Yearly Archives: 2012

HISD Encourages Early Voting, Finishing the Ballot

WHAT: The Houston Independent School District is encouraging voters to head to the polls early and to cast their vote for every item on the ballot – from the first to the last.

Starting Friday, Oct. 26 HISD is hosting live and digital events designed to celebrate first time voters and to educate the community regarding the district’s bond referendum to modernize and rebuild schools throughout Houston.

WHEN & WHERE: Fri., Oct. 26 from noon – 1 p.m.

Live Web Chat
www.houstonisd.org
HISD will have a web chat to discuss the plan to rebuild and modernize the city’s high schools, as well as provide safety and technology upgrades at campuses across the district. Questions may be sent in advance via e-mail to bondinfo@houstonisd.org.

Mon., Oct. 29 from 7 – 10:30 p.m.

Univision Phone Bank – Linea Abierta 45
5100 Southwest Freeway
HISD will have a team of bond experts ready to answer calls from viewers on the bond proposal and the schools that would be affected. The team will have bilingual representatives able to answer questions in English and Spanish.

Tues., Oct. 30 from 4 – 6 p.m.

Voter Forum at Neighborhood Centers Ripley House
4410 Navigation Boulevard
Motivate students from the nearby HISD schools to attend the event with their families, visit the early voting location and cast their votes for the first time.

Tues., Oct. 30 from 10 – 10:40 a.m.

Twitter Town Hall
@HoustonISD
Participate in a live Twitter Town Hall session with Houston Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier where he will answer questions and respond to comments and concerns regarding the HISD Bond Referendum. Follow us at @HoustonISD and #HISDbond

Wed., Oct. 31 from 4 – 5p.m.

Zombie Walk and “Thriller” Vote Early Flash Mob
1475 West Gray
Capture HISD’s own zombies from HSPVA and Lamar High School as they encourage the living to vote early as they walk from the West Gray/Montrose intersection to the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center (1475 West Gray) where they will culminate their walk with a zombie “Thriller” flash mob at 4:30 p.m.

HISD Celebrates New Collaboration with National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA Program

The Houston Independent School District announced a new collaboration today with the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools program. The announcement was made during a press conference at Westside High School. The NWF has worked successfully for nearly 10 years with HISD with the goal of helping to close achievement gaps for disadvantaged students and to improve science and math learning through the use of outdoor environmental education.

The new Eco-Schools USA initiative will expand on the current Schoolyard Habitat program between HISD and NWF. It will also allow for further expansion and development of the Green School Challenge, launched in December 2011, by helping schools develop and implement plans to green their schools by making buildings and campuses more eco-friendly.

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said this partnership is the latest initiative in HISD’s ongoing commitment to promote green schools. “This collaboration will offer a new, innovative approach to teaching environmental education in a non-traditional classroom setting, while providing students with more opportunities to learn about the importance of protecting our environment, “Dr. Grier said.

“We are excited to be working with HISD to advance the district’s very ambitious and commendable sustainability goals,” said Susan Kaderka, Regional Director for the National Wildlife Federation. “This effort is a win-win for students, for the district, and for the environment. Students will be better prepared for 21st century careers and life choices, teachers will see greater enthusiasm for science and math, and the natural world will benefit from reduced energy and water use and better care from a new generation of environmental stewards.”

At the press conference Westside High school environmental science and urban agriculture classes and the school’s ecology club were recognized for their accomplishments. Students there worked to restore 1.5 acres of Gulf Coastal Prairie, one of the rarest ecosystems in the nation.

“We’re proud of the work of our students, teachers, and staff at Westside High school and their ongoing efforts to make their campus green,” said HISD Chief Academic Officer Julie Fox Baker. “We’re pleased HISD is the largest school district in the country participating in the Eco-Schools USA program.” The NWF launched the Eco-Schools USA program in 2009. Nationwide, there are currently 2,000 schools and more than 1 million students registered in the program. For more than 70 years, the NWF has been educating people about the environment. NWF’s education efforts annually reach more than 5,000 K-12 schools and nearly 4 million students through a variety of programs, including Schoolyard Habitats and Eco-Schools USA, which is committed to building a sustainable, comprehensive green school movement in the U.S and abroad.

Magnet Awareness Week is Right Around the Corner

Campus tours, open house, school choice fairs planned to help parents get in-depth look at various programs

In observance of HISD’s Magnet Awareness Week (Nov. 5-9), the district is hosting two events for parents and students who wish to learn more about the district’s Magnet programs.

The first, a Magnet Open House, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18^th St, 77092). Representatives from dozens of magnet campuses will be on hand to describe their programs and answer any questions. Applications will be available and will be accepted from Nov. 5 through Jan. 11, 2013. Applications received after Jan.11 will be considered but on a space-available basis. The Magnet Department will notify parents of decisions via mail on March 22, 2013. Parents must notify their school of choice of intent to attend by April 5, 2013.

“Our students and parents have amazing options when it comes to choosing a school for their elementary, middle, and high school children,” said Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat. “The amazing thing about this event is that all 113 of our magnet schools are here today, along with other schools of choice. They will be answering questions, providing information, and inviting parents to tour their schools.”

Schools with Magnet programs will also offer tours of their campuses during Magnet Awareness Week starting at 1 p.m. each day from Monday, Nov. 5, through Friday, Nov. 9. After November 9, parents should phone individual schools for a schedule of tours and other events that will be conducted through early January.

Visit the Magnet Department website for more information about Magnet schools, applications, locations, and contact information. Click here (.pdf) for Magnet school application process dates and deadlines, and here for a map of all HISD Magnet schools and programs.

The Office of School Choice also coordinates “School Choice Fairs” throughout the district. These events provide parents and students with information on HISD Magnet programs.

Elementary School Recruitment	Middle School Recruitment
November 3: Magnet Open House at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	October 25: at Lanier MS-2600 Woodhead 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 12: Pugh ES; 1147 Kress 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	October 30: Pin Oak MS; 4601 Glenmont St. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 27: Berry ES; 2310 Berry 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	November 1: T.H. Rogers MS; 5840 San Felipe St. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 28: Elrod ES; 6230 Dumfries 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	November 3: Magnet Open House at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
December 3: Crespo ES; 7500 Office City 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	November 13^th: Dowling MS – 14000 Stancliff St. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
December 4: Law ES; 12401 South Coast 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	November 15: Ortiz MS; 6767 Telephone Rd. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
April 27: School Choice Fair at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	April 27: School Choice Fair at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Please visit Office of School Choice website for more information.

Houston ISD Seniors to Receive $150,000 in Broad Foundation Scholarships

This spring’s Houston Independent School District graduates will receive $150,000 in scholarships from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

Update, May 29, 2013: The Broad Foundation increased its scholarship giveaway to $165,000 in an effort to distribute more financial assistance to HISD students.

The scholarships are a result of HISD being among the four national finalists for the 2012 Broad Prize for Urban Education, which was awarded today to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This was Miami-Dade’s fifth time to be a Broad Prize finalist. HISD won the inaugural Broad Prize in 2002.

“We were honored to be among the final four of 75 urban school districts for the most prestigious award in education,” HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said. “The consistent progress that our students have made over the past several years is a direct reflection on the hard work put in by the teachers, principals, and every member of Team HISD.” Continue reading →

Broad Prize ceremony is underway in New York

Update 10:57

Miami-Dade County Public Schools named winner of the 2012 Broad Prize

Update 10:51

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will present the 2012 Broad Prize. He recognizes the four finalists, including Houston ISD. Duncan highlights HISD’s efforts to dramatically increase Advanced Placement course offerings, the Apollo 20 school turnaround initiative, and the focus on data to drive instruction.

Update 10:45

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is at the podium delivering welcoming remarks. He says,
“The work of giving our kids a better future is never done, but the Broad Foundation is helping to raise the bar.” Bloomberg believes the finalists for the Broad Prize are proving that “progress is… possible.”

Update: 10:35

Admiral Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the keynote speaker at today’s Broad Prize ceremony. He says the future of our country is closely tied to the nation’s K-12 education system. “I would like to say to the winners, congratulations. It is terrific to see so many who have worked so hard. It is the best investment we can make in America.”

Update: 10:14

The wait is nearly over for the Houston Independent School District and the three other national finalists for the 2012 Broad Prize for Urban Education.

The award ceremony is underway at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Here in Houston, members of Team HISD are watching the celebration live on the web: http://hisdtv.org/live-coverage/

At the HISD Watch party.

The Broad Prize for Urban Education is the largest education prize in the nation. The winning district will receive $550,000 in college scholarships for the Class of 2013.

The other finalists this year are: Corona-Norco Unified School District in Riverside County, Calif., Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and The School District of Palm Beach County, Fla.

“Mind the Gap” Panel Discussion

Update: 10 a.m.

Superintendents, principals, and teachers from the four districts named as finalists for the Broad Prize for Urban Education participated in the “Mind the Gap” panel discussion to share ideas about strategies being used to close the achievement gap. HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, Fondren Middle School Principal Charles Foust, and Berry Elementary Teacher Gaby Oliveros represented HISD. They discussed the importance of data-driven instruction, teamwork, and use of technology in the classroom.

Dr. Grier and Mr. Foust also shared information about HISD’s bold school turnaround effort, Apollo 20. Foust said Fondren MS, an Apollo 20 campus, uses Title I funds to pay tutors to help reinforce the material that students are learning in the classroom.

Oliveros, HISD’s Teacher of the Year in 2010, told the panel about HISD’s teacher support specialists. She said their observations help her and her colleagues become better teachers.

Winner of the Broad Prize for Urban Education to be announced this morning

HISD is one of four finalists for the largest education award in the nation

The winner of the Broad Prize for Urban Education—the most prestigious prize in public education— will be announced this morning at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. HISD is one of four finalists for the award, which recognizes the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among poor and minority students from 2008.

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, Board of Education President Mike Lunceford, Trustees Anna Eastman, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Paula Harris, and Harvin Moore, and Houston Federation of Teachers President President Gayle Fallon are in New York for the announcement.

Other finalists for the Broad Prize include Corona-Norco Unified School District in Riverside County, California, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida. Dr. Grier joined the leaders of those school districts for a panel discussion about strategies being used to help close the achievement gap between minority students and their white counterparts.

Live coverage of the discussion and the Broad Prize announcement is available at http://hisdtv.org/live-coverage/

HISD Police Department Partners with ARAMARK Education to Promote “Kids with Character” Mentoring Program

The HISD Police Department introduced a new partnership today 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. Continue reading →

Early voting begins today: Houstonians cast their votes

[slideshow]

Don’t miss your chance to vote on the 2012 Houston Schools Bond Proposition – it’s at the very end of the ballot.

• See polling locations, hours and more

Early voting for the November 6 General Election is underway in Houston and across Texas. As of mid-day, 17,372 people had cast their ballot in Harris County, which is on pace with turnout reported during the same period of the 2008 presidential election.

In addition to the race for president, there are a number of local races and measures on the ballot, including the Houston Schools Bond. The $1.89 billion proposition is the very last item on the ballot. It would rebuild or renovate 38 schools in neighborhoods across Houston, upgrade technology across the district, renovate middle school restrooms, fund safety and security improvements, and upgrade regional field houses and athletic facilities.

Graduates from Austin High School were among the first people to vote at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center on West Gray. Jill Mussman, a parent of an HISD graduate, also voted early at that polling location.

“I’m here so I don’t have to stand in line on Election Day,” she said.

Early voting runs from today until November 2. To see a list of polling places, visit harrisvotes.com.

After you cast your vote, send a “vote early” photo to hisdphotos@yahoo.com

Do you recognize these early voting zombies?

It’s getting close to Halloween, and there are some ghoulish efforts under way to get out the word on early voting, which starts on Monday (Oct. 22). Just look at these photos snapped at some of the HISD schools that would benefit from the $1.89 billion schools bond. The proposition appears at the very end of the ballot. Use your braaaaaains and vote early!