Chapel Hill ISD
Chapel Hill ISD provides a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of students and their families through collaborations with CHISD Child Nutrition, CHISD Counseling, CHISD Nurse Team, and WIC of NetHealth. This partnership ensures that students receive the necessary support for their academic success, while also attending to their overall well-being.
Chapel Hill Independent School District (CHISD) is excited to announce its partnership with The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) to launch the Parent-Powered Literacy Project, an initiative to promote early childhood literacy across East Texas. This initiative provides parents with essential tools and resources to foster language and literacy development in children from birth to age four.
The Parent-Powered Literacy Project is designed to enhance parents’ capacity to support early literacy in their homes. Participating families benefit from a variety of resources, including:
- Parent education workshops to develop skills for nurturing language and literacy.
- A start-up literacy resource kit filled with tools for engaging early literacy activities.
- A monthly children’s book to encourage reading and a love for literature.
- Ongoing support aimed at boosting children’s literacy skills.
- Access to a dedicated website featuring early learning resources.
The K-16 Literacy Center, operated within the School of Education at UT Tyler, plays a crucial role in this initiative. Its mission focuses on enhancing literacy instruction and improving academic achievement outcomes for K-16 students in the university, school, and community settings.
The Parent-Powered Literacy Project is a vital step toward ensuring that every child in East Texas has the support they need for a successful start in their educational journey.
A new initiative in CHISD this year is the "Bulldog Bonding Boxes" program created by Parent & Family Engagement Coordinator Crystal Binning. The program provides students and their families with fun, educational activities to complete together. The Bulldog Bonding Boxes are designed to serve several purposes. They reinforce learning, encourage creativity, support parental engagement, and strengthen family bonds. The program has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, who appreciate the program’s focus on family engagement and continued learning during school breaks.
This past summer, CHISD was thrilled to offer an exceptional lineup of summer camps for all Bulldogs, creating an enriching environment where students could explore, learn, and thrive. Our diverse programs catered to Pre-K through 6th grade, ensuring something for everyone.
Campers engaged in hands-on activities in our Engineering Adventures and Light It Up camps, igniting their creativity as they built rockets and designed lighting systems. The Go Green camp focused on sustainability through recycled art projects, while Wild About Learning introduced students to wildlife conservation.
Adding even more value, we partnered with the East Texas Food Bank to provide weekly sessions on healthy eating habits and with Tyler Junior Achievement for financial literacy lessons. Local wellness experts led yoga sessions, promoting mindfulness, while the Police Department and Firefighter Volunteers educated students on safety.
Chapel Hill ISD recognizes the importance of digital parent training resources. By collaborating with district departments, and local student and community organizations, they aim to equip parents with the necessary skills to support their children's holistic development. This partnership provides access to training in whole-child support, empowering parents to actively engage in their child's education and well-being. Overall, Chapel Hill ISD's community partnerships and our focus on student literacy and numeracy support, telehealthcare, tele-counseling, and digital parent training resources will have a transformative impact on the district and its families. By providing comprehensive resources and support, they will have created a space that empowers parents, fosters engagement, and promotes the well-being of their students.
Hearne ISD
Hearne, Texas is known as the “Crossroads of Texas” – where Texas Highway 6, which connects Houston to Dallas, crosses Texas Highway 79, which will transport travelers to Austin and San Antonio. Hearne is at the center of the “Texas Triangle” of Dallas, Houston, and Austin and is less than 30 minutes from the flagship campus of the Texas A&M University System. Although rural, Hearne ISD has nearby connections to leverage for the betterment of our students, schools, families, and community. It is in this spirit that Hearne ISD seeks to better connect our resources to students and community members who need them.
In collaboration with the Hearne Education Foundation, Hearne ISD has begun to leverage community resources and partnerships in new and innovative ways. Our partnership with Texas A&M University has yielded fruit through the Aggie Residencies, Brazos Valley Teach, and GEAR UP programs – just to name a few. The Hearne ISD ACE Program continues to partner with local businesses and community partners, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, to provide our students with access to excellent extended day and extended year learning and enrichment opportunities. Continued work is being poured into developing the ongoing relationship between Hearne Elementary and the child and daycare facilities within the community to ensure our goals and resources are aligned in ways that best serve our common goals. In partnership with the Brazos Valley Workforce Commission, Hearne ISD also strives to provide embedded job-site training and experiences to current students, in the forms of externships and internships, as well as free or reduced-cost adult education opportunities to community and adult family members who desire to continue their education.
Marlin ISD
Marlin Independent School District (ISD) stands as a shining example with its unwavering commitment to providing a golden standard in academics, fine arts, and early childhood development. Recognizing the importance of laying a solid foundation for young learners, the district has taken a proactive approach by establishing the Marlin ISD Pup Academy. This specialized program aims to foster early childhood development and offers comprehensive support to elementary grade levels, ensuring students receive the individual attention necessary for their academic growth.
In addition to prioritizing early education, Marlin ISD collaborates with McClennan Community College to offer English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Educational Development (GED) classes. This partnership exemplifies the district's dedication to empowering and uplifting its wider community. By providing individuals with opportunities to improve their language skills and earn their GED, Marlin ISD fosters a lifelong learning culture and equipping community members with the necessary tools for personal and professional growth.
Marlin ISD's approach to education extends well beyond traditional classroom settings. The district embraces the transformative power of fine arts, recognizing the numerous benefits they bring to students. Marlin ISD encourages creativity, self-expression, and overall personal development among its students. By providing opportunities for students to explore and excel in the arts, the district further enhances their education and equips them with well-rounded skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
With its steadfast commitment to academic excellence, early childhood development, community engagement, and well-rounded education, Marlin ISD continues to set a high standard for educational institutions. By prioritizing the holistic growth of its students and fostering an environment conducive to personal and academic success, Marlin ISD serves as a beacon of inspiration and a catalyst for change within its community and beyond.
Premont ISD
Premont Compass is a Student Success Initiative Community Partnership grant program that supports improvements in educational and developmental outcomes for children and youth who live in struggling communities by providing access to great schools and access to a system of high-quality community, academic, and government resources from birth through college and a career. Premont ISD will never settle as we change the way we do school. The Premont Compass provides cradle to career services to students, families, and community members to build a strong community and high-quality, supportive school district. In doing so, Premont will see greater economic growth and mobility for our students, families, community, and local businesses. Premont Baby University is a Compass initiative for our infants and toddlers. The program is designed to be developmentally appropriate according to the child's age and individual needs. Children's play is essential for growth and serves important functions in cognitive development, as well as in children's physical, emotional, and social development. Child initiated, child-directed, and teacher-supported play is an essential part of the Premont Baby University. Premont Baby University provides a learning and nurturing environment for Premont children 12 months to 3 years of age. Communities in Schools brought forth a Premont Collegiate CIS caseworker that will work with teachers and school staff to identify and address challenges students face in school or at home- from immediate needs, like food, clothing, and school supplies to more complex needs like social services, emotional and academic support. Premont Compass, Education Service Center Region 2, in partnership with Crossroads and Texas Workforce provides literacy and related education services to individuals such as English as a Second Language (ESL), GED, basic skills upgrading, job readiness, career pathways, college knowledge and support service referrals.