Thinkery rooms offer students more than just a chance to relax

Many HISD campuses are utilizing brightly decorated “Thinkery rooms” that offer a calming period to reduce anxiety and allow students to create their unique plan of action utilizing the various areas in the room.

The Thinkery rooms are a product of a Social Emotional Learning initiative to be more proactive with mental health. HISD currently has 40 campuses with Thinkery rooms. According to Executive Director, Counseling and Compliance Glenda Calloway, the SEL department is developing a mobile Thinkery room to launch in late spring.  The rooms usually have a theme painted on the walls, comfortable furniture, and plenty of activities to keep students busy.

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HISD Customer Service Impact Award winner feels inspiration to help others

The enthusiastic crowd gathered at the HISD Food Service Center broke into cheers when hearing the announcement that Hector Castillo was selected to receive the Customer Service Impact Award for January.

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School Board Recognition Month begins with HISD swearing in new, re-elected trustees

HISD swore in its two newest board members—Kendall Baker(District VI) and Bridget Wade (District VII) and its re-elected members in Elizabeth Santos (District I), Sue Deigaard (District V), and Myrna Guidry (District IX) —during School Board Recognition Month.

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Superintendent House visits COVID-19 testing sites to promote safety

Superintendent Millard House visited Sam Houston Math Science and Technology Center on the first day of testing on HISD campuses as part of an ongoing effort to promote COVID-19 onsite testing for students and staff.

Sam Houston MSTC is one of many HISD campuses offering on-campus testing. Information regarding onsite testing can be found here. The testing program is completely voluntary and requires a student’s parent/guardian to first provide a one-time consent by completing a digital consent form available at HoustonISD.org/HealthAlerts.  

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HISD hiring 500 students and alumni as elementary tutors to address learning loss

In response to the unique challenges presented by COVID-19, HISD has partnered with iEducate to hire 500 HISD students and alumni for spring semester tutoring positions at elementary schools throughout HISD.  HISD students ages 15 and up and alumni currently in college are invited for this paid opportunity – no experience required and all majors welcome.

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District continues focus on safety as students and staff return on Jan. 3

Safety will continue to lead the way as HISD prepares to welcome students and staff back on Monday, Jan. 3. As part of the district’s efforts to prioritize safety, HISD will continue to enforce its mask mandate at all district offices, facilities, campuses, and school buses. 

To keep school and work communities safe upon everyone’s return, all students and staff are strongly encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 before returning to school or work on Jan. 3, regardless of vaccination status. 

HISD has expanded partnerships with community leaders and health officials to provide additional COVID-19 testing and vaccination opportunities to the community in the following ways: 

  • Free drive-thru COVID-19 PCR screening testing on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at the times and locations below: 
    • 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Chavez HS (8501 Howard), Westbury HS (11911 Chimney Rock), and Westside HS (14201 Briar Forest Dr.). 
    • 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Bellaire HS (5100 Maple St.) and Worthing HS (9215 Scott St.). To register, please go to https://bit.ly/3eB7hDn or contact Fulgent Genetics at cshou@fulgentgenetics.com or via phone at 346-803-5828 and select option 1. 
  • Free drive-thru mega site to expand access to free COVID-19 testing at HISD’s Delmar Stadium in partnership with the Houston Health Department. To register, visit HoustonHealth.org or call 832-393-4220.
  • Free COVID-19 PCR screening testing on all campuses to HISD students and staff beginning January 2022. A one-time consent is required for testing and can be filled out in the following link https://bit.ly/HISDC19Test.

Please note that all classes will resume in-person, but all non-athletic field trips, including enrichment or curricular trips are suspended until further notice.