IMPORTANT: PARENTS MUST MAKE A CHOICE FOR NEXT GRADING CYCLE FOR STUDENT LEARNING MODE - VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON

As part of our efforts to maintain student safety as our number one priority, parents will once again have a choice in the learning mode for their child/children. The 3rd grading cycle begins December 7, 2020 and ends January 28, 2021. Parents can either call the school office at 713-845-5650 or click HERE to complete an online survey to submit their choice for keeping their child at home for 100% virtual learning or for sending their child to school in-person following all required safety measures. The survey requires you to enter your child's name and ID number. We appreciate parents' prompt responses to help us in planning for the next six-weeks.

STUDENT COURSE SELECTIONS FOR 2021-22 NOW AVAILABLE!

It's never too early to plan ahead! We are currently taking course requests from all 6th and 7th graders for the 2021-22 school year. Students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of performing and visual arts, as well as technology, physical education, and language acquisition. To make your selections, follow these steps:

1. Click HERE for short videos that describe some of the course offerings available.
2. Click HERE to complete the course request form to submit your choices.

Selections can be made until February 2021. Students can make changes until then by resubmitting the form in step #2 above. Reach out to your grade level administrator if you have questions or need assistance.

HOUSTON FOOD BANK SCHOOL MARKET NEXT TWO SATURDAYS

The Houston Food Bank will be distributing fresh produce and pantry items here at Ortiz this Saturday, November 7th and Saturday, November 14th for all community members. Click English or Spanish for more information and to register for the event. Please contact Ms. Tavera, our Wraparound Services Coordinator, at 713-845-5650 or jtaveras@houstonisd.org if you need assistance or have questions.

INFORMATIONAL PARENT VIDEO: WHAT SCHOOL WILL LOOK LIKE

This helpful informational video will let parents and students see what school will look like when students have the option to return in person or stay in the remote learning environment. Click below to watch this important message.

English

Spanish

PROJECT EXPLORE NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS

Once again, Ortiz is offering students the opportunity to participate in Project Explore. This program provides college and career experiences for interested students. Click HERE for more information.

HISD @H.O.M.E TV

We are continuing to air HISD @ H.O.M.E. TV lessons through partnerships with Univision/Unimas67 and KHOU/KTBU 55.

• KTBU 55 airs our entire 2.5-hour block daily for students Monday-Friday from 9 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
• Unimás 67 continues to air Spanish-language lessons daily, Monday-Friday from 7 A.M. to 7:30 A.M.

Along with our current distance learning platform, HISD @ H.O.M.E. TV continues to provide instructional videos from 9-11:30 A.M., 1-3:30 P.M., and 5-7:30 P.M., Monday-Friday. Segments in English and Spanish are broadcast on HISD-TV – Comcast Ch. 18 and Ch. 99 U-verse, as well as online via HoustonISD.org/LiveTV.

Current and previous lessons can also be accessed online at blogs.HoustonISD.org/HISDTV/ and YouTube.com/theHISD. The HISD @ H.O.M.E. TV schedule can be accessed online at HoustonISD.org/HomeTV.

WE'RE TRYING TO REACH YOU!

Teachers and staff have attempted to reach all Ortiz students to ensure our families are safe and that students have the technology needed to access our distant learning classes. If you have not yet been contacted, please update your contact information HERE so that we can correct any misinformation we may have in our records. You can also call the Ortiz main phone number at 713-845-5650 and leave us a voice message.

STUDENTS RECEIVING DYSLEXIA SERVICES

Ortiz students who received dyslexia services are able to continue receiving services HERE.

PARENT CODES FOR NEW HISD CONNECT

HISD Connect by PowerSchool includes student contact, enrollment, and demographic information, as well as grades and online resources.

Parents will be given a unique code, or access ID, for each of their students and will be able to use those codes to set up an account to access their students' profiles through the new parent portal.

Parents have three options to obtain their code:

• Email us at OrtizMS@houstonisd.org your student's name and grade level. We’ll email you the code sheet.
• Fill out the survey at http://bit.ly/OrtizConnect and we’ll send you the code via text or email.
• Call us at 713-845-5650 if you want a printed copy to pick up from campus.