A new online application process and computer-generated lottery have been completed and nearly 50,000 notifications of the Houston Independent School District magnet programs including Vanguard placements for 2014-2015 will be sent to families by email (after 5 p.m.) and postal service Friday.
Monthly Archives: March 2014
Video details progress on creating a 21st century Waltrip HS
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/87899474/ w=320&h=205]
A new video released by HISD highlights efforts to turn Waltrip High School into a 21st century campus by building a partial three-story building replacement and updating the space with general building renovations – all of which will be funded by the district’s 2012 bond program.
Challenge takes 14,400 pounds off HISD employees, adds $80,000 to paychecks
If you happen to be at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, you may notice employees in athletic shoes walking both inside and outside of the building. They’re part of the more than 5,500 HISD employees from across the district who are hoping to be bathing suit-ready in a few months signed up for the HISD HealthyWage Challenge that began in February and continues through the end of May.
All that is required to succeed is to maintain a slow-but-steady weight loss of four pounds a month for four months, and each participant will be rewarded $160, as well as be entered in a drawing in which each team member might win an iPad. There are other incentives as well, including one that doesn’t require losing weight — everyone who weighed in and out for the first month of the contest is automatically entered into a drawing, and five lucky winners will win a FitBit in April.
At the end of the first month, 3,515 employees weighed in, and 2,023 had lost at least four pounds and will receive $40 in their April 9 paycheck — for a total of $80,920. The total weight loss in February was an amazing 14,400 pounds, which is equal to one elephant, one school bus, or two pickup trucks.
Lights, camera, PowerUp at Bellaire HS!
Bellaire High School students and staff are sharing their personal insights regarding the district’s PowerUp technology initiative in a new, student-produced video. Molly Oretsky, Iceland Vu, and Anthea Wilson, who work on Bellaire’s student newspaper and website, Three Penny Press, filmed the recent distribution of student laptops on their campus and interviewed students and staff on how the devices are changing classroom instruction.
Bellaire is one of 11 high schools in phase one of PowerUp, which eventually will give every HISD high school student a laptop to use at school and at home.
Be prepared: Juniors still have time to take advantage of online SAT coaching
All HISD juniors are being enrolled for free to take the SAT college entrance exam during the school day on their campuses on April 16 – and they also qualify for two prep courses at no cost. But time is tight to take advantage of the chance to take practice tests and customized instruction to help boost their scores.
Nominations sought for HISD School Nurse of the Year
Do you know a great nurse at a Houston ISD school? Nominate him or her for the district’s 2013-2014 School Nurse of the Year award.
Nominees must have five years experience as a school nurse and spend as least 50 percent of their work time directly caring for students.
Small business experiences huge growth in working with HISD
Small-business professionals heard a success story Tuesday about a minority-owned company that has taken its business to new heights, earning contracts to build HISD’s new Milby High School and DeBakey High School for Health Professions.
“Everyone in our construction office is ecstatic about the work they’re doing,” said HISD Team Lead for Supplier Diversity Bernard Willingham, who shared Taylor Construction Management’s story with about 200 small-business professionals at the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum’s monthly breakfast.
Bellaire HS dance team wins national title
Bellaire High School’s eMotion Dance Company took home the title at the Crowd Pleasers National Showcase of Champions at the Berry Center in northwest Harris County on March 22.
The team, which has a total of 35 male and female dancers, won the national title and choreography award in the hip-hop category. Bellaire HS dance teacher Sanja Korman said senior Pierre Phillips created the choreography.
More community meetings planned on major changes in high school
Counselors and registrars will be on hand to answer questions about new graduation requirements shaped by House Bill 5
The Houston Independent School District is continuing a series of community meetings this week that will connect middle school parents with high school counselors and other experts on House Bill 5, which is changing high school in a big way for next year’s ninth-graders. Continue reading
Buy fresh veggies, support HISD students at Whole Kids Farmers Market
You can stock your kitchen with fresh veggies and help students from nine Houston ISD schools learn how to grow produce and sell it by shopping at the Whole Kids Farmers Market at Whole Foods’ Montrose store, 701 Waugh Dr. (at West Dallas), from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.