Will school let you know before they do a lockdown drill?
As we help get your family classroom ready it’s not just reading, writing and math your students are learning, they will also learn about lockdowns, evacuations and sheltering in place. There are six different types of safety drills Texas students will practice this school year. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis explains the difference so you can talk to your child about what they’re learning.
What parents need to know about school bus safety inspections
KPRC 2 is getting you classroom ready. With tens of thousands of students across the Houston area riding the bus to school every day, the safety of those vehicles is always top of mind for parents. School districts are required to abide by strict regulations. KPRC 2 talked to Kayne Smith, Director of Transportation Services at CyFair ISD, who walked us through the inspection process step by step.
Buy now, pay later: Is it a friend or a foe?
Parents know the back-to-school financial struggle all too well. You gotta buy pencils, paper, safety scissors and not to mention the pressure to buy a new wardrobe for the kids. It all adds up. But what if you split it up over four interest-free payments?
More than 18,000 students attend Mayor Turner’s 13th Annual Back 2 School Fest at George R. Brown Convention Center
The highly anticipated 13th Annual Mayor’s Back 2 School Fest presented by Shell and produced by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, was held this past Saturday and was one of the most successful back-to-school fests to date.
5 ways to save money on school supplies
KPRC 2 is helping you get classroom ready. We are always looking for ways to save time and money stocking up on all the school supplies your child needs. No matter which type of shopper you are we think you’ll find value to this list of ways to save on back-to-school shopping.
Harris County clerk hosting 3rd Annual Back-to-School Birth Certificate event
The Harris County Clerk’s Office (HCCO) is hosting its third annual Back-to-School Birth Certificate event on Saturday, July 29, specifically to issue birth certificates for families who need their child’s records for school registration.
See something, say something: Anonymous tip lines successful in stopping possible school threats, attackers
School districts around the country are working to beef up security measures. This school year, safety of students is top of mind more than ever. That's why school systems like Roanoke City are having to rethink the way they do things.
Back to School: Why struggling to learn may indicate you need this specific hearing test
As children head back to school, a local audiologist is warning about auditory processing disorder (APD). The condition is when the brain has a problem processing sounds, which can affect how someone understands speech.
Local Texas Teacher Named Teachers of Tomorrow Teacher of the Year
Shanekia Hall, is a Kindergarten Teacher at Ponderosa Elementary School in Spring, for as long as she remembers she has wanted to teach. She lost her parents early. At two her father died. Three years later, Shanekia’s mother passed after suffering an aneurism. Shanekia credits her teachers for inspiring her to success as a young woman and becoming a teacher herself is a way she says she can pay it forward.
Houston ISD answers parents’ back to school questions
KPRC 2 is hosting a live panel discussion to help prepare families in the Houston ISD to head back to school. We'll talk campus safety, the impact of the teacher shortage on your child's classroom, school bus routes, and the cost of everything from cafeteria meals to extracurriculurs.
Buy groceries, get a physical: This Houston H-E-B location has a fully-functioning primary care clinic
This year, students 12 and older will have a new option on where they can go to get an exam at the H-E-B Wellness Primary Clinic, located at 9745 Katy Freeway at Bunker Hill. The clinic is located within the same complex as its store.
BACK TO SCHOOL: Texas’ Sales Tax holiday happening this weekend
This weekend marks the 23rd annual Sales Tax Holiday in the state of Texas. The holiday, created in 1999 by Commissioner Rodney Ellis, is intended to help parents who may be short on cash to get what their child needs for the school year.
2 more Fort Bend ISD elementary schools to temporarily make full or partial switch to virtual learning
Fort Bend Independent School District announced Tuesday that Oakland Elementary School will join Pecan Grove Elementary School in temporarily switching from face-to-face to virtual learning. Drabek Elementary will also do so, but only for its Pre-K students.
Houston ISD superintendent welcomes students back to school
It’s a big day for thousands of students in the Houston area as it is back to school for the largest district in the state of Texas. Thousands of students will be heading back to school. Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House made several stops Monday morning. The first was at Benbrook Elementary School, where he welcomed students with breakfast.
Bellaire teacher Jennifer Mathieu on how her book became a Netflix film directed by Amy Poehler
HOUSTON – The new Netflix film “Moxie” is a coming-of-age story that highlights the importance of female empowerment. The film is based on a book by the same name, written by local author and Bellaire High School teacher, Jennifer Mathieu. She shared with Houston Life her excitement after her novel got the Hollywood treatment by renowned comedian Amy Poehler. Nico Hiraga as Seth, Amy Poehler as Lisa/Director/Producer, Hadley Robinson as Vivian in Moxie. Jennifer Mathieu and Amy Poehler on the set of 'Moxie" (Jennifer Mathieu)“Visiting the set was so fun.
17 picture books you’ve never heard of, but that your kids will love
Who doesn’t love “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” (And the polar bear version. And the panda edition!) Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle definitely have that formula down to a science. And well, the classics are the classics for a reason, and most parents can probably agree there will be room for those books on any shelf.
Houston’s newest pop-up bar inspired by the ‘The Office’ now open downtown
HOUSTON – Calling all fans of ‘The Office!’Dunder Mifflin may be in Scranton, PA, but a new branch has just opened its doors here in Houston - Dunder Mupplen! Asha Holloway and her crew, the same folks that brought us the ‘Harry Potter Muggleless Bar,’ and ‘Jingled Up’ have a new immersive pop up bar located in downtown Houston at 711 Main. The experience is centered around the hit show, “The Office,” and includes one-of-a-kind experience for fans. With your ticket, enjoy exciting activities, photo opportunities, costume contests and themed food, cocktails and mocktails. You must have a ticket to enter, and you can find more information HERE!
Looking for a new school? This school system wants you to know one thing: ‘We’re here’
Whether you’re choosing for your child to learn in-person or remotely, the region’s Catholic schools want you to know one thing: They’re here for you. Parents are continuing to make important decisions about how their children will learn this year — not to mention, Jan. 31 - Feb. 6 marks National Catholic Schools Week. “Your child’s academic journey should be a meaningful experience that promotes the continuity of learning,” the school system said. The Archdiocese is hosting “A Pattern of Hope” virtual event to celebrate and support Catholic Schools on Feb. 5. To learn more or find a Catholic school near you, visit ChooseCatholicSchools.org.
HISD students return to in-person learning since pandemic began
HOUSTON – Houston ISD students returned for in-person learning Monday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. “I’m very excited, he’s very excited,” said one mother at Young Elementary School. “Students will walk into the cafeteria, they’re gonna sanitize their hands, they’re gonna get their lunch, they’re gonna go to an assigned seat,” said Principal Matthew Schwer of Eliot Elementary School. The district said, for now, buses will only be available for special education, homeless, elementary and specialty school students. In all, HISD estimated roughly 80,000 enrolled students would return for in-person learning Monday.
‘Holding her brilliance against her.’ Family sues Cy-Fair ISD for special ed designation for teen
HOUSTON – Who qualifies as a special education student? Grace Jester, 17, looks like any other Cypress Ranch High School student. “I want Cy-Fair to designate Grace as a special education student,” said Steve Jester, Grace’s dad. But so far Cy-Fair ISD has refused to grant the “special education” designation. The Texas Education Agency has resources for parents who have questions about the Special Education Program in Texas.
Hundreds of HISD students are homeless and COVID-19 is complicating matters. How the district is trying to help
The Houston Independent School District, like many large districts, is always looking for ways to help their homeless students and does so their Student Assistance Program. This year, HISD estimates there are about 7,700 students currently enrolled in the Student Assistance Program, but COVID-19 is complicating matters. According to HISD, one of the biggest hurdles in helping homeless students is identifying them. A study on homeless students from 2012-13 to 2016-17 by the Houston Education Research Consortium at Rice University found jarring statistics. The HISD Student Assistance Program estimates the 2018-19 identified homeless student graduation rate at 88%.
Ask 2 Live: Everything students and parents need to know about preparing for college during the pandemic
HOUSTON – As the school year progresses, high school students and parents will soon begin to look at colleges and universities. Whether it’s a local community college or a university out of state, this year the road to a future career is looking a bit different in the midst of COVID-19. Watch: Raising ‘good digital citizens’ and more from our Zoom conversation on cyberbullyingOn Thursday, local experts from Project GRAD Houston, College Readiness for the YMCA of Greater Houston, Lee College, Houston Community College and Houston ISD joined KPRC'2 Ask 2 Live for a discussion about college preparedness. Contact our PanelistsVeronica Lawrence, Program Manager, Project GRAD Houston, vlawrence@projectgradhouston.orgCarl Husband, Ed.D . - Assistant Registrar & Director of Admissions, Lee College, chusband@lee.eduAlyska Malveaux - Association Director of College Readiness, YMCA of Greater Houston, Alyska.malveaux@ymcahouston.orgVanessa Grover - Program Director, Outreach & Recruitment, Houston Community College, Vanessa.grover@hccs.eduMichael Love - Executive Director of Career Readiness, Houston ISD, mlove@houstonisd.orgResources:Finding a CollegeBigFuture CollegeBoardCollegeXpressCollege GreenlightScholarshipsCollege Scholarships.orgNicheScholarships.comFastwebAdditional ResourcesMake an appointment with a GRAD advisorYMCA HoustonGRADcafe
Crosby High School closed for cleaning through end of the week; in-person classes resume Monday
CROSBY, Texas – Students and staff at Crosby High School will be staying home until Monday due to campus closure. According to the Crosby Independent School District, the school closed Wednesday and will remain closed through the end of the week for cleaning. Davis gave a statement to KPRC 2 that said, in part:“Using a percentage of .2% of the campus’s capacity provides the daily numbers with which to calculate the rolling average. Yes, that is conservative, but we are also living out these procedures in real-time as we work through this unprecedented school year. Once we return from the closure, we reset the average to begin again for that campus.”