NBA Hall of Famer and philanthropist David Robinson is partnering with the University of Houston’s Hilton College, Hilton Worldwide and American Liberty Hospitality to create a scholars program that will provide HISD high school students with a pathway to a degree and career in the hospitality industry. The Admiral Hospitality Scholars (AHS) program was announced by Robinson at a kick-off event on May 20 on the University of Houston campus.
Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition
HISD to Announce 2013 Teachers of the Year
Twenty-two elementary and secondary teachers among finalists
Teachers from all 276 HISD schools, including the 22 finalists for the districtwide teacher of the year award, will be at the annual HISD Celebration of Excellence today at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
HISD will announce the two 2013 Teachers of the Year, and each winner will receive $5,000, a plaque, and a custom made ring from Herff Jones Graduation Center. The principals, assistant principals, first-year principal and first-year teachers of the year and employees of the month will also be recognized.
Click here to read more about the 22 finalists for Teacher of the Year.
Who: HISD Board of Education Trustees, HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, principals, teachers and staff
What: Team HISD Celebration of Excellence ceremony honoring the 2013 Teachers of the Year
When: Tuesday, May 21 at 6p.m.
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, Grand Ballroom, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston
HISD students receive free bicycles from motorcycle club
If the smell of new rubber bike tires didn’t serve as the theme for Friday’s bike giveaway at Coop Elementary, the roar of nearly 20 motorcycles entering the school’s parking lot sufficed.
Members of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, with a donation from the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, donated more than 90 bikes to deserving students at the school as part of the Bikes for Excellence program. The giveaway was part of a two-day effort to give more than 350 bikes to Houston ISD students at four schools who excelled in academics, conduct and attendance.
Team HISD Honorees to Walk the Red Carpet
Teachers of the year from all 276 HISD schools will walk the red carpet on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the annual HISD Celebration of Excellence at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Joining them will be the 22 finalists for the districtwide teacher of the year, along with the beginning teachers of the year, the principals and assistant principals of the year, first-year principals of the year and the employees of the month.
Even if you are not planning to attend, you can catch live coverage on Facebook. We’ll be taking and posting photos of attendees in their snazziest duds on the red carpet, so be sure to like us at facebook.com/houstonisd.
You can read more about the 22 finalists for Teacher of the Year by clicking here. If you don’t have access to Facebook, read about the finalists on Pinterest.
HISD to Recognize the 2013 Librarian of the Year at Upcoming Banquet
Award-winning author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni to be guest speaker
For more than 25 years, the Houston Independent School District has been recognizing the dedication and efforts of all school librarians in the district. The Librarian of the Year for 2013 will be announced at the upcoming annual banquet on May 18, 2013.
HISD’s Transportation Services Takes 2013 Top Fleet Sustainability Award
Awarded by nation’s leading fleet management association
The National Association of Fleet Administrators awarded the Houston Independent School District its Excellence in Public Fleet Sustainability award for 2013.
“This award is a great recognition of the drive and determination of the entire transportation team, from the bus drivers who monitor engine idling, to the shop team members who reduce their waste stream,” HISD Transportation General Manager Nathan Graf said. “Everyone in the department played an essential role in this award.”
HAIS Student Wins Prestigious Scholarship To Study Abroad
Erik Herrera, a junior at the Houston Academy for International Studies, has been awarded one of 625 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarships. The NSLI-Y program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to learn less commonly taught languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs. NSLI-Y offers overseas study opportunities in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian, and Turkish.
HISD to Recognize District’s Top Volunteers at VIPS Recognition and Awards Program
HISD Superintendent Terry Grier to deliver remarks
The Houston Independent School District is recognizing the efforts of thousands of volunteers and awarding the top volunteers of the year at the upcoming VIPS Recognition and Awards Program on May 22, 2013.
The Volunteers in Public Schools Program (VIPS) started in 1970 and to date, HISD has more than 30,000 volunteers district-wide who have dedicated countless hours to schools, programs and events across Houston.
During the VIPS Recognition and Awards Program, HISD will be giving numerous awards including the Jean Davis Meyer and Special Lifetime Achievement awards recognizing the most outstanding volunteers.
What: VIPS Recognition and Awards Program
Who: HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman, Trustees Rhonda Skillern Jones and Michael Lunceford and VIPS volunteers
When: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 9a.m.
Where: Kingdom Builder’s Center, 6011 West Orem, Houston, 77085
More Than 350 “Bikes for Excellence” Awarded to HISD Students
Bikes donated by the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, Martha Patricia Jaimes and the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club
More than 350 Houston Independent School District students at Garden Oaks, Looscan, Garcia, and Coop elementary schools will receive bicycles, helmets, and bicycle locks as part of the “Bikes for Excellence” program. This program, founded in 2006 by Park Place Elementary teacher Martha Patricia Jaimes, rewards fifth-grade students who have excelled in academics, personal conduct, and attendance. The Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation help by donating bikes to the program.
During the final ceremony on Friday, May 17 nearly 100 students at Coop Elementary will receive their bikes.
What: 95 fifth-grade students will each receive a bicycle, a helmet, and a bicycle lock
Who: Coop Elementary students, staff and parents; Bikes for Excellence Founder Martha Patricia Jaimes; Sue and Lester Smith; and Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club
When: Friday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Coop Elementary School, 10130 Aldine-Westfield, 77093
HSPVA designated Exemplary School by Arts Schools Network
The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts has been designated a 2013-2015 Exemplary School by Arts Schools Network, the nation’s largest professional membership organization of specialized art schools.
The designation signifies that HSPVA has successfully completed a self-evaluation in the areas of strengths, areas for improvement, consistency with school-wide or program purpose, aspirations, and future challenges.
Marshall MS Student Rewarded For ‘Doing Write Thing’
Marshall Middle School student Jordyn Turner will head to Washington D.C. this summer to serve as a Houston/Harris County ambassador at the National Campaign to Stop Violence. The seventh grader, her parents and her school principal were surprised with the news at a special ceremony at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, May 11, 2013 which brought together student finalists who wrote essays examining the problems of youth violence.
“Jordyn is a unique, spirited individual who really cares about making a difference at school and in her community,” said Marshall Middle School Principal Michael Harrison. “We are so proud of her.”
This spring, Turner and nearly 17,000 middle school students from 39 school districts in Harris County wrote essays that addressed the issues of causation, effects and solutions to violence as part of the Do the Write Thing Challenge program. The program is an initiative of the National Campaign To Stop Violence, a non-profit, non-partisan, organization composed of community, business and governmental leaders who have come together to reduce youth violence across the United States. Since its inception, it is estimated that more than 1,000,000 students have participated in the challenge.
Ten HISD Seniors Awarded National Merit Scholarships
Winners selected from talent pool of more than 15,000 finalists
Ten Houston Independent School District students from five high schools have been named National Merit Scholarship winners and will each receive a scholarship for their undergraduate studies. The winners, selected from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists nationwide, were awarded based on their ability to demonstrate the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential success in rigorous college studies.
Lee High School Called ‘Turnaround Success’ by Department of Education
Earlier this year, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and members of his staff visited Lee High School to learn more about the campus’ turnaround efforts.
HISD Wins Big at HEB Excellence in Education Awards
HEB Houston President Scott McClelland with Fondren ES Principal Mike Walker
Three HISD educators won top honors at the HEB Excellence Awards on May 3, 2013, and brought home a combined total of $75,000 for their schools.
Mike Walker, the principal at Fondren Elementary, received top honors in the elementary principal category. He received a $10,000 prize and a $25,000 grant for his school.
High School for the Visual and Performing Arts Principal R. Scott Allen was also awarded a $10,000 cash prize and a $25,000 grant for his school. “Winning this award speaks volumes to the importance of combining arts with a rigorous education to create well-rounded, successful students,” said Dr. Allen. He plans to use the $25,000 grant to create a yearly scholarship for an at-risk student on his campus.
Say Thanks During Teacher Appreciation Week
Teachers pour their hearts and souls into everything they do for Houston’s children more than 170 days out of every year. Thus, the Houston ISD extends its gratitude during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, 2013, to the more than 10,000 teachers who educate our students.
Nominate HISD’s Next Employee of the Month!
The next meeting of HISD’s Employee of the Month selection committee is right around the corner,
so don’t wait if you know someone who deserves to be nominated. HISD recently streamlined the process to make it easier than ever for people to submit a nomination. Just click here, fill in the fields, and press “done.” Your nomination will automatically be submitted for consideration at the next meeting. Please note that only employees serving in a non-instructional capacity (i.e. plant operators, secretaries, clerks, custodians, crossing guards, etc.) are eligible for this award.
HISD recognizes Principals of the Year
Tonya Woods of Lewis Elementary, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.
HISD recognized eight of its most respected and effective administrators on May 1, as the Principals of the Year, First Year Principals of the Year, and Assistant Principals of the Year.
The administrators were nominated by colleagues, teachers, and students for their instructional leadership and efforts to boost student achievement, and the honorees were selected for their outstanding contributions to the district and their school communities.
Here are the 2013 honorees:
Assistant Principals of the Year
Sonja Williams of Madison High School, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.
- Elementary: Maria Espinosa, Rodriguez ES
- Middle: Inge Garibaldi, Williams MS
- High: Opal Harrison, Milby HS
First Year Principals of the Year
- Elementary: Abigail Taylor, Sinclair ES
- Secondary: Geovanny Ponce, Hartman MS
Principals of the Year
- Elementary: Tonya Woods, Lewis ES
- Middle: Nicole Moore Morrison, Key MS
- High: Sonja Williams, Madison HS
See photos of all the Principal of the Year winners.
Nicole Moore of Key Middle School, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.
Superintendent of Schools Terry B. Grier congratulated the administrators during a ceremony at the monthly principals’ meeting. “There’s no doubt that these administrators represent excellence in leadership,” he said. “But there are many other equally deserving principals in this room.”
HISD Teacher Named Houston Bilingual Educator of the Year
Scroggins Elementary's Maria Elena Galan, the 2013 HAABE Bilingual Teacher of the Year
When Maria Elena Galan first came to the United States in 1993, she immediately enrolled herself in ESL classes at Houston Community College. “I had very limited English skills so I had to study and practice, practice, practice,” said Galan. Twenty years later the Scroggins Elementary School teacher draws from her own personal experience learning the English language to motivate and help her fourth grade students and their parents.
On Friday, April 27, Galan was honored as the 2013 Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the Houston Area Association for Bilingual Education (HAABE). Galan was nominated for the honor by her principal San Juana Elizando.
Academic Signing Day Celebrates Senior Scholarships
Approximately 200 students listened to inspirational words about completing college from HISD Superintendent Terry Grier.
Hundreds of seniors made their intent to pursue higher education official at HISD’s first ever Academic Signing Day held at the Delmar-Tusa Athletic Complex on April 26, 2013. Much like athletes are celebrated for committing to a college, HISD seniors who were awarded scholarships to attend a two or four-year university were honored at the district’s inaugural event.
“I think it’s wonderful that HISD is formally recognizing our students who have worked hard throughout high school and are now seeing the rewards of their academic efforts,” said Austin High School Principal Jorge Arredondo.
“Normally it’s only athletes that have a signing day,” said Jones High School senior Kiara St. John. “It’s pretty cool that we are getting recognized for our talents and accomplishments.”
Inaugural HISD Academic Signing Day
Ceremony will honor students who have been awarded scholarships to attend two or four year universities or colleges
For the first time, the Houston Independent School District will honor seniors who have been awarded scholarships to attend two or four year universities or colleges during an academic signing day ceremony. The “Academic Ambassadors” will be recognized during a ceremony similar to ones held for senior student athletes. Five students from each high school will be recognized for academic excellence; overcoming personal obstacles; or for performing great service to their school or community. State Representative and Milby High school alumna Mary Ann Perez will serve as keynote speaker. HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman and HISD Superintendent Terry Grier will also deliver remarks. Following the ceremony, the media will have an opportunity to interview the students.