Monthly Archives: August 2012

Two HISD Educators Named ‘Champions of Change’ by White House

Two HISD educators are being honored at the White House on Friday, Aug. 31, as “Champions of Change” for their efforts to improve the lives of Hispanic youths.

Teacher Development Specialist Ben Hernandez and Austin High School teacher Armando Orduña were nominated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which also handpicked them to be members of that organization’s inaugural Teacher Advisory Council earlier this year.

“I don’t even know how to feel yet,” said Hernandez. “I was just excited that they had created this award to honor the hard work and the success that teachers experience. (HISD is) very progressive and aggressive, so I think in a lot of ways, it can turn national eyes on us to see what we’re doing right.”

You can watch a live feed of the awards ceremony on the White House’s website (www.whitehouse.gov/live) starting at 12:30 CDT.  Members of the media are also welcome to visit Austin High School (1700 Dumble) where fellow staff members and students will be watching the live ceremony.

31 Cafeterias to Roll Out Made-to-Order Food Concepts by Year’s End

Some combination of the four made-to-order food concepts first piloted in nine campus cafeterias last fall will be operating at 31 HISD high schools by the end of this school year.

Students eating lunch on campus will be able to choose from a made-from-scratch soup or a fresh sandwich at the Green Street Deli; a burger at the Custom Brothers Grill Company; a slice of pizza at The Home Zone; or Tex-Mex staples such as crispy tacos or quesadillas at the Tortilla Fresh Mex station.

Each campus will offer two to four of these exciting brands, and all will incorporate the very healthiest options, such as whole-grain breads, low-fat meats and cheeses, and foods that are baked instead of fried. Foods will also be seasoned with herbs and spices and sweetened naturally, with no added salt or sugar.

The grand openings will begin in September and continue through December, when all renovations are scheduled to be complete.

Middle schools will also find a new option this year, as most campuses will offer a variation of The Home Zone menu and a new Tex-Mex serving station with all their Tex-Mex favorites.

Districtwide Tryouts for HISD’s Elementary Honor Choir

Fourth and fifth graders from all across the district are invited to audition for the Houston Independent School District Elementary Honor Choir on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Travis Elementary, 3311 Beauchamp. 

HISD’s Elementary Honor Choir was established in 2008 to provide an additional high-level choral experience for musically talented fourth and fifth graders in the district.  During the 2011-2012 academic year, 19 elementary schools were represented in the choir.

Choir rehearsals are held after school twice a month from October through January.  Music teachers are responsible for teaching the music to students at their home schools, and parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from the rehearsals. 

The HISD Elementary Honor Choir presents a spring concert each year.  Last year the choir was invited to perform at the 13th Annual Invitational School Choral Festival “Hear the Future” presented by the Houston Chamber Choir.  Additionally, the choir has been invited to perform at the upcoming Texas Music Educators Association’s Annual Convention in February 2013.

The audition will consist of a vocalise to determine the singer’s range and a short melody, Jubilate Deo, to be sung alone and in canon with a judge.  Click here to view video samples.  The schools’ music teachers are available to help the students prepare for the auditions. 

To sign up to audition or for more information, contact Katherine Martin at kmartin6@houstonisd.org or call 713-556-6823.

23,000 Backpacks, 2,500 Uniforms: Back to School Fest, By the Numbers

HISD partnered with the City of Houston to host the Back to School Fest on August 11that Reliant Center. Here’s a look at the event and its impact:

  • More than 40,000 students and their families attended the event
  • 40 sponsors and 33 in-kind sponsors
  • An estimated 500 immunizations were administered to children
  • More than 500 individuals volunteered for this event
  • The event showcased 100 exhibitors
  • More than 23,000 backpacks with school supplies were distributed
  • 2,500 uniforms and 725 uniform vouchers were distributed
  • 52,049 pounds of food were distributed by the Houston Food Bank
  • 12 organizations/companies hosted school supply drives to support the Back To School Fest
  • 8,000 socks and underwear for children were distributed

Three HISD Elementary Schools Win $25,000 Grants from Target

Just in time for the new academic year, three elementary schools in the Houston Independent School District have won $25,000 grants from Target to help provide educational resources in the classroom.

“This grant could not have come at a more perfect time for these schools,” HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said. “Amid the recent state budget cuts, teachers and administrators are faced with doing more with less as they continue to provide their students a rigorous education. There is no doubt that this grant will be put to great use at these schools.”

Highland Heights, Atherton and Briscoe elementary schools were among the 100 schools nationwide selected to receive this grant. The grant will be used at these campuses to enrich current programs and incorporate technology in the classrooms.

This includes increasing the educational resources available to the students and purchasing new technology such as iPads to further engage students and promote learning. The grant will also be used to help fund after-school programs that help supplement classroom learning and engage kids safely.

Give With Target is a two-part giving campaign aimed at helping schools across the country by providing $2.5 million in grants to 100 in-need schools, as well as up to $2.5 million in Target GiftCards to local schools that receive votes on Target’s Facebook page.

HISD Introduces New Breakfast and Lunch Initiative with Houston ISD Police Department

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Terry Grier today introduced a new breakfast and lunch initiative with the HISD Police Department. Dr. Grier made the announcement during his visit to Billy Reagan K-8 Educational Center to kick off the first day of classes for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Beginning Tuesday, August 28, HISD police officers will eat breakfast and lunch with students at various elementary and middle school campuses. The officers will participate in the program during their normal patrol hours when time permits. While on campus the HISD police officers will also meet with administrators and will conduct safety and security checks.

River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram President Alan Helfman initially approached HISD Police Chief Jimmy L. Dotson about the idea and is pleased the program is becoming a reality. “I have been passionate about this idea for several years and I’m pleased that it is finally coming to fruition. It’s wonderful that the officers will have another way to serve as role models and mentors for our children,” said Helfman.

Chief Dotson believes the officers’ presence will also boost the sense of security at HISD campuses. “The Houston ISD Police Department is committed to keeping our students safe and this new innovative program will provide a unique opportunity for our officers to continue to protect our campuses while reaching out to the students” said Dotson.

Dr. Grier also invited law enforcement officers from the many agencies operating within HISD to grab lunch or breakfast inside the schools in the neighborhoods they serve. “In HISD we are committed to providing every child with a rigorous education in a safe environment. Children learn best when they have been fed a nutritious meal and when they feel safe,” said Grier.

The Crime Stoppers Safe School program is also lending its support to the new initiative. The program will be funded by the HISD Police Association.

Photos from the first day of school at Houston ISD campuses

Welcome back students!
Proud parents, grandparents, family and  friends sent us photos from the first day of school at HISD campuses across the city. Take a look at some of their submissions below, or click here to see more photos from the first day of school. [Gallery not found]

Superintendent Terry Grier and Trustee Anna Eastman Begin First Day of School at HILZ Academy at Scarborough High School

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier and Board of Education Trustees  are visiting schools this morning to welcome students back to class. Dr. Grier and Trustee Anna Eastman are currently visiting Scarborough High School. The school offers Pre-AP and AP classes. It is also home to a new Houston Innovative Learning Zone (HILZ) Academy. The HILZ program provides students with an opportunity to earn a college associate’s degree and valuable career certifications while in high school.  This way, students are equally prepared to thrive at a university or land lucrative jobs in some of the region’s most in-demand professions immediately after graduating. “It doesn’t cost the students anything and that is exciting,” Dr. Grier said. “This is a good opportunity for all of our children.”

Scarborough Principal Jason Catchings greeted students and helped them find their classes. He said this year he made adjustments to the daily class schedule to provide more opportunities for students to receive tutoring during the school day.

HISD Superintendent to Welcome Students on First Day of School

About 200,000 HISD students are expected to return to school for their first day of classes on Monday, August 27.    

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier and members of the HISD Board of Education will visit with students, teachers and principals at two campuses to personally welcome them to back to school on Monday, August 27 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

“We are ready and excited to begin a new school year,” Dr. Grier said.  “We have so much new to offer at HISD, from our new campuses and career and technical education programs, to our expanded dual language centers and our first ever Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School.  We want every parent to know that no matter which school their children attend, they will receive a great education.”

 On Monday, Dr. Grier will begin the day by visiting Scarborough High School, one of HISD’s schools to offer the new Houston Innovative Learning Zone (HILZ) academies.  These new HILZ academies provide students with the opportunity to earn a college associate’s degree and valuable career certifications while in high school.  This way, they are equally prepared to thrive at a university, or land lucrative jobs in some of the region’s most in-demand professions immediately after graduating.  The HILZ academies are also offered at the following schools: Furr, Kashmere, Long, Sterling, and Booker T. Washington.

Dr. Grier will also visit HISD’s new Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center which offers a two-way dual language program to its kindergarten class in an effort to develop full bilingualism and bi-literacy for all students.  The two-way dual language program is both a bilingual program for Spanish-speaking students and a foreign language immersion program for English-speaking students.  Students from both groups are taught together in the two-way classrooms.  HISD currently offers the two-way dual language program at seven elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and one K-8 academy.  Former Superintendent Billy Reagan will be joining Dr. Grier during this school visit.

Below is a schedule for the first day visits by Dr. Grier and HISD trustees:

Stop 1:

8 a.m. – Scarborough High School (4141 Costa Rica, 77092)

 

Stop 2:

9:30 a.m. – Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center (4842 Anderson Road, 77053)

Burbank Elementary staff team up for scavenger hunt

Teachers and staff at Burbank Elementary are gearing up for the first day of school by participating in team building activities. Earlier this week, they participated in a scavenger hunt where teams had to decipher clues at various locations around the city, including Discovery Green and the driving range at Memorial Park.  Burbank ES Teacher Robert Wiseman says the winning team members each received $70 to put toward the purchase of new school supplies.

Students attending Burbank ES and hundreds of other HISD schools begin classes on Monday, August 27. Earlier today, we posted links to some of the most frequently sought-after information by HISD parents. These will help make sure your student is ready for Monday and the rest of the 2012-13 school year.

[Gallery not found]

Top 10 links for HISD parents: Pre-pay lunches, plan for holidays, monitor grades, and more

Here’s a roundup of links that parents may want to reference throughout the year:

 

More fruits and vegetables on the menu at HISD schools

HISD students returning to school this year will be welcomed back with a greater variety of healthy food selections on their cafeteria’s menu. As part of the USDA’s revised nutrition standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program, the Houston Independent School District has further updated the school menu to incorporate the new meal requirements and offer students additional healthful menu items without impacting the cost of lunch for students.  

“We are committed to serving our students healthy, nutritious meals,” HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said.  “We have always set high nutrition standards for school meals. We support the USDA’s updated meal requirements and will continue to promote healthy eating habits among our students.”

This year’s school menus feature low- and non-fat dairy options, lean protein choices, a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, assorted whole grain products and 100 percent fruit juice with no sugar added.

Some of the specific menu changes for this school year include:

  • Availability of more whole grains
  • Increase in fruits and vegetables being offered
  • Offering flavored milk in fat-free or skim varieties while unflavored or white milk will be offered as skim or 1%
  • Decreasing the number of desserts offered to allow for an increase in higher nutrient foods

In addition to adding healthier menu items, HISD Food Services is serving locally grown foods, offering new made-to-order fresh food concepts, piloting healthy fruit and veggie stations, supporting school gardens, and increasing nutrition awareness in our schools and communities.

Houston ISD students receive more than $180 million in scholarship offers in 2012

Just received the latest numbers and the task of paying for higher ed is getting a bit easier for Houston ISD students.

HISD students have been offered more than $180 million in scholarships this school year, eclipsing last year’s total by more than $50 million. Digging a little bit deeper, students at 27 schools received more financial offers than in 2011. High schools such as Austin, Booker T. Washington and Eastwood more than doubled their 2011 scholarship offers, while Bellaire, DeBakey, HSPVA, Lamar and Westside reached or far exceeded more than $15 million each in offers. Westside HS also saw the largest overall increase in scholarship offers, receiving more than $34 million in offers, a total of $13 million more than the $21 million its students received in 2011.

Jordan and Worthing high schools eclipsed the $1 million mark this school year.

Congratulations to the class of 2012 for taking advantage of the millions available to continue their education. We encourage future graduates to not waste any time in seeking financial assistance in attending college, as higher education costs are rising and every bit of scholarship assistance now means less of a financial impact on students and their families.

HISD teachers gear up for beginning of 2012-13 school year

Teachers and staff across Houston ISD are decorating rooms, preparing supplies and finalizing their plans for the upcoming school year. There’s a little more than one week until school starts for most HISD students (Apollo 20  secondary students begin on Monday, Aug. 20), and while students are enjoying the last few days of summer vacation, our teachers and staff are working hard to be ready for the 2012-13 school year.

Many of us have been working over the summer to prepare for this year, too. Learn about some of our new schools and programs beginning in a few weeks.

What’s New at HISD for the 2012-2013 School Year

About 200,000 Houston Independent School District students are expected to return to school for the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 27.  Students from five middle schools and four high schools in the district’s Apollo 20 school turnaround program will get a one-week head start on Aug. 20 when their school year begins.

The 2012-2013 school year brings many exciting improvements to Houston schools as HISD continues its work to offer a consistently rigorous education in a safe learning environment at all 279 campuses.

 New Schools

Four new school buildings funded by the 2007 voter-approved bond program will open on the first day of school. 

  • Carnegie Vanguard High School– (1101 Taft) – The Carnegie Vanguard Magnet program serves students who have been identified as gifted and talented in intellectual ability. In 2002, the Vanguard school moved to the former Carnegie Elementary campus which was originally built in 1963. The new building is located adjacent to the Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. 
  • Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center-(4842 Anderson Road) – The school will offer a two-way dual English and Spanish language program to its kindergarten class in an effort to develop full bilingualism and bi-literacy for all students.  The center will implement this program in one of the kindergarten classes during the 2012-2013 academic year and will add one grade per year until there is a complete two-way dual language program in grades K-8.
  • Lockhart Elementary School – (3501 Southmore) – The replacement school will now serve pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.  Students from the former Lockhart and Turner Elementary schools will attend the new campus. 
  • Neff Elementary School – (8301 Neff Street) – The replacement campus will serve students in grades 2-5.  The former Neff campus is being converted into an early childhood campus for students in pre-kindergarten through first grade.

New Programs

 Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School – (6300 Avenue B, Bellaire) This is HISD’s first Mandarin Chinese language immersion school. The school will initially serve students in kindergarten through second grade, with additional grades to be added in subsequent years. Core subjects including language arts, math, science, and social studies will be taught primarily in Mandarin Chinese with a certain amount of English language development instruction incorporated each day.

 

Houston Innovative Learning Zone program- Students at six HISD campuses (Furr, Kashmere, Scarborough, Sterling, and Booker T. Washington high schools and Long middle school) will have the chance to earn associate’s degrees and career training in high-demand technical fields.  The HILZ program was created in partnership with Houston Community College. In addition to taking the standard core credits required of all high school students, HILZ students will take courses taught by college professors using a blend of face-to-face and online instruction. In addition, credits earned by HILZ graduates will transfer to any public Texas university.

More Tools for Principals and Teachers

 Curriculum Changes- HISD has a new and improved curriculum designed with the input of thousands of teachers. The new curriculum is aligned with state and national standards and will prepare students for the rigor of STAAR and other standardized tests.  The new curriculum also places an emphasis on every child reading at or above grade level.

  • New literacy plan- The new literacy plan serves as a guide for teachers and leaders as they prepare students to be proficient readers, independent thinkers, and effective communicators. The plan is called CLASS (Curriculum and instruction, Leadership, Assessment, Support for families and communities, and Sustainability).
  • Revamped K-5 English Language Arts curriculum: The curriculum was designed in partnership with teachers and training provided by the Neuhaus Education Center.   Teachers at all grade levels have received Neuhaus training on literacy intervention strategies.  In the 2012-2013 school year, sixth and ninth- grade students who are reading below grade level will receive an extra daily class period of reading instruction using a specially designed curriculum from Neuhaus.

 

  • Continuing Leadership Training for Principals:  HISD has formed new partnerships with Rice University, the University of Texas, and St. Thomas University to help develop skills of current principals and to help train new talent. New and aspiring principals can attend an intensive four-week Emerging Leaders Institute.  Ongoing monthly training is available for first-and second-year principals and assistant principals.  There are also six new courses for principals related to decision-making in the area of staffing.

 Bond Election Proposal in November

Houston voters will decide in November whether to approve a proposition to build modern high schools in neighborhoods across Houston, and improve safety and technology district-wide. The $1.89 billion plan would address facility needs in 38 schools. For a complete overview of the proposal and the schools that would be rebuilt or renovated, click here.

HISD Transportation Puts Counter-Terrorism Training to the Test

[Gallery not found]While parents prepare their children for back to school, HISD’s Transportation Department is preparing all of the district’s bus drivers and attendants with training and tools to safely drive the students to and from school every day.  This year, HISD’s Transportation Department is adding counter-terrorism training which will include a mock disaster drill on Thursday, August 9 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.at 6351 Pinemont Drive.    

“We can never prepare our drivers and attendants too much to be successful on the road,” HISD Transportation Senior Manager Chester Glaude said.  “It is important that our team is fully prepared for all situations to make sure that HISD children feel comfortable and safe on our school buses.”

The mock disaster drill involves an overturned school bus.  To add a touch of realism, an older model school bus has actually been overturned on its side and will be used as a hands-on learning lab for all district bus drivers and attendants.  This drill will allow staff to incorporate previous trainings such as student management, emergency evacuation, and counter-terrorism.  In addition, this mock disaster drill will also involve staged human injuries which will allow district bus drivers and attendants to utilize the first-aid training they recently received in May.

 In addition to the technical skills the transportation team will learn and practice during this event, they will also be reminded of the basics such as:

  • The importance of performing pre-trip and post-trip inspections of the bus
  • Looking for suspicious items such as canisters, metal boxes, or containers
  • Immediately reporting suspicious items

 In May 2012 the HISD Transportation Department was selected as one of two districts in the nation as a finalist for the prestigious Larson Quality Award.  The Leland E.G. Larson Quality Student Transportation Program was developed to spotlight school bus operations that provide high-quality customer service in safety-centered operations. 

Each day, about 875 HISD school buses travel 80,000 miles as they transport 30,000 students to and from school.

Program Kicks Off on Main Stage

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier and Houston Mayor Annise Parker have kicked off the Back to School Fest’s official program, thanking primary sponsors Shell Oil and Motiva Enterprises.

Dr. Grier thanked the army of 400 volunteers here this year.

“We’re so excited to be back this year,” Grier said. “I enjoy spending time getting to know (HISD) families. Welcome and have a good school year!”

Mayor Parker also thanked the volunteers and sponsors, highlighting the many services and supplies available to families today.

“Everything you need to start the school right you can find right here — whether it’s school supplies, vaccinations or access to city services. We even have lunch!”