Yearly Archives: 2013

HISD Students to Participate in Green Apple Day of Service

Houston Independent School District students will be planting and weeding gardens, and participating in other environmentally friendly activities on Sept. 28 as part of a global movement to transform schools into healthy and sustainable learning environments.

The Green Apple Day of Service is sponsored by the Center for Green School at the U.S. Green Building Council. The goal of the second annual event is to help raise awareness among parents, teachers and students about the importance of improving the school environment.

Two HISD schools – Herod Elementary and Gabriela Mistral Early Childhood Education Center – have already signed up with projects designed to help their own facilities create greener and healthier campuses.

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Parent Student Connect Gives Parents Access to Child’s Grades, Attendance, and More

If you have ever wondered how your child is doing in school, you need to know about Parent Student Connect. Also known as PS Connect or GradeSpeed, it is an essential tool for every HISD parent or guardian. PS Connect gives you instant access to your child’s grades, assignments, progress reports, report cards, class attendance, tardies, and class schedule. To stay on top of students’ performance, you can register for alerts via text or email to be sent when a grade falls below a certain average, assignments are missing, or they are absent or late to class. Students can also access PS Connect to check on their grades and upcoming assignments.

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HISD Schools To Ring Bells To Commemorate ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech

Many Houston ISD schools will participate in a local bell-ringing ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Houston’s official bell-ringing ceremony will occur at 2 p.m. on Wednesday outside Houston City Hall. Houston Mayor Annise Parker has asked schools across the Houston area to join in the observance of this major turning point in U.S. history by ringing their bells at the same time.

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North Forest High School Students Celebrate New Cafeteria Offerings and Improvements

HISD Food Services will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday

After giving the cafeteria dining area and kitchen a complete makeover, students at North Forest High School will get to enjoy four new build-your-own dining stations and celebrate their cafeteria’s new look during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 30at 10 a.m. at 10725 Mesa Drive.

“The new build-your-own dining stations increase our variety of offerings to students and encourage them to be creative while eating healthy versions of their favorite meals,” HISD Food Services Senior Administrator Brian Giles said.  “Each station offers fresh vegetables, lean and low-fat proteins and whole grain bread options.”

Earlier this summer, North Forest High School students participated in focus groups and provided feedback on the type of school lunch experience they would like to have.  Their feedback helped HISD Food Services develop lunch experiences to meet their campus’ needs.

North Forest High School students can now order their lunch from the following dining brands:

  • Green Street Deli™ – made–to-order subs, wraps and hot panini sandwiches from fresh ingredients
  • Tortilla Fresh-Mex™ – build-your-own chicken or beef burritos, quesadillas and taco salad bowls with an offering of fresh-made salsas, Spanish brown rice and charro beans
  • Custom Bros. Grill™ – build-your-own burgers, grilled chicken and other grilled items topped with a wide selection of fresh vegetables and special sauces
  • Home Zone™ – a healthy twist on classic comfort foods and home-style cuisine.

“The revamped cafeteria allows students to enjoy their favorite foods created their own way, while refueling physically and emotionally to meet the challenges of the day,” said North Forest Principal Pamela Farinas.  “I am pleased with the work of HISD Food Services to improve the kitchen conditions, eating environment and food for the students at North Forest High School.”

Eighty-seven new dining brand stations have been implemented in high schools throughout the district since last fall, providing flavor and variety to more than 30,000 students.

North Forest HS Students Excited About Expanded Food Choices

When the first lunch bell rang at North Forest High School, hungry students filled the cafeteria and noticed that the walls were a little brighter and there were more food choices than last year. For the first few minutes, students walked around trying to figure out what to order.

Over the summer, HISD Food Services completely overhauled the cafeteria and menu offerings in the former North Forest ISD school. “I like how the lines are set-up with different things to choose from,” said senior Chanzce Jones. “The food tastes better than last year, and I’m glad to hear it will be different every day.” Students who were accustomed to seeing the same items daily can now choose from four dining choices developed by HISD Food Services/ARAMARK Education.

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Chase Continues Support for Apollo 20 Program

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Sharpstown HS student Scorpia Taban started the 2013–2014 school year on Monday missing some crucial school supplies. But now, thanks to a generous donation by Chase, the freshman is equipped with all she needs for a successful year. “This is great, because this morning I didn’t have a backpack,” Taban said. “This really helps me out, and I am very grateful.”

Taban and all freshmen on the Apollo 20 campus received new backpacks filled with school supplies, while students in grades 10-12 received pens, highlighters, spiral notebooks, binders, and more. The donation was made possible through a partnership between Chase and World Vision, an organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

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Houston News Media Report Positive Feedback from HISD Parents, Students, Staff, and Community

The Houston Independent School District’s handling of the annexation of North Forest community schools earned accolades on Monday’s first day of school, according to news reports. HISD’s newest magnet schools and neighborhood elementary schools also created positive buzz.

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5 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed This School Year

Students across Houston are headed back to the classroom this week, and there’s no better time than the start of a new school year to set positive routines to help your children succeed. We know that HISD parents will do whatever it takes to support their child in and outside of the classroom, so here are a few simple yet effective ways to make sure your child has a great year.

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Chase to Distribute Backpacks and School Supplies to Sharpstown High School

Donations valued at more than $30,000 to benefit nearly 1,300 students

Just in time for the start of the new academic year, Chase and its partners have donated $30,000 in school supplies to the students of Sharpstown High School. The presentation to students will be made in the school auditorium at 7504 Bissonnet on Tuesday, August 27 at 8 a.m.

All the freshmen at this Apollo 20 turnaround campus will receive a new backpack full of schools supplies while students from 10th to 12th grade will get a variety of school supplies such as pens, highlighters, spiral notebooks and binders to ensure they are ready for a successful back to school.

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