Clifton MS sixth-grader Victoria Lopez and her mom got to know HISD School Support Officer Lupita Hinojosa, left, at Saturday’s National School Choice Week kick-off event.

HISD students and staff were among the thousands who attended the National School Choice Week kick-off at Houston’s Union Station Saturday, Jan. 25. The celebration brought together Democrats and Republicans, home-schoolers, public school districts, charters, and even a few virtual learners around a common cause: school choice.

Superintendent Terry Grier, introduced by KIPP Co-founder Mike Feinberg, pointed out to a sea of yellow scarves and signs advocating school choice. Nearly 70,000 students in HISD are exercising their right to choose the school that meets their unique needs. Contingents from Elrod,Garden Oaks, Parker, Poe Red, and Roberts elementary schools; Clifton, Fleming, Johnston and Revere middle schools; and Chavez, Challenge Early College and South Early College high schools were there.

After Dr. Grier’s remarks, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee spoke to the crowd, agreeing that all students deserve access to school choice.

Schools across HISD are observing National School Choice Week by wearing yellow National School Choice Week scarves and hosting parent tours and activities, community open houses, student performances, mural paintings, and student organization fairs.

HISD schools hosting NSCW activities Jan. 27–31, 2014
• Austin HS: Open house for potential students Thursday
• Furr HS: Students will learn about Green School pathways
• Westside HS: Community open house Thursday
• Burbank MS: Parent tours Monday-Thursday, tree-planting Friday
• Kolter ES: Lunar Chinese New Year Celebration Wednesday
• Oak Forest ES: Triathlon Monday, PTA meeting on school choice Thursday
• Parker ES: Parent open house Thursday
• Belfort ECC: Mural painting, parent activities, student school-choice activities all week