Yearly Archives: 2014

Fallen firefighter’s foundation donates books to HSLECJ

The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice has new textbooks for future firefighters, thanks to a generous donation.

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The Garner Foundation delivered the books to the school in early September. The foundation was created in honor of firefighter Robert Garner, who lost his life while battling a massive five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn, 6855 Southwest Freeway on May 31, 2013. Three other firefighters also died battling that blaze. Continue reading →

Yates boys’ basketball teams receive title trophies

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Yates High School received the 2013 and 2014 Conference 3A Boys Basketball State Championship trophies on Tuesday. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) awarded the titles to Yates after they were forfeited by Dallas Independent School District’s Madison High School in August.

“This is a really exciting day. It means a lot for the community and the school,” Coach Greg Wise said. Continue reading →

Grady MS community gets update on construction of building addition

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With signs of construction already visible on campus, Grady Middle School community members gathered at the school on Wednesday evening to hear from the architect and contractor working on a new building addition. Stakeholders expressed enthusiasm for the project, which will complete a multi-phase master plan for the campus.

Continue reading →

Will you be a reading mentor?

Houston ISD and community partners issued a call Thursday for 1,500 volunteers to join HISD’s Read Houston Read program, to mentor first-graders at more than 50 selected elementary schools as part of the district’s Literacy By 3 movement.

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“All along, as we devised our master plan to attack this literacy crisis, we have said that this is not a problem that will be solved in the classroom or the school alone,” said Superintendent Terry Grier at the news conference at Garcia Elementary, one of the participating schools. “It is a community crisis, and the community’s help is needed to solve it. This is a very important — if not the most important — district initiative since I’ve been here.”

Read Houston Read volunteers can sign up for a weekly one-hour mentoring session at a school, where they will work with two first-graders in half-hour sessions — listening to them read, doing an activity related to the book, and reading another book to them. Continue reading →

Sharpstown HS to host food drive Sept. 6 with 97.9 The BOX

Almost 90 percent of the student body at Sharpstown High School qualifies to receive free or reduced price lunch, but that hasn’t stopped them from noticing that others are also struggling to keep food on the table.

That’s why students and administrators at that school are hosting a campus food drive on Saturday, Sept. 6, in partnership with 97.9 The BOX.

On-air personalities will be broadcasting live from the school from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. that day, thanks to the generous support of Godsey-Martin P.C. The law firm will also make a $10 contribution for every 10 food items donated, up to $10,000. Continue reading →

Manager of Health & Medical Services named School Nurse Administrator of the Year

Gwendolyn Jonson poses for a photograph, May 5, 2014. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Gwendolyn Johnson

Earlier this year, Manager of Health & Medical Services Gwen Johnson was honored for her work at the local level by the Houston Chronicle during its annual Salute to Nurses. Now, she is getting recognition at the state level as the Texas School Nurse Organization’s 2014 School Nurse Administrator of the Year.

Johnson was nominated for the award by Lisa Blackmon-Jones, a nurse specialist in Health & Medical Services. Continue reading →

N.Q. Henderson ES reveals library renovation

Nathaniel Q. Henderson Elementary School has a newly renovated library, thanks to Lakewood Church.

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The church also donated more than $1,000 worth of library books and 10 iPads.

“We anticipate a great impact in the closing of the reading gaps for our scholars,” Principal Rosa Cabrera said.

In addition, Lakewood donated equipment for a multi-sensory room for the Champions Club, which was designed specifically for the school’s special needs students.

“We had over 500 volunteers work on this school and in this community this past year,” said Craig Johnson, Lakewood’s director of ministries. “It’s a way for them to give and then see the difference they’ve made in the lives of students.”

CenterPoint volunteers go to the phones for Grads Within Reach

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Taking time off from supplying the Houston area’s energy needs, 25 CenterPoint Energy employees spent Wednesday calling HISD students who have yet to report to school this year. The Grads Within Reach volunteers reminded the students how important it is for them to complete their education and encouraged them to return to school.  Continue reading →

HISD Partners with CenterPoint Energy to Promote Sustainable Schools

The Houston Independent School District is kicking off a new Sustainable Schools initiative that involves students in reducing energy use on their high school campuses.

Through a no-cost collaboration with CenterPoint Energy, the Sustainable Schools Program gives participating students a fun, hands-on, project-based experience in energy conservation and engineering. Continue reading →

September is National Attendance Awareness Month

September is National Attendance Awareness Month, and Houston ISD wants you to know how important it is for students to attend school every day.

A child is considered chronically absent if they miss two or more days a month. Missing more than 10 percent (or 17 days) of school a year can lead to a student not receiving a grade or being retained.

Visit our attendance website for information about HISD’s attendance policy, state truancy and attendance laws, myths about school attendance, and more.