Yearly Archives: 2014

HISD statement related to incident near James Madison High School

HISD Police, with help from the Houston Police Department, are investigating an incident that occurred near the James Madison High School campus. At approximately 1 p.m., a student was stabbed during an altercation that took place near campus. The student then returned to campus for help, and staff immediately notified authorities. The student since has been transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Please know we take these situations very seriously, as the safety of our students is always our top priority. HISD notified parents of the incident, and classes continued as normal. All after-school activities have been canceled as a precautionary measure. A gradual student dismissal began at 3:45 p.m.

HISD team recognized for success with supplier diversity program

HISD' s Supplier Diversity team recently was honored for its M/WBE program.

HISD’ s Supplier Diversity team recently was honored for its M/WBE program.

The Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum (GHBPF) presented Alexis Licata, HISD’s General Manager of Business Assistance, with the Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award at this year’s Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) awards ceremony on Oct. 21.

The award is presented annually to an organization or individual whose business practices have had a significant impact on the growth and development of minority-owned firms.

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Last year’s Fishman Prize finalist offers advice to this year’s applicants

(Elk Studios)

Dávila ES teacher Marie Krueger-Miller, who was named a finalist for the 2013 Fishman Prize, is encouraging other educators to apply for the award this year. Photo courtesy TNTP.

Last year, Dávila Elementary School’s own Marie Krueger-Miller was named one of nine finalists for The New Teacher Project’s (TNTP) Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice. This year, the fourth-grade English as a Second Language teacher is planning to apply for the award again — and she is offering advice to other educators who might be considering doing the same.

“Think about what truly makes you unique,” said Krueger-Miller. “There are so many phenomenal educators. How are you different? How do you add to your kids’ lives and the field as a whole?” Continue reading →

Video details how designs are coming along for a new HSLECJ

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A new video released by HISD gives an inside look into the design process for the new High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. As part of the district’s 2012 bond program, $40 million has been budgeted to build a new 21st century facility for the school.

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Endurance runners use encounter with living legend to inspire themselves and others

Endurance runners and HISD employees Alyssa Howell (right) and her husband, John Smith, pose with Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon, at a pre-race dinner in Syracuse, New York, on Oct. 18. Switzer is holding the bib number she wore during the 1967 Boston Marathon, in which she broke the previously all-male tradition.

Ever wonder what it’s like to meet one of your personal heroes? If so, just ask HISD Teacher Development Specialist Alyssa Howell or her husband, John Smith, who teaches at Sutton Elementary School.

The night before competing in the Empire State half-marathon in upstate New York on Oct. 19, Howell and Smith got to meet and have dinner with Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run in the prestigious Boston Marathon. Switzer entered the previously all-male race back in 1967 and completed it despite being physically assaulted by the race manager around mile six. Continue reading →

Burbank MS brings popular children’s author to campus for Family Literacy Night

This year, Family Literacy Night at Burbank Middle School was very special. Throughout September and October, students, staff, and community members all read Christopher Healy’s “The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom.” Then they got together on Family Literacy Night to discuss the book and had a rare opportunity to take the discussion directly to Healy, who was the night’s special guest.

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“I feel really privileged to be a part of this event,” Healy said. “From the point of view of an author, it’s unbelievable. It’s amazing that all of these kids and teachers read my book. It’s not that they’ve all just read it, but that it’s become a point of discussion in the school. People have been telling me that students are talking about it in the hallways, and teachers are discussing the characters and plotlines outside of class. That’s an amazing feeling for me — the idea of a whole school rallying around one book and the way it supports literacy.” Continue reading →

Meet the HISD Police Department’s first female Asian officer

Houston ISD police officer Minhnguyet "Nicky" Tran poses for a photograph at Chavez High School, October 24, 2014. (Dave Einsel / Houston ISD)

Officer Nicky Tran

It’s been several months since Minhnguyet “Nicky” Tran was sworn in as a police officer for the Houston Independent School District Police Department. Currently working at Chavez High School, the University of Houston graduate made history by becoming HISD PD’s first female Asian police officer. Tran says she remains committed to community policing and in keeping students and district employees safe on a daily basis. She talks about who inspired her to join HISD PD, and some of her experiences since joining the only accredited public school district police department in the nation.

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Notice of destruction of Special Education records

Special Education records which have been collected by the Houston Independent School District (HISD) related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of Special Education in the district must be maintained under state and federal laws for a period of five years after Special Education services have ended for the student. Special Education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, completes his or her educational program at age 22, or moves from the district. Continue reading →

Fonville MS robotics team wins tournament its first time out

The fledgling robotics team at Fonville Middle School might be relatively new, but that doesn’t mean its members don’t know a thing or two about how to win a competition.

The Fonville team outperformed several high school teams recently to claim top honors at HISD’s VEX West competition. The students shared the title of “tournament champions” with their allies from Lamar High School, and also received the “Cooperate Award” for demonstrating extraordinary teamwork under pressure. Continue reading →