Yearly Archives: 2013

HISD Begins Distributing Laptops as Part of PowerUp Initiative

The Houston Independent School District began distributing laptops to teachers at 11 high schools this week as part of phase one of the PowerUp initiative, and the district held a press conference to celebrate the roll-out at Austin High School on Aug. 13.

“We all know how kids learn today,” said Superintendent of Schools Terry B. Grier at the event. “Even some adults are learning differently. If we want it to work, instruction has to be rigorous, relevant, and engaging, so we have to modify how we teach and what we teach to meet their styles.”

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Photos: Teachers at PowerUp Schools Receive Laptops

Teachers at schools participating in the pilot stage of the PowerUp program, a districtwide initiative to transform how teachers teach and students learn through technology, are receiving their laptops this week.

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HISD Officially Opens Energy Institute High School

What:  HISD, the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), and Houston energy executives will gather to officially open the district’s new Energy Institute High School. The school is the first of its kind in the nation and represents a collaborative effort between a public school district and industry leaders. The high school will provide students with a rigorous STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum, hands-on learning, and externships in the fields of geoscience, alternative energy, and offshore technology.

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HISD Launches First Marine Corps JROTC Program

The first U.S. Marine Corps JROTC program in HISD history was announced at a press conference held on Aug. 8, 2013, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. The program, which will be launched at the district’s Energized for STEM Academy (E-STEM), is the first to include cadets in grades 6 and 7, allowing students in grades 6 through 12 to participate.

“HISD is only one of six locations across the country with this program,” said U.S. Marine Corps JROTC Program Director William (Bill) E McHenry, who came from Washington D.C., with a check for a million dollars to kick off the program and review JROTC program preparation. “Eventually, we expect to have 1,200 participating students at STEM. Including uniforms, the Marines are actually investing $1.7 million.”

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Teamwork, Dialogue, and Cultural Awareness Key Aspects of IB Programs

More than 700 educators from HISD and neighboring districts gathered at Lamar High School August 1 and 2 to participate in the Houston International Baccalaureate (IB) Conference. The meeting was an opportunity for teachers to brush up on their IB training as they prepare for the new school year, as well as meet and talk with teachers from other Houston-area IB schools.

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Students Build Confidence, Expand Teamwork Skills in Wilderness

Milby HS sophomore Kenneth Andrus (kneeling, R) poses with fellow Woods Project participants on the trail heading from Vogelsang Pass to Merced Lake in Yosemite National Park.

For a few weeks every summer, The Woods Project shutters its Houston-based office while the entire staff goes backpacking with local teenagers.

At first glance, this might not seem to be a very effective business strategy, but the trips are actually aligned with the non-profit organization’s mission—getting economically disadvantaged urban youth out into the wilderness. The idea is to build their self-confidence by exposing them to unfamiliar people, environments, and challenges, and along the way, teach them the value of teamwork, the need for perseverance, and the reality they can accomplish far more than they ever thought possible.

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Millionaire Club Spotlight: What Are You Reading This Summer?

HISD’s Millionaire Club is a literacy initiative designed to encourage students to read for pleasure during the summer months. Each week, we’ll catch up with one HISD librarian to find out what’s on his or her reading list. This week, we spoke with Cindy Dinneen, a librarian at Johnston Middle School.

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HISD Distributes Laptops to Teachers as Part of District’s New PowerUp Initiative

Eleven high schools to participate in pilot stage of program

The Houston Independent School District will kick off its pilot stage of the PowerUp program, a districtwide initiative to transform how teachers teach and students learn through technology, by delivering laptops to teachers at 11 campuses across Houston.  A press conference will be held on Tuesday, August 13 at 10 a.m. at Austin High School, 1700 Humble.

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61-Year-Old New Teacher Featured in Community eNews

A man who wanted to be a teacher since he was in middle school proves that it’s never too late to realize your dreams. The 61-year-old, who spent about 30 years managing fast-food restaurants, is a new teacher at Deady Middle School, and he’s featured in the Aug. 9 edition of community eNews.

Other stories highlighted in eNews include:

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New Teacher Academy for Experienced Teachers Attracts 800 Veterans

The 2013 New Teacher Academy for Experienced Teachers was held August 6-7 at Kingdom Builder Center, and more than 800 experienced teachers new to HISD attended. During the academy, attendees received an overview of the teacher appraisal system, information on curriculum resources, and additional support necessary for success in HISD.

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