Monthly Archives: December 2013

21st Century Schools Build on History with Elements of the Past

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When Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy says goodbye to its 1920s-era building next year, the school may take a few pieces of history with it.

The original 1929 building cornerstone that sits on the west corner of the middle school building may be extracted to include in the new YMCPA facility that will be built in mid- to late 2014 with funds from the HISD 2012 bond program.

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Trustee Marshall Honored Before His Last HISD Board Meeting

Larry Marshall

Thursday marked the end of the era in HISD leadership when Trustee Larry Marshall took his seat at the board table for the last time, after more than 50 years in public education as both an employee and board member.

To recognize his many contributions to Texas’ largest public school system, Marshall’s fellow trustees hosted a farewell reception in his honor immediately before the 5 p.m. meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St.

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Score! Houston Texans Award NFL Play 60 Grants to 4 HISD Schools

Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes congratulated HISD personnel for their winning NFL Play 60 grants. Left to right, they are Ines Brost, Sutton ES; Lisa McManus, J.P Henderson ES; Lindsey Pollock, Garden Oaks ES; and Sarah Stafford, Patrick Henry MS.

Four HISD schools have scored big with the Houston Texans, winning NFL Play 60 grants from the team to supply campuses with playground or gym equipment that broadens physical education and afterschool programs.

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Board of Education to Consider Policy Update Banning Offensive Mascots

HISD also scheduled to honor outgoing Trustee Larry Marshall for his service

Dec. 11, 2013 — Houston Independent School District Superintendent Terry Grier on Thursday will recommend the Board of Education take the first steps in approving a policy update that would prohibit offensive or culturally insensitive mascots.

The proposed policy would affect four HISD high schools — Lamar High School Redskins, Westbury High School Rebels, Hamilton Middle School Indians and Welch Middle School Warriors. The measure must be approved on Thursday and then again in January after its second reading.

The new policy would allow schools to respectfully retire their existing mascot while also acknowledging the important role their related traditions and symbols have played in their community.

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Pumps and Pipes give STEM Schools Taste of Real World

It’s not every day that a freshman in high school gets to talk one-on-one with a former astronaut and current NASA chief, but for Energy Institute High School students Chisom Anyanwu, Matthew Brack, Timothy Chung, and Avin Passalar, meeting NASA Director Ellen Ochoa was beyond comprehension.

“I just can’t believe it,” said Passalar. “I could have talked to her for hours. She had such amazing things to say about being a woman in the space industry.”

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Lee HS Grad Leads Tech Solutions Company to $18 Million in Business with HISD

Editor’s note: This profile is part of an occasional series 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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Wheatley Takes HISD Tournament Crown

After three days of play last week, Wheatley’s varsity dominated a field of 29 teams to win the 30th Annual HISD Varsity Girls Basketball Tournament.

Wheatley High School’s squad was crowned champion in the 30th Annual HISD Varsity Girls Basketball Tournament, and Wheatley’s Arie Taylor was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

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Televisa Foundation to Help English Language Learners ‘Live the Dream’

Latina entertainer, neuroscientist kick off new partnership at Burbank MS 

English language learners at HISD’s Burbank Middle School got a lesson in the importance of aiming for the stars recently, when a neuroscientist and a popular entertainer came to that campus.
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Board of Education to Consider 7 More Contracts under 2012 Bond Program

Administrators are recommending firms to provide CMAR services

Administrators are recommending that the HISD Board of Education authorize the district to negotiate contracts with five firms to provide construction manager at risk (CMAR) services on selected 2012 bond projects.

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Carnegie Vanguard Honored by Neighborhood Business Group

Carnegie Vanguard High School is being celebrated as a gem in its Montrose neighborhood.

The Museum District Business Alliance presented the school with a New Construction Community Improvement Award and a $250 donation at its annual Holiday and Community Awards Luncheon on Thursday at Hotel Zaza. The program honors individuals and organizations that embody the artistic, entrepreneurial, and civic spirit of Montrose and the Museum District. Continue reading