Teachers and administrators need to work with students’ families in order to truly better their lives, said the keynote speaker at Wednesday’s Summer Leadership Institute.
Karen Mapp, a Harvard University professor and consultant with the Department of Education, spoke to a packed hall of district and campus leaders during the second day of one of the district’s largest professional development events.
Campus and central office leadership teams are gathering at Reliant Center for three days of professional development at the 2013 Houston ISD Summer Leadership Institute.
This year’s theme is “Becoming Great All Over … The Connection Between Rigorous and Consistent Instruction and School Safety,” and attendees took part in a number of breakout sessions designed to show how those concepts intersect.
Houston ISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier smiles after writing a message on a bus during the Summer Leadership Institute at Reliant Center, June 18, 2013.
During the first day of the HISD Summer Leadership Institute, Superintendent of Schools Terry Grier challenged principals to share what they can do every day to help their staff, their school, and their students to “become great all over.” Instead of writing their thoughts down on a piece of paper, however, the school leaders grabbed paint pens and “tagged” an HISD school bus parked in front of Reliant Hall.
“Great teachers, principals, and support staff is what it is all about,” said Dr. Grier, as he grabbed a black paint pen and inked his thoughts on the bus. “Our investment in human capital here at HISD is sincere and it is an extremely important piece of what we are ultimately trying to do, which is to make all our schools and students great.”
Nearly 9,000 seniors to graduate at 41 HISD graduation ceremonies
Starting today nearly 9,000 seniors will graduate from HISD high schools at 41 commencement ceremonies across Houston. On Saturday and Sunday HISD Superintendent Terry Grier will be addressing the seniors at the commencement ceremonies for Chavez, Washington and East Early College high schools. Members of the HISD Board of Education will also be taking part in commencement ceremonies across the district.
“It is such an honor to see thousands of students walk across the stage, ready to embark on a new chapter in their lives,” Dr. Grier said. “At HISD we work hard to ensure all students are college and career ready, so we feel confident that every senior from the Class of 2013 is on the right path to success.”
Company’s IMPACT Day to benefit nearly 4,000 students
On Friday about 300 Deloitte employees will be volunteering their day to help beautify three HISD campuses as part of the company’s annual community service project. Nearly 4,000 students from Wharton Elementary, Hamilton Middle and Reagan High School will benefit from this project.
At each campus the volunteers will be helping to improve the look and functionality of the school grounds. Beautification projects include placing gravel on sidewalks, painting benches and bike racks on campus, repairing basketball courts, gardening, office organization and much more.
Students at Furr HS kicked off their summer with a fun event to promote unity, and a camera crew from Spain was there to film all the action for a documentary.
Civility in the Park, now in its second year, took place at Herman Brown Park Pavilion, 400 Mercury Dr., on Sat., June 1 and students said it means a lot to them.
The Houston Independent School District congratulates the tens of thousands of students that make up the class of 2013.
There are 41 graduation ceremonies throughout the district. Construction is causing some road closures that may affect your route to a ceremony. One lane of the southbound lanes of U.S. 59 North, also known as the Eastex Freeway, will be closed from Dallas to McGowen on Saturday and Sunday. The southbound exit ramp to McGowen and the southbound entrance ramp from Webster will also be closed. No matter where you’re coming from and headed to, you may want to check Houston TranStar’s traffic map before you leave.
Find out where you, your relative or friend will be graduating this year:
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The Broad Foundation Scholarship winners. Click above to see more photos from the event.
Nine graduating seniors from HISD schools were awarded scholarships from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation at a news conference held during the organization’s second visit to Houston in two years.
“We’re so excited to be back in Houston for a second, consecutive year,” said Karen Denne, chief communications officer for The Broad Foundation. “We love coming back to districts that are repeat finalists because it means that their practices are working.”
The Houston Independent School District is one of four urban school districts in the running for the 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education and for $550,000 in scholarships.
Three HISD science teachers to receive awards of up to $6,000
Three secondary science teachers in the Houston Independent School District will receive the KBR 2013 Teacher of the Year award on Friday.
This annual contest selects science teachers for this award based on their ability to increase student achievement in science and effectively engage students in the classroom, among other criteria. The winners are awarded $6,000, $4,000 and $2,000 respectively for first, second and third place.
Who: KBR Corporate Giving Supervisor Marolynne Huber, HISD administrators and science teachers
What: KBR 2013 Science Teacher of the Year awards ceremony
When: Friday, May 24th 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027
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 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
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
Think back to when you were a child. What did you want to be when you grew up: a doctor, lawyer, or fighter pilot?
Now, elementary-age students can interact with hands-on exhibits and activities that can map out a career path in numerous professions.
HISD’s Career and Technical Education department has developed a free, mobile learning program designed to teach students about professional careers and the types that are available in the Houston area. Students could soon see the Ready Wagon bus pull up to their campus and have the chance to meet the “Career Cowboy”.
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.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker, far right, listens to a presentation at the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker praised HISD for giving students a variety of choices and opportunities, including single gender education, at a recent open house at the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy. The mayor also encouraged local business leaders to partner with HISD’s first all-girls school.
“Single-sex education can make a difference in the lives of young women and in the lives of young men,” Parker told the crowd of school staff, parents and local business professionals who came to learn more about the campus.
More than 1,200 students to participate during two-day event
The HISD Office of Special Education Services and Special Olympics Texas have partnered to host the inaugural districtwide Special Olympics Field Day, a two-day event to provide athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and closely related developmental disabilities, on May 2 and 3. More than 1,200 HISD students will be participating in a variety of athletics events such as basketball, track, flag football, soccer, and softball toss events. Houston Texans players and coaches, along with volunteers from HISD’s athletics department, the University of Houston and Hewlett Packard, will be helping out with the event.
What: Inaugural HISD Special Olympics Field Day
Who: HISD Office of Special Education Services staff, HISD students, coaches, Houston Texans players and coaches, and University of Houston and Hewlett Packard volunteers
When: Thursday, May 2, 2013 (Elementary) and Friday, May 3, 2013 (Middle/High) from 9a.m. – 1p.m.
Where: Delmar-Tusa Athletic Complex, 2020 Mangum Road
Representatives from more than 70 HISD schools will be on-site
April 25, 2013 – When it comes to selecting a school, parents and students at the Houston Independent School District have a multitude of options from magnet programs to preschool programs to career and technical education academies and early college high schools. Houston families will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 70 HISD schools at the upcoming HISD School Choice Fair on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hattie Mae White Education Support Center (4400 West 18th Street).
“In HISD, we are committed to providing equity in access to quality educational programs for all students,” said Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat. “We want to help families choose an ideal school for their children based on the students’ interests, talents, and needs.”
The schools at the fair are those that still have space for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year. The representatives from these schools will be available to answer questions, provide detailed information about their campuses and help parents fill out the application on site.
Information will be provided about HISD’s magnet schools, early colleges, vanguard programs for gifted and talented students, preschool programs, multilingual programs and other specialty programs, including the district’s newest additions to its portfolio, the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan and The Energy Institute High School. Parents and students have until May 16 to apply for these two new magnet schools that will feature a highly rigorous curriculum emphasizing science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
For more information about the School Choice Fair, please contact the Office of School Choice at 713-556-6947.
All proceeds to be split between the school and The Berry Foundation
April 22 is Earth Day and campuses across the district are celebrating with a variety of fun and educational activities.
Jennifer Levy, a kindergarten teacher at Briargrove Elementary School, took a novel approach this year by staging the school’s first annual 1K Berry Earthy Fun Run over the weekend. Continue reading
Second annual event to raise funds to benefit students and school programs
April 16, 2013 – Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman, an Austin High School alumna, will be the keynote speaker for the school’s second annual White Rose Dinner on Thursday, April 18.
Justice Guzman was appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas in 2009. Before her appointment, she served as an Associate Justice on the Houston-based Texas 14th Court of Appeals for eight years and as a trial court judge in the 309th Family District Court.
The annual dinner is hosted by Austin faculty, staff and alumni to raise funds to benefit the students and school programs. Last year, the dinner raised $7,000 and all proceeds were used to purchase incentives to promote perfect attendance and honor roll.
The cost per person is $50, and sponsorships are available. For ticket information, call 713-924-1600.
What: 2nd Annual White Rose Dinner
Who: Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme Court Justice and Austin High School alumna
When: Thursday, April 18, 2013, 6 p.m.
Where: University of Houston Hilton Hotel, 4800 Calhoun, Houston, TX 77004
Partnership to expand international exchange programs and learning opportunities
April 15, 2013 – In an effort to expand international exchange programs and learning opportunities for the students of both countries, HISD’s Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School is forming a sister school relationship with The Elementary School Affiliated to Renmin University of China during an official signing ceremony on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.
This partnership will enable the students to use their knowledge of both cultures to think and act globally and become responsible and successful global citizens. Meanwhile, the educators will develop their language and teaching abilities to a high global standard that will maximize learning opportunities for their students. By signing this agreement, both schools commit to work together to improve the quality of education for all students and explore ways in which the two campuses can share a variety of resources, expertise and learning opportunities.
What: Official signing ceremony between HISD’s Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School and The Elementary School Affiliated to Renmin University of China
Who: Harvin Moore, HISD Board of Education Trustee; Bryan Bordelon, Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School principal; Dr. Andrew Houlihan, HISD Chief School Officer for Major Projects; Zheng Ruifang, The Elementary School Affiliated to Renmin University of China principal
When: Tuesday, April 16, 2013, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School, 6300 Avenue B, Bellaire, TX 77401