COVID-19

I've asked TEA Commissioner Morath to waive STAAR testing for the 2020-2021 school year. If we must resume testing, I’m asking that the scores not bear any punitive consequences on students and I’ll file legislation to do the same in the next legislative session. Our students and parents don’t need the added pressure of STAAR test scoring on top of a school year already disrupted by the pandemic.Dear Friends, We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to share some important information and updates with you. REQUESTING A PAUSE ON STAAR TESTING COVID-19 has dramatically impacted public education in…

Dear Friends, We hope you and your family are doing well. These last few months have certainly been an adjustment for all of us – for our schoolchildren, teachers, administrators and everyone else involved with our schools. Over the past few weeks, I’ve hosted ZOOM town hall meetings with parents from 9 different schools in our district. While the content and questions in each meeting were diverse, two important themes came through loud and clear from parents. First, we all want to make sure that our children are safe and that schools have clear and thoughtful COVID protocols. And second,…

Dear Friends, We hope you and your families are staying safe and well. It’s been a few weeks since our last COVID-19 update, so we wanted to send another message with the latest information you and your family need to know. RE-OPENING TEXAS Yesterday, Governor Abbott announced Phase 3 of the re-opening of Texas. As with previous phases, the Phase 3 plan is based on the advice and support of the four doctors on the Strike Force to Open Texas medical team. Phase 3 begins immediately. Effective June 3: • All businesses currently operating at 25% capacity can expand their…

Dear Friends, It has been several weeks since our first COVID-19 update, and we hope that these informational emails have been helpful for you and your family. We’ve included some of the most recent developments below, including important information from Governor Abbott’s press conference yesterday. PHASE II: TEXAS RE-OPENING In a press conference yesterday, Governor Abbott discussed further steps in the phased reopening of Texas. As outlined in Abbott’s updated guidance, the following businesses may re-open as we move into under Phase II of the re-opening plan: • Effective immediately: child-care facilities are allowed to re-open. • May 22: Bars,…

THANK YOU, TEACHERS! We want to take a moment to acknowledge all of the amazing teachers in HD108 during Teacher Appreciation Week. This pandemic has highlighted the monumental role teachers play in our community, and they deserve our gratitude now more than ever. Thank you, to the educators who continually go above and beyond, who adapt to overcome new challenges, and who serve not only as instructors, but as role models for our kids. Dear Friends, Below is our latest wrap-up of important information for you and your family. RE-OPENING TEXAS Governor Abbott held a press conference earlier this week…

This Thursday night at 7pm, join community members in thanking our frontline workers. Get outside, make some noise and say THANK YOU to the heroes who are keeping us going. Dear Friends, We hope this message finds you and your family well. We wanted to update you on the important announcement made earlier today by Governor Greg Abbott. In a press conference this afternoon, the Governor released his ongoing plan for the strategic and safe phased re-opening of Texas. Below you will timely information from that announcement as well as other updates for you and your family. RE-OPENING TEXAS Governor Abbott…

Thursday night as we joined thousands of our community members to cheer on frontline workers, we were reminded that trying times are made better when we come together and focus on the good. Dear Friends, We hope this message finds you well. Thanks for doing your part, and thanks for staying engaged with these updates. We are continuing to provide you with information, answering your questions, helping with unemployment, SBA and tax issues, and helping our community however we can. Here are some developments since our last update. DALLAS COUNTY RESTRICTIONS Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced that masks will…

Congrats to our Dallas ISD cafeteria heroes who made the cover of TIME Magazine for their grace and courage in working to ensure Dallas ISD schoolkids in need continue to be served. The Dallas ISD team already has served over 1 million meals, and their work continues ... We thank them. In honor of these heroes, our family is making a donation to the Dallas Education Foundation which supports Dallas ISD schools and families. We encourage you to support our schools and kids by donating here if you can: Dear Friends, We hope you and your family are doing well.…

As one of many nonprofits stepping up to help, YMCA is providing emergency childcare for first responders, healthcare workers and other essential workers on the front-lines of COVID-19. Our family is sponsoring a week of childcare for those keeping our family safe, treating those in need and maintaining essential services. We encourage you to help this effort by donating here if you can: Dear Friends, I hope everyone is healthy, adjusting to new routines and staying positive as we weather this challenge together. We appreciate everyone who has reached out with questions, requests for assistance or simply words of encouragement…

Dear Friends, Over the development of this pandemic we’ve been trying to keep up with the ever-changing news and to adjust to this ‘new normal.’ Like you, the Meyers have been working hard to stay positive, maintain a regular schedule, practice social distancing, support local businesses, and provide a calm environment for our kids at home. I also want to assure you that our local and state leaders are working 24/7 to manage this crisis, protect our citizens and make sure our communities are prepared for what lies ahead. While we have had to make some very difficult decisions that…