Yearly Archives: 2012

Deadline extended for HISD’s RFQ on architectural, engineering services

Architectural and engineering firms seeking to take part in the Houston Independent School District’s $1.89 billion 2012 bond program to replace and modernize schools across the city will have more time to submit their Statement of Qualifications.

HISD officials decided to push back the deadline from Jan. 7 to Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. after more than 300 people turned out Tuesday for a pre-submittal conference on the RFQ to solicit design and engineering services to build or renovate 40 schools.

Attendees asked a variety of questions about the RFQ, including how to present financial information and how to comply with district goals on participation by minority and women-owned business enterprises. In addition, many asked for more time to prepare their submissions. Continue reading →

Donors Step up to Fund Apollo 20 School Turnaround Effort

Contributions benefitting HISD’s innovative effort to transform 20 struggling schools total $16.8 million

The most ambitious private fund raising effort in HISD history has successfully concluded with the recent $1 million donation from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to the district’s Apollo 20 school turnaround program.  This donation brings the total amount given to Apollo 20 by the rodeo to $2 million.

Continue reading →

HISD facility planners visit bond campuses, meet with principals

Now that the Houston Independent School District has laid out the construction timeline for the 40 schools slated to be rebuilt or renovated under the 2012 bond program, planners are busy visiting principals and campuses to learn about each school’s unique needs and goals.  

The goal is to get a better understanding of the specific attributes of every campus, from their educational programs and student population to their site needs, traffic flow and any other issues raised by the principal. Continue reading →

United Way of Greater Houston Partners with Bruce Elementary School

First-grade students at Bruce Elementary School are getting new help achieving their reading goals.   The United Way of Greater Houston is partnering with the school in a new literacy mentor program.

The program will pair a volunteer and a first-grade student together for the entire year.  During that time, the volunteers will read a book with the students and will later help them complete a literacy exercise. 

United Way President and CEO Anna Babin presented books to all of the first grade students along with a $5,000 check to principal Trealla Epps.  Both Babin and Epps said they believe the initiative will encourage the volunteers to develop positive relationships through mentoring and literacy.

HISD Now Hiring for the 2013-14 School Year!

HISD is now recruiting highly-qualified teachers for the 2013-14 school year to help us fulfill our mission of providing each and every one of our students with an excellent education.  Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online here by the Early Bird application date of January 14, 2013, to have the best chance of securing an early contract for the 2013-14 school year.    Continue reading →

Training for Campus Leaders Starts in January

Sign up now for courses from Neuhaus Education Center, HISD’s Leadership Development

Assistant principals, deans and principals who want to hone their leadership skills, differentiate instruction, keep students engaged in learning, provide useful feedback to teachers, and more, should sign up now for one or more of the professional development opportunities available to school leaders in January. Continue reading →

Benbrook Elementary School Elves and More Donations

Christmas arrived early for nearly three hundred kindergarten through third grade students at Benbrook Elementary School.   On Saturday, December 15, the students were awarded free bicycles and helmets from the group Elves and More for achieving their reading goals for the semester. Continue reading →

Campus Safety Message from Superintendent Terry Grier

Dear HISD Community,

Schools are supposed to be places where our children feel safe to learn and play with their friends.  On Friday, we were reminded that even our best efforts to protect our precious students are sometimes not enough to prevent tragedy.  I know that all of you join me in praying for the Newtown community and sending them our sincere condolences as they grieve their unimaginable loss.

As Houston ISD students and employees return to class today, I want to assure you that we are taking action to ensure our schools are as safe as possible.  We have nearly 200 fully certified police officers in the HISD Police Department, and they are vigilantly patrolling our school neighborhoods and walking our campus hallways.  Every school in HISD regularly performs safety drills, and every campus leadership team has an emergency preparedness plan in place.  In the days and weeks to come, our police department leaders will be reviewing our procedures to determine whether any modifications are necessary to further protect our children and employees.

HISD also employs a well-trained team of psychologists whose services are available to every campus.  Our principals and teachers will not hesitate to bring them in to help any student who might need their care.   It is not uncommon for children to have questions and to express fears in these times.  We encourage parents to address their children’s concerns proactively.  The National Association of School Psychologists offers some helpful tips for parents as they discuss this tragedy with their children.  Those suggestions include reassuring children that they are safe, and acknowledging their feelings.  You can find more recommendations on the group’s website by clicking here.

The final week of school before winter break is always a time of celebration and anticipation.  We owe it to our children to keep it that way.  We also owe them a collective commitment to doing whatever it takes to keep them safe while they are in our care.  I want to personally wish each of you a joyful holiday season, and encourage you to hug your children just a little tighter and a little longer this year.

 Terry B. Grier

Hundreds turn out to imagine the future of learning in HISD

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Kenneth Davis, principal of Dowling Middle School, discusses ideas on new school design with two of his colleagues at the Building the Future symposium on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Dowling MS will receive a new campus as part of the 2012 Houston Schools program approved by voters in November 2012.

Savian Nugent will likely have graduated college and be starting his career by the time Yates High School is replaced with a new $59.4 million building under the Houston Independent School District’s 2012 bond program.

But the current Yates senior sees a lot of benefits for the students who will have the opportunity to attend a modern urban high school with all the latest technology and innovations, including reducing drop-out rates and improving academic achievement.

“It will give them something to believe in,” he said. “If you give them something to hope for, they will come.”

Nugent, along with four other high school students were panelists Friday at HISD’s “Building the Future” workshop. The half-day event, held at Kingdom Builders Center, gave more than 200 school officials, parents and community members the opportunity to share their thoughts on creating innovative educational environments, as the district kicks off its bond program to repair, build or replace 40 schools across the city. Continue reading →