Yearly Archives: 2014

YWCPA teacher hopes ‘a flip on the flip’ will lead to a $25,000 award

Students in Sarah Campbell's 7th-grade writing class use Edmodo as a portal to conducting their lessons at Young Women's College Preparatory Academy, October 15, 2013. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Sarah Campbell

Sarah Campbell has been incorporating technology in her classroom since HISD’s PowerUp initiative came to her campus last fall. Now, the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy teacher and member of the PowerUp Teacher Leader Corps is hoping to parlay her cutting-edge instructional methods into national recognition and a big cash prize.

Campbell was one of three HISD educators nominated by Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Officer Lance Menster for the TNTP’s Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice, which recognizes exceptional teachers working in high-poverty public schools and comes with a top award of $25,000. Continue reading →

Lee HS community briefed on construction plans for new school

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A community meeting was held Monday evening to discuss design plans and the construction timeline for the new 21st century campus at Lee High School.

Through HISD’s 2012 bond program, $73.8 million has been allocated to build the new Lee HS campus. The new 240,000-square-foot facility will include state-of-the-art technology with flexibility to allow for future upgrades. The two-story school will be divided into four neighborhood wings with open spaces and plenty of windows to maximize natural light.

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Madison HS names young cancer patient honorary team captain at homecoming

(Houston Independent School District)

Kyssi Andrews poses with the Marlins’ usual team captain, senior Dornell Murrell.

Young Khrystin “Kyssi” Andrews has been getting a lot of attention since her mother waged a social media campaign to obtain a much-needed medical test for her daughter in 2012.

Last week, the three-time cancer survivor went on a dream date with “Prince Charming” in honor of her sixth birthday, and on Oct. 17, she was named the honorary team captain of the Madison High School Marlins during their homecoming game against the Austin High School Mustangs.  Continue reading →

Brian Ching is the face of Read Houston Read in new public service announcement

The Houston Dynamo and Dash professional soccer teams are official sponsors of HISD’s Read Houston Read volunteer program, and their most visible face is helping to recruit reader-mentors.

Brian Ching, longtime star with the Dynamo and the U.S. Men’s National Team and now managing director of the Dash women’s team, has recorded a public service announcement seeking volunteers for Read Houston Read.

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Ching spent a day with students at The Rusk School near BBVA Compass Stadium, where the Dynamo and Dash play, to read with them and record the message. Continue reading →

A college visit to Texas A&M sparks students’ drive to succeed

The cadets in uniform, the large buildings, the football stadium, and students skateboarding and riding bicycles to class were some of the first things Yates High School senior Jason Covarrubias noticed upon arriving on the campus of Texas A&M University.

Until last week, he had never visited a college outside of Houston.

“I could go by myself on a college visit, but I’d be lost in the process,” he said. “My parents probably couldn’t go with me because they have to work, and I work on the weekends. So for HISD to do this, I really appreciate it.”

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HISD took about 120 12th graders to College Station last week to visit Texas A&M. Students from Davis, Furr, Kashmere, North Forest, Worthing, and Yates high schools and Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy boarded charter buses as early as 6:30 a.m. to participate in the day-long trip. Continue reading →

HISD’s Energy Institute High School named beneficiary of OTC fundraiser

The Energy Institute High School has been selected as the beneficiary of the 2015 Annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) Dinner, scheduled for May 3 at NRG Stadium.

Each year, net proceeds from the dinner – held in conjunction with OTC’s flagship Houston conference and attended by industry leaders from around the world – are awarded to a charitable organization that is connected to the offshore energy industry and makes a positive impact in the community. Continue reading →

Some campus carnivals give visitors a sneak peek inside magnet programs

Parents considering Parker ES’s music program can see its advanced bands perform Oct. 18

Many HISD schools hold campus carnivals each fall to raise money for various programs and initiatives, but some also offer parents a sneak peek at their magnet programs.

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Condit ES stakeholders hear construction plans ahead of groundbreaking

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Condit Elementary parents and neighbors gathered for a community meeting Thursday evening to hear about the construction timeline and see final design plans for the school’s new 21st century campus. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 1, and construction will begin before the end of the year.

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HISD board receives update on fine arts education in the district

‘Significant’ number of schools looking for increases

HISD’s Board of Education held a workshop Thursday on the status of fine arts education in the district and heard that in a survey, a “significant number” of schools said they would like to implement greater access to arts education immediately.

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