Tag Archives: Elrod ES

Teachers welcomed back as virtual instruction resumes post-storm

The robot in the front hall was covered in silver wrapping paper, complete with glowing eyes, a moving head, and arms made of red pipe cleaners. As she looked at the robots—a part of a project by students at Briscoe Elementary—Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan marveled at the students’ creativity.

Lathan was visiting the school, located in the East End just off Brays Bayou, as the first stop of the day. She visited a pair of HISD elementary schools to welcome teachers back after classes were canceled for more than a week due to the winter storm.

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Michael Hutchins named new principal of Elrod Elementary School

Michael Hutchins has been selected as the new principal of Elrod Elementary School. Hutchins is a product of HISD schools and has served as a teacher, Title I coordinator and IAT liaison throughout his teaching career. He has also served as assistant principal for the last five years with HISD – two years at the middle school level, and three years at the elementary level. During his years as a teacher, Hutchins was nominated as Teacher of the Year and HAABSE Teacher of the Year. Hutchins received his bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from Texas Southern University and went on to receive his Master of Education Administration from Texas Southern University.

Leigha Curry named new principal of Elrod Elementary School

Leigha Curry poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Leigha Curry has been appointed principal of Elrod Elementary School. Ms. Curry began her career as a fourth-grade teacher in Aldine ISD before joining HISD in 2008 as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Codwell Elementary School. She also served as Codwell’s instructional technologist, helping teachers and students integrate technology tools into their everyday teaching and learning. After six years of teaching, Ms. Curry joined the administration at Mading Elementary, where she was a teacher specialist and interim principal. Most recently, she served as elementary math teacher development specialist.

Ms. Curry received her bachelor of arts from University of Houston-Downtown and her master’s in Education from Texas Southern University. She is currently a doctoral student at Texas Southern University.

HISD adding 21 campuses to dual language program in 2015–2016

HISD is expanding its successful dual language program to 21 more campuses in 2015–2016, launching thousands of additional pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students on the road to learning a second language. Currently, 31 HISD schools offer a Spanish dual language program.

Starting in August, kindergarten students — and pre-kindergarten students, at some schools — will be learning in both English and Spanish. One grade will be added to the program each year until it reaches school-wide.

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‘Kids with Character’ mentoring program rolls out to 20 schools

Twenty students at Sherman Elementary School received their certificates and sticker badges Monday as they were recognized during a special lunch for being a “Kid with Character.”

Fourth-grader Alicia Sierra was recognized for her outstanding behavior. “I feel good and want to encourage my other friends so they can sit on stage with me,” she said. Continue reading

HISD students, staff join national school choice celebration at Union Station

Clifton MS sixth-grader Victoria Lopez and her mom got to know HISD School Support Officer Lupita Hinojosa, left, at Saturday’s National School Choice Week kick-off event.

HISD students and staff were among the thousands who attended the National School Choice Week kick-off at Houston’s Union Station Saturday, Jan. 25. The celebration brought together Democrats and Republicans, home-schoolers, public school districts, charters, and even a few virtual learners around a common cause: school choice.

Superintendent Terry Grier, introduced by KIPP Co-founder Mike Feinberg, pointed out to a sea of yellow scarves and signs advocating school choice. Nearly 70,000 students in HISD are exercising their right to choose the school that meets their unique needs. Contingents from Elrod,Garden Oaks, Parker, Poe Red, and Roberts elementary schools; Clifton, Fleming, Johnston and Revere middle schools; and Chavez, Challenge Early College and South Early College high schools were there.

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Appeals Granted: Two HISD Schools to Keep Magnet Status

Burbank and Elrod elementary schools to keep magnet status for 2014-2015 academic year

The Houston Independent School District is restoring the magnet designation at two elementary schools following a thorough review of the schools’ presentations and related documentation during the appeal process. Burbank and Elrod elementary schools will keep their magnet designation and funding for the 2014-2015 academic year.

“As we listened to the magnet program representatives who presented appeals, the committee was looking for clear evidence that these programs were on the path to meeting the magnet standards within one to two years,” HISD Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat said.  “After a lot of deliberation, we’re pleased to announce that we are restoring the magnet designation at Elrod and Burbank elementary schools.”

During the appeal process, Burbank administrators presented to the committee nearly 40 additional applications they have received from non-zoned students. Those additional applications bring their percentage of non-zoned students to 16.52 percent, just under the minimum standard of 20 percent. In addition, Burbank will be adding three classrooms to increase capacity and accommodate additional non-zoned students.

As for Elrod, school administrators showed the committee their consistent enrollment growth over the past three years, going from 4 percent at the start of the magnet program to nearly 14 percent this year. Also, because Elrod changed its magnet theme in 2012 from math, science and technology to Emerging Medical Scholars, the committee felt more time was needed to assess the program’s viability.

However, Burbank and Elrod, like all magnet schools in HISD, will be re-evaluated at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year and every year thereafter to assess compliance with the enrollment goals and state accountability system ratings.

The Magnet Appeal Review Committee is still reviewing Law Elementary’s appeal, with a site visit planned for Wednesday morning.

“This is HISD’s first step in applying system standards across the district to ensure we maintain a high level of excellence at all schools,” Wheat said. “It is critically important that we ensure all magnet programs are meeting the enrollment and academic requirements set forth by HISD’s Board of Education.”

In May of 2013, the HISD Board of Trustees adopted a new policy that included the 20 percent non-zoned enrollment requirement for all magnet schools and the 100 non-zoned magnet students per grade level requirement for secondary magnet schools. The policy also stated that magnet schools would be held accountable for student academic outcomes aligned with the Board Monitoring System and/or current accountability standards.

As a result, HISD made the decision last month to remove the magnet designation from 20 magnet schools with the lowest percentages of non-zoned students enrolled. The schools were notified of this decision and were given the opportunity to appeal. Thirteen campuses filed an appeal but only Burbank and Elrod were approved to keep their magnet programs.

At the end of this academic year, the following 18 schools are slated to lose their magnet status and will only receive half of their funding during the 2014-2015 academic year: Law (under review), Pleasantville, Wesley, and West University elementary schools; Attucks, Deady, Dowling, Holland, Jackson, Key, and Patrick Henry middle schools; and Jones, Lee, Madison, Sharpstown, Westbury, Wheatley and Worthing high schools.

HISD Closing Under-Enrolled Magnet Programs While Adding More Promising Options

Twenty of HISD’s 115 magnet programs are not attracting enough students

Twenty HISD magnet school programs that are not drawing enough students from outside their neighborhoods will be closed after the 2013-2014 school year under a plan announced Thursday.

These 20 magnet school programs enroll a combined 758 students from outside their attendance zones.
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