Originally delivered on 8/20/2023 6:59 pm

SUBJECT: DeBakey PTO Newsletter - August 20, 2023

DeBakey PTO

DeBakey PTO Newsletter

August 20, 2023

abbreviated summer issue


In This Issue
  • Important Upcoming Dates
  • Sign up to continue to receive newsletter
  • School News
    • Laptop Distribution
    • Orchestra Auditions
    • Varsity & Junior Varsity Volleyball Tryouts
    • Coffee with the Principal
    • Soccer Practice
    • Summer Assignments
    • 10th Grade AP World History
    • Athletic Interest Form
    • Senior Class Photos (Class of 2024)
    • PTO Uniform Store Updates
    • DeBakey Digest - Viper Camp edition - freshmen survival guide
    • Interact Club Committee Info
    • Teacher Welcome Breakfast
    • PTO meeting calendar
  • Odds and Ends
    • VIPS application
    • Class of 2024 Checklist for College Admissions Process
    • Reminder: Student Volunteer Requirements
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES



  • August 21-25 - Laptop Distribution; Open Orchestra Auditions; Uniform Sales
  • Aug 22 & 24 - Girls' Junior Varsity Volleyball Tryouts
  • Aug 22 & 25 - Boys' Varsity & Junior Varsity Volleyball Tryouts
  • Aug 24 - Girls' Varsity Volleyball Tryouts
  • Aug 28 - first day of school
  • Sept 4 - Labor Day, school holiday
  • Sept 12 - first (virtual) PTO meeting of year
  • Sept 18, 6 pm - Parent Coffee with the Principal


Sign up for this Newsletter (again!)

This newsletter is distributed through "Membership Toolkit" which requires all members to update their information each summer. 

Please take 2 minutes to update your information so you will continue to receive this newsletter throughout the school year. 


Update your membership info here

Laptop Distribution

Students will be issued their HISD laptops the week of August 21st.

Freshmen distribution will be August 21st-22nd. 

*the freshmen link is working; it looks like the other grades link is having an issue, please stay tuned & keep checking the below link for updates

**If you don't know your homeroom teacher's name, just select "unknown" option on the form.

Sign up for Laptop Distribution Here

Orchestra Auditions

Open auditions will be held during Laptop Distribution and throughout that week (week of August 21st) in room 507. 

Students need to be prepared to perform a 1 minute solos, which needs to be challenging, such as an etude or UIL level solo. Scales will be up to 4 flats/4 sharps and chromatic. Mr. Stewart will provide a sight reading example.


*These auditions are for students new to joining orchestra and returning orchestra students.

Girls' Varsity & Junior Varsity Volleyball Tryouts


Girls' Jr Varsity: Aug 22nd 11 am-1 pm & Aug 24th 11:30 am -1 pm

Boys' Varsity Tryouts: Aug 22nd 1:30-3:30 pm & Aug 25th 1:30-3:30 pm

Boys' Jr Varsity: Aug 22nd 8:30-10:30 am & Aug 25th 11-1:30 pm

Girls' Varsity Tryouts: Aug 24th 8:30 - 10:30 am

Space is limited for these tryouts. No Spectators will be permitted so that all students can focus on the coaches, drills and focus on doing their best. Coaches may ask students to participate at a different tryout to optimize the team dynamics. We prefer that students attend both tryout days for whichever team they are trying out for.

Registration is required, register using the below link.




Coffee with the Principal

Save the date - Parents, come enjoy coffee and conversation with our awesome Principal, Mr. Herrera on September 18th, 6 pm!

Soccer Practice will begin mid-September

Stay tuned for details!

Summer Assignments

Summer assignments have been posted to the DeBakey HSHP website. The material is subject to change, so please be sure to check back on the website to make sure you have the latest information.

View the Summer Assignments
10th Grade AP World History

A Message from Mrs. Adcox:

Hello all,

Your summer assignment for 10th grade AP World History is attached to this email. Ms. Penny and I require this as entrance to the course. It will be due August 28th for A-Day/August 29th for B-Day and a brief quiz will be given over the contents of this assignment. Failure to complete the summer assignment by the deadline will result in your removal from AP World History. Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the assignment. Thanks. 


Best wishes,
Mrs. Adcox 

<< Download the Assignment >>

Interested in Athletics?

Sign up using the below link to indicate interest in one of the following sports:

  • Basketball
  • Gymnastics
  • Running Club
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball


Athletic Interest Form here!

Senior Photos (Class of 2024)

Prestige Portraits will be the sole photographer for senior pictures for our next yearbook. Prestige was on the DeBakey HSHP campus on August 11 and 14.

If you were not able to attend either of those days, you may schedule at the Prestige Portrait office in Sugar Land. A flyer with details is listed below. When you schedule at the Prestige studio, you will have a wider selection of backdrops and poses.

The yearbook photo deadline is October 14th.


<< View their flyer for more information >>

Calling all Student and Parent/Guardian Volunteers!


We need help with Back to School Uniform sales! Please give us a little bit of your time as we work to outfit all our DeBakey students with the required DeBakey uniform - use the link below to sign up for a shift. Incoming freshmen student & parent volunteers welcome!

*Student volunteer hours will count towards the DeBakey 100 volunteer hours graduation requirement. 

Sign up to volunteer here!

Click here to visit the PTO Uniform Store!
DeBakey Digest - Special Viper Camp Edition! Use QR code below to access 10 page freshmen survival guide!
QR Code to link to 10 page DeBakey Digest - Viper Camp Edition
Interact Club Committee Info Below!

Encourage your students to get involved with one of these committees!

Welcoming our Teachers Back to School!

Your DeBakey PTO is excited to welcome our teachers and staff back to school with a special breakfast this week! Be sure to come to our PTO meetings (details below) to learn more about how you can help us support our awesome DeBakey teachers!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for PTO meetings
PTO MEETINGS 2023-2024

Join us to learn more about what the PTO is doing to help our school and get involved! All meetings will be 6:30 pm - 8 pm.

  • Sept 12 virtual
  • Oct 10 virtual
  • Nov 14 in person
  • Dec 12 virtual, Home for the Holidays edition
  • Jan 9 virtual
  • Feb 13 in person
  • March 19 virtual
  • April 9 virtual
  • May 14 in person, vote on new PTO board

More information will be shared as we get closer to each date.


Time to Renew Your VIPS application!

Parents and Guardians, it's that time of year! Even if you have been VIPS approved in the past, you must renew your application and be approved each year. You must be VIPS approved to volunteer in any capacity at any HISD school. Please apply now so you are ready when the volunteer opportunity arises!

Register for VIPS approval here!

Information below for our Class of 2024 seniors - timeline for navigating the college admissions process
Information for Seniors Class of 2024
Reminder: Student Volunteer Requirements

REMINDER:  Every DeBakey student must have at least 100 community service to graduate with a DeBakey diploma.

Remember, colleges look at the community service and how you give back to your community when choosing a candidate to accept into their school. The summer time is a great chance to get caught up and to give back to the community.

Guidelines for Community Service Hours >>

Volunteer Opportunities in Houston >>

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