Monthly Archives: June 2013

Chávez High School Graduates’ Futures Go Full Throttle

Chavez HS teacher Greg Ditch (center) poses with former students and recent graduates Eric Lopez (left) and Walter Campos.

While many recent high-school graduates are planning trips to the beach, enjoying their newfound freedom, or sleeping late, members of Chávez High School’s Class of 2013 Eric Lopez and Walter Campos are going full throttle this summer—literally.

These young men were part of the Motor Sports Engineering program launched this school year by science teacher Greg Ditch, in which students turned an ordinary Pontiac GTO into a fully-fledged land speed race car that was piloted by NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Donnie Neuenberger.

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YWCPA Officially Dedicates Revitalized Campus Courtyard

Students at HISD’s Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy didn’t want much—just an outdoor space on the grounds of their 88-year-old campus to take an occasional break from their studies.

Now, they have it, thanks to an organization called The Links, Inc. and the seven Houston chapters’ joint community service project.

Representatives from that organization came to the campus on June 19 to celebrate the unveiling and official dedication of the newly renovated courtyard, which is shaded by a huge oak tree, graced with a tiled fountain, and paved with 207 bricks sold for $100 each and engraved with the names of their benefactors.

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Vendors, Suppliers to Follow New Scoring System for M/WBE Goals

Nearly 100 vendors and suppliers turned out Wednesday to hear about HISD’s latest efforts to build on the success of its program for minority and women-owned business enterprises. HISD will be implementing changes that will hold firms more accountable in meeting district goals.

Starting July 1, the district plans to roll out new paperwork on all its bids, incorporating a new scoring system for vendors and suppliers to meet HISD’s M/WBE participation goals. The goals are set at 20 percent for construction and the purchasing of goods and non-professional services and 25 percent for professional services.

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Family Engagement is Focus of Day 2 of Summer Leadership Institute

Teachers and administrators need to work with students’ families in order to truly better their lives, said the keynote speaker at Wednesday’s Summer Leadership Institute.

Karen Mapp, a Harvard University professor and consultant with the Department of Education, spoke to a packed hall of district and campus leaders during the second day of one of the district’s largest professional development events.

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M/WBE Company Takes Pride in Focusing on Needs of Children

Editor’s note: This is the second in a monthly series of profiles on minority or women-owned companies that do business with HISD. The district’s minimum M/WBE goal levels are 20 percent for all levels of purchasing and construction and 25 percent for professional services. In the 2007 bond program, that commitment reached nearly 34 percent. In the 2012 program, the contracts awarded to date reflect a nearly 51 percent M/WBE commitment.

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Summer Leadership Institute Bringing Team HISD Leaders Together

Campus and central office leadership teams are gathering at Reliant Center for three days of professional development at the 2013 Houston ISD Summer Leadership Institute.

This year’s theme is “Becoming Great All Over … The Connection Between Rigorous and Consistent Instruction and School Safety,” and attendees took part in a number of breakout sessions designed to show how those concepts intersect.

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HISD School Leaders Tag ‘Great All Over’ Bus

Houston ISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier smiles after writing a message on a bus during the Summer Leadership Institute at Reliant Center, June 18, 2013.

Houston ISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier smiles after writing a message on a bus during the Summer Leadership Institute at Reliant Center, June 18, 2013.

During the first day of the HISD Summer Leadership Institute, Superintendent of Schools Terry Grier challenged principals to share what they can do every day to help their staff, their school, and their students to “become great all over.” Instead of writing their thoughts down on a piece of paper, however, the school leaders grabbed paint pens and “tagged” an HISD school bus parked in front of Reliant Hall.

“Great teachers, principals, and support staff is what it is all about,” said Dr. Grier, as he grabbed a black paint pen and inked his thoughts on the bus. “Our investment in human capital here at HISD is sincere and it is an extremely important piece of what we are ultimately trying to do, which is to make all our schools and students great.”

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HISD Transportation Makes ‘100 Best Fleets’ List for Third Consecutive Year

Government Fleet, a leading transportation industry magazine, has announced the top 100 fleets for 2013 and HISD is once again the only school district in the country to earn a spot on the list (not including Honorable Mentions).

2013 will mark the third consecutive year for HISD’s Transportation Services department to be on the list. In 2011, it ranked 57th in the nation among the best fleets in North America, and last year, it moved up five spots to number 52. This year, HISD broke into the top half of the list, with a ranking of number 47.

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HISD Board of Education to consider 2013-2014 budget


• To view the official agenda, click here.

The Houston ISD Board of Education will meet Thursday, June 20, 2013 to consider adopting a $1.62 billion budget that includes $20 million to tutor more students at struggling schools across the city while ensuring that HISD continues to offer the lowest tax rate among the two dozen school districts in Harris County.

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Incentive offered for employees who transfer to campuses in North Forest community

To support the recruitment and staffing of the annexed North Forest ISD schools with the best employees available, an open transfer period is being made available to current HISD teachers, administrators, and other exempt employees who are interested in seeking a 2013–2014 school year position with one of the campuses located in the North Forest community.

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