Originally delivered on 10/30/2022 8:41 pm

SUBJECT: DeBakey PTO Newsletter - October 30, 2022

DeBakey PTO

DeBakey PTO Newsletter

October 30, 2022

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In This Issue
  • Important Upcoming Dates
  • Fall Fest 2022 - Tomorrow!
  • 50th Anniversary Celebration
  • Scientific Symposium
  • PTO Meeting - Nov 08
  • ChemClub - Now at DeBakey HSHP!
  • Uniform and Spirit Store Update
  • Student Spotlight
  • Spirit Night - Nov 09!
  • Astros Support
  • Teacher K-Cup Drive - Donations Needed
  • Odds and Ends - In case you missed it
Important Upcoming Dates


Fall Fest 2022 - Tomorrow!

It's that time of year again! Special thanks to those who donated items and decorations for tomorrow's festivities. We are hoping for another fun-filled event for for our vipers!

50th Anniversary Celebration

The 50th Anniversary events have now come to a close and were a huge success!

Many thanks to all planning committee, PTO volunteers, student volunteers, administration and teachers who helped welcome our alumni and guests and give them a wonderful weekend of memories culminating in a gala at the Houston Health Museum!

Thanks also to our corporate event sponsors and families who donated items for our silent auction and raffles. Thanks their generosity, we were able to raise over $6000 that will be recirculated to various initiatives at the school such as Viper Theatre, Art and more!

Scientific Symposium

The Scientific Symposium was a great success! Many enthusiastic alumni and non-alumni speakers were excited to share their educational, professional journey along with scientific topics to our students.

Many thanks to the  PTO and parents' generous donations for the Symposium breakfast, gift bags, and decorations. Thank you to all the parents and students’ volunteers for assisting before and during the event. We could not do this without you!

We are thankful to Dean Shargey, Ms. Whiting, Principal Herrera and teachers for keeping this educational program strong. Special thanks to the 50th Anniversary Committee for including the Scientific Symposium to be part of the anniversary celebration!

Enjoy these wonderful images at the Scientific Symposium on October 28th, 2022.

PTO Meeting - Nov 8

Please check back next week for the Teams meeting link.

ChemClub - Now at DeBakey HSHP!

If your student is interested in joining the newly formed DeBakey ChemClub, please ensure they scan the QR code and share their contact information. The club is co-sponsoring an upcoming webinar on November 6th with an "Introduction to Particle Physics" presented by Dr. Linda Bartrom (zoom information to be shared with members). The DeBakey ChemClub's next monthly meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, November 17th in Room 412. Snacks and drinks will be served.

Uniform and Spirit Store

New Opportunity to pick up merchandise on 
Thursday, November 03.

Visit the Uniform and Spirit Wear Store
Student Spotlight
Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 23 Orchestra

Congratulations DeBakey Orchestra students made to Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 23 Orchestra. 

Nathan Giang - Symphony

Cynthia Kong - Philharmonic

Matthew Lu - Symphony

Hwi Eun (Mary) Shim - Philharmonic

Of these students, Nathan, Cynthia, and Mary advanced to the Area over the weekend. What a great achievement! We wish them good news of Texas All-State Orchestra audition results on November 15th. 

Thank you Mr. Stewart’s dedication and hard work of supporting orchestra students’ musical development and talents. We appreciate your time accompanying these students to auditions and public performances. The orchestra students had a fabulous performance at the 50th Anniversary Gala!

DeBakey Students at the Houston Half Marathon

Congrats DeBakey students who participated in the Houston Half Marathon this morning. They were fast to the finish line! Both Nathan and Hannah are members of the DeBakey Running Club and completed the race in the Top 10 in their age group.

(L to R) Hannah Rosanes, Conner Feng, Nathan Giang

Do you know of a DeBakey student, teacher or administrator who should should be recognized for their recent achievement/s? Let the PTO know! We'd love to recognize their accomplishments in our weekly newsletter.

Submit a News Item
Spirit Night - Nov 9!

Thank you for making the monthly Spirit Nights such a great success this year! Please join us on November 9th at Luby's from 4-8 pm for the next one. Dine in or take out and no need to print the ticket below, just mention it's for DeBakey and Luby's will make a 15% donation to the PTO. 

Invite your family and friends to participate as well and get a home cooked meal, with no cooking involved, while supporting a great cause.

To show support for our home team, all students and staff are encouraged to wear orange and blue every weekday the team is playing. Jeans are also permitted.

  • Game 3: Monday, Oct 31
  • Game 4: Tuesday, Nov 1
  • Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, Nov 2
  • Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, Nov 4

We are proud to have the Houston Astros organization as a partner in public education and in our schools. Let's show our Astros spirit on social media by posting photos using #OrangeOutHISD and #LevelUp.

For October/November- the PTO will accept all kinds of KCup pods for our teachers and administrators. We realize not everyone drinks coffee so tea, cider, coffee, and hot cocoa will be accepted. A drop-off box will be in the main office. 

Your student can drop them off or you may use AmazonSmile (benefitting DeBakey High School) to have something delivered directly to the school.

In Case You Missed It...

From HISD Chief Operating Officer, Wanda Paul

You may have seen reports that the district is working to remove lead from school drinking water. Here are some additional details to address any concerns.

When voluntary lead testing was done in 2017-2018, repairs were made to ensure little-to-no lead was detected in HISD water sources.

As of today, testing is still voluntary, and the district is working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to sample and test its water sources and once again ensure there is little-to-no lead detected. If amounts exceed the state-issued threshold, HISD will make repairs and complete additional rounds of testing. All results will be provided to campus administration and will be posted on HoustonISD.org.

The water fountains in all district facilities are maintained, cleaned, and have been serviced.

Additionally, HISD is moving forward with installing bottle filling stations in March 2023.

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