Noon Message to Families

Cedar Hill ISD Families & Community,

The YouthTruth Student Survey is aptly named, as ‘Youth’ and ‘Truth’ are the two most important elements of our school district and community. The truth can sometimes sting. But it forces us to take a long, hard look in the mirror and create comprehensive plans to improve upon areas where we may not be meeting our own high standards.

Cedar Hill ISD Teen Superintendent Saniyah McGrew eloquently presented the YouthTruth Student Survey results at the CHISD Board of Trustees Meeting on Tuesday, February 20. She’s done an amazing job, and I appreciate everything she’s contributed to CHISD as a voice for the scholars.

McGrew will visit campuses in the coming weeks to speak with scholars and principals about their campus needs, assessments and action plans.

The comprehensive survey asked questions of CHISD scholars and families, which we will use – sooner rather than later – toward building Campus Improvement Plans.

I recently met with Heath Koenig, Executive Director of School Leadership, who has established a new protocol to address the survey results in a more efficient and effective manner.

One glaring concern was the district’s culture. The culture we want isn’t the culture we currently have, and it will take every scholar, employee and family member to elevate the culture to where it needs to be.

The scholars were phenomenal in terms of completing the survey. Ninety-eight percent of scholars completed the survey, including 100 percent at the six elementary campuses.

We are truly lacking, in terms of family participation. YouthTruth recommends a minimum of 35 percent, but we only received 22 percent. That's not enough to present a full picture of feedback, which is what we need to meet our scholars’ needs.

Through our work with the Teen Superintendent, we can work with scholars to take ownership of their educational experience. Listening to the scholars, and acting upon their feedback, will help them feel more ownership in their campus, and of their educational experience.

Here are the results, as presented by McGrew:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCHOLARS

· At the elementary level, third through fifth graders took the survey.

· 100% completed the survey, up from 98% last year.

· The highest rated question was “Does what you learn in school help you in life?”

· The lowest rated question was “Are our students friendly to you?”

· 43% of students surveyed say they feel safe in school.

· 56% of students surveyed say there’s an adult they can talk to when they’re upset

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAMILIES

· 23% responded, up from 22% last year.

· The highest-rated question was “Do you feel represented by parent and family groups?”

· The lowest-rated question was “Teachers and Scholars care about each other.”

· Engagement and resources ranked the highest.

· Relationships and culture ranked the lowest.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLARS

· 98% of middle school scholars took the survey, up from 87% last year.

· Engagement increased, relationships decreased.

· The highest rated question was “How many teacher can connect lessons with your life outside of school?

· The lowest rated question was “Teachers believe you can get a good grade if you try.”

· 35% of students surveyed said “my school has made me more interested in a STEM Career.”

· 31%of students surveyed said “I feel like I can make a difference at my school.”

· 63% of students surveyed said “there are clear rules at my school about hurting people.”

· 63% of students surveyed answered positively when asked about their emotional and mental health.

· Relationships remained consistent; engagement declined slightly.

MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES

· There was a decline in responses from middle school families, from 21% last year to 16% this year.

· The highest rated question was “My school sets higher expectations for scholars.”

· The lowest rated question was “Teachers treat students with respect.”

· Engagement increased, relationships declined.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARS

· 83% of scholars responded to the survey, up from 80% last year.

· The highest rated question was “How often do you work with other scholars when teachers ask or tell you to do so?”

· The lowest rated question was “how many teachers offer extra help when you need it?”

· 28% of students surveyed said “My school has made me more interested in a STEM Career.”

· 27% said “I can make a difference at my school.”

· 55% said “there are clear rules at my school about hurting other people.”

· 60% answered positively when asked how they feel about their life.

HIGH SCHOOL FAMILIES

· 24% percent of families responded, up from 14% last year

· Engagement and communication feedback were the highest rated.

· School safety and culture were the lowest.

· “I receive regular feedback from my child’s progress” was the highest rated comment.

· “Teachers and scholars care about each other.” was the lowest.

Thank you for being our partner in education! Have a great week.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gerald B. Hudson

Superintendent

Cedar Hill ISD

As we continue to navigate these unique times, we understand the importance of supporting your child's education at home. In this edition, we're focusing on strategies to enhance your child's math skills through engaging and practical activities.

1. Make Math Fun:

Turn everyday activities into math adventures! Cooking, shopping, or even sorting laundry can involve counting, measuring, and basic arithmetic. Make math a part of your daily routines to show your child that it's not just a school subject but a useful skill in real life.

2. Utilize Math Apps and Websites:

There are numerous educational apps and websites designed to make math enjoyable. Platforms like IXL, Khan Academy, and Prodigy offer interactive lessons and games that cater to various skill levels. These tools can reinforce classroom learning and provide additional practice.

3. Create a Math-Friendly Environment:

Set up a dedicated homework area where your child can focus on math assignments without distractions. Have math-related materials, such as a ruler, calculator, and geometric shapes, readily available. A positive and organized environment can greatly impact your child's learning experience.

4. Incorporate Math into Daily Conversations:

Discuss math concepts casually during everyday conversations. Talk about patterns, shapes, and numbers in the environment. Encourage your child to estimate distances, calculate change, or even share their thoughts on mathematical concepts they find interesting.

5. Play Math Games:

Board games and card games can be excellent tools for practicing math skills. Games like Monopoly, Yahtzee, or even a simple deck of cards can reinforce addition, subtraction, multiplication, and strategic thinking.

6. Encourage Problem-Solving:

Pose math-related challenges or problems that require critical thinking. Encourage your child to work through problems independently and then discuss their thought process. This fosters problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

7. Use Real-World Examples:

Relate math to real-world scenarios. For instance, when going grocery shopping, involve your child in budgeting decisions and calculating discounts. This hands-on experience helps them see the practical application of math in daily life.

8. Celebrate Achievements:

Acknowledge and celebrate your child's achievements in math, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement builds confidence and a love for learning. Create a "math success" board where you can display their accomplishments, whether it's mastering multiplication tables or solving a challenging problem.

Remember, each child learns differently, so feel free to adapt these strategies to suit your child's individual needs. Together, we can make math an exciting and accessible journey for your child.

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Donell Wilson- Permenter Middle School Band Director

Nominated by his peers for empowering others!

"Mr. Wilson is so passionate about what he does, anytime he has a student that wants to quit band for whatever reason he sparks that light inside of them and reminds them that although it is a struggle first, hard work pays off. Students love him they trust him and they respect him. Students, staff, and parents recognize his professionalism, experience and passion for music. Permenter is lucky to have such a passionate and knowledgeable director. Along with the amazing assistance of Mr. Zuniga, they are Permenter Band!"

Nominate a CHISD Employee for the Longhorn Lineup!

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All staff, families & community members are asked to nominate a current CHISD team member who is exhibiting the behaviors of the CHISD Leadership Definition. The UELP Longhorn Lineup submissions are collected throughout the year and announced every Monday on social media and the Monday noon message. Any CHISD staff member can be nominated when they:

Lead with Heart
Expect Excellence
Empower Others

On February 12 the Cedar Hill ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to include a $282.4 million bond proposal on the May 4, 2024 ballot.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CHISD Bond

WHAT IS A BOND?

A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest over time. Bonds are sold by a school district to competing lenders to raise funds to pay for the costs of construction, renovations and equipment. All school districts in Texas utilize bonds to finance renovations and new facilities.

HOW CAN BOND FUNDS BE USED?

Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment for new or existing buildings. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE URGENT NEEDS IF THIS BOND DOESN'T PASS? IT MAY BE FAR OFF, BUT IF RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS AREN'T DONE ON OLDER SCHOOLS IS THERE A RISK OF THEM BEING SHUT DOWN PUTTING A MUCH BIGGER STRAIN ON THE DISTRICT?

When bond funds are not made available for renovations and repairs the following challenges emerge: 1) costly emergency repairs may have to be funded out of the general operating budget and when the operating budget is tapped for repairs then other items in the operating budget will have to be cut 2) schools deteriorate and become less comfortable and less safe for students and staff 3) teachers and staff may decide to work elsewhere where conditions are more desirable.