1 Aug 2005
Hinojosa: We Invite All Displaced Parents and Families To Meet With Us Friday
DALLAS—The Dallas Independent School District Friday will send seven assessment teams to Reunion Arena to begin taking needs inventories of students who are in the city because of Hurricane Katrina, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced Thursday.
The teams will be in place at Reunion Arena from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday.
"Counselors, nurses, psychological services and special education staff will be on hand to begin the process of placing students," Hinojosa said. "We want to make their transition into our school district as seamless as possible and the best way we know to do that is to take assessments first, and make placements when we know what we're dealing with. There are many needing assistance and we stand ready to provide it. Once an assessment of the situation has been made, we will put these new Dallas citizens in contact with the right resources."
The superintendent said the district's pupil accounting office has been instructed to do daily measures of how many new enrollees register with DISD schools. All principals were notified Wednesday that they were not to turn anyone away who wanted to enroll a child.
Hinojosa said the assessment teams will be set up in the family services area of Reunion located between sections 117 and 118.
DISD STORM REPORT ADD ONE
"This is a horrible situation for thousands across our region and the best thing we can do is open our doors and make them feel welcome," Hinojosa said. "Principals have been alerted to get children into our schools and to worry about transcripts and immunizations as we move forward. We welcome help from the news media in informing the parents of these children that they should come to Reunion on Friday or to a local building and get their children enrolled."
The superintendent said stories about the situations being faced are beginning to come in.
"One principal reported that she had a parent come by this morning to enroll her son in the fourth grade. She also has a student enrolled at Samuell High School and a daughter that was going to a magnet in New Orleans. She is staying with a local family and there are currently 25 people in a two bedroom apartment. The school is working with the family to help them get on their feet through the efforts of their supporting neighborhood.
"This is just a great example of how the Dallas Independent School District's network of neighborhood support is making a positive difference in our city," Hinojosa said.
The superintendent encouraged the news media to remind parents that most new enrollees will qualify for free or reduced lunches, and will be eligible to receive counseling services, get health check ups and a wide variety of services, in addition to continuing on with their education.
"Our message to the moms and dads is 'please send your children to our schools today, we can help you begin making a great difference toward your recovery,'" Hinojosa said.
Hinojosa: We Invite All Displaced Parents and Families To Meet With Us Friday
DALLAS—The Dallas Independent School District Friday will send seven assessment teams to Reunion Arena to begin taking needs inventories of students who are in the city because of Hurricane Katrina, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced Thursday.
The teams will be in place at Reunion Arena from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday.
"Counselors, nurses, psychological services and special education staff will be on hand to begin the process of placing students," Hinojosa said. "We want to make their transition into our school district as seamless as possible and the best way we know to do that is to take assessments first, and make placements when we know what we're dealing with. There are many needing assistance and we stand ready to provide it. Once an assessment of the situation has been made, we will put these new Dallas citizens in contact with the right resources."
The superintendent said the district's pupil accounting office has been instructed to do daily measures of how many new enrollees register with DISD schools. All principals were notified Wednesday that they were not to turn anyone away who wanted to enroll a child.
Hinojosa said the assessment teams will be set up in the family services area of Reunion located between sections 117 and 118.
"This is a horrible situation for thousands across our region and the best thing we can do is open our doors and make them feel welcome," Hinojosa said. "Principals have been alerted to get children into our schools and to worry about transcripts and immunizations as we move forward. We welcome help from the news media in informing the parents of these children that they should come to Reunion on Friday or to a local building and get their children enrolled."
The superintendent said stories about the situations being faced are beginning to come in.
"One principal reported that she had a parent come by this morning to enroll her son in the fourth grade. She also has a student enrolled at Samuell High School and a daughter that was going to a magnet in New Orleans. She is staying with a local family and there are currently 25 people in a two bedroom apartment. The school is working with the family to help them get on their feet through the efforts of their supporting neighborhood.
"This is just a great example of how the Dallas Independent School District's network of neighborhood support is making a positive difference in our city," Hinojosa said.
The superintendent encouraged the news media to remind parents that most new enrollees will qualify for free or reduced lunches, and will be eligible to receive counseling services, get health check ups and a wide variety of services, in addition to continuing on with their education.
"Our message to the moms and dads is 'please send your children to our schools today, we can help you begin making a great difference toward your recovery,'" Hinojosa said.