Monthly Archives: March 2015

Garden Oaks becomes first public school to participate in Montessori Model UN

GOMont_MMUN_300Almost two dozen seventh- and eighth-graders from Garden Oaks Montessori are in the process of making history for HISD.

The students are participating in the Midwest Regional Middle School Conference of the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) on March 13 and 14 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and according to Principal Lindsey Pollock, this is the very first time a public school has done so.

“This is only our first year to have a Model UN, but the experience is life-changing for students,” said Dr. Pollock. “Our kids will meet people from across the country and they have researched topics that are impacting lives all over the world. It broadens their horizons and helps them recognize our inter-connectedness and our responsibility in making the world a better place.”

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Westside HS educator named finalist for SHAPE’s Health Education Teacher of the Year

Delia Thibodeaux

Delia Thibodeaux

Delia Thibodeaux is one of only three teachers from across the nation to be so honored

A veteran educator with more than a decade of service to HISD students has been named one of three finalists for the national Health Education Teacher of the Year award by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America).

Delia Thibodeaux, who teaches at Westside High School, advanced to the national round of the competition after being named SHAPE’s 2015 Health Education Teacher of the Year for the Southern District, which encompasses 13 states from Virginia to Texas.

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Contractor for Waltrip and Lee high schools holds pre-bid meeting

Satterfield & Pontikes this week held a pre-bid conference for sub-contractors interested in submitting proposals to work on building projects at Waltrip and Lee High Schools. The construction firm is the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the two schools and hosted the standing-room-only meeting to provide an opportunity for contractors to hear an overview of the projects and ask questions before submitting bids.

“We’re really pleased with the turnout,” said David Webb, Satterfield and Pontikes’ chief estimator. “We want to take as many bids as possible back to the district.”

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HISD Board of Education withdraws plans to reduce classroom overcrowding, asks for more comprehensive plan

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday declined to consider proposals to reduce classroom overcrowding throughout the district by making adjustments to a handful of elementary school attendance boundaries.

Trustees had been set to review the proposals during the March board meeting. Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones withdrew the agenda items Thursday afternoon with the support of her fellow board members. As a result, trustees could not discuss or vote on the proposals. Continue reading →

Take part in Digital Learning Day using #DLDay and #HISDdigital

Watch event live from 12 to 1 p.m. on Friday featuring district’s digital transformation

Every day, students and teachers across the district are using digital tools and resources to transform teaching and learning.  On Friday, March 13, HISD teachers and students will share on social media how they are using technology in the classroom using the hashtags #HISDdigital and #DLDay as part of national Digital Learning Day.

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Two HISD teachers named finalists for H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Two HISD teachers got a big surprise this week, when they learned that they had been named finalists for H-E-B’s 2015 Excellence in Education Awards.

Michael Clark, who was named HISD’s own Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2011, was selected as a finalist in the Lifetime Achievement category at the secondary level, while Dr. Nghia Le, who was recognized by H-E-B in 2011 with the Rising Star Award, was chosen as a finalist in the Leadership category at the secondary level.

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Pin Oak MS student named myON’s inaugural ‘Reader Leader’

Alfredo Castillo-Sosa Photo courtesy Muses3, LLC.

Alfredo Castillo-Sosa
Photo courtesy Muses3, LLC.

Alfredo Castillo-Sosa, a sixth-grader at Pin Oak Middle School, has been named the very first “Reader Leader” by myON for logging the most time spent reading on that website during a particular month.

Alfredo read for eight hours and 15 minutes on myON in February. He also completed 55 books and took their accompanying quizzes.

As a part of his prize, Alfredo received an ASUS laptop (with computer case) from Muses3, LLC, the representative of myON in southeast Texas.

“This was a tight race,” noted Linda Bessmer, managing partner of Muses3. “Several elementary school students came very close to winning but, in the end, a secondary school student took the prize.”

Alfredo was formally recognized during a special ceremony held on his campus March 10.

 

High schools compete to win money for completing financial aid application

Priority deadline for FAFSA/TASFA is March 15 for first-round consideration by many colleges, as well as a few Texas scholarships and loans

Six HISD high schools could win up to $750 for having the largest percentage of students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 15.

Thanks to Advise TX and Texas A&M University, 13 HISD high schools have college graduates on campus year-round advising low-income students on what is required to get into a good school and how to pay for higher education.

“HISD is very happy to partner with Advise Texas to ensure that our students receive additional support in navigating the college and financial aid process,” said Assistant Superintendent of College Readiness Rick Cruz. “They are one of our strong continued partners that do great work alongside our staff to support our students.”

These college graduates are working hard right now to get seniors at their schools (see list of schools below) to complete their FAFSA by the March 15 deadline. Submitting the FAFSA or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) by the priority deadline is highly recommended for students seeking to qualify for any of the following: Top 10 Percent Scholarship, Texas Grant, and Texas B-On-Time Loan.

Advise TX College Advising Corps is similar to Teach for America or the Peace Corps in that it places graduates in a position for one to two years after graduation and pays them a salary. Advise TX is part of College Advising Corps, a national organization that works to increase the number of students who enter and complete higher education.

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Help your child #Discover15 over spring break

Download an interactive tool to help your family include 15 minutes of reading every day

What is your child doing over spring break? Why not help them develop a love of reading and improve their literacy skills by reading aloud for 15 minutes every day? HISD has partnered with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Houston Hispanic Forum, Literacy Advance of Houston, Region 4 Educational Service Center, and the Houston Public Library to develop a fun, interactive way for parents and children to incorporate 15 minutes of reading into their busy schedules every day.

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2015 spring break schedule for HISD schools and offices

All HISD campuses and offices will be closed for spring break from Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 20, 2015.

Schools and offices will reopen for normal business on Monday, March 23, 2015.

Employees should consult the duty schedules posted here.

The HISD Police Department will be patrolling district facilities all during the holiday break. Emergencies may be reported by calling 713-892-7777.