Carnegie Vanguard High School Junior Patrick Revilla has been selected as a semifinalist for the USA Physics Olympiad. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: February 2015
A winning season for the Lamar Swim Team
Lamar High School’s swim team earned its bragging rights recently when Safa Anya became first male swimmer in Lamar’s history to win a UIL state championship. He came in first in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 55.41. Continue reading
Digital Learning Spotlight: McNamara ES
Teachers “blending” face-to-face instruction with technology
During the month of February, all HISD teachers are being encouraged to try something new in their classrooms, as well as share ideas, resources, and lessons learned by posting their experiences and photos on social media using the hashtag #HISDdigital. Each week during the month, we are profiling a teacher or campus that is using technology to break up rows in classrooms, engage students, and innovate instructional practice. This week’s profile features McNamara Elementary.
Earlier this year, McNamara Elementary School teacher Carlos Rosario started videotaping some of his lessons instead of delivering them in front of the class. The result has been somewhat surprising.
“I find that many of my students are more engaged watching me deliver a lesson on video than when I do it in person,” said Rosario. “Plus, I have built in questions with the videos to check for understanding. At the end, I also get a report, so if I need to pull anybody out to reteach or focus on small group instruction, I can do that.”
EdWeek: HISD is a “Leader To Learn From” in PowerUp technology initiative
HISD’s PowerUp technology initiative is receiving national attention this week in Education Week’s 2015 Leaders To Learn From report, for “setting the bar for how to manage the digital transformation of a large urban school system.”
Superintendent Terry Grier and Chief Information Officer Lenny Schad are cited for their leadership on PowerUp, which combines a one-to-one laptop program for high school students with an all-encompassing digital “HUB” accessible to students, teachers, and parents for information, teaching, and collaboration.
The article also focuses on Chavez HS, whose students have embraced the laptop program that allows them to use the devices both in and outside school.
Yates communications students show off their green thumbs
Yates High School students in the School of Communications conducted their annual spring gardening event recently in order to bring attention to food deserts such as Houston’s Third Ward. Many areas of Houston have relatively few grocery stores, making the choices for nutritious food in short supply. Continue reading
Upcoming Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) Parent Summit to offer resources and information for parents
The annual Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) Parent Summit is being held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Houston Hilton Westchase, 999 Westheimer 77042. The event is free for parents, and will offer information and resources on topics such as federal student aid, communicating with tweens and teens, bullying and cyber-bullying, special education processes, and more. Continue reading
HISD could lose millions under congressional proposal to cut funding for inner-city schools
The Houston Independent School District could lose millions of dollars in federal aid under a bill that would shift Title I funds for disadvantaged students from the nation’s poorest inner-city schools to more affluent schools and neighborhoods. Continue reading
Attend Black College Expo Saturday to learn about college options
Juniors, seniors encouraged to bring transcripts, SAT/ACT scores to share with university representatives
HISD middle- and high-school students and parents will be able to meet with universities and scholarship providers and learn about finding money for college when they attend the Black College Expo on Sat., Feb. 28.
The expo will be held at the J. W. Marriott Hotel, 5150 Westheimer Road, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The district has partnered with the National College Resources Foundation to offer free admission to the event with a school identification card.
Middle school girls get hands-on introduction to STEM careers
Students from Burbank MS had a blast at the Expanding Your Horizons conference.
Hundreds of HISD middle school girls spent Sat., Feb. 21, learning about math and science careers at the Expanding Your Horizons conference.
Female professionals talked to students from Black, Burbank, Grady, Henry and Revere middle schools, and the Baylor College of Medicine Academy about a variety of STEM careers. The students worked with a 3-D printer, learned about storing DNA, created cement, and developed butterfly gardens.
The West Harris County Branch of the American Association of University Women hosted the conference.
Anderson ES principal receives Living Legend Award from Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators
Dr. Roslyn Stiles Vaughn, principal of Anderson Elementary Dual Language School, was honored by the Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE) with the 2015 Living Legend Award. Dr. Vaughn has served the district for 36 years, 28 of those at Anderson ES. She began her career as a teacher at Scarborough, Brookline, and then Anderson elementary schools, before serving as principal for 16 years.
Continue reading