K9 unit of HISD’s Police Department sniffs out trouble
Sasha spends most of her work day sniffing around HISD schools, searching for anything that doesn’t belong – drugs, weapons or suspects.
The work is part of a normal day for the 2-year-old Dutch Shepherd, one of four dogs serving on the Houston Independent School District Police Department’s K9 patrol unit.
TAKS recovery program aims to help students earn overdue HS diplomas
The search is on for 1,200 current and former HISD students who may be just one test short of earning their high school diplomas to take advantage of a free, drop-in program that could help them earn that valuable document.
Get the full story here.
Back by popular demand, it’s…your most-wanted workshops
HISD’s Office of Onboarding and Organizational Development has brought back three of employees’ favorite professional development sessions, just in time for the summer break.
The topics of these sessions were selected by participants from the previous year, who answered a survey asking for the top three workshops they would like to see offered again.
To see which sessions are being offered and when, please see this related article.
Time running out for HMNS summer energy workshops
Middle- and high-school science teachers are invited to participate in one of three, three-day workshops over the summer sponsored by Marathon Oil Corporation.
The first one starts on June 16, and sessions are limited to the first 22 applicants. Participants will acquire knowledge of careers in the energy industry by touring production sites such as the Cedar Bayou Natural Gas Power Plant, the Varel Drill Bit Factory, and the South Texas Nuclear Project.
The workshops cost $45 each, and lunch and transportation from the HMNS to the workshop’s sites will be provided each day. Please see this related flyer (.pdf) for details.
Burbank MS student named national finalist in ‘Do the Write Thing Challenge’
Fatima Menendez’s thoughts on violence and how it has affected her life have garnered her an invitation to the nation’s capital, where she will be recognized along with 49 other students who were named national finalists in the Do the Write Thing Challenge essay competition. Get the full story and read a copy of her essay here.
Castro’s Kids donates 7,200 books to HISD two elementary schools
Students at Scroggins and MacGregor Elementary schools received an exciting surprise on the last day of school this year: Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro and his wife dropped by both campuses to help distribute some of the 7,200 books they had donated through the literacy foundation the couple started. Get the full story here.
Board of Education to consider naming new elementary school after former governor
The HISD Board of Education is considering naming a new elementary school being built in the West Houston area after former Texas Gov. Mark W. White Jr., who served in office from 1983 to 1987.
Get the full story here.
HISD honored by Texas Comptroller’s office for financial transparency
Houston Independent School District’s financial team was recently honored by two organizations for its financial transparency. It received the Platinum Seal Award from the Texas Comptroller Leadership Circle program, and was recognized for 15 years of participation in the Association of School Business Officials International’s Meritorious Budget Awards (MBA) program. Read the full story here.
