Yearly Archives: 2013

2012-2013 Annual Board of Education Student Awards

Board of Education Award recipient Sara Jamison, right, gets a hug from Booker T. Washington magnet coordinator Kathleen Moreland, left, after commencement.

Each year the Board of Education recognizes distinguished seniors from HISD high schools in recognition of their total accomplishments exemplified by their character, academic achievement, leadership, and service. Selection is made by a school committee appointed by the principal and the award is presented by the board trustee during commencement exercises. An outstanding young man and young woman are selected as well as up to five honorable mention students from each high school. This year’s recipients are:

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State Releases 2013 STAAR Exam Results

Tougher exams measure whether students are on track for college and career readiness

Most Houston Independent School District students showed they are on track to graduate high school prepared for college and rewarding careers, according to preliminary 2013 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results released today.

Reflecting a statewide trend, HISD student performance was strongest in math and science, while students struggled most with reading and writing.

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Golfcrest Elementary students try new fruits, vegetables at school festival

Students handle a large papaya.

Students handle a large papaya.

While an apple a day may keep the doctor away, HISD’s Food Services department is hoping to get students to eat a few more than just a single piece of fruit.

Students at Golfcrest Elementary finished off a 3-week long nutritional curriculum with a taste-testing session held last week. The International Fruit and Veggie Festival allowed students to learn about food items with which they might not be familiar.

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Books Between Kids promotes reading, peer-to-peer philanthropy

Books Between Kids founders Amy Barnes & Sandra Ahlhorn with students from Kashmere Gardens ES

More than 12,000 HISD students will be starting off their summer vacation right—with an armload of books to take home, enjoy, and keep—thanks to two book-loving ladies and the non-profit they created last year to support literacy.

“Building home libraries, one summer at a time,” is the slogan of Books Between Kids, which Sandra Ahlhorn and Amy Barnes cofounded in 2012, and that is precisely what the longtime friends (and parents of HISD students) intend to do.

“What really provoked me was an op-ed piece I read in the newspaper that children were living in homes with no books,” explained Barnes. “And ‘no’ means ‘none.’ We both grew up in book-loving homes, so that just didn’t seem possible. Then Sandra heard a talk given by (HISD Superintendent) Terry Grier about the summer slide, and we both thought, ‘You know, we can do something about this.’”

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Photos: Behind-the-scenes of an HISD graduation

Graduating seniors put on their cap and gown while friends and family held back tears before their loved ones crossed the stage and received their diploma.

We went behind-the-scenes at Delmar Field House for a bit of the action before the ceremony for the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice commenced.

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HISD Superintendent Terry Grier to Address Class of 2013 at Commencement Ceremonies

Nearly 9,000 seniors to graduate at 41 HISD graduation ceremonies

Starting today nearly 9,000 seniors will graduate from HISD high schools at 41 commencement ceremonies across Houston.  On Saturday and Sunday HISD Superintendent Terry Grier will be addressing the seniors at the commencement ceremonies for Chavez, Washington and East Early College high schools.  Members of the HISD Board of Education will also be taking part in commencement ceremonies across the district.

“It is such an honor to see thousands of students walk across the stage, ready to embark on a new chapter in their lives,” Dr. Grier said.  “At HISD we work hard to ensure all students are college and career ready, so we feel confident that every senior from the Class of 2013 is on the right path to success.”

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Women Contractors Association Gets 2012 Bond Program Update

Presenters at the Women Contractors Association luncheon on Thursday receive pink hard hats. From left to right, Susan Repka, WCA executive director; Raynese Edwards, of PPG/people Source Inc.; Michael Dwight, of Hensel Phelps Construction Co.; Alexis Licata, of the Houston Independent School District.

Companies hoping to do business with the Houston Independent School District under its 2012 bond program got an overview of upcoming bid opportunities at the monthly luncheon Thursday of the Women Contractors Association.

“There’s a tremendous amount of work,” Alexis Licata, the district’s general manager of the Office of Business Assistance, told the audience of some 65 people who turned out for the event. She urged participants, especially minority- and women-owned business enterprises, to help the district as it embarks on the $1.89 billion program that includes renovating or building 40 schools.

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HISD to Offer Free Summer Meals Program at more than 200 campuses

Families invited to kick-off parties on June 11 and 12

The Houston Independent School District’s free summer meal program kicks off on June 11 at more than 200 schools. Children ages 1 to 18 will be able to enjoy a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost through mid-July.  The start of the program will be celebrated with kick-off parties at Bonham and Kashmere Gardens elementary schools.

The ‘Summer Food, Summer Fun’ kick-off parties on June 11 and 12 will include giveaways, music, games and a special visit from Ace the nutrition mascot.

Children do not have to be enrolled in summer school nor show proof of income in order to receive a free meal at the participating HISD schools.  Adults may also participate by purchasing breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.25.

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CFS Operations Honors Staff with Excellence Awards

Houston ISD’s Construction and Facilities Services Operations recently honored outstanding employees during three separate recognition ceremonies at the Delmar Field House. There are more than 1,200 custodians, plant operators and grounds crews who serve classroom needs and attend to building cleanliness on a daily basis.

“I was asked to speak to the hardest working employees in HISD, and I want to thank all of you for your commitment to our schools,” said HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier, as he opened the ceremonies.

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