Monthly Archives: September 2015

HISD third-graders to join NCAA Read to the Final Four literacy challenge

Nearly 6,800 Houston Independent School District third-graders will participate in a bracket-themed reading challenge as part of the NCAA Team Works Read to the Final Four Literacy Program.

The competition was created by the district in partnership with the Houston NCAA Final Four Local Organizing Committee, Houston Public Library, and the University of Houston. Houston will host the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four April 2-4 at NRG Stadium.

The literacy challenge kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 24, with a special celebration at Blackshear Elementary School, one of 68 campuses selected to participate in the challenge based on its high enrollment of at-risk students and commitment to the district’s Literacy By 3 Initiative.  Launched in the fall of 2014, Literacy By 3 aims to have every child reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Continue reading →

Colombia: Biodiversity, emeralds, and the greatest storyteller!

With an estimated population of over 48 million people, this South American country is considered one of the world’s 17 mega-diverse countries. It is also the second-most bio-diverse country in the world, and it was dubbed the happiest country in the world in 2013 and 2014.  Colombia occupies a very privileged geographic position, as it is the only country in South America with coastlines touching both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. You can experience virtually every type of climate in Colombia — hot or cold and wet or dry — and ecosystems range from tundra, coastal, and desert to tropical rainforest and savanna.

Continue reading →

Wilson Montessori K-8 community learns more about proposed renovations, new addition

Parents, neighbors, and HISD administrators on Monday gathered at Wilson Montessori K-8 for the first of three community meetings to discuss a proposed new addition and renovations to the school under the 2012 bond program.

Continue reading →

Board of Education to consider approval of $211 million for 2012 bond program

The Houston Independent School District’s Board of Education in October will consider a proposal by district administrators to add $211 million in funding to the 2012 bond program, which would cover unprecedented and unanticipated inflationary construction costs.

Since 2012, when Houston voters approved the district’s $1.89 billion bond program, the district has seen a nearly 40 percent  increase in building costs, from about $160 per square foot in 2012 to about $222 per square foot today. Continue reading →

Bolivia: Rich in natural resources and biodiversity

Situated in the heart of South America, Bolivia is a culturally diverse country with 36 native cultures and more than 30 languages spoken, the main ones being Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. There are numerous archaeological ruins from different pre-Columbian cultures, and many ancient traditions are still a part of the country’s cultural celebrations.

Continue reading →

Remember: Early dismissal, student holiday this week

Two days this week will be different from a normal school day.

Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, is an early dismissal day for most schools. Campuses may choose to opt-out and hold classes all day, so please check with your school directly to see if it is participating. View the full 2015–2016 academic calendar here.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, is the district’s fall holiday for students and most employees. Check your duty schedule available here to see if you must report to work. Those employees who must report to work will work their normal hours, unless a supervisor has approved their request to use personal time.

EMERGE program now accepting applications from Class of 2018

HISD’s ground-breaking EMERGE program is expanding to all high school campuses this year, and motivated members of the Class of 2018 (currently sophomores) are encouraged to apply.

EMERGE connects high-performing students from underserved backgrounds with the resources needed to apply, attend, and graduate from the nation’s top-tier colleges and universities, which provide high levels of support as well as competitive financial aid and scholarships. Students who are selected to be in EMERGE receive after-school advising at their schools on the college preparation and financial aid application processes, a full-length SAT preparation course, and an out-of-state summer experience at a top-tier university. Continue reading →

Belize: Barrier reef, rainforest, Maya heritage

Belize, located in Central America — bordering Mexico and Guatemala — is one of the best dive sites in the Caribbean and is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world. Much of Belize is still unexplored wilderness and 75 percent of the rainforest is under government protection.  This has led to considerable growth in ecotourism, which is now the nation’s second-largest source of revenue.

Belize has around 900 Mayan ruin sites, and the tallest building in Belize is a Mayan temple called El Caana (“Sky Place”). You can climb to the top and see for miles over the rainforest canopy.

Belize was part of the British Empire until fairly recently, and it was not until Sept. 21, 1981, that Belize was granted independence. English is the official language of Belize, yet Kriol and Spanish are commonly spoken. You can also still hear a mixture of Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, and Mayan languages being spoken on the street.

Did you know…? Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. There are no McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks, or KFC in the entire country. Belizean cuisine can best be described as a mix of Mexican, Central American, Jamaican, Anglo, and Caribbean cuisines.

This is the fifth in a series of articles spotlighting different countries in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. To see a complete list of previous entries, click here.

Sterling HS stakeholders sign beam to celebrate construction phase

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Sterling High School students, staff and community members had the opportunity to sign a steel beam today that will be used in the construction of their new school. The new $72.3 million building project, which is part of HISD’s current bond program, is being built behind the existing facility, which will be demolished once construction is complete.

The new three-story building is making great progress and can now easily be seen over the top of the current school.

“Our community is ecstatic; the building’s going up fast,” said the Rev. A.L. Hickman, community representative on the school’s Project Advisory Team. “I know people who go out of their way to drive by here every day just to see the progress that’s been made.”

After the beam-signing, which was held in front of the current school, workers transported it to the construction site, where they will soon install it in the new building.

Madison High School cafeteria gets a facelift

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Nutrition Services listened to Madison High School’s students’ pleas for a new direction in the cafeteria. This past summer, Nutrition Services remodeled and rebranded the school’s facility, and students now enjoy a wider selection of menu items and the convenience of faster service.

When Operations Manager DeWayne Rawls assumed supervision of the day-to-day activities at Madison’s cafeteria during the 2014–2015 academic year, he knew it was time for a change. Rawls, in partnership with the Houston Education and School Personnel (HESP), conducted a focus group at Madison HS in which students voiced their opinions about menu choices and service.

“This was a low-participation cafeteria,” Rawls said. “The serving lines were outdated, and students’ wants were not being fulfilled.”

Food Service Attendant Team Leader Titilola Abumere said Madison HS now offers a broader and healthier menu to please all taste buds. “We have worked hard to serve on four lines,” Abumere said. “I’m excited to be part of the improvements.”

Special Education Teacher Steven Roquemore says students are loving the new look and variety of the cafeteria. “They say you eat with your eyes first, and students like what they see,” he said.

Student Billy Berry also enjoys the new products served during lunch, such as Izzy water and the broad selection of vegetables. “I like fresh broccoli,” Berry said. “We did not have as much selection as we do now.”