Weekly Message to CHISD Families

We are excited to announce that the new CHISD.net will debut next Monday (December 18). Look for several new features as part of the new site.

• Modern Design: Enjoy a sleek and contemporary look that reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence in education.
• Designed with YOU in Mind: Services & departments tab for easier navigation and fewer clicks!
• Responsive Design: Access chisd.net seamlessly from any device – desktop, tablet, or mobile – for a convenient browsing experience.
• Calendar: Calendar access on every page, customizable so you can follow the events of your choice!
• News and Information: Stay informed about school events, achievements, and important announcements with our dynamic news & information section.
  
• SAFELonghorn: Stay in the know of all safety concerns in the Safety Tracker section, connect with mental health partners
• New Careers Page: Redesigned careers page to retain and recruit the best to serve CHISD.
• Dedicated Tabs: Visit the Community, Parents/Students, and Staff tabs with organized information specific to their needs and interests
• Enrollment: Easy to access enrollment button at the top of the site for easy access

A: Over the summer, CHISD Communications met with each Central Office department and asked them what links from their area should be added? What topics do they get calls about that should be included and listed. In addition, the current site has the ability to track the number of users per page. The pages visited the most are given prominence to allow for less clicks. As we continue to fine tune the new CHISD.net, we have the ability to make changes as needed based off of feedback.

CHISD Communications will present the new website to PTA & All-Pro Dads and inquire if there are additional needs that parents would like to add.

Over the summer, CHISD Communications met with each Central Office department and asked them what links from their area should be added? What topics do they get calls about that should be included and listed. In addition, the current site has the ability to track the number of users per page. The pages visited the most are given prominence to allow for less clicks. As we continue to fine tune the new CHISD.net, we have the ability to make changes as needed based off of feedback.

The Audio Visuals team was nominated by a CHISD Parent for Leading with Heart!

"Please award Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Neely who together as a team have "lead with heart, expected excellence, and empowered others." They are both outstanding role models who require excellence from their scholars.

Each one has gone above and beyond to provide my son with amazing opportunities that highlight his personal talents, and opened his eyes to the possibilities of a future career in the Audio Visual fields. They look for new opportunities that empower him to feel engaged and excited about his coursework. Thank you Mr. Kennedy & Mr. Neely, you are appreciated!"

Nominate next weeks MVP here: https://forms.gle/ddmxVELbVKhiE4Du9

t’s Spelling Bee season in Cedar Hill ISD. This week the Academics team- led by Secondary ELAR Coordinator Camille Holmes- has been supporting assigned campuses in facilitating their bees. All elementary and middle school campuses have completed their campus bees and winners will participate in the District Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 18, 2024. Spelling Bees are fun events that spark a culture of academic competitive spirit. Other benefits include:

• Vocabulary Enhancement: Participation in spelling bees helps students improve their vocabulary. Learning and mastering the correct spelling of words exposes them to a diverse range of terms, often extending beyond their grade level.

• Language Skills: Spelling bees contribute to the development of language skills, including grammar, syntax, and word usage. Participants gain a deeper understanding of the structure and rules of the English language.

• Memory Improvement: Spelling bees require students to memorize the correct spellings of numerous words. This process enhances both short-term and long-term memory skills, as participants need to recall spellings under pressure during the competition.

• Concentration and Focus: Competing in a spelling bee demands high levels of concentration and focus. Students need to pay attention to details, listen carefully to the pronunciation of words, and block out distractions.

• Confidence Building: Successfully participating in and even winning spelling bees can boost a student's confidence. Public speaking and performing under pressure are valuable skills that can positively impact academic and professional endeavors.

• Competitive Spirit: Spelling bees foster a healthy sense of competition. Students learn to handle competition-related stress, develop resilience in the face of challenges, and understand the importance of preparation and hard work.

• Critical Thinking: Spelling bee participants often need to apply critical thinking skills to decipher the correct spelling of unfamiliar or challenging words. This can enhance their problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking.

• Cultural Awareness: Many spelling bee word lists include words with diverse linguistic origins. This exposure can contribute to students' cultural awareness and understanding of the global nature of language.

• Educational Community Engagement: Spelling bees often involve collaboration between students, teachers, and parents. This engagement promotes a supportive educational community and encourages active involvement in a student's academic journey.

Cedar Hill ISD is eternally grateful for the strong community support for holiday events such as Toys For Tots, Heroes & Helpers and Angel Tree Projects.

Cedar Hill residents have been dropping off new, unwrapped toys for both Toys For Tots and Angel Tree Projects. Last week, the City of Cedar Hill and Cedar Hill ISD partnered for Holiday Hill; the event served as the final day to collect toys to be donated to CHISD elementary students. Check out the photos below

Scholars and families enrolled in Cedar Hill ISD, have the opportunity to select an educational path tailored to suit their own interests while preparing for the future. We know that one size does not fit all. STEM, arts and culture, and real-world career experiences - our School Choice Programs provide options to help align your child’s education to their interests and the ways they learn best. Choice Programs are uniquely themed concepts implemented at select schools throughout the school district.

The deadline to apply for the 2024-25 school year is January 19, 2023.

Scholars currently enrolled in a Choice Program will remain assigned to that program unless they no longer wish to remain in the program or if they are not invited to return due to “good standing” requirements.

Parents who no longer wish for their child to remain in the program of Choice must indicate their intent by logging on to their Schoolmint Account and completing the intent to return form or withdrawing their scholar from the program. The window to complete the intent to return form for current families closes this Friday, December 15, 2023.

CHISD has partnered with our local first responders to help make our scholars season bright. Please stop by one of the following locations and grab an Angel tag from one of the trees. Here are the locations: The Government Center, The Sims Recreation Center, Good Shepard Church and Walmart.