HISD’s Curriculum Department hosted a Partnering with Parents to Prepare Students for Algebra workshop at Helms Elementary School recently, and nearly 90 parents attended the event, which was designed to help them learn some of the same instructional strategies used by HISD teachers to convey various mathematics concepts to their children.
Yearly Archives: 2012
Community Conversations Tonight at Yates, Sharpstown for Houston Schools Bond Proposition
Hundreds of people have already turned out for one of the district’s Community Conversations on the proposed 2012 bond that would rebuild and renovate schools across the district, including most of the high schools.
But if you missed last week’s four sessions, there is still time to attend any of the four informational meetings scheduled this week. The$1.89 billion bond proposition is primarily focused on 28 of the district’s high schools but also significantly impacts 10 other school buildings. More details about the proposition can be found on the 2012 Houston Schools Bond website (click here). The measure goes before voters on Nov. 6. Early voting begins Oct. 22.
Grady Middle School dedicates new addition
[slideshow]
The collaborative efforts of the Grady Middle School community, along with those who designed and built the new facility, were all praised Monday morning at an official dedication ceremony for the school’s newest addition.
Light from the mid-morning sun served as the backdrop for the ceremony that included performances from the Grady band and theater groups. Working together as the students did was also how community members worked with HISD and school staff, as well as the building’s architects and designers, said HISD Board of Education member Harvin Moore.
“It’s really very, very important that decisions be made that involve the people that are really going to live with it,” Moore said. “The parents, the neighbors and the faculty and teachers. They know about educational needs and the academic design of a great school.”
Grady’s new building includes a library, cafetorium, gymnasium, music room and new administration offices. In total, the building cost about $13.7 million, paid for with funds from the 2007 bond program.
Students aren’t the only ones who get to enjoy the new school, though, said Grady principal Gretchen Kasper-Hoffman.
“People love it. They’re so excited to see this on the corner. They enjoy driving by and seeing such a lovely building and knowing that the kids are learning,” she said. “It wasn’t horrible before, but now, it’s just something that sticks out and the community can be proud that this is our middle school.”
The school, located at 5215 San Felipe Street on the city’s near West side, now has some facilities that are either on par or best those of nearby private schools, said Moore, who specifically cited the quality of Grady’s new music room.
Moore also reminded those in attendance that the new addition was only the first phase of construction planned for Grady, noting the second phase of the plan was among those projects listed in the 2012 bond program.
In the proposed plan, Grady would receive $14.8 million to complete renovations around the school and replace 23 temporary buildings currently being used for classroom instruction. The project is among 38 total projects in the $1.89 billion proposed bond program, scheduled to go before the voters in November.
HISD Chief Financial Officer Announces Retirement
Melinda Garrett, whose management of finances for Texas’ largest school district since 2001 led to numerous honors and accolades for fiscal responsibility, has announced that she will retire in December.
“I am deeply honored to have had the privilege of serving the children, taxpayers, and employees of HISD for all these years,” Garrett said. “But I’m ready to start this next chapter of my life, spending time with my husband and our family.”
On Garrett’s watch, the Houston Independent School District has maintained the highest possible bond rating and the lowest property tax rate of the two dozen school districts in Harris County. At the same time, HISD gained a national reputation for excellence in public school financial accountability. In 2011, HISD became the first U.S. school district in three years to win the prestigious Award for Excellence in Financial Management from the Council of the Great City Schools. In 2010, Garrett won the Council’s Bill Wise Award for distinguished service to America’s urban public schools.
“No single person has contributed more than Melinda Garrett toward HISD’s national reputation as a model district when it comes to managing taxpayer money with a focus on doing what is best for children,” said Superintendent Terry Grier. “It is because of Melinda’s excellent long-term financial planning during these tight budget times that our students have the resources they need to continue out-performing their peers across the state and nation.”
HISD Board of Education President Michael Lunceford commended Garrett’s ability to explain complex issues, such as Texas school finance law, in terms that the public and policymakers can understand.
“Melinda Garrett is one of the few people in Texas who really grasp all the intricacies of our state’s school finance system,” Lunceford said. “What’s even more remarkable is that she understands the history and nuance behind the system. And she has the skills and patience to help the rest of us to understand, so that we can make informed decisions that result in money going where it’s needed the most — classrooms.”
A Bellaire High School graduate, Garrett holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Texas Woman’s University. She landed her first job with HISD in 1976 as a kindergarten teacher at the former Easter Elementary School in 1976. Two years later, Garrett went back to school to earn her master’s degree in accounting from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She then joined the audit division of KPMG Peat Marwick and became a certified public accountant working on audits of governmental and private sector firms.
Garrett returned to HISD in 1985 as the district’s controller. She was named chief financial officer in 2001. She is a member of the Texas Association of School Business Officials, where she has served on the Accounting Advisory Committee and as president of the Gulf Coast Chapter. In 2009, the HISD Board of Education named Garrett interim superintendent before Dr. Grier was hired.
The search for Garrett’s successor is under way, Dr. Grier said.
Blue Bell Ice Cream Rewards East Early College High School for Receiving National Blue Ribbon Honor
Blue Bell Creameries will honor East Early College High School (220 North Milby), one of two HISD schools named 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools, with a school-wide ice cream party on Friday, Sept. 28. A Blue Bell truck filled with ice cream will arrive at the school at noon to treat all of the students, teachers, and staff members.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Schools program has honored more than 7,000 of America’s most successful schools for the past 30 years. This year 269 public and private schools across the country, including HISD’s Project Chrysalis Middle School, received the coveted award. Blue Bell Creameries will honor Project Chrysalis Middle School at a later date.
Blue Ribbon Schools are selected based on two primary criteria. They must be among the highest-performing schools in their state and they are schools with at least 40 percent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds that have improved student performance to high levels.
This year’s winning schools will also be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. on Nov. 12-13, 2012.
Kennedy Elementary officially dedicated Wednesday morning
[slideshow]
Most of the 44 presidents in the history of the United States appeared Thursday morning for the official dedication of John F. Kennedy Elementary School, even if they were only student portrayals of the chief executives.
Students performed skits and gave even shorter speeches about the importance of education, public service and the historical biographies of a few of the former presidents, including a longer production involving students portraying the school’s namesake and his family.
Throughout the speeches by various HISD staff and community members, nearly all of them spoke of the dedication of Kennedy’s staff and administrators in educating children.
The stage performances were done with accompaniment by the Waltrip High School band.
Students from Kennedy Elementary’s fledgling band program sat and performed with their elders, a point that wasn’t lost on Sam Sarabia, HISD’s chief elementary schools’ officer.
Sarabia said that as he sat earlier watching the band perform, he could see Kennedy’s students absorbing the moment, watching how they played with passion. He implored the older students to recognize and accept their role as models for those who come after them, as parents and community members had done before for them.
The school, which officially opened after winter break earlier this year, serves about 750 students. And the school serves them well, as evidenced by the multiple years of exemplary and recognized status marked on the first wall to greet visitors driving to the school.
The two-story building is a combination of the former Kennedy and Allen elementaries built with approximately $17.2 million approved by voters in the 2007 bond program.
“Where we came from, the building was 48 years old, we had rain falling on us, we had possums in the building some mornings, and now we walk on terrazzo floors… the (air conditioning) works,” said Kennedy Elementary principal Daryl Sherman. “And everyone has technology to use for instruction. I think every child in HISD deserves that.”
The library and media center serve as the hub of the school, drawing students and visitors to its circular center and serving as a catalyst for children to read early and often.
“I’ve not had one tour where people weren’t wowed,” Sherman said. “When we were planning the building, we wanted to do something special. We have the library as the focus of the school. Reading is in everything we do. We know that when students are successful readers, then they’re successful throughout their life.”
The new Kennedy Elementary was built in such a way that it’s expected to require about 20 percent less energy to operate. Nearly every classroom, including special rooms for art, music and computer instruction, has clear views into the rooms for observation as well as windows for natural light and views to the outside.
HISD Wins $7.7 Million Teacher Incentive Fund Grant
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded HISD $7.7 million to attract, reward, and retain strong math and science teachers.
The Houston Independent School District is among just 35 school systems nationally that received the grants, which were announced Thursday. HISD’s grant is specifically for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers. More than 120 school districts applied for the grants.
“Nothing we can do has more impact on our goal of providing every child with an academically rigorous education than placing effective teachers in every classroom,” said Superintendent Terry Grier. “These teachers deserve much more than we are able to pay them, and this grant will help us compete to keep the best talent in Houston ISD classrooms.”
All applicants submitted proposals that provide opportunities for teacher leadership and advancement, put in place district-wide evaluations based on multiple measures that include student growth, and improve decision-making through better evaluations, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
“Whether urban or rural, traditional or charter, successful schools are not possible without great teaching and leadership,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “Our best teachers and principals are invaluable leaders in changing life outcomes for students. They are desperately needed in our struggling schools, and they deserve to be recognized, rewarded, and given the opportunity to have a greater influence on their colleagues, students, and in their communities.”
In addition to offering teachers financial incentives, HISD will also use the grant to give teachers the instructional materials they need to conduct authentic problem-based learning STEM projects, develop and deliver specialized training for teachers through partners such as Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine, and to hire additional math and science coaches to support teachers at participating schools.
The grant will benefit 25 HISD schools, mostly elementary schools, with large populations of students from low-income families. The schools were also chosen because their students have struggled to meet state minimum academic standards in science and math.
Berry ES Students Get Free Computers
The first grade students at Berry Elementary School recently received a generous donation, free computers for each student. The TechnoCycle 2012 Outreach program with the support of TECHNIP provided more than a hundred refurbished internet-ready computers to each first grade student. TechnoCycle says it wants to help students bridge the digital divide, and it chose Berry Elementary because the school is dedicated to educating its students about how they can have a tremendous impact in our environment.
Teacher Erin Chavez said they are excited, humbled, and gracious to be a part of providing this opportunity to the students.
TechnoCycle believes the donation will allow the students to be connected to the school and their teachers in ways that was previously inexistent due to the constraints on the children’s families. The company is also going to service the computers for an entire year for free.
Watch now: HISD Superintendent Terry Grier Joins In Forum on Education Reform
Dr. Terry Grier will participate in a panel discussion hosted by the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution on the topic of “learning from the successes and failures of public charter schools.” The forum will feature U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, Dr. Roland Fryer of Harvard University Education Laboratories, and founder of Democracy Prep Public Schools Seth Andrew.
The discussion begins at 8 a.m. today – go to http://www.c-span.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN2/ to watch live.
“Voting Early Style” – HISD students, teachers, principals go Gangnam Style to get out the vote
Forget what you thought you knew about “Gangnam Style,” the year’s biggest hit song and music video. Some may say it’s a parody of fashion and lifestyles in an upscale Korean neighborhood, but they’re mistaken. We sent the lyrics around the district and our students, faculty and staff have come to the conclusion that rapper PSY was actually encouraging Harris County voters to not only vote this election, but to vote early and finish the entire ballot.
We want anybody who’s eligible to vote in the November 6 election to take control of their future and go to the polls. We encourage you to register to vote (do it soon as the deadline is fast approaching) and to vote early beginning October 22.
We’re also asking for your help in getting out the vote. Make sure your friends see this video by tweeting it (we’re using the #VoteEarly hashtag and you can tag us with @HoustonISD), posting it to Facebook or Tumblr and liking it on YouTube.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP7lBB83McY]