Monthly Archives: October 2015

Dowling MS holds second community meeting to provide update on new school

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Dowling Middle School held its second community meeting on Tuesday evening to brief stakeholders on the design process for a 21st century learning environment, which is being built under the district’s 2012 bond program.

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Schools: Want to start/expand a garden? Apply for a grant!

Does your school want to start a garden or expand an existing one? The National Gardening Association is taking applications for Youth Garden Grants!

Interested schools must fill out an application that details how many children will participate in the garden program, if the school’s garden program faces any special needs or challenges, the educational goals of the garden, and more. Schools can visit this website see all of the questions they need to answer before they begin filling out the application. Continue reading →

Experience the benefits of yoga on Nov. 7

About 25,000 students in 51 HISD schools participate in yoga-style classes twice a week, and on Nov. 7 you can get a taste of the program that’s helping students personally and academically.

The Wanderlust 108 Festival features a large-scale, 90-minute yoga class and guided mindfulness exercise led by top teachers. There will also be a 5k run, musical performances, and more.

The event, which will be held at Buffalo Bayou Park from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., normally commands a $60 entry fee, but HISD parents can get an 83 percent discount! Visit this website and use the code “sonimalove” to get a reduced price of $10. Students can get in for free by using the code “HISD.” (Note: You will need to make separate transactions to use both discount codes.)

HISD has partnered with the Sonima Foundation since 2013. The yoga-style classes held in 51 campuses include stretching, relaxation techniques, and lessons about nutrition. The curriculum is designed to minimize stress, reduce bullying and violence, increase attendance, and improve academic performance. By the 2018–2019 school year, the district plans to have the program in place at 273 schools.

Upcoming HISD football games to be rescheduled due to weekend storms

Four Houston Independent School District varsity football games planned for this weekend are being rescheduled as a result of schedule conflicts caused by the recent storm. The schedule conflicts were created when two games on Saturday, Oct. 24 — Yates vs. Davis and Washington vs. Wheatley — had to be moved to Monday, Oct. 26 because of inclement weather. Continue reading →

Schad to oversee Construction & Facilities Department, including bond program

Chief Technology Information Officer Lenny Schad will assume the responsibilities of the Construction & Facilities Department, including the 2012 bond program, following the resignation of the district’s Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla.

The other departments that reported to Bobadilla have been reassigned to other members of HISD’s administration:

  • Business Assistance, including Warehouse Operations, Risk Management and Supplier Diversity will become part of the Finance Department and report to Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Ken Huewitt.
  • Transportation and Nutrition Services will become a part of the Office of Student Support and report to Chief Student Support Officer Mark Smith.
  • The HISD Police Department will report directly to Superintendent Terry Grier with assistance from Chief of Staff Jason Spencer.

Muralist’s artwork across HISD recognized during city’s annual Proud Partner Awards

The Houston Independent School District on Monday received a Proud Partner Award from Mayor Annise Parker, honoring the murals of Israeli expatriate Anat Ronen, who has work featured at nearly a dozen HISD schools.

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From left: Kim Urban, Accounting Manager for HISD’s Construction and Facilities Services, Houston Mayor Annise Parker, and HISD Energy and Sustainability Senior Manager Kellie Williams.

The 31st annual Mayor’s Proud Partner Awards, hosted by Keep Houston Beautiful, recognized outstanding work by local organizations and individuals who work to create, enhance, and maintain the landscape of Houston through environmental and beautification projects.

Read more about artist Anat Ronen

The district also received honorable mentions for two other initiatives: The Green Schools Challenge and Houston ISD Recycle. Under HISD’s Energy and Sustainability Department, the programs aim to implement environmental awareness and energy efficiency projects throughout the district.

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Nutrition Services adds more fresh fruits and vegetables to menu

Fresh fruit and vegetables story

DeChaumes Elementary School students enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables at lunch.

USDA’s MyPlate recommends children eat three and a half cups of fruits and vegetables daily, and the fresher they are, the more nutrients they contain. HISD Nutrition Services is offering healthier choices for students by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to school menus.

“We want to offer more varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables to get the students excited about eating healthy foods at school,” said HISD Dietitian Amanda Oceguera. “It was rewarding to see the students’ positive reactions to our Texas-grown watermelon, and we plan to continue offering more items like it.”

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HISD project-by-project analysis shows 2012 Bond could need additional $212 million

The Houston Independent School District could need up to $212.4 million in additional funding for 2012 bond projects, according to a comprehensive, project-by-project analysis completed by district officials.

[su_box title=”Download” box_color=”#ededed” title_color=”#000000″ radius=”5″]2012 Bond Project-By-Project Analysis[/su_box]

The review was done to outline how much additional funding the district potentially could need to ensure all work is completed as initially described in the 2012 bond election. Continue reading →

Vote now for HISD teacher in STEM competition

Beverly Carson is one of four finalists in “Inspiring Curiosity in STEM,” a contest sponsored by KHOU and Halliburton. If Carson gets the most votes on KHOU’s Facebook page, she will receive $2,000 to spend on supplies for her classroom.

Carson teaches STEM at Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet School, where her students are enthusiastic learners, thanks to her innovative lesson plans. She would like to purchase microscopes with the prize money, but some of her students would rather have a 3D printer.

Parents, HISD staff, and supporters can vote here daily through Sunday, Nov. 1.

To see the KHOU video and story, click here.

District’s efforts to support refugee students gaining state, national attention

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Representatives from PBS News Hour film students at Mistral Early Childhood Center for an upcoming segment on refugee students.

Children who have fled their native countries due to war, drug-related violence, or other conflicts often need special types of support once they arrive in the United States.

That’s why two organizations came to HISD this week to learn more about how the district is assisting its refugee students. Representatives from Raise Your Hand Texas visited two campuses — Daily Elementary School and Westside High School — while producers from PBS News Hour spoke with leaders at Mistral Early Childhood Center (ECC) and Las Americas Newcomers School.

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