Stay involved and connected! Back-to-School 2013

On Monday, August 26, Spring Branch ISD will welcome nearly 35,000 students for the first day of school. As you help your child prepare to head back to class, SBISD educators and district leaders want to ensure you and your child have all the information you need to be ready for the new school year.

To help SBISD parents, we've created a special Back-to-School website featuring a "toolkit" of information for parent use at www.springbranchisd.com/backtoschool. For students who are new to SBISD, registration information will be available on the Back-to-School website. If your student is currently enrolled in SBISD, online Back-to-School forms will also be available. Look for this opportunity August 1, 2013.

For families new to the district, parents are encouraged to register their students before August 26. Registration occurs at the child's attendance area school. Information on registration requirements, a listing of attendance zones searchable by address, a listing of campuses, district maps, feeder patterns, school hour, the Student/Parent Handbook and more can be found on the district's main website at www.springbranchisd.com under the CAMPUSES tab.

If your child will be five years old on or before September 1 of the current year, they are eligible to enroll in Kindergarten in SBISD. First graders must be six years old before September 1. Enrollment requirements include the following: immunization record certified by a physician; a transcript or report card from the last school attended; a birth certificate or other proof of student identity; proof of residency in the form of a lease agreement, mortgage payment.

Below is a listing of registration dates and times for SBISD:

Pre K-12 campuses:

• August 12 - 15 from 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 3:30
• August 19 - 22 from 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 3:30
• August 26 - First day of school / after 1:00 pm

A great way to find out what's going on this year at your child's campus is to attend one of the district's Back-to-School Nights or Open House events. SBISD offers a number of special nights throughout the school year, including our Back-to-School Nights, where parents can actively connect with educators and campus staff. These nights are a great way to engage with your child's learning community, share expectations and find the information you need to help your child succeed throughout the school year.

This year's scheduled Back-to-School Nights are:

• YES Prep at Northbrook Middle August 22
• KIPP Courage August 29
• All High Schools September 10 - 12 (Check with your child's campus for designated dates and times.)
• All Elementary Schools September 17 - 19 (Check with your child's campus for designated dates and times.)
• All Middle Schools September 24 OR Thursday, September 26 (Check with your child's campus for designated dates and times.)
• All Schools for Early Learning (Pre-K) August 26 Parent Orientation / October 3 Open House

For more details on other district and campus events, including upcoming College Nights, and 2013 Parent U Nights, contact your child's campus or check out the events calendar on the SBISD website. This year we're working on a special Parent U series to help families in SBISD make the best choice when it comes to their student's education, and equip them with targeted tools in reaching college-readiness levels at all grade levels.

Look for more details on the SBISD website and in future digital publications from the district. Additional Back-to-School information can be found in the 2013 Back-to-School Guide. The Guide is available for download from the Back-to-School micro site and will be distributed to campuses through their main office.

Make sure to download or pick one up on your next campus visit! Guides will be available online starting July 15. Our goal is success for all students! Success for SBISD students happens when they find a passion for learning that leads them to a higher education experience and career pathway. Through its goal, known as Spring Branch T-2-4, the district seeks to double the number of students successfully completing a technical certification or military training, or a two-year or four-year degree by 2017.

One of the most powerful ways parents can help their child on this journey is to stay engaged and informed about what their child is learning and what's going at their campus and in the school district. SBISD invites parents to be active participants in their child's educational experience throughout the school year.

From joining a parent group, to volunteering or being a mentor, there are a number of award-winning programs available to SBISD families across Spring Branch. SBISD can't do it alone! The district needs your help, and when you volunteer or get involved as a Good Neighbor or partner, you're making a positive change for all students and the entire SBISD community.

Visit the COMMUNITY section of the district website for more information, or contact the SBISD Community Relations Office at 713-251-2468. SBISD offers parents a number of ways to stay informed about campus and district events and news.

The district website provides a wealth of tools that allow parents to: monitor student grades via Family Access; manage school lunch account balances and coordinating online payments; access news on school board actions, current events and activities around the school district, and find student resources for educational support.

Parents can also access their campus websites from the main SBISD website under the CAMPUSES tab. While you're online, make sure to follow SBISD on one - or all - of the district’s social media sites.

From Facebook and Twitter, to YouTube and Instagram, SBISD has a range of options for you to access the latest news, photos and blog posting online. All parents are encouraged to subscribe to the SBISD eCurrent, a periodic e-newsletter that provides subscribers timely information and news from around SBISD.

For additional Back-to-School information contact SBISD at 713-464-1511, or call the school campus your child will attend. SBISD will work hard to ensure your student’s success.

Together, as a community, we can turn their dreams into reality!