It’s been a little over a year since HISD launched its “EMERG-ing Voices” blog to highlight five talented students from underserved communities on their journey toward higher education, and in that time, students’ blog posts have explored a wide—and often entertaining—range of topics.
Monthly Archives: June 2015
EMERGE senior surprised with gift of new car
This year, thanks to generous donations from the HISD Foundation and Smart Financial, HISD’s Cool To Be Smart program was able to award two lucky students – one junior and one senior – with a car.
[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G000070Xit3k9op4″ g_name=”20150603-Smart-Financial-GiveAway-DeBakey-HS-student” 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” ]
HISD to offer free summer meals at more than 200 schools
The Houston Independent School District is opening up more than 200 school cafeterias this summer to provide free breakfast and lunch to children in the community.
The Summer Meals Program, offered every year by HISD’s Nutrition Services Department, is designed to ensure all students have access to healthy meals — even when school isn’t in session. Continue reading
Students and teachers “shake it off” on awards day
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuU5D9-cosM&feature=youtu.be” responsive=”no”]youtube url=”http://youtu.be/GzLcJfvbaww” width=”320″ height=”200″ responsive=”no”][/su_youtube]
Sometimes you just need to dance to a Taylor Swift song. Special Education students and staff at Halpin Early Childhood Center acted on such an urge last week. During their Special Education Awards Day on May 22, they debuted a video of the whole community dancing to Swift’s single “Shake It Off.”
Roberts ES teacher ‘Caught in the Act’ of delivering great instruction
Roberts Elementary School English teacher Jennifer Heemer was recently “Caught in the Act” of great instruction during a lesson on how to compose an essay. An HISD video crew, along with Chief Elementary Curriculum and Development Officer Lance Menster, surprised Heemer and her students and captured the video below.
The “Caught in the Act”—or CIA—video campaign was started by HISD to recognize highly effective teachers who are delivering instruction that will lead to students become Global Graduates: young men and women who possess the skills necessary to ensure success in college and the ability to compete in today’s global workforce.
Sharpstown International student wins Luby’s ACT grand prize
Katherine Miranda cited for her leadership, compassion, and generosity of spirit
Sharpstown International School (SIS) has among its students an exceptional eighth-grader who epitomizes the quality of character that the Luby’s Achieving Character Together (ACT) program is looking for. Katherine Miranda was recognized on May 28, 2015, during the final assembly of the school year, as Luby’s ACT grand prize winner. Continue reading
Washington HS community learns how fault line will impact design
[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000SHebFgOIJ0A” g_name=”20150602-Washington” 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 65 people turned out Tuesday to a community meeting at Booker T. Washington High School to discuss how a geological fault line will impact the design of the new school being built under the bond program.
Up Close checks in with Read Houston Read for a year-end update
HISD’s Read Houston Read program just completed its first full year of operations, in which first-graders are paired up with adult mentors to build students’ literacy skills.
In the June 2015 edition of “HISD Up Close,” Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones checks in with HISD Curriculum Specialist Carly Colton and Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Director Neil Bush for an update on the program’s status.
Apollo 20 Fellowship program highlighted on Great Day Houston
[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000YcTtKmPZ0VA” g_name=”20150602″ 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” ]
HISD’s Apollo 20 Fellowship program was the subject of a recent segment on KHOU’s “Great Day Houston” with Debra Duncan.
Substitute teacher leads fledgling choir to greatness
When Starlic Williams initially came to McGowen Elementary School, he was only supposed to be serving as a substitute teacher for a few days, filling in for a band instructor who was out sick.
“[But] I saw a piano in the corner that wasn’t being used, so I pulled it out and started teaching the kids to sing,” explained Williams. “The principal saw us and asked me to come back for the remainder of the school year and start a choir. I was excited and accepted the challenge.”