The HISD Business Assistance Department presented new changes to its documentation and bidding process for minority- and women-owned businesses at a workshop Wednesday after working with public entities, private corporations and chambers of commerce to improve its supplier diversity program.
Monthly Archives: March 2014
Plan Your Path Tip No. 1: It’s never too early to communicate with colleges
Grady students show off their letters to colleges and universities.
How are you Planning Your Path – or guiding your children or students along their way to higher education and careers? We’re anxious to share your activities with others, as HISD moves into implementing the exciting changes brought by House Bill 5. Here’s the first in our series.
Grady Middle School eighth-graders have taken the first step on the path to college and career readiness. In their English class, the students wrote letters to a favorite college or university to request information regarding programs the schools offer in fields that interest them.
“Even though these students have not yet started high school, it is not too soon for them to start thinking about what they’ll be doing after high school,” said Grady Middle School’s eighth-grade IB Language A instructor Dorothy Leahy.
Parents of eighth-graders to get preview of high school under HB 5
Community meetings begin Monday; high school counselors and registrars will be on hand to answer questions about new graduation requirements
What is an “endorsement”? How can my child be eligible for Top 10 percent admissions to college? What does my child do to “supersize” his or her diploma to be more attractive to colleges and employers? Parents of current eighth-graders – who will be the first to graduate under revised state requirements – will face an array of new choices and decisions at the start of the 2014-2015 school year.
HISD Food Services celebrates National Nutrition Month
HISD’s Food Services Department is celebrating National Nutrition Month throughout March. National Nutrition Month is a nutrition and education information campaign celebrated annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right,” is this year’s theme which encourages individuals to develop life-long healthy eating habits by finding the right balance of delicious AND healthy foods.
Three schools eliminated from HISD closure, consolidation proposal
The Houston Independent School District Board of Trustees will review proposals to close Jones High School and Dodson Elementary School during the March 13 board meeting. Three of the five schools – Nathaniel Q. Henderson Elementary School, Port Houston Elementary School, and Fleming Middle School – originally proposed for closure have been removed from consideration by Board President Juliet Stipeche. This authority is provided to the president through board policy.
“I respect our board president’s request to remove these schools from consideration,” HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said. “I also appreciate her input, the input of all trustees, and the community-at-large in this process.”
HISD celebrates highly effective teachers with breakfast, district recognition
A group of 27 highly effective teachers from campuses across HISD gathered at district headquarters Wednesday morning for a celebratory breakfast, a photo shoot, and tributes from district leadership.
“We know that nothing is more important than providing our students with great teachers,” said Dr. Rodney Watson, chief human resources officer. “And I can also tell you that teaching is the most difficult job I’ve ever had. I wish we could have brought all of our district’s top teachers together today, because they all deserve to be recognized for their tremendous work.”
HISD Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones agreed. “I have such deep respect for the hard work our teachers do every day. The hard and heavy lifting in our district truly takes place in the classrooms.”
Community hears about plans for a new Relief Elementary
The new elementary school being built to help relieve crowding in the West Houston area will be located on a unique piece of land that offers views and an abundance of natural beauty.
“It’s a wonderful place to build a school,” Trustee Harvin Moore told a group of parents and community members who turned out Monday to learn more about the project.
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Yates High School returns to state tournament; Semi-final game Thursday
Sendoff pep rally today, watch party planned for weekend
In honor of Jack Yates High School boys’ basketball team’s return trip to compete for another state title, the Yates band and cheerleading team will host a pep rally at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 in the school’s auditorium (3703 Sampson St, Houston, TX 77004). The event will highlight student-athletes’ achievements and serve as the final spirit-fest for a 23-9 team that is hoping to win it all in Austin. The team will load buses immediately following the event.
Chavez HS College Camp helps students, parents prepare for paying for college
Don’t think that financial issues make college out of reach. That was the message sounded repeatedly to several hundred parents and students, who attended College Camp Houston at Chavez High School on March 1 to find out more about the financial aspects of preparing for higher education.
The workshop, hosted by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and Wells Fargo Bank, provided students and parents with advice for paying for college, researching financial aid, and obtaining scholarships. Bankers and education finance specialists guided families through the application process.
Governor declares March 3-7 Educational Diagnosticians’ Week
Educational diagnosticians are certified professionals with skills in identifying learning disorders. In recognition of the critical role that these individuals play in providing all students with a high-quality education, Gov. Rick Perry has declared March 3–7 “Educational Diagnosticians’ Week” in the state of Texas.
“By developing and recommending teaching strategies and materials, these professionals help provide our next generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills fundamental for lifelong success,” said Perry, in a proclamation signed on Feb. 4 (.pdf). “Their hard work contributes to the future of our young Texans and of the Lone Star State.”
For more information, visit the Texas Educational Diagnosticians’ Association.