Noon Message to Families

A tragedy like the one that unfolded at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022 is the nightmare of every community, parent, student and educator.

A United States Department of Justice report on Uvalde, released earlier this month, identified where the authorities there failed in their response to act on behalf of the students and staff that they were sworn to protect. I had an opportunity to discuss the findings of the approximately 600-page report with Cedar Hill ISD Police Chief James Hawthorne, who has close to four decades of law enforcement experience. Hawthorne pointed out the main themes of the comprehensive report and shared the things that Cedar Hill ISD and neighboring communities were doing before Uvalde and are continuing to do, in order to prevent such a tragedy from taking place. One of the report’s conclusions, which had been reported in the media for a significant period of time, was the Uvalde Police department's failure to act and subsequently, their lack of training. Another factor was the Uvalde ISD Police Chief arriving on the scene, yet leaving his police radio in his car.

• Cedar Hill ISD Police Officers have done a significant amount of preparation specific to active shooter training. They’ve trained with public safety agencies – police and fire – from throughout the Best Southwest area that includes Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Lancaster and Duncanville. This group of law enforcement agencies responded within minutes to a shooting at the Duncanville Fieldhouse, during a summer camp, in June 2022. The suspect was shot and killed, but nobody else was physically injured or killed. This response was lauded throughout the Metroplex and the state and shown as proof of well-prepared law enforcement agencies that collaborate to immediately and decisively neutralize a threat.

• These agencies have an incident command structure in place, so there’s absolutely no confusion over who does what when something dangerous happens. Cedar Hill ISD Police are planning to participate in another large scale multi-agency training later this year. Beyond the training, Hawthorne and his department have spent a great deal of time vetting officers to ensure they are capable of fulfilling their duties in an emergency situation.

• CHISD recently invested in a radio system that gives the district police department the capability to communicate with multiple law enforcement agencies in the area. The district also gave the City of Cedar Hill Police and Fire departments access codes, to use in an emergency.

• Hawthorne said complacency was another factor in the Uvalde report. Uvalde teachers were not locking doors to their classrooms, and in fact, many of the UISD door locks were non-functional. CHISD Police have a 100 percentage rate on state-issued intruder audits. CHISD Police Officers regularly check doors to make sure the locks work and that teachers are locking them.

My conversation with Chief Hawthorne was informative and somber, given the topic at hand. But it was also re-assuring, given the professionalism of the team that he leads.

If you’d like some face time with Chief, you’re welcome to attend one of four upcoming “Coffee & Chats With The Chief” at 6 p.m. on February 8, March 21, April 18 and May 16 at the Lacy Enrollment Center, 504 East Belt Line Road in Cedar Hill. He is open to discuss the aforementioned topic or anything else that you may have on your mind regarding public safety.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gerald B. Hudson

Superintendent

Cedar Hill ISD

On January 24, CHISD and Hamilton Counseling and consulting held a forum to provide parents and caregivers with the tools to improve the dialogue between teens and adults regarding mental health. As a parent or caregiver, you may have questions or concerns about certain behaviors that your child is exhibiting and how to talk to them about the behaviors. You may want more information on how to get them the help they need. The presentation will give you information on how to tell when your child is having mental health struggles.

As we anticipate and prepare for the upcoming school year, we are thrilled to share information about the class selection process for the 2024-2025 academic year. Our commitment to providing a comprehensive and enriching education experience continues, and we believe the courses offered will inspire and challenge our students to reach new heights.

Navigating the Class Selection Process:

• Review the Course Catalog:

• Explore the comprehensive course catalog for the upcoming school year. This catalog is available on our school website and contains detailed information about each course, including prerequisites and descriptions.

• Consider Your Child's Goals:

• Sit down with your child to discuss their academic and career goals. Consider their interests, strengths, and areas for growth when making course selections.

• Consult with Teachers and Counselors:

• Our dedicated teachers and counselors are here to assist you. If you have questions about specific courses or need guidance on choosing the right classes for your child, don't hesitate to reach out.

• Explore Elective Options:

• Encourage your child to explore elective courses that align with their passions and interests. This is a fantastic opportunity for personal growth and skill development.

How to Reach Your Child's Counselor:

If you require additional support or have specific questions about the class selection process, our counselors are ready to assist you. Here's how you can get in touch:

• Schedule a Meeting:

• Reach out to your child's counselor to schedule a one-on-one meeting. This provides a personalized opportunity to discuss your child's academic goals and receive guidance on suitable course selections.

• Email Communication:

• Send an email to your child's counselor outlining your questions or concerns. Counselors will respond promptly to provide the information you need.

• Attend Information Sessions:

• Stay tuned for information sessions hosted by our counseling department. These sessions are designed to address common concerns and provide insights into the class selection process.

• Phone Communication:

• Counselors are just a phone call away. Find their contact information on our school website, and feel free to call with any inquiries.

Important Dates to Remember:

• [January 22nd ]: Release of the Course Catalog and Class Selection Instructions.

• [Feb 7th - 25th]: Course selection window

• [January 16th -February 7th]: Information sessions with the counseling department.

• [February 25th]: Final deadline for class selections.

We're Here to Support You:

Choosing classes is an exciting step in your child's educational journey, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Our commitment to fostering a positive and enriching learning environment extends to the class selection process.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education. We look forward to working together to ensure a successful and fulfilling academic year for all our students.

Nominated by her peers for Empowering Others!

Recently Mrs. Aguilar went above and beyond presenting at the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) 2024 Personnel Fundamentals Workshop! This session provided an overview of new legislation and shared procedures to develop HR process manuals.

About the Longhorn Line Up:

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 on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month on social media and the Monday noon message. Any CHISD staff member can be nominated when they:

• Lead with Heart
• Expect Excellence
• Empower Others

We want our students performing their best AND feeling their best! Your student has access to telehealth through #SchoolMed when feeling unwell on campus!

¡Queremos que nuestros estudiantes se desempeñen lo mejor posible Y se sientan lo mejor posible! ¡Su estudiante tiene acceso a telesalud a través de #SchoolMed cuando no se siente bien en el campus!

Currently offered at Highlands Elementary, Bessie Coleman Middle School, and Collegiate Academy & High School.