In heartwarming recognition by The Leader of her dedication and impact on students, Sophia Castillo, a veteran educator with a 26-year tenure, has been named finalist as Education Leader of the Year. The accolade comes as a testament to Castillo's outstanding contributions to the field of education and her commitment to fostering a positive learning environment.....

Per Ms. Hampton: "We will follow the two-lunch schedule at least Monday – Thursday  to reset expectations for behavior.  Students who have off campus lunch passes may still go off campus during their designated lunch time."

The next Waiver Day is this Friday! Bring cash!

Please note that next Monday, January 15th, is a HISD holiday! No school!

Join us at the first general meeting of the year on the 16th at 6 p.m., in the Teaching Theater.  After the meeting, the PTO will host a Q&A for prospective families with Heights HS Admin and some of our amazing students.  We hope to see you there! 

Thanks to you the PTO was able to support Heights in two significant ways in December.  We contributed 50% of the funds required to install new automatic gates for the student parking lot AND we gifted each and every staff member $50.

Did you receive wine over the holidays that you’d like to donate? The ever-popular Wine Pull for Bulldog Bash would love to have your “extra” wine!  Please email auction@heightspto.org to coordinate drop-off/pick-up.

The next Coffee with the Principal will be on Wednesday, January 24th at 8:45 am.  Hope to see you there!

Support the PTO at Mamaka Bowls!
Friday, January 26, 8am - 7pm

The HISD Board recently voted to become a District of Innovation (DOI).  You can read more about DOI here.  One big change is that the school year will begin earlier next year (sometime between August 7 and 14).  The district will request input on the proposed calendar from staff and families, so be on the lookout for that in late January.

Preliminary results based on TAPR data recently released by TEA indicates that Heights HS would have maintained its B rating had scores for the year been released (currently, scores have not been publicly released due to a pending lawsuit over changes to the accountability system).  From Ms. Hampton:  “While we will continue to strive to be an A rated campus and provide the best learning opportunities for every student, I am very proud of the work of the staff and students to maintain this rating in a changing accountability system.”

We have lots of several openings for volunteers in January.  We need your help! Sign up here.

In January, HISD will be relaunching SchoolFinder, a new and improved one-stop shop for information on all HISD schools and the programs they offer. Families will see easy-to-use information about schools including academic data, principal information, clubs and activities offered, and support services such as special education.

Based on community and stakeholder feedback, magnet tours for parents will be extended until Phase one opens on January 18th and  closes on Feb 23, 2024. These Thursday tours will allow parents an opportunity to better understand each school and get a preview of what it has to offer their student. Tours will take place on Thursdays at 1:00 PM.  Watch the school and PTO websites for updated tour signup links.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Magnet Coordinator,  Mr. Corona: icorona@houstonisd.org.

Yearbooks for seniors are included in senior dues, but ads must be purchased separately.

Class of 2024 graduation will be Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 12 pm (barring any changes from the district!).  Mr. Montanez will share more details as they are received.

Check the HHS College Center site often!  Updates include scholarships, college fly-in programs, university virtual information, application steps, and more!
Check out the Scholarship Opportunities 23-24
Follow the HHS College Center site for Class of 2024
Follow the HHS College Center Instagram

** Senior Dues pay here**

Yearbook Ads on Sale - If you would like to honor your senior with a yearbook ad, create and purchase a custom ad here. Yearbooks for seniors are included in senior dues, but ads must be purchased separately.

PICTURES WITH SANTA: ICYMI, pictures with Santa from before the break are available here.  Thanks to Mr. Pruneda for giving up his lunch hour during finals week to play Santa!!

The College Center is planning numerous workshops in January to help seniors and parents complete the FAFSA. Workshop dates are below.

Beginning with the 2024–25 FAFSA, all contributors (student and parent/guardian) must have their own FSA ID. The FSA ID is a username and password that is required to login to FAFSA. Processing a new FSA ID can take up to five business days.

To create an FSA ID, please go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

How to create FSA ID video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTb7hMVtzco

Those contributors without an SSN, but whose student is eligible to apply for FAFSA, will need an FSA ID.

FAFSA Lunch Workshops:

January 12th
January 29th
February 5th
February 14th

FAFSA Evening Workshop:
January 18th – 6:00-8:00pm
FAFSA Saturday Workshop:
January 27th- 10:00am- 1:00pm

*All workshops will be held in the Teaching Theater

The College Center will continue to communicate with seniors and parents. Encourage your student to check their Outlook email daily. You can also find more information on our Senior newsletter: www.smore.com/sq6d9 and Instagram: @Heights2college 

Thanks,  Ms. Schumacher and Ms. Garcia

‼️‼️LAST CHANCE FOR SENIOR PORTRAITS IS JANUARY 25th!!!!

Share this information with any seniors you know that haven’t taken their portraits yet!!!
 

HHS Performance Hall

Class of 2025
Remind code: @78cfcg3
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/heights2025/
Instagram: @heightsco2025

Juniors will be taking the digital SAT exam at school on March 20, 2024.  Khan Academy offers free digital practice!

Jan 10th: IB CP Parent Meeting on Jan. 10 @6 PM

Jan 11th: Spread the word on this great opportunity! Open to ALL Heights Juniors. See the JROTC Department or College Center for questions or assistance registering. JROTC will have the permission slips since it will be during the school day. HURRY - limited slots available!

Jan 12th: Tamales for Sale for Waiver Day! you can donate or send cash with your student to purchase.

Happy 2024, Class of 2026!  We are looking forward to our first Waiver Day of the year, scheduled for Friday, January 12, 2024.  We need some volunteers to make this happen.  Can you help please?  See what we need here.  Also, we need donations for coffee and concha supplies to help offset costs.  Every dollar we raise goes to our class's account for senior fun activities like the senior sunrise, senior breakfast, etc.  You can Venmo Sasha (your class rep) at 713.857.0909.  And, finally, send your students with cash on Friday to support our class!!

It's time for baseball try-outs! See the flyer for more details.

Follow them @height.hs.baseball

Volunteer opportunity for responsible MS and HS students. Heights Kids' Day of Music needs volunteers to help with their upcoming festival March 23. Info and volunteer form here: