Asynchronous Learning Day (No in person classes)  | Día de Aprendizaje Asincrónico (no clases presenciales)

Dear Team HISD:

According to guidance provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), districts may apply for a waiver for spring 2021 that allows a district to change a traditional school day to an asynchronous instruction day to provide additional planned teacher professional development or preparation days.

The district was approved by the HISD Board of Education during the April regular board meeting to apply for this waiver from the state to offer asynchronous instruction for students and teacher professional development on Friday, May 28.

As a result, all students will participate in at-home virtual learning on May 28. In-person instruction will only be available to students without internet accessibility or access to appropriate digital learning device. This instruction will be offered at the student’s regular campus.

Half of Friday will be for teacher professional development, and half will be allocated for teacher planning. Professional development activities will include:

• Mandatory summer school training for all teachers who will be teaching summer school
• HISD Compliance Courses for 2020-2021
• Campus-level professional development. This day may be used to analyze student data for grade placement committee (GPC) recommendations and completions of Individual Graduation Plans (IGP).
• Choice sessions on OneSource offered by departments (teacher may participate with principal approval).

NUTRITION SERVICES
Breakfast and lunch service will be offered for all in-person students. Nutrition Services will provide meals through curbside pickup on Thursday, May 27, for any students needing meals during at-home learning. Go to HoustonISD.org/StudentMeals for distribution sites and times.

TRANSPORTATION
Regular transportation routes will not be in operation, but if transportation services are needed for special education students, campuses will inform Transportation to ensure those services are available that day. Campuses should inform Transportation Services via the Let’s Talk App on the department website if transportation services are needed for special education students that day.

ATHLETICS
Any scheduled after-school practices and/or games on May 28 will still continue, if applicable.

CENTRAL OFFICE
Central office staff will proceed with normal business operations and will not be affected.

Thank you for your continued flexibility and partnership as we conclude the 2020-2021 school year and plan for the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Grenita F. Lathan, Ph.D.
HISD Interim Superintendent