Yearly Archives: 2014

56 HISD students named National Merit semifinalists

Fifty-six students from six Houston ISD high schools are semifinalists in the 60th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

The students, who attend Bellaire HS, Carnegie Vanguard HS, Challenge Early College HS, DeBakey HS, The High School for Performing and Visual Arts, and Lamar HS, are eligible to receive part of the $33 million pot of scholarships that will be awarded in the spring.  There are nearly 16,000 semifinalists nationwide, and about 7,600 will receive scholarships. More than 22,000 students applied by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Continue reading →

Grads Within Reach walk returns 59 dropouts to class

Fifty-nine high school dropouts are back in the classroom this week, thanks to volunteers with Houston ISD’s 11th annual Grads Within Reach walk.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G000070QEgeagJcI” g_name=”20140906-Walk” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

More than 200 volunteers canvassed the city to encourage students who had not returned to school this year to continue their education. The volunteers knocked on 1,400 doors and chatted with about 500 people. Continue reading →

Helms ES celebrates crossing guard’s 84th birthday

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G000039Banq9wnfQ” g_name=”20140908-Wilson” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Helms Elementary threw a birthday party for one of its most dedicated employees on Monday – 84-year-old crossing guard Joy Wilson. She was presented with dozens of cards and flowers. Continue reading →

Video highlights design ideas for new Dowling Middle School

[su_vimeo url=”https://vimeo.com/105600787″ responsive=”no”]

A new HISD video, which was recently presented to stakeholders, provides an overview on the status of the design process at Dowling Middle School.

“Dowling Middle School believes in parents as partners. We believe in valuing our stakeholders and their input,” said Dowling Principal Tynette Guinn. “Knowing that we are about to embark on 21st century learning with our new campus is very exciting for us, the parents, the students, and the community.”

Continue reading →

It’s not too late to sign up for HISD Text Message Alerts

An emergency text is displayed on a smartphone, August 14, 2014. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)The wait is over. Today HISD has launched its new text message notification system, which will help HISD officials quickly and efficiently notify parents and employees when district and campus emergencies occur.

Did you receive a text message from HISD? If you did, that means your cell phone number is registered with HISD or one of its campuses, but you have not signed up for text message alerts. If that’s the case, you likely received the following message: Houston ISD text messages. Reply Y for aprx 3 msgs/mo. Txt HELP for info. Msg & data rates may apply. See schoolmessenger.com/tm. Continue reading →

HISD schools celebrate International Literacy Day

[su_vimeo url=”http://vimeo.com/105600579″ width=”320″ height=”180″ responsive=”no” ]

Many Houston ISD schools held special events to celebrate International Literacy Day on Sept. 8.

Anderson Elementary School students held a parade of book characters, and they participated in a special presentation of the Wizard of Oz. Students and staff donned costumes to perform the story.

“We want to make sure the love of reading comes to life,” Principal Roslyn Vaughn said. Continue reading →

Bellaire HS stakeholders turn out for first bond community meeting

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000a4JJc_qR9eE” g_name=”20140904-Bellaire” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Members of the Bellaire High School community gathered Thursday evening to learn about the status of the planning and design phase of the school’s new construction project.

As part of HISD’s 2012 bond program, a new Bellaire High School will be constructed that will provide students with a 21st century learning environment and incorporate the recently completed science classroom and laboratory wing.

Continue reading →

HISD students and staff to participate in Green Apple Day of Service

DOS_wordmark_2014Students and staff across Houston Independent School District will have the opportunity to “green” their schools on Sept. 27 by participating in the third annual Green Apple Day of Service.

The event, sponsored by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, allows for parents, teachers, and students to create a healthy and productive school environment through local service projects.

Continue reading →