back to school

Here is when HISD will resume classes for the 2020-2021 school year

Classes will begin virtually in September.

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The wait is over for Houston parents, as the Houston Independent School District released its highly anticipated 2020-2021 schedule on Wednesday, July 15.

Classes will start virtually on September 8, according to a letter sent to parents. The virtual instruction for all students will continue for six weeks through Friday, October 16. This is a delay of two weeks, caused by the rising number of COVID-19 cases, per the district.

Face-to-face classes will start on Monday, October 19, according to HISD. The date is subject to change based on COVID-19 conditions across Houston and guidance from local, state, and federal health officials.

Parents can opt out of face-to-face instruction entirely for the fall semester and 2020-2021 school year. To facilitate the online process, parents will be asked to complete an introductory online course by August 28. The course will be available on July 31.

Beginning on August 24, parents will receive a phone call from the district, asking them to indicate their choice for the 2020-2021 school year. Parents will be asked to select one of the following options:

Option 1: On-Campus Learning
Option 2: Virtual Learning

Parents can change their selection after each six-week grading period. Teachers will report to work virtually on Monday, August 24, while all other district employees will continue to work virtually, according to HISD.
The district released a timeline for re-opening dates:

September 8: First day of school (Virtual only)
October 19: Face-to-face instruction begins*
September 8, 2020 – January 29, 2021: First semester of remote learning for students/parents who choose online-only instruction.

Parents can choose remote instruction for the fall semester (through January 29, 2021) or entire school year (through June 11, 2021).

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

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