Yearly Archives: 2012

New committee to focus on HISD’s supplier diversity initiatives

The Houston Independent School District held the inaugural meeting of its new Advisory Committee for Supplier Diversity earlier this week to build on the ongoing success of its program for minority and women-owned business enterprises.

The new committee gathered on Monday, Dec. 10, as the district moves forward with its 2012 bond program to repair, replace or build 40 schools. The goal of the committee is to provide input into how the district can improve M/WBE outreach efforts and accountability.

The district’s M/WBE program has already seen a record level of success with M/WBE participation in the 2007 bond program at 33 percent.  As the 2012 bond program unfolds, HISD wants to build on that progress.

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Ken Houston Delivers Motivational Message to Students

Wheatley, Kashmere HS students take part in two video conferences

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Ken Houston has received numerous accolades on and off the football field and recently, he shared some of his keys to success with Kashmere and Wheatley High School students.
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HISD hosts info sessions on doing business with district

More than two dozen people turned out to Milby High School Wednesday to learn about doing business with the Houston Independent School District, with a special emphasis on how to avoid costly errors.

Those in attendance Wednesday afternoon included architects, engineers, other professional service providers and construction contractors.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to learn how to do business with HISD and to learn more about our 2012 bond program,” said Alexis Licata, general manager of Business Assistance. “We want to ensure that all vendors understand the procurement process and the bidding opportunities.”

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Texans Player Gets Billy Reagan Students Excited about Learning


Click the photo above to see photos from the event

Houston Texans football player Kareem Jackson visited students this week at Billy Reagan K-8 Educational Center to motivate them to stay in school and to work hard to get good grades. Jackson spoke to the sixth- through eighth-grade students at a pep rally.                 

During his talk, he stressed the importance of being good students and encouraged them to always listen to their parents and teachers. He reminded them that the choices they make now will affect them later in life.

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HISD Announces Bond Construction Timeline

Nearly half of all voter-approved projects will be under construction by 2014

The Houston Independent School District today announced the construction timeline for the 40 schools slated to be built or renovated under the voter-approved $1.89 billion 2012 bond program. Continue reading →

Pro Football Hall of Famer Ken Houston Delivers Motivational Message to HISD Students

Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ken Houston will deliver a motivational message to Houston Independent School District students about his life experiences and the tools to success that made him great in the game of football.  The former Houston Oiler and HISD counselor will speak to Wheatley and Kashmere high school students during a video conference.  The event is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Heart of a Hall of Famer series.  Houston attended Prairie View A&M University and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

Who:          Pro Football Hall of Fame Safety Ken Houston                 

What:         During a video conference Ken Houston will speak about the traits that made him one of football’s greatest players.  The event is the latest in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Heart of a Hall of Famer education series.

When:        Wednesday; December 5, 2012 at 10 a.m. (Kashmere) and 11:30 a.m.
(Wheatley)

Where:       Wheatley High School (4801 Providence) at 10:00 a.m.

Texas Southern University School of Education Auditorium hosts     Kashmere students (3100 Cleburne Street) at 11:30 a.m.

HISD Introduces New Law Enforcement Mentoring Program at Parent Night

The Houston Independent School District will introduce a new law enforcement mentoring program during the upcoming Parent Night event.  HISD’s Parent Engagement Department has partnered with the HISD Police Department, METRO Police Department, and Houston Police Department to create a mentoring program for at-risk students.   The officers will serve as mentors at Peck Elementary School, and Attucks, Cullen, Deady, Jackson, Key, McReynolds, Sugar Grove, and Welch middle schools.  Former NASA astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr. will serve as the keynote speaker.  In 1995, Dr. Harris became the first African-American to walk in space.

 Who:         HISD Parent Engagement Department, HISD Police, METRO Police, and the Houston Police departments, former NASA astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr., HISD students, parents, and administrators. 

What:           The HISD Parent Engagement Department will announce a new law enforcement mentorship program in partnership. 

When:        Wednesday, December 5, 2012: 6p.m.-8p.m. 

Where:       Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center , 4400 West 18th Street

2012-2013 School Year Ushers in Year Two of STAAR

The 2012-2013 school year is the second year for the new state assessment known as STAAR, which requires high school students to take End of Course exams or EOCs rather than grade-based assessments under TAKS. Last year, only high school freshmen were required to take STAAR End of Course exams. This year, all ninth- and tenth-graders in the state of Texas will take STAAR EOCs.

Under STAAR, a student’s score on an EOC would normally count toward 15 percent of their final course grade. However, the Texas Education Agency has deferred implementation of the 15 percent grading requirement for the 2012-2013 school year.

Westside High School freshmen and their parents wanting more information on STAAR recently came out to a special campus workshop. The informational session was held to help parents understand how the new EOC exams could impact their child’s course grades and GPAs, as well as their ability to graduate.

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