School ratings are changing under a new accountability system that takes effect this year. The Texas Education Agency ratings will take into account a larger number of measures rather than being dependent on a single factor such as TAKS scores. Continue reading
Yearly Archives: 2013
Don’t Miss Texas’ Annual Sales Tax Holiday Aug. 9–11
Parents have the opportunity for some extra back-to-school savings during Texas’ 12th-annual Sales Tax Holiday, August 9–11, 2013.
The holiday provides exemptions from state and local sales taxes on most clothing and footwear priced at less than $100, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend.
North Forest Families Urged to Complete Application for HISD’s Free and Reduced Price Meals Program
Application available online and at all HISD campuses for 2013-2014 academic year
The Houston Independent School District urges all North Forest families to complete an application with HISD’s Food Services Department as soon as possible in order for their children to qualify for free or reduced price meals during the 2013-2014 school year.
“Many of our families may not realize they need to apply each year for meal benefits,” HISD Food Services Senior Manager Brian Giles said. “It‘s important that they submit the application in order to qualify so their children can start the first day of school with healthy meals.”
HISD, Houston Urban Debate League Host Summer Debate Camp
Houston ISD students had an opportunity to hone their public-speaking and debate skills at the sixth-annual Summer Debate Institute July 29–August 2, 2013, at Austin High School. Hosted by HISD and the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL), 85 students from 17 Houston-area schools participated in the week-long camp.
“It’s been informative and really helpful in other aspects, because debate keeps you apprised of relevant topics,” said Joseph Collins, 12th grade camp participant. “It’s given me the ability to not only state my opinion but actually back it up and be able to do the research.”
An Inside Look at the 2012 Bond Program
The August 2013 edition of the Building Excellence e-newsletter is packed with updates about the activities and information surrounding the 2012 HISD bond. Here are just a few of the stories:
Parents: Get Children’s Back-to-School Immunizations for Free
The start of the new school year is just around the corner, and one of the things all students need to have is up-to-date immunizations.
Which immunizations are required for your child? Visit the Heath & Medical Services Departments’ website for the lists.
Here’s some good news: Your child can get back-to-school immunizations for free. Here’s where and when you can get them in Houston. Parents must accompany their child and have their child’s immunization records in order to qualify.
HISD Transportation to Provide Emergency/Rescue Training to All Bus Drivers
More than 1,200 to complete hands-on training in partnership with Houston Fire Department
HISD’s Transportation Services, in partnership with the Houston Fire Department, will provide realistic emergency and rescue training to all bus drivers and attendants to prepare them to respond successfully to any crisis on a school bus. The training will be August 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Houston Fire Department Training Facility, 8030 Braniff Street.
Mock emergency drills will prepare bus drivers and attendants to respond to a variety of potential scenarios, including a fire on a school bus, an armed intruder on board, and a wreck involving a train.
Sign Up Today for the Mayor’s Back-to-School Fest on Aug. 10
Mayor Annise Parker will be hosting a Back-to-School Fest for parents on Sat., Aug. 10, 2013.
The event will take place from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the University of Houston, and it is expected to serve about 25,000 families from almost two dozen Houston-area independent school districts.
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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 Jo Reed, the librarian at Scroggins Elementary School.
Customer Service Reps and Rooms Being Readied to Support Laptop Initiative
While the latest and greatest technology can often make our lives easier and save us time, nothing is quite so frustrating as when a digital device doesn’t do what we want it to. That’s why HISD is making sure that its new one-to-one laptop initiative called “PowerUp” has a robust system in place to support participating staff and students.
HISD’s Information Technology Department has spent the summer months locating and preparing special customer-service rooms at each of the 11 pilot schools involved in the launch of PowerUp this coming school year. All the rooms are in the process of being renovated and upgraded with new cabling and equipment.