

Noon Message to Families

Cedar Hill ISD Families & Community,
Within a few hours, we'll have the rare opportunity to be among the 12 million Texans within the path of totality to view a total solar eclipse here in Texas. We're very grateful for the efforts of Cedar Hill ISD Instructional Coordinator who secured complimentary solar eclipse glasses for both staff and scholars.
As a STEM-focused district, this is a phenomenal opportunity for our staff (during the workday) and our scholars (at home) to catch a rare glimpse of the Moon completely blocking the Sun's life for a brief period.
Whether they're in Pre-K or a senior less than two months from earning their diploma, scholars will have memories of this experience. The next Total Solar Eclipse in the United States won't be until 2044 when they are adults, but it likely won't be here in the Lone Star State. It's the first one in Texas in 124 years.
We must capitalize on the opportunity to enjoy this rare moment, and we hope you find as much wonder and amazement in it.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gerald B. Hudson
Superintendent
Cedar Hill ISD
If your student is enrolled in CHISD on the last day of school in 2023 (May 26, 2023), then your student is categorized as a returning student. If your student attended CHISD during the 2021-2022 or any previous school year but transferred to another school outside of CHISD, they are new to the district.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN PROPOSITION B?
By law, the purchase of devices must be approved in a separate special purpose proposition. Proposition B is on the May 4th ballot for Cedar Hill ISD at a cost of $3.9 million. If approved by voters, all scholars in Cedar Hill ISD will experience 21st century classroom technology and learning tools.
Proposition B includes new devices for students, teachers, and the classrooms that will help build engaging instruction for all.
Proposition B will ensure that all classrooms have the same level of technology.
Teachers and Scholars will be able to enter any classroom in the district and feel comfortable with all of the same devices.
Teachers will not have to learn a new piece of equipment when they move from one room to the next.
April is Stress Awareness Month and It is State testing season
Happy Spring! Many of our scholars report having symptoms related to stress and anxiety this time of year. Nerves can sometimes be a good thing. In the case of school, a little bit of anxiety can act as a motivator for children to study. However, too much anxiety can lead to poor performance.
Anxiety can affect children of any age, but, when it comes to school, it most often involves children between the ages of 8 and 18. tips to help your child perform at his or her best in school for our final marking period
1. Build a positive mindset - When a student adopts a positive mindset and balances emotion with logic and reason, anxiety can be channeled in a way that leads to confidence and success. Remind your child of past successes to assure them that the situation will be okay. If you act positively, your child will follow your lead.
2. Adopt a mantra - One simple way to help your student shift from a negative to a confident mindset is to create positive affirmations that can be repeated daily. For example, saying, "I am strong, I have studied, I have passed tests before" provides confidence heading into the exam.
3. Set a successful routine - Levels of anxiety can increase if children don't know what to expect. A chaotic environment can often lead to a chaotic headspace, so reducing disorder in the environment can set children at ease before test time. Work with children to set a routine that they can look to as a guide, including an established wake-up time, breakfast plan, and last-minute test prep.
Remember, your mental health matters, and taking proactive steps to manage your child’s anxiety is a sign of strength. You can find additional mental health resources on our Counseling Services page.
If you feel like your child’s anxiety and stress levels are no longer manageable and you need additional assistance coordinating services, Cedar Hill Independent School District partners with Care Solace to support you. Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance. If you want to use Care Solace to help you find a mental health care provider:
Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/cedarhill and either search on your own or click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
CHISD Counseling Services
Screen to Scratch: Strategies for Online Testing Success
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In today's digital age, online testing has become an integral part of our educational landscape. As we prepare for upcoming assessments, it's essential for our students to develop effective strategies for navigating online testing platforms with confidence and success.
In Cedar Hill ISD, we're excited to share our "Screen to Scratch" initiative—a series of strategies designed to help students excel in online testing environments, particularly on assessment platforms like STAAR, where critical thinking and problem-solving skills are key to success.
Here are some valuable tips and strategies to support your child's online testing success:
Familiarize with the Platform: Encourage your child to become familiar with the online testing platform, such as Scratch, by exploring its features and functionalities. Practice navigating through the interface, accessing tools, and understanding how to respond to different types of questions.
Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is essential for building proficiency in online testing. Provide your child with opportunities to practice using Scratch through interactive tutorials, sample questions, and mock tests. This will help them feel more comfortable and confident during the actual assessment.
Master the Tools: Teach your child how to effectively utilize the tools available within the online testing platform, such as drawing tools, text editors, and multimedia features. Show them how to annotate, highlight, and manipulate objects to solve problems and convey their ideas clearly.
Develop Problem-Solving Skills: Emphasize the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in online testing. Encourage your child to approach each question methodically, analyze the problem, identify relevant information, and devise a strategic plan to solve it.
Manage Time Wisely: Time management is crucial in online testing, where students are often required to complete tasks within a specified timeframe. Teach your child how to allocate their time effectively, pacing themselves to ensure they have ample time to answer all questions and review their work.
Stay Focused and Calm: Remind your child to stay focused and calm throughout the online testing process. Encourage them to take deep breaths, maintain a positive mindset, and avoid getting overwhelmed by distractions or technical difficulties.
Review and Reflect: After completing each online test, encourage your child to review their performance and reflect on areas where they excelled and areas where they can improve. Use this feedback to identify strengths and weaknesses and develop targeted strategies for future assessments.
As we embark on this journey of online testing readiness, we are committed to providing our students with the support and resources they need to succeed. Together, let's empower our children to embrace the digital learning landscape with confidence and resilience.
Thank you for your partnership in your child's education.
Camille Holmes- Academics/ Secondary ELAR Coordinator
Nominated by her peers for Empowering Others!
"Ms. Holmes has exhibited passion and excitement for English Language Arts and Writing and EMPOWERS secondary ELAR Teachers through collaborative planning, co-teaching, data analysis, and resource support."
Student-Led Board Candidate Forum
Please join your Teen Superintendent tonight, Saniyah McGrew, at 6:30 p.m. as she moderates a student-led board candidate forum. Hear what our board candidates have to say.
Being involved and making a difference matters!
Do you want to support our scholars and make a huge impact with very little time? Join us tomorrow night for our CHISD district PTA meeting to learn how you can make a difference.
Behind every successful school district is an engaged community dedicated to supporting schools. Throughout Cedar Hill, businesses, community partners, parents and volunteers dedicate their time and resources to assist schools and help students succeed.
To recognize these dedicated supporters, CHISD is announcing the Community Partner of the Year and the Volunteer of the Year, which will be presented at our Leadership and Service Awards to an individual or group for selflessly supporting the school system.
We are fortunate to live in a community where so many people care deeply about our children, educators and schools! We recognize that our community partners are essential to moving our school district forward and helping students succeed. This program is just one way we can recognize some of those who are dedicated to making a difference every day.