Category Archives: Gifted and Talented

Inaugural Multicultural Day celebrates the beauty in diversity

HISD’s Multilingual Programs Department hosted its inaugural Multicultural Day celebration on Saturday, May 20, at Wisdom High School. The event was the brainchild of Law Elementary fifth-grader Kadence Smith, winner of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Speech Competition.

In partnership with the Family and Community Engagement (FACE), Special Education, College and Career Readiness, and Gifted and Talented departments, organizers worked to create an event that highlighted the incredible diversity of the district with cultural performances, a student art exhibit, guest speakers, and hands-on activities.

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HISD to hold inaugural Multicultural Day created by MLK Oratory Competition winner

The HISD Multilingual Programs Department is proud to host the district’s first ever Multicultural Day. This event was conceived of by Law Elementary fifth-grader Kadence Smith, winner of the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Speech Competition.

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River Oaks ES celebrates Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

The River Oaks Elementary School community kicked off the week with a victory lap to honor Ruby Bridges’ walk to William Frantz Elementary School in 1960.

Students, administrators, and staff gathered around the school track wearing purple and holding signs to commemorate the symbolic walk.

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HISD Gifted and Talented hosting inaugural family symposium

Download event flyer here

The HISD Gifted and Talented (G/T) Department is proud to announce its inaugural family symposium, “Opening the GATES to Gifted Learning.” The free virtual symposium is scheduled for August 3-6, 2021 via Microsoft Teams.

Register for the G/T Family Symposium by July 30, 2021. Parents will have access to 40 virtual sessions presented by HISD, nationally recognized experts and featured speakers, including: 

  • Dr. Donna Y. Ford – Distinguished Professor, The Ohio State University 
  • Dr. Paul Sedillo – Associate Professor, New Mexico Highlands University 
  • Colin Seale – CEO/Founder, thinkLaw 

Session topics include, but are not limited to a focus on G/T and: 

  • Resilience, 
  • Fine Arts, 
  • Special Education Services, 
  • Dyslexia, 
  • Executive Functioning, 
  • School Choice, 
  • Equity, and 
  • Linguistic Accommodations. 

Log in for the full schedule of virtual events.

School Choice application deadline for Phase 2 is Feb. 26  

Parents who would still like to apply for a school choice program for the 2021-2022 school year have until Friday, Feb. 26 to do so. 

After all applications in Phase 1 have been offered, eligible Phase 2 students who meet a program’s qualifications will be considered in the order in which their application was submitted, should the program have space available. 

Any applications for students who live outside the HISD boundaries will not be considered until Phase 3, even if the application was submitted during Phase 2. 

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HISD Gifted and Talented director named 2020 GT Administrator of the Year

HISD Director of Gifted and Talented Education Tia Locke-Simmons has been named the 2020 GT Administrator of the year by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented.

The honor will be presented at the virtual INSPIRE: TAGT Awards Celebration during giftED20, the TAGT Annual Conference, in December.

The award recognizes service, contribution, and commitment to gifted education, and administrators who are working to advance the world of gifted education.

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Attend a parent information session on HISD’s Gifted and Talented programs

HISD’s Gifted and Talented department is offering parent-information sessions on Gifted and Talented, often referred to as simply G/T, for parents who would like to learn more about HISD’s G/T programs.  

HISD provides two program options for Gifted and Talented (G/T) students – Vanguard Magnet and Vanguard Neighborhood programs. The Vanguard Neighborhood programs are designed to meet the needs of G/T students at the school to which they are zoned, and the Vanguard Magnet program provides an environment where G/T students can work with their peers at a Vanguard Magnet School. 

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Gifted and Talented Expo on April 23 to showcase student research projects 

Pre-K through 12th-grade gifted and talented students from across the district will present more than 450 research projects at the Gifted and Talented Exposition on Tuesday, April 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 

The event, which will take place at Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum, 77092), is the culmination of a year of hard work for HISD gifted and talented students. The state of Texas requires gifted and talented students to participate in high-level research throughout the year. This student-directed research culminates in a research project that participants will present in a three-minute synopsis at the exposition. 

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GT Expo on April 25 to showcase student research projects 

The first Gifted and Talented Exposition in 15 years will take place on April 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum, Houston 77092). Pre-K through 12th-grade gifted and talented students from across the district will present more than 450 research projects from 167 schools.

“We are excited to allow our GT students the chance to showcase their work to the entire HISD community,” said Advanced Academics Officer Adam Stephens. “This event is the culmination of a year of hard work for our students, and the products that they have produced will reflect that.”  Continue reading →

Attend a parent information session on HISD’s Gifted and Talented programs

HISD provides two program options for Gifted and Talented (G/T) students – Vanguard Magnet and Vanguard Neighborhood programs. The Vanguard Neighborhood programs are designed to meet the needs of G/T students at the school to which they are zoned, and the Vanguard Magnet program provides an environment where G/T students can work with their peers at a Vanguard Magnet School.

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