Yearly Archives: 2013

‘Career Cowboy’ targeting career education in HISD elementary schools

Think back to when you were a child. What did you want to be when you grew up: a doctor, lawyer, or fighter pilot?

Now, elementary-age students can interact with hands-on exhibits and activities that can map out a career path in numerous professions.

HISD’s Career and Technical Education department has developed a free, mobile learning program designed to teach students about professional careers and the types that are available in the Houston area. Students could soon see the Ready Wagon bus pull up to their campus and have the chance to meet the “Career Cowboy”.

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HISD Plans to Preserve Schools’ Historical Architecture

Lamar High School was built in 1937 in a distinctive Art Deco style.

Lamar High School is known as a school that has graduated award-winning journalists and authors, and Nobel laureates and professional athletes over the years. While Houstonians embrace the school’s rich alumni culture, few realize that the building’s structure has its own legacy with a deeply rooted foundation in its surrounding community.

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Team HISD extends teacher application deadline

Because of the overwhelming response and interest in teaching positions for the 2013-14 school year, we have decided to extend our spring application deadline to May 22, 2013.

If you are passionate about teaching and committed to boldly impacting student achievement, we urge you to apply for a teaching position with HISD. To get started, simply click here and follow all instructions.

While vacancies exist in all areas, HISD has a high need for instructors with strong backgrounds in the following areas:

  • Bilingual teachers — More than 60,000 students in HISD have limited proficiency in English. We’re looking for experienced bilingual teachers who hold their students to high expectations and are passionate about opening doors for English language learners.
  • Science, technology, engineering, and math teachers — HISD is actively recruiting STEM teachers who are invested in preparing our students to compete in a 21st century economy. We are filling positions districtwide including those at our two new STEM magnet schools, The Energy Institute High School and the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan.

Five-thousand dollar incentives are available, while they last, for teachers hired for the 2013-2014 school year to teach in critical shortage areas including: bilingual (Spanish), Spanish, secondary math, secondary science, and special education areas such as autism, life skills, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, DeafEd, and behavior support.

Board of Education Approves 11 More Contracts for Work Related to 2012 Bond

Selected projects include five more schools and athletic facility upgrades

May 9, 2013 – The HISD Board of Education authorized the district to negotiate design contracts with six firms on selected 2012 bond projects, including two of the district’s renowned specialty high schools – DeBakey High School for the Health Professions and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

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Student Creations to Cruise in Art Car Parade

Eight schools are participating in this weekend’s parade

Students at the Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center are putting the finishing touches on an after school art project that will soon be seen by thousands of Houstonians. Art teacher Carolyn James-Taylor and a group of middle school students have created an entry for this year’s Art Car parade which will be cruising down Houston’s streets on Saturday, May 11, 2013, starting at 3 p.m. Continue reading →

Ten HISD Seniors Awarded National Merit Scholarships

Winners selected from talent pool of more than 15,000 finalists

Ten Houston Independent School District students from five high schools have been named National Merit Scholarship winners and will each receive a scholarship for their undergraduate studies.  The winners, selected from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists nationwide, were awarded based on their ability to demonstrate the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential success in rigorous college studies.

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May 8 is National School Nurse Day

National School Nurse Day, May 8, celebrates the dedication each of HISD’s 280 school nurses has to the health and wellness of every student.

School nurses are not just there for students who scrape a knee or have a runny nose. They also promote disease prevention and, according to the National Association of School Nurses, spend about 32 percent of their time providing mental health services.

School nurses have specialized knowledge, skills, and judgment to manage complex medical conditions and chronic health illnesses to keep students healthy, in class, and ready to learn. The most common condition HISD school nurses treated last year was asthma.

Overall, less than 20 percent of the students who see a school nurse end up needing to go home.

Take a moment on Wednesday to say thanks to the nurse at your school. He or she is dedicated to keeping students healthy in and out of the classroom.

School Year is Nearing an End, But Bond Work is Revving Up for the Summer

Atherton Elementary on the city's northeast side is scheduled to open for students in August.

The school year is winding down for students, but for architects and construction companies working for HISD, the summer promises to be busier than ever.

More than 60 construction projects are slated to be in full swing when the school year ends June 6. The work will mark another milestone in the 2007 bond program, which has included more than 180 expansion, renovation and maintenance projects across the district.

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HISD Hosting Career Informational, Job Fair Events for North Forest ISD Employees

The Houston Independent School District is reaching out to North Forest school employees who are interested in applying for positions with HISD.

Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams has ordered HISD to annex North Forest ISD effective July 1.

The first outreach event is a job information session exclusively for North Forest ISD employees.  The session will be conducted on Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Delmar –Tusa Athletics Center, 2020 Mangum.

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