Yearly Archives: 2013

HISD to Host Inaugural Districtwide Special Olympics Field Day

More than 1,200 students to participate during two-day event

The HISD Office of Special Education Services and Special Olympics Texas have partnered to host the inaugural districtwide Special Olympics Field Day, a two-day event to provide athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and closely related developmental disabilities, on May 2 and 3.  More than 1,200 HISD students will be participating in a variety of athletics events such as basketball, track, flag football, soccer, and softball toss events.  Houston Texans players and coaches, along with volunteers from HISD’s athletics department, the University of Houston and Hewlett Packard, will be helping out with the event.

What:  Inaugural HISD Special Olympics Field Day

Who:  HISD Office of Special Education Services staff, HISD students, coaches, Houston Texans players and coaches, and University of Houston and Hewlett Packard volunteers

When:  Thursday, May 2, 2013 (Elementary) and Friday, May 3, 2013 (Middle/High) from 9a.m. – 1p.m.

Where:  Delmar-Tusa Athletic Complex, 2020 Mangum Road

Students Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Parades, Carnivals

Proceeds from Condit ES event to offset cost of attending Odyssey of the Mind World Finals

HISD students are taking part in dozens of activities this week and next as a part of their observance of Cinco de Mayo (May 5).

Originally celebrated as the day Mexico’s army defeated a much larger French force in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, in America, the date has become an opportunity to learn more about and to celebrate Mexico’s history and culture. Continue reading →

HISD recognizes Principals of the Year

Tonya Woods of Lewis Elementary, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.

Tonya Woods of Lewis Elementary, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.

HISD recognized eight of its most respected and effective administrators on May 1, as the Principals of the Year, First Year Principals of the Year, and Assistant Principals of the Year.

The administrators were nominated by colleagues, teachers, and students for their instructional leadership and efforts to boost student achievement, and the honorees were selected for their outstanding contributions to the district and their school communities. 

Here are the 2013 honorees:
Assistant Principals of the Year

Sonja Williams of Madison High School, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.

Sonja Williams of Madison High School, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.

  • Elementary: Maria Espinosa, Rodriguez ES
  • Middle: Inge Garibaldi, Williams MS
  • High: Opal Harrison, Milby HS

First Year Principals of the Year

  • Elementary: Abigail Taylor, Sinclair ES
  • Secondary: Geovanny Ponce, Hartman MS

Principals of the Year

  • Elementary: Tonya Woods, Lewis ES
  • Middle: Nicole Moore Morrison, Key MS
  • High: Sonja Williams, Madison HS

See photos of all the Principal of the Year winners.

Nicole Moore of Key Middle School, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.

Nicole Moore of Key Middle School, pictured with Houston ISD superintendent Terry Grier, is one of the district's Principals of the Year.

Superintendent of Schools Terry B. Grier congratulated the administrators during a ceremony at the monthly principals’ meeting. “There’s no doubt that these administrators represent excellence in leadership,” he said. “But there are many other equally deserving principals in this room.”

HISD Bond Oversight Committee Hears Update on 2007, 2012 Programs at Inaugural Meeting

HISD’s Bond Oversight Committee heard a detailed update on the district’s 2012 and 2007 bond programs during its inaugural quarterly meeting on Tuesday that included the latest steps in planning, renovating and building dozens of schools across the district.

The independent committee was established to monitor the district’s bond programs, which includes ensuring that bond revenues are spent appropriately and evaluating the risks and controls of the bond program.

The district recently reorganized the group’s charter to give it more oversight responsibility, via independent and periodic reports to the superintendent, the Board of Education and the general public.

Continue reading →

Internships Give Students a Taste of Possible Careers

Sterling High School students in the automotive internship program pose with their mentors from the Transportation Services department.

Sterling High School students in the automotive internship program pose with their mentors from the Transportation Services department.

Darrien Coleman plans to own his own auto repair shop one day, and although still in high school, he is already taking meaningful steps to achieve that dream.

The Sterling High School senior has been participating in an automotive internship program since last November that allows HISD students to work with members of the district’s own Transportation Department to learn the ins and outs of school bus maintenance.

Continue reading →

HISD seeks construction management services on selected 2012 bond projects

HISD is soliciting qualifications from construction companies interested in supplying Construction Manager at Risk services on four schools being renovated or built under the 2012 bond program.

The projects include Waltrip High School, Worthing High School, North Early College and South Early College high schools.

“This is great opportunity for companies that want to work with the district and the architects as we plan and design these schools,” said Robert Sands, Officer of Construction & Facility Services.

Continue reading →

HISD Teacher Named Houston Bilingual Educator of the Year

Scroggins Elementary's Maria Elena Galan, the 2013 HAABE Bilingual Teacher of the Year

Scroggins Elementary's Maria Elena Galan, the 2013 HAABE Bilingual Teacher of the Year

When Maria Elena Galan first came to the United States in 1993, she immediately enrolled herself in ESL classes at Houston Community College. “I had very limited English skills so I had to study and practice, practice, practice,” said Galan. Twenty years later the Scroggins Elementary School teacher draws from her own personal experience learning the English language to motivate and help her fourth grade students and their parents.

On Friday, April 27, Galan was honored as the 2013 Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the Houston Area Association for Bilingual Education (HAABE). Galan was nominated for the honor by her principal San Juana Elizando.

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Energy Institute High School Open House on May 2

Parents and students interested in attending The Energy Institute High School are invited to attend an open house on Thursday, May 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 West 18th Street). The new HISD magnet school is currently recruiting ninth grade students for the 2013-2014 school year. Subsequent grades will be added each year so that the campus will eventually serve students in grades 9-12.

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Academic Signing Day Celebrates Senior Scholarships

Approximately 200 students listened to inspirational words about completing college from HISD Superintendent Terry Grier.

Approximately 200 students listened to inspirational words about completing college from HISD Superintendent Terry Grier.

Hundreds of seniors made their intent to pursue higher education official at HISD’s first ever Academic Signing Day held at the Delmar-Tusa Athletic Complex on April 26, 2013. Much like athletes are celebrated for committing to a college, HISD seniors who were awarded scholarships to attend a two or four-year university were honored at the district’s inaugural event.

“I think it’s wonderful that HISD is formally recognizing our students who have worked hard throughout high school and are now seeing the rewards of their academic efforts,” said Austin High School Principal Jorge Arredondo.

“Normally it’s only athletes that have a signing day,” said Jones High School senior Kiara St. John. “It’s pretty cool that we are getting recognized for our talents and accomplishments.”

Continue reading →