By: Jade Wise
Pasadena ISD Communications
Over 250 Pasadena ISD board members, administrators, and community volunteers came together recently for the district’s annual Walk for Success.
The program was developed to help high school students who are only a few credits away from graduation receive their high school diploma by various methods including: Community School, Virtual School, TAKS prep courses or regular classroom attendance. However, this year, Walk for Success was expanded to reach students at all levels who have either been displaced due to Harvey or left the district.
The program involves teams of volunteers from each of the district’s 67 campuses, as well as district administrators, who make phone calls and pay personal home visits to offer support to students who have not re-enrolled for the school year.
This year’s event kicked off at the Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School with breakfast, an address by Superintendent Dr. DeeAnn Powell and stories of previous successes.
“Since Walk for Success began, over 4,500 contacts have been made and the district has brought 1,500 students back to Pasadena ISD, including many who would have never graduated high school without someone reaching out to them,” said Steve Fullen, associate superintendent of campus development.
That number has since climbed this year with administrators visiting 144 homes of students who have not reenrolled in school.
“The importance of this event is to remind us of our collective commitment of getting kids who have left our district, not just from Harvey but for any number of reasons, back to school,” said Angela Stallings, associate superintendent of campus development.
Stallings said that open enrollment in Pasadena ISD is a great choice for students who want to commit to continuing their education.
“Pasadena ISD has an abundance of opportunities for students. Whether it’s blended learning, traditional, dual-language or a variety of other educational programs, we have something that meets the needs of every single student. That’s not something every other district or charter school can say,” said Stallings.
To learn more about Pasadena ISD’s open enrollment program, visit:
www1.pasadenaisd.org/parents-_students/enrollment/limited_open_enrollment or call 713-740-0000.
Sam Rayburn administrators visit houses during Walk for Success
Elementary & middle school administrators gathered to bring students back to school during Walk for Success.
Intermediate and high school administrators gathered to bring students back to school during Walk for Success.
For more photos, click here.