HISD in the News
- North Forest HS makes positive changes after being annexed
- More laptops being given to HISD students
- Rhonda Skillern-Jones unanimously selected as new board president
- Board rejects plan to take apartment complex near Westbury HS
- HISD considers new calculations for class rank
National News Links
Help stamp out hunger in the Bayou City and your school could win a football autographed by a professional football player.
The Souper Bowl of Caring (SBOC) is already underway, and caring citizens can donate canned goods and other non-perishable food items to the campaign through Feb. 1.
This national grassroots movement is designed to feed the hungry by harnessing sports fans’ excitement about professional football and the final game of the season. Lamar and Westside high schools helped kick off the 2015 event at NRG stadium last week, but all campuses are invited to participate, and share photos of their final collections through news@houstonisd.org for use on the web and in social media.
HISD’s Strategic Partnerships department will also have specially marked collection boxes located across the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.
The SBOC was launched in 2007 to help provide nutritious meals to the estimated 35,000 people who go hungry in Houston every day. For more information, please visit the Souper Bowl of Caring website. Also see this Academic Services memo for details on how your school could win one of three autographed footballs signed by Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
A refresher course being offered by the Office of Student Support Services is helping HISD principals and clerks to see a familiar topic with new eyes—which may well lead to improved student attendance rates.
Dozens of HISD administrators and staff members crowded into a conference room at the district’s headquarters on Jan. 13, for the second in a series of workshops called “Attendance Matters” led by Student Support Services Director Mark White.
“Part one is about managing data so that it’s information you can trust,” explained White. “Part two is about what to do when the data shows a student has an attendance problem. Most campuses have an attendance component in their School Improvement Plan, so this helps with that, too.”
The course provides a basic overview of attendance protocols, tips on how to handle certain situations, and details on why attendance rates are so critical to funding. The Jan. 13 workshop also featured presentations by representatives from legal and law enforcement agencies, such as Keisha Bundage, a program specialist with Children’s Protective Services, and Catherine Klier-Summers, who serves as the administrative manager of the municipal courts for the City of Houston, and president of the Juvenile Case Managers Association of Texas.
“We focus on prevention and intervention,” said Bundage, “but it’s really about collaboration, so we’re not duplicating any services.”
Siomara Saenz-Phillips, who serves as the principal of Jefferson Elementary School and the lead principal of Area 1, said every campus leader could benefit from attending one of these workshops.
“Sometimes, being experienced principals, we can get complacent about what we think we know and don’t know, so it’s good to revisit this topic,” she said. “Nobody wants to leave their campus, but this is well worth the time.”
“We can have the best teachers in the classrooms and the best programs in the world,” added Director of Dropout Prevention Bea Marquez, “but if the students are not in those seats, they’re not learning.”
The final workshop in the original series is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, but additional dates are being added in February (search for course code SS0029 in eTRAIN). For details, please see this related Academic Services memo.
Learn more about the district’s attendance awareness campaign here.
HISD knows that increasing student achievement isn’t limited to work done in the classroom. In order to help our students grow, all employees need to work in concert with each other toward that common goal.
That’s why the district will offer a day of development workshops for its paraprofressional employees on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Employees can learn more about the district’s technology initiatives, help shape future professional development opportunities, and discover available avenues for becoming a teacher. Anyone interested in attending should work with their campus administrator or manager to make the necessary arrangements.
This is the first in a series of events designed to give HISD’s paraprofessionals the tools and resources needed to advance into positions with added roles and responsibilities. Each professional development event will build upon the previous ones.
Registration is limited to 150 participants. To register, login to the eTRAIN system, click “Search for Courses,” then “Search by keyword or course.” The registration number is OB0031.
You can also learn more about additional professional development opportunities offered throughout the year by clicking here. For more information about the seminars offered during the paraprofessional development day, call 713-556-7575 or email orgdev@houstonisd.org.
Nutrition Services employees ‘step up to wellness’ at first departmental health fair
An HISD Nutrition Services employee (right) gets one of his “health numbers” from a vendor.
HISD’s Nutrition Services hosted its very first internal health fair on Jan. 13, and dozens of interested employees came to the Bennington facility to learn more about their benefits.
“This is the first time that we’ve had a fair of this magnitude with all of our vendors at one place,” noted HISD benefits counselor Ada Napuri.
The event’s goal was to raise awareness of all the resources available to employees, and to give them a chance to learn their “personal health numbers,” such as weight, body mass index, and blood pressure. The first 50 attendees also received a blood glucose reading from Diabetes America, the district’s long-standing partner.
Nutrition Services representatives interpreted the health numbers for participants and gave tips on how to improve them. “One of the major topics I discussed was making better beverage choices,” said Dietitian Jenny Lengyel. “Small changes can lead to big differences.”
Chef Thomas Valdivieso also gave two healthy cooking demonstrations, then provided cooking tips, answered questions, and handed out food samples and recipe cards.
“The health fair was very successful,” said Antonia Sandoval, Nutrition Services human resources director. “We met our goal of raising awareness and making a difference in our employees’ lives.”
HISD is always seeking to improve the employee experience, which is why we are in the initial stages of redesigning the Employee Portal.
However, we first must understand how you use the current portal and what changes you would like to see in a new and improved version.
Click here to take a brief survey to tell us your thoughts about what does and doesn’t work on the current site, as well as what features you would find useful in a future version.
Responses are anonymous and the information gathered will be vital when designing and maintaining a new Employee Portal which serves the needs of all our employees.
HISD in the News
- HISD board presidency to change hands
- Davis HS looks like potential playoff team
- HISD building new aviation magnet high school
- Mobile clinic brings healthcare to Elrod ES community (.pdf)
- HISD making sure facilities warm for students
National News Links
- Feds remind schools to help children still learning English
- Can arts-integrated education boost math performance?
- Lunch after recess prompts students to eat more fruits, veggies
- Cupcakes no longer blacklisted in Texas public schools
- Obama expected to call for new laws protecting student data
- How will lower gas prices affect public school systems?
Pictured are (L-R): School Support Services Executive Secretary Jesse Marché, Director of School Support Services Mark White, Senior Manager of Federal and State Compliance Kelly Cline, School Services Officer Susan Kaler, and members of the 2014 District Advisory Committee—Board District III community representative Lillian Villarreal, Pleasantville ES Magnet Coordinator Everett Hare, North Forest HS English teacher Carla Barnes, and Kashmere HS community representative Kenneth Williams.
This week’s Shout Out goes to members of HISD’s District Advisory Committee (DAC)—both past and present. Each year, these caring educators and professionals provide guidance to district leaders on subjects ranging from budgets and dropout prevention to compensation and calendars.
HISD recognized outgoing members of the 2014 committee for their service to the district last month, during a special farewell reception held on Dec. 18.
Director of School Support Services Mark White, who also serves as the DAC facilitator, says he appreciates the contributions committee members make in providing critical feedback on important district matters.
“District-level plans and initiatives affect so many people in so many ways,” noted White. “It is great to have such wonderful members on the advisory committee, so that our processes can stay connected to those most affected by them.”
Are you an employee who has been considering making a move to the classroom? If so, now might be your chance!
HISD’s Effective Teacher Fellowship/Alternative Certification Program is now seeking internal candidates who would like to become teachers in time for the 2015-2016 school year.
You can learn more about the teacher selection process and how to become a teacher in the district at a special information session on Jan. 29, 2015, from 5 to 6:00 p.m. You won’t want to miss this, as it is an event exclusively for internal candidates.
Click here to RSVP. Details, including the location of the event, will be emailed to interested parties upon completion of registration.
The deadline to apply tothe next cohort is Jan. 31. Find additional details here and learn why HISD’s program is superior here.
Elizabeth Similien-MacKingtee
Elizabeth Similien-MacKingtee has been a member of Team HISD for 35 years now, but in a way, she has had two different careers with the district. The first was at Revere Middle School, where she served as a science teacher for two decades. The second started about 15 years ago, when she joined the Community Services department.
“I was at a conference one time, and mentioned wanting to retire so I could work with the Sunshine Kids,” said Similien-MacKingtee. “Someone said, ‘Well, you don’t have to wait. We have teachers in the hospital right now.’ And that’s how I found out about Community Services.”
Since then, the veteran educator has been working with some of the state’s most-troubled and sick youth, both in and out of various correctional, psychiatric, and healthcare facilities.
“My strong suit is working with behavioral children,” said Similien-MacKingtee. “But I also have compassion for kids who are medically ill. I spend half a day in juvenile detention, and half with home-bound students, some of whom are battling for their lives after heart transplants. In those situations, you also have to be a cheerleader for the parents.”
Similien-MacKingtee acknowledges that it takes a special type of person to work with gravely ill and deeply troubled young people, but insists she finds great satisfaction in her career choice.
“This year, I have some of the most explosive students I’ve ever dealt with, but the students are always a challenge,” she said. “I don’t have problems with them. As an adult, you always want the kids to respect you, but you have to show them respect first. There’s never a dull moment.”
“Some of these young men have been homicidal or suicidal,” added Similien-MacKingtee, “and they don’t trust anybody, so just to break through that is so rewarding. After the holiday break, one of my boys ran up to me and gave me a hug and a lollipop. It’s a special kind of candy that he knows I can’t find on my side of town, so he saved it for me. That was really special.”
Similien-MacKingtee will officially mark her 35th anniversary with the district on Jan. 17, but a few other employees have also marked theirs this month (Jan. 1–17). See if you know anyone on this list:
40 years
- Emma Lollis, attendant team lead, Food Services
- Jan Walker, teacher, Pilgrim Academy
35 years
- Yolanda Brantford, teacher, Oak Forest ES
- Francis Ding, IT team lead, Internal Audit
- Shari Emelle, teacher, Revere MS
- Yolanda Evans, specialist, Secondary Curriculum
- Cheryl Hughes, logistics manager, Bond Fund Program
- Khalid Kukoyi, teacher, Madison HS
- Daphne Morgan, teacher, Cook JR ES
- Consuelo Solis, clerk, Student Assessment
- Betty Williams, program specialist, Special Education
- Antonia Yanez, clerk, Braeburn ES
30 years
- Ercilia Ampudia, teacher, Looscan ES
- Hector Bello, master electrician, Construction & Facility Services
- Oberon Coleman, teacher, HSLECJ
- Bobby Jones, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Constance Lathan, instructional specialist, King ECC
- Leonora Mejia,student information representative, Patterson ES
- Myra Njoku, program specialist, Special Education
- Lottie Williams, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
25 years
- Willie Bailey, associate teacher
- Jacqueline Carpenter, teacher, HSPVA
- Kelly Clawson, teacher, Edison MS
- Chante DeBelle, bus driver, Transportation Services
- April Dever, evaluation specialist Child Study
- Kevin Frei, teacher, Madison HS
- Carla Guillory, teaching assistant, Ross ES
- Brett Hervat, teacher, Bellaire HS
- Jaye Robinson, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Laura Teatsworth, teacher, Garden Villas ES
20 years
- Sue Aaronson, teacher, Bonham ES
- Josephine Benitez, teaching assistant, R. Martinez ES
- Pamela Bosman, teacher, Bellaire HS
- Raymond Cain Jr, teacher, Lamar HS
- Ann Danet-Ebrahimi, record and information manager, Administrative Services
- Anthony Harvey, senior electrician, Construction & Facility Services
- Russell Lewandowski, Special Education employment representative, Bellaire HS
- Valenti Moore, teacher, Frost ES
- Eunice Ponce, clerk, Davis HS
- Margarita Robles, teaching assistant, Johnston MS
- Hilda Salazar, teacher, Cage ES
- Perla Sanchez, teacher, DeAnda ES
- Sandra Scranton, clerk, Chavez HS
- BeverlySmith, teacher, Alcott ES
- Terry Thomas, teacher, DeBakey HS
- Cardelia Wiseman, secretary, Robinson ES
- Helen Wood, secretary, Bush ES
15 years
- Erika Alexander, customer service representative, Employee Relations
- Gloria Altamirano, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Ricardo Avila, teacher, Reagan HS
- Gary Bishop, teacher, Yates HS
- Dana Carmouche, teacher, Lee HS
- Gloria Clarke, lead teacher, Bellaire HS
- Gilbert Diaz Jr, teacher, Elmore ES School
- Bertha Espinosa-Garza, assistant principal, Briscoe ES
- Deborah Flowers, teacher, Anderson ES
- Jacquelyn Franklin, teacher, Seguin ES School
- Pamela Hinsey, teacher, Herod ES
- Linh Hoang, teacher, Pershing MS
- Cordell Holloman, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
- Melissa Iglesias, teacher, J. P. Henderson ES
- Keshia Julian, teacher, Fonwood ECC
- Jennifer Lemon, teacher, Parker ES
- Jennifer Moore, magnet coordinator, Harvard ES
- Iraida Olmedo, teacher, Braeburn ES
- Ruthanne Parker, student information representative, Gregory-Lincoln Education Center
- Marie Reed, associate teacher
- Alfonso Reyna, teacher, Cage ES
- Maura Reyes, teaching assistant, Sutton ES
- Ronnie Riles, customer service representative, Information Technology
- Veronica Sanchez, teacher, Smith ES
- Natasha Smith,Special Education chair, Ortiz MS
- Sonja Vodehnal, teacher, Reagan HS
- Karen Watts, teacher, Twain ES
- Iralyn Whittingham, teaching assistant, Lamar HS
- Mei Wu, teacher, Edison MS
10 years
- Laura Adame, teaching assistant, Sutton ES
- Lilia Aguilar, teaching assistant, C. Martinez ES
- Sharon Bauknight, logistics manager, Student Assessment
- Imelda Benson,Crossing GuardCrossing Guards
- Doris Blake, teacher, Twain ES
- Susan Boyd, secretary, Lamar HS
- Gina Colion-Hernandez, teacher, Rice School
- Eleanor Crocker, teacher, Lanier MS
- Melissa Denamarquez, teacher, Milby HS
- Donna Easter, attendant, Food Services
- Fernando Galaviz, grounds worker, Construction & Facility Services
- Melody Gerard, teacher, Mickey Leland College Prep
- Nadine Ghosn, assistant principal, Scarborough HS
- Christina Gonzalez, teacher, Johnston MS
- Teresa Herrin, teacher, Bellaire HS
- Arnita Hodge, associate teacher
- David Husbands, operations manager, Food Services
- Antonia Ibarra-Torres, teacher, Bonner ES
- Sarah Johnson, teacher, Westbury HS
- Sharon Jones, teacher, Kashmere HS
- Erin Kline, teacher, Hamilton MS
- Cindy Le, clerk, School at St. George Place
- Laura Llanas, teacher, De Chaumes ES
- Jamie Lopez, teacher, Middle College at HCC Fraga
- Jane Lopez, clerk, Shearn ES
- Beverly Marlin,curriculum specialist, Secondary Curriculum and Development
- Domitila Martinez, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Amy McIntyre, teacher, Bellaire HS
- Maria Mendez, attendant, Food Services
- Zaira Ramos, teacher, Cornelius ES
- Charlie Reed, mailroom attendant, Transportation
- Lawrence Richmond, teaching assistant, Pershing MS
- Michael Rivera, teacher, Johnston MS
- Marlen Rodriguez, attendant, Food Services
- Sandra Rodriguez, attendant, Food Services
- Mayra Rosales, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Rosa Ruiz, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Sherry Taylor, attendant, Food Services
- Ilene Thomas, teacher, Lovett ES
- Luis Tovar, maintenance team lead, Construction & Facility Services
- Margeurite Williams, crossing guard, Piney Point ES
5 years
- Katherine Anderson, associate teacher
- Amir Bellamy, teacher, Jackson MS
- Ashley Brown, teacher, Sharpstown Intl. School
- Ashley Duran, graduation coach, Milby HS
- Timothy Glover, teacher, HSPVA
- Sarah Greer Osborne, general manager, Strategic & School Communications
- Tracey Hall, teacher, Shearn ES
- Danielle Isles, associate teacher
- Deborah Joseph, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Edmond King, associate teacher
- Olivia Knootz, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Truc Luong, teacher specialist, Park Place ES
- Catina Omowale, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Connie Pattum, bus driver, Transportation Services
- Magdalena Ramon, teacher, Sanchez ES
- Myrian Redman, teacher, Fonwood ECC
- Veronica Reynaga, secretary, Marshall MS
- Christopher Salinas, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Sherry Stoger, teacher, Milne ES
- Karim Treistman, teacher, The Rice School
