Hour of Code is a global initiative that calls for students to do at least one hour of coding during Computer Science Education Week, which runs from Dec. 7 to 13. Basically, coding is typing step-by-step commands into the computer that tell it what you want it to do. When coding, also known as programming, students will use language that computers understand to create computer games, applications, web content, and much more.
Yearly Archives: 2015
Key to new DeBakey HS campus? Location, location, location
Construction on HISD’s new DeBakey High School for Health Professions is well underway, and the new location in Houston’s world-class Texas Medical Center is expected to forge even closer bonds with the medical community.
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HISD hosting teacher job fair for pool-approved candidates on Saturday, Dec. 5
HISD is hosting a teacher job fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, in order to fill current and future teaching vacancies.
Principals from across the district will attend the event to conduct interviews with teacher candidates and, in some cases, extend job offers. Teachers certified to teach bilingual, secondary math and science, and special education are strongly encouraged to apply and attend. Continue reading
You’ve given thanks, now give back on ‘Giving Tuesday’
Would you like to volunteer for Read Houston Read?
Sign up for Read Houston Read by clicking here. Show your support by downloading the attached badge and add it to your Facebook page or share it on Twitter.
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The turkey has been eaten, the pies are gone, and the day set aside for American families to give thanks for the blessings in their lives is over. Now it’s time to give back. “Giving Tuesday” on Dec. 1 is an annual global day for giving back to the community through service, as well as celebrating generosity in all its forms.
The idea is simple: Give of your time and/or your money and inspire others to do the same by telling them about it. Use the hashtag #GivingTuesday on social media to let everyone know how you are helping to make change.
Consider giving to the Houston ISD Foundation to help build a future generation of educated adults who are prepared to serve as tomorrow’s leaders.
HISD’s Read Houston Read volunteer program is another great way to give back to your community. Read to a first-grader and give them a gift that grows exponentially in value — the love of reading. Read Houston Read is part of HISD’s Literacy by 3 movement, which calls for every child to be reading on or above grade level by the time they leave the third grade.
Sign up for up to an hour each week, either in person or virtually, to mentor a child by reading to them and listening to them read aloud. Then use #GivingTuesday on Twitter or download this badge on Facebook to tell everyone about your service.
If you can’t make the weekly commitment, there are plenty of other ways to volunteer in HISD. Register through VIPS and discover campus-based opportunities to get involved.
HISD supporting SWAC/HBCU day on Friday, Dec. 4
Students invited to SWAC game and expo on Saturday to learn more about historically black colleges
Members of Team HISD are invited to wear their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) or Historically Black College and University (HBCU) gear on Friday, Dec. 4, in celebration of the annual SWAC Football Championship game. The match-up between the Alcorn State University Braves and Grambling State University Tigers will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5, at NRG Stadium. Continue reading
Money tops the list in annual ‘hot toys’ survey of elementary students
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It’s an annual tradition at HISD to check in with students at Longfellow Elementary School to find out which toys are the hottest picks this year. Every year for the past 16 years a team of fifth-graders polls their school-mates to determine exactly what kids would like to receive this holiday season.
Once again, students used the “Seven Habits of Happy Kids” that they learn through the Leader in Me program to help with the survey – for example, “put first things first” when planning their process and “be proactive” when putting together the basic lists of options for each age group. The goal is to point parents, relatives, and other adult gift-givers in the right direction before they do their holiday shopping. Continue reading
Five campuses celebrate neighborhood parks during SPARK Park Week
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A tennis court, a pond, landscaping, vertical gardens and a volleyball court are just a few of the new features at a brand-new SPARK park at Clifton Middle School.
Clifton is one of five HISD campus that took part in observing SPARK (School Park) Week from Nov. 14-21, which celebrates the transformation of public school grounds into neighborhood parks — a collaborative effort involving the City of Houston, Harris County, HISD, parent-teacher groups, and the community.
Nutrition Services takes nutrition lessons to church
Chef Trainer Brittany Jones (left) and Education Dietitian Jennifer Lengyel present healthy cooking and nutrition education to members of Heaven Bound Christian Worship Center.
HISD Nutrition Services Education Dietitian Brittany Jones and Chef Trainer Jennifer Lengyel presented healthy cooking options to members of the Heaven Bound Christian Worship Center, where church members sampled dishes created through advances in the culinary arts.
Ministry Leader KeAndre Lewis was seeking a healthy eating class for her congregation. Nutrition Services Operations Manager Keith Lewis, who also happens to be Lewis’s husband, recommended Lengyel and Jones, both of whom have vast experience in community education.
Schools advance to ‘Sweet 16’ round of Read to the Final Four
Sixteen HISD elementary schools advanced to the third round – the Sweet 16 – of the NCAA Read to the Final Four Literacy Program, thanks to some very determined third-grader readers.
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The students logged an additional 763,804 minutes of reading time for a total of 1,905,097 minutes since the launch of the literacy competition. Nearly 4,000 students logged reading time during this round.
Here is the ranking of elementary schools that made it to this round: Continue reading
HISD students performing in the Nutcracker
HISD is well represented in Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” this holiday season. Many students are performing in the Houston Ballet’s popular production. The children have been rehearsing since October 10 to be party children and clowns. There are eight casts of children, so they don’t have to appear in every performance. Two middle school students are performing with the Houston Repertoire Ballet (HRB) as well.
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