Yearly Archives: 2015

Grady MS student named myON’s fourth ‘Reader Leader’

Apurba Roy Photo courtesy Muses3, LLC.

Apurba Roy Photo courtesy Muses3, LLC.

Apurba Roy, who just finished the seventh grade at Grady Middle School, has been named the fourth “Reader Leader” by myON for logging the most time spent reading on that website during a particular month.

Roy read for an astonishing 219 hours and 34 minutes in myON in May. As a part of her prize, Roy received a laptop (with computer case) from Muses3, LLC, the representative of myON in southeast Texas. She was formally recognized during a special ceremony held on her campus June 4.

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Teacher job fair scheduled for June 18

Must be a pool-approved candidate to attend

Although the 2015–2016 school year doesn’t start for more than two months, HISD campuses are busy putting the finishing touches on their faculty selections for next year.

There are still openings at all levels, and candidate pool-approved teachers are invited to attend a district job fair on Thursday, June 18, 2015. Continue reading →

Free SAT prep course now being offered by Khan Academy

Partnership with College Board to help students prepare for redesigned SAT

The College Board and Khan Academy have teamed up to provide free Scholarship Aptitude Test (SAT) preparation for all students beginning this month.

The SAT is a globally recognized college admission exam that demonstrates a student’s knowledge of reading, writing, and math. Most students take the SAT during their junior or senior year of high school, and many colleges use the test to make admission decisions.

HISD also offers a free online SAT coaching course for grades 9 through 11 called “PREP ME,” which is available here.

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Council of Great City Schools honors CIO Lenny Schad

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HISD Chief Information Officer Lenny Schad was recognized by the Council of Great City Schools on June 3 with the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt award. The award was created to honor excellent CIO’s.

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Garden Oaks Montessori community hears about renovation and expansion plans

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More than 70 members of the Garden Oaks neighborhood came out to learn about initial design concepts for Garden Oaks Montessori. The meeting on Tuesday was the first of at least three community meetings that will be held at various phases of the project.

As part of HISD’s current bond program, the school will receive new additions and general renovations to accommodate up to 900 students in pre-K through 8th grade.

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Houston Dynamo supports high school soccer program

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The Sharpstown High School soccer teams received some help in preparing for the upcoming season from none other than the Houston Dynamo.

Dynamo Charities named the soccer program at Sharpstown High School a beneficiary for Every Save Counts, a Major League Soccer (MLS) national initiative to serve youth sports.

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Seniors share research and passion in TEDx talks

CECHS student gives stand-out presentation on social anxiety disorder

Sometimes a 15-minute talk can make a long-term difference.

Gabriella Wannall, Challenge Early College High School

Gabriella Wannall, Challenge Early College High School

On May 18, several seniors at Challenge Early College High School participated in a TEDx event organized by Gifted and Talented Independent Study teacher Joshua Silberman. In the tradition of TEDx talks, more than 100 students spent the past year preparing short but compelling talks about chosen topics. Fifteen earned the chance to speak at the event. Continue reading →

HISD high school students perform at high levels on STAAR end-of-course exams

More HISD high school students met higher performance standards in biology and U.S. history on the 2015 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exams, according to preliminary statewide results released this week by the Texas Education Agency.

When compared to last year, the percentage of students already meeting the tougher passing standards being implemented next year has increased for both biology and US History. This year, 78 percent of first-time tested students met the higher standard on the biology end-of-course exam and 79 percent of first-time tested students met the higher standard the U.S. history exam.

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Waltrip HS Ram Band heading to D.C. to perform on Independence Day

WaltripBand_300HISD’s own Waltrip High School band is hoping to head to the nation’s capital next month to take part in America’s annual Independence Day celebration.

The Roarin’ Red Ram Band is the only representative from Texas expected to be at the event. The students were invited to perform based on a recommendation from Governor Greg Abbott.

The Waltrip band will march in the parade and play alongside other bands from across the country during the celebration, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2015.

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Public meeting June 18 on budget and proposed tax rate

The Houston Independent School District will be holding a public meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2015, in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092).

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district’s budget, which will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited.

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