Monthly Archives: March 2013

Chavez High School Students Build Race Car to Compete in The Texas Mile

NASCAR Driver Donnie Neuenberger will drive the car in the competition

What: For the past six weeks, a group of students from Chavez High School have been engineering a race car that will be driven by NASCAR driver Donnie Neuenberger in The Texas Mile competition in Goliad County on March 22 – 24.  Chavez Motor Sports Engineering is unlike any other pro team in racing in that the crew chief, car chief, and team specialists are all students. The team is lead by science and engineering teacher and professional racer Greg Ditch.  The students have been working in the school’s engineering lab after school and on Saturdays to transform a stock 2006 Pontiac GTO into a 700 horsepower land speed race car.  Through the process of engineering an actual competitive car, the students in the program have learned how math and science apply to the world of high performance motor sports.

Continue reading →

Students and Parents Invited to College and Career Night

Clifton Middle School’s annual event to help families see connection between school and careers

Students of all ages from all HISD schools are invited to attend Clifton Middle School’s annual College and Career Night on Tuesday, March 19, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This is the seventh year for the event, which will feature representatives from 18 colleges, and all 16 Texas career clusters. Continue reading →

New Parent Book Club Strengthens Parent-Child Relationship and Promotes Literacy

Roosevelt ES parents book club

HISD's Parent Engagement department says the reaction to the Parent Book Club has been so popular, they're looking at expanding the program to other schools.

In an effort to promote the importance of parental involvement and literacy simultaneously, the HISD Parent Engagement Department has launched a new Parent Book Club.

Nearly 30 parents attended the club’s first meeting on March 1 at Roosevelt Elementary eager to discuss the first chapters of the book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk and participate in the group exercises. Continue reading →

Houstonisd.Org x DressLands Chiffon Dress

You will want this houstonisd.org x dresslands chiffon dress in every color, because each imparts its own unique fashion statement. You may select between olive green with tan trim, cream color over black or pale coral over black. This is a dress made from highest quality chiffon. It is lightweight and cool to wear on those hot summer days and evenings. Sheering begins at the round neckline and adds a loose, forgiving fit to the bodice. It has short, capped sleeves, the perfect thing for hot weather. A beautiful fabric belt divides waist from the bodice and adds the contrasting color to match that which runs along the dress’ hem. The mini-skirt portion of the dress is right at fingertip length. The dress zips up the back, making it easy to put on and take off. This houstonisd.org x www.dresslands.com dress is available to purchase in sizes Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large.

HISD Competes in Great American School Lunch Challenge

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YyHvgTkbC8&version=3&hl=en_US] (Must have Youtube access to view video.)

What happens when you team the HISD Food Services Department with Food Network Star Anne Burrell to create a healthy school lunch in front of a live audience? You get the first ever Great American School Lunch Challenge.

Continue reading →

HISD SPARK Parks Offer Options for Students and Community

A boy plays at the SPARK Park at Emerson Elementary school on Wednesday afternoon.

When the district’s $805 million bond program was approved by voters in 2007 to begin more than 180 construction and renovation projects across the district, Berry Elementary Principal Deborah Silber immediately began planning for her new school.

While she and her Project Advisory Team considered classroom sizes and how to include 21st century technology in the school’s design, they also wanted to make sure they had enough space to include a new SPARK Park for the students and community that would replace the school’s original playground.

Continue reading →

School Tours Give HISD Educators Firsthand Look at 21st Century Learning

Educators know that often the best way to understand something is to experience it.

The New Tech High School in Coppell, Texas opened its doors in 2008. The school has wide open spaces, every student has a laptop, and New Tech is a student centered project-based community.

That was the goal of a recent visit to Dallas by HISD principals and administrators, who got a firsthand look at new schools designed to embrace 21st century learning. With the 2012 bond program slated to build or renovate 40 schools across the city, much discussion has focused on creating modern facilities that use innovative teaching methods. The tour included stops at three schools in the Dallas area.

Continue reading →

Ryan Middle School Plan Approved By Board

Ryan students will move to nearby Cullen; Vote postponed on plan to merge Sterling and Jones high schools 

The HISD Board of Education on Thursday approved a transition plan that will allow historic Ryan Middle School to be repurposed as a magnet school designed to attract students from throughout the city.

Continue reading →

Houston Hispanic Architects & Engineers Group Hears Update on 2012 Bond

HISD COO Leo Bobadilla addresses the Houston Hispanic Architects & Engineers at a luncheon on Thursday.

More than 40 people turned out Thursday to hear an update on the 2012 bond program by HISD Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla at a luncheon sponsored by the Houston Hispanic Architects & Engineers.

“The vision is simple,” he told the crowd. “Build 21st century schools that support 21st century learning.”

Continue reading →

21st Century Schools Symposium Stresses the Importance of Community

 

Furr High Principal Bertie Simmons and teacher Lurlean Dixon participate in the “Building 21st Century Schools” symposium on Wednesday. Click on the image for more photos from the symposium.

For HISD teachers, students and staff wondering how to go about building 21st century schools as part of the 2012 bond program, one architect has some advice.

“Start with talking about ideas,” said Christian Carlson, an architect with NBBJ, an architecture and design firm. “This is where the work happens.”

Carlson capped off a half-day symposium Wednesday on “Building 21st Century Schools” for more than 200 parents, students, teachers, and staff who will be involved in the $1.89 billion program to repair or build 40 schools, including 29 high schools.

Continue reading →