Yearly Archives: 2014

First-year HISD teachers say support makes the difference in Alternative Certification Program

Early on a Saturday morning, a group of 168 first-year teachers have gathered together at Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center for fellowship and support while learning practices to make them effective first-year HISD teachers.

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This is a key part of support for these first-year teachers who are interns in HISD’s alternative certification program — the Effective Teacher Fellowship (ETF).

ETF acknowledges the challenging work of teachers in urban school districts such as HISD and equips interns with appropriate skills to thrive in the classroom environment.  ETF has partnered with FuelEd, a unique training program that equips teachers with the social and emotional competencies necessary to establish high-quality relationships in schools. Continue reading →

HISD PD reaches out to community during National Night Out

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The Houston Independent School District Police Department celebrated its annual National Night Out event on Tuesday with food, music and fun activities. About 150 community members, law enforcement officials, volunteers and businesses gathered at the department’s headquarters to host the event, which aims to strengthen police and community relationships.

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Nutrition Services finds it’s easy being green with competitions, games

With more than 220,000 meals a day served, HISD’s Nutrition Services generates a massive volume of waste – which is now being recycled, thanks to new green initiatives at the Food Service Support facility.

Recycling bins have been distributed to manufacturing and common areas and to every cubicle in administration to collect paper, plastic wrap, cans, bottles and more for reuse instead of landfilling.

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“We are so proud of our green efforts,” said Jennifer Lengyel, Nutrition Services nutrition education dietitian, who is leading the efforts at the support facility. “We pride ourselves in nourishing the lives of our students and community with nutritious food, and now we are nourishing the future by protecting the environment and reducing our carbon footprint.” Continue reading →

Ivy Plus College Night shows students they can get accepted into a top college

Madison High School senior Jamie Russell has his heart set on attending the University of Texas or Texas A&M University, but he came to Ivy Plus College Night Monday anyway to weigh his options and learn about the nation’s top colleges.

“My counselor told me this would be a good chance to learn about top colleges and see what opportunities they have for students in higher education,” said Russell, who is currently ranked No. 7 in his senior class. “I’m getting good advice on financial aid and the (college) application process.”

Hundreds of high school students from across the district attended Ivy Plus College Night at Reagan HS to get tips on how to increase their chances of getting accepted into a top tier college such as Yale, Harvard, Rice, and Duke. All of the colleges represented at the event are ranked among the top 100 by U.S. News & World Report.

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Family Learning Academy offers parents resources for college and career planning

Houston ISD wants to help parents be ready for when their children graduate and go on to college or join the workforce. The district’s Family and Community Engagement Department is holding a Family Learning Academy to give tips and let parents know about the options available.

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Patricio Dominguez attended the first Family Learning Academy Super Saturday, which was held at Jones Futures Academy, to find out how to save money.
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Federal literacy grant to promote ‘culture of reading’ at 10 HISD elementary schools

As one federal literacy grant to HISD is ending, the U.S. Department of Education has approved a new, expanded $749,982 grant that will fund “Project REALITY” family library activities at 10 HISD elementary schools and extend to others during the summer. The acronym stands for Reading Elevates All Learners Through Integrated Technology for Youth.

“It shows that the Department of Education has faith in what we’re doing,” said Liz Philippi, manager of HISD Library Services. Continue reading →

Pre-bid meeting held for potential subcontractors on Sterling HS bond project

sterling_pre_bidCadence McShane Construction held a pre-bid meeting at Sterling High School on Friday for companies interested in working on the school’s new building project. As part of HISD’s 2012 bond, $72.3 million was allocated to construct a new 21st century campus for Sterling.

More than 80 potential subcontractors attended Friday’s meeting, which was the company’s second and final pre-bid meeting for the Sterling project prior to the October 22 bid deadline.

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Johnston MS dancers to perform at Jones Hall Oct. 10 with MOMIX

Two dozen Johnston Middle School students will be appearing at Jones Hall on Oct. 10 as a part of the MOMIX show scheduled for 7 p.m. that evening.

Over the summer, students Laura Anawaty, Isabella Clasen, and Kira Daniel (all from Johnston Middle School), Destinee Gonzalez (a Johnston alumna now attending Lamar High School), and a group from High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, participated in a choreography residency at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, through an arrangement with the prestigious New York-based dance company, Jessica Lang Dance, and the Society for the Performing Arts, Houston.

The students worked directly with Jessica Lang and members of the dance company on choreography and methods of producing interesting movement. The residency culminated in a performance on the Kaplan Theatre stage.

Parents, students explore variety of educational options at School Choice night

Middle school parents learned about more than 40 high school programs their children can choose from at a Parent Information Night organized by the district’s Office of School Choice on Thursday at Burbank Middle School.

“It’s good to see that our students have so many opportunities at HISD,” said Rubin and Laura Precella, who attended the program with their daughter and nephew, both eighth-graders at The Rice School. “We just want to learn more about the different programs so that we can choose one that will help our children make their mark on the world.” Continue reading →

HISD kicks off Eco-Schools USA Green Schools Challenge

School district participates in competition for second year

The Houston Independent School District and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) are teaming up to kick off the district’s second annual Green Schools Challenge this month in an effort to decrease the district’s energy consumption. HISD schools will have until Oct.15 to sign up for the competition, which will take place until March 2015.

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