selection committee comprised of district staff, a parent, a student and community leaders reads applications of all 56 campus teachers of the year before choosing six finalists. Finalists are then interviewed for the noble honors.” view article

CHANNELVIEW – After missing a year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Channelview FFA returned to their normal events last week, with a Parade and Livestock Show on Saturday, April 17. The parade featured bands, floats, marching units, and the Channelview Fire Department. It started at Schochler Primary on Deer Pass, proceeded down Woodforest, and ended on Sheldon at Memorial stadium. Throngs of people lined the streets and enjoyed the sights and sounds. view article

Forty-six SISD high school students placed in the regional Academic Decathlon, a ten-event scholastic competition where students compete in the rigorous contest consisting of several tests on numerous topics, including math, literature, art, science, social science, speech and essays. view article

ALLEN, TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Allen ISD will not offer at-home, virtual learning for the 2021-2022 school year, the district announced May 4.  In a letter sent to parents that afternoon, Superintendent Robin Bullock shared some preliminary plans. view article

Wylie ISD board members recently received a first look at the 2021-22 budget, which is in sound shape heading into the next school year, according to a school district official. Scott Roderick, assistant superintendent for finance and operations for the Wylie ISD, spoke to the Wylie ISD board at its April 20 meeting about the budget, which is being de­veloped. “I think we’re in great fi­nancial shape,” Roderick said in an interview a few days af­ter the meeting. “A lot of the districts throughout the state of Texas have lost students, but we continue to still grow and that’s unusual. You hear stories from Garland or Plano that are losing kids, but luckily for Wylie, we’re still in good spot. Our housing market is staying strong and the students are coming back, so that is very positive for the district.” view article

Common Sense Education — a nonprofit organization providing an independent voice for students in a world of media and technology — has recognized Northwest ISD as a 2020-22 Common Sense District for its lessons on digital citizenship and use of technology. Northwest ISD has been recognized as a Common Sense Certified school district for the last six years for its efforts in teaching digital citizenship to young people and supporting educators using technology for learning, according to a district news release. The designation recognizes that NISD provides safe and innovative spaces for students to thrive as they harness the full potential of technology for learning and life. view article

Families with children attending schools in Hunt, Hopkins and Fannin County will have an opportunity Tuesday, May 11, to learn more about how to move on into college life. At a college night hosted by Greenville ISD, representatives from different departments at Texas A&M University-Commerce and Paris Junior College will be on hand to discuss various majors that the prospective students may be interested in pursuing. The event is open to students of all ages, including those who are not in high school yet. “One of the messages we really want to send with this is that it’s never too early to think about college,” said GISD Chief Communications Officer Helen Williams. view article

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Students at Rudder High School are putting down their schoolbooks and picking up construction materials to transform a school bus into a mobile library. Donald Brown a construction technology instructor at Rudder High and the guiding hand for the 20+ students working on this project said it’s been smooth sailing so far. view article

As the school year comes to a close, Cedar Hill Independent School is ready for a week-long celebration with Longhorn Families. “This is going to be an exciting time for Longhorns, old and young,” said Alicia Davis, CHISD Director of Family & Community Engagement (FACE). “We have a wonderful series of events planned that our families will definitely enjoy.” view article

Girls get their periods. Periods arrive at unexpected times - quite often at school. It causes anxiety and embarrassment and nobody likes to talk about it. “I will get my period all of a sudden and I struggle a lot,” said Jeorgina Gonzalez, a senior at Dallas’s Skyline High School. view article

The current school year sure has brought about its fair share of challenges. Schools across Dallas-Fort Worth have been tackling new routines, in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Students and school staffers are busy navigating the dynamics of virtual learning, districts are losing track of some students, and addressing learning loss are among the realities in campuses across Dallas Independent School District. view article

Coppell ISD unanimously approved updates to its 2021-22 COVID-19 protocol. Since enacting its back-to-school protocol for the 2020-21 school year, Coppell ISD saw a net drop in COVID-19 cases. “We’ve seen a decline in cases, which is great news,” Superintendent Brad Hunt said. “We’ve also been very diligent in being transparent letting the community know we have active cases. We send that out, and we never delete them.” view article

SPRING, TX – May 6, 2021 – Spring ISD has been featured in a series of case studies recently released by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, together with JASON Learning, an award-winning leader in STEM education. The case studies showcase members of the AASA/JASON STEM Consortia, a growing cadre of superintendents across the country, who are providing school systems and their local communities with the latest technology to bring real-life scientists and role models directly to their classrooms. “STEM promotes equity. The AASA STEM Consortia and its strategic partner, JASON Learning, believe in STEM for all, which underscores the importance of the case studies we’re profiling,” said AASA Executive Director Daniel A. Domenech in a news release about the series. “There is no better time than now to strengthen STEM curriculum to inspire students, motivate teachers and engage entire communities. We applaud the work being done by the school districts participating in our case study series.” view article

The Texas House on Wednesday moved to advance a bill that would ban homeless encampments in public places statewide, a move that comes less than a week after voters in Austin reinstated a similar ban that was removed two years ago.  Critics say that removing the ban in Austin triggered the proliferation of tent cities there, sparking a fierce and divisive debate over how to handle homelessness in the state capital, where some 10,000 people are estimated to have experienced homelessness in the last year.  The bill initially passed by the House on Wednesday would make camping in an unapproved public place a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. It still needs final approval by the House — usually a formality after it's passed in the first vote — and then will head to the Senate. view article

CLEAR LAKE REGION — The Clear Creek Independent School District is hosting a special livestream series to help parents with transitioning students to Kindergarten, 6th grade and 9th grade. Tune in at noon on May 5th, 6th, and 7th as district experts guide you through important elementary, secondary and technology items to help prepare you and your student for next school year. view article

AUSTIN, Texas — The school year is quickly coming to an end, but Central Texas's largest school district, AISD, is looking ahead to the next school year. Austin ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde said there will be more students learning in-person, but teachers will only teach in-person and online – never both at the same time.  view article

Lewisville ISD is creating new summer programs and expanding others to help students get back on track following a challenging year marred by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Trustees set the goal of implementing new and expanding existing targeted elementary and secondary learning intervention programs based on student need. New programs include the Rising STARS in-person campus based program in reading and math for rising first- through fifth-graders. LISD is also offering a Rising STARS Digital Campus-Based Program for the same grade levels. view article

Gov. Greg Abbott has called for expanding the state's civic education curriculum, but the House and Senate are quickly advancing bills that would restrict the discussion of current events and public policy in the classroom and prohibit critical race theory in public schools.  Mirroring moves by other red-state legislatures across the country, Texas Republicans are attempting to reach into classrooms and limit what public school students are taught about the nation's historical subjugation of people of color.  Two bills moving through the Texas Legislature would bar the teaching of critical race theory, an academic discipline that views race as a social construct and examines how racism has shaped legal and social systems.    (05) view article

Southlake Families, a political action committee that says it is “unapologetically rooted in Judeo-Christian values,” is claiming victory for the outcome of Saturday’s city and school board elections. Every candidate backed by the group, which has raised more than $200,000 since last summer, according to an NBC report, won with about 70% of the vote. “This landslide victory is from hundreds of volunteers and donors, thousands of hours and all of us having the spines to stand up to the rage mob,” the group posted in an email blast. view article

HOUSTON — It might be Teacher Appreciation Week, but teachers aren't the only school staff members being honored. Those who’ve helped keep students and others fed during the pandemic are getting special recognition as well. “You know, they thank us all the time,” Houston Independent School District Nutrition Services employee Carmond Thomas said of the families she's met over the last year. view article

Inside a classroom full of high school students, Arlington Police officers Jastin Williams and Chris Holder teach a group of inspiring officers about a subject that can be uncomfortable and difficult to discuss, but vital when it comes to policing. A hate crime. That's when someone commits a criminal offense and is motivated by bias against a victim's race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, a disability, or national origin. It's a problem as old as time and continues to be an issue across the country. view article

Teachers and staff at Willis ISD were treated with a special drive-thru pep rally from H-E-B on Monday. The school district was one of three districts in the state chosen for the stop on the H-E-B Excellence in Education Texas Loves Teachers Tour, Willis ISD Communications Director Jamie Fails said. view article

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (TNN) - Volunteers, mentors and partners with the Wichita Falls ISD are not normally in the spotlight. But on Tuesday night, all they do behind the scenes was celebrated. The 32nd annual Partners in Education reception thanked its partners who were all nominated by each school they serve in. 12 awards were handed out this year in a broad range of categories. Shelia Verret won Mentor of the Year. She logs nearly 200 volunteer hours a month at Milam Elementary and is such a hard worker that often times the staff forgets that she is a volunteer. Verret talked about why she volunteers. view article

Questions in the survey focus on issues such as academic preparation, student support, parent engagement, safety and behavior, special programs, school and district operations, and school leadership, according to the district. Survey responses will be confidential and will be specific to a child’s school. Families with children at multiple campuses will be able to use the same link to submit responses for each campus. view article

Garland ISD families interested in attending the district’s virtual school for the 2021-2022 academic year must fill out an application by Friday. Administrators are working to develop a virtual school program to meet the needs of students who are “currently thriving in remote instruction,” according to the district website. Plans for the ICON Virtual School program are contingent upon state funding and approval by the district’s school board. view article

PETROLIA, Texas (TNN) - Petrolia CISD students will soon head to class just four days a week instead of the traditional five. The district’s superintendent said he hopes doing so will not only help with burnout but attract and keep teachers. “We want to be family-based, family-oriented and community serviced,” he said. After watching other districts across Colorado, Oklahoma and even right here in Texoma implement a four-day school week, Petrolia CISD Superintendent David Hedges began wondering what it would look like in his.    (05) view article