Elizabeth Henderson
When 17-year-old Elizabeth Henderson boarded an airplane this summer for her first-ever international flight, she did not know she would come back to Houston a month later ready to change the world.
But Henderson, a resident of the predominately African-American community of Sunnyside, returned from her trip to Israel more culturally aware and determined to apply what she had learned overseas.
From friendly campus competitions to going door to door in their communities, HISD schools are getting creative in ways to increase student attendance. September is Attendance Awareness Month, and HISD is joining school districts around the nation to deliver the message that attendance matters for success in school and in life, and that too many absences can easily add up to academic trouble.
At the monthly HISD principals’ meeting on September 4, school leaders shared what they are doing to reward students who come to school every day, and how they are reaching out to those who are having attendance issues.
The HISD bond program was featured recently in the Summer 2013 issue of Cite magazine, which is published quarterly by the Rice Design Alliance and covers the latest in urban planning, architecture, arts and preservation in Houston.
Three articles in the issue delve into what will be built with funds from the $1.89 billion bond, which was passed in November. HISD Superintendent Terry Grier explains the district’s campaign to build 21st century schools and implement blended learning curriculum.
Kellie Karavias, a culinary arts teacher and garden educator at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center, who teachers her students how to grow, harvest and cook healthy foods, has been highlighted as a Food Revolution Hero on Chef Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution website. “Food Heroes” are people across the country who combine their passion for food with innovative ways to promote fresh, healthy foods in their communities.
“One out of three kids is obese, because they are living on chips and fast food,” Karavias said. “If they make a big enough garden, they can feed their entire family.” Her culinary program begins with the organic school garden, where science, math, nutrition, reading, and physical activity are integrated into lesson plans. It continues in the “culinary classroom,” where students produce nutritious meals in a safe, kid-friendly environment. The students also market and sell their produce to Whole Kids Farmers Markets at Whole Foods Market—Montrose.
HISD is joining school districts and communities around the nation this month to launch the first-ever Attendance Awareness Month. As part of the initiative, HISD is asking staff, parents, schools, city agencies, community nonprofits, businesses and others to deliver the message that attendance matters for success in school and in life, and that absences can easily add up to academic trouble.