Roundup: HISD principals lead media on tours of campuses on 2012 bond proposal

HISD principals lead media on tours of campuses on 2012 bond proposal

One week ahead of early voting, the principals of Lamar and Madison high schools led members of the media on tours of their campuses, which would be replaced under the HISD bond proposition.

Lamar opened in 1937 and is among the most crowded campuses in HISD.  It would be replaced with a larger $108 million campus that preserves the current school’s architecturally significant structure while meeting modern day educational needs.  At Madison, which was built in 1966, the campus is lined with 21 aging temporary buildings where more than a quarter of students attend class. Madison’s new $82.7 million campus would have space for 2,100 students and the infrastructure to support modern technology. 

Lamar Principal James McSwain and Madison Principal Sonja Williams both pointed out overcrowding, insufficient parking, lack of wireless internet, and failing heating and cooling systems.

HISD police partnership promotes mentoring program for kids

The HISD Police Department introduced a new partnership with ARAMARK Education to promote positive character building in HISD schools.  The Kids with Character mentoring program will recognize elementary students who have displayed outstanding citizenship in their classes.

Twice a month, HISD officers will eat lunch with students who have shown strong character.  During the lunch the officers will also serve as role models by showing students how to be good leaders.

“The Houston ISD Police Department is committed to keeping our students safe and this new innovative program will provide a unique opportunity for our officers to continue to protect our campuses while reaching out to the students,” said HISD Police Chief Jimmy L. Dotson.

ARAMARK Education Resident District Manager Ray Danilowicz says this latest initiative is another way the company is committed to promoting student excellence.  “This latest initiative is just one of the many ways ARAMARK Education is committed to helping all students flourish,” said Danilowicz.

Schools get creative in getting out the vote

Schools across the district are getting into the voting spirit with campus-based campaigns  to raise awareness about Election Day and the opportunity to vote early, from Oct. 22 through Nov. 2.

Voters will decide whether to approve HISD’s $1.89 billion bond proposition that would focus on rebuilding and modernizing the city’s high schools, as well as provide safety and technology upgrades across the district.

• At Hobby Elementary School, parents and students decorated the campus in red, white and blue to promote voting.  Principal Stephen Gittens says the goal was to build awareness about the importance of casting a ballot.
• At Garden Villas Elementary, students and staff spelled out “V-O-T-E” on their fence with plastic cups, held an informational meeting on the bond proposition, and even registered  15 people during a voter registration drive.
• At Milne Elementary School, the principal created an  incentive to encourage parents to vote early, offering their children a pass to come to school out of uniform.