Yearly Archives: 2015

Board president to host District II Parent Leader Summit on May 16

HISD Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones has partnered with the Family Learning Academy to host the District II Parent Leader Summit on Saturday, May 16.

The free event will take place at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092) from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will connect families with resources to help parents navigate HISD’s programs and services, become leaders in their school community, and support student success.

The event will feature a panel of HISD principals and administrators, parenting workshops, and a community resource fair with information for parents on building a parent organization, fundraising, and services for parents. John Robinson, director of Family Support Services for the Houston Area Urban League, will give the keynote address.

“In a district as large as ours, it is not always clear who parents can turn to when they have a question or need help for their child,” said Skillern-Jones. “I want to help empower our parents to seek out these resources and share them with their school communities.”

Registration and a light breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. The panel and all workshops will be held in English and Spanish. The event will also feature raffles and lunch. For more details, please visit www.houstonisd.org/FLA or call the HISD Family and Community Engagement Department at 713-556-7290.

Nutrition Services meets the Local Products Challenge

Nutrition Services representatives Jennifer Lengyel, Amanda Oceguera, Audene Chung, Kasandra Davis, Lindsay Pollino, and Nan Cramer (L-R) pose with the award.

Nutrition Services representatives Jennifer Lengyel, Amanda Oceguera, Audene Chung, Kasandra Davis, Lindsay Pollino, and Nan Cramer (L-R) pose with the award.

HISD’s Nutrition Services department was recently recognized for completing the Local Products Challenge during School Breakfast Week 2015.

Each year, the Texas Department of Agriculture challenges schools to use more Texas products in the meals they serve during National School Breakfast Week and recognizes those who complete the challenge.

HISD served four menu items that were locally sourced, including skim and 1% milk, apple juice, and cinnamon toast.

“We are very proud to receive this recognition,” said Amanda Oceguera, Nutrition Services manager. ”HISD Nutrition Services is committed to serving local products in our schools.”

This was the district’s second year of recognition. HISD Nutrition Services was also presented with a certificate for completing the local products challenge last year.

One lucky graduating senior to drive away with new car Sunday

Smart Financial Credit Union donates 2015 Toyota Corolla for Cool to be Smart

One lucky HISD senior will drive away with a brand new car at HISD’s annual Cool to be Smart event on Sunday, May 17, at the Bayou City Event Center. The 2015 Toyota Corolla was donated by Smart Financial Credit Union,  a long-time supporter of HISD and the district’s commitment to expanding student access to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate , and dual-credit courses.

“It’s an honor to sponsor this great program which rewards the hard work of HISD students,” said Smart Financial Credit Union CEO Gary Tuma.  “We only wish we could afford to give every outstanding HISD graduate a car to let them know congratulations, you are important, and job well done.”

Smart Financial and Joe Myers Toyota are taking the car on a “road trip” this week to visit several HISD high schools, so students can check out the new Corolla. Watch the video below to see the reaction from students at Eastwood Academy.

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Reagan HS drill team dethrones 14-year champion at national competition

RoughRiders2015_400It took the Rough Riders almost 50 years to do it, but on May 4, 2015, they finally succeeding in winning the top prize in a division of the National High School Drill Team Championships, which take place every year in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Rough Riders are members of the Reagan High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps’ army unit, and they were named the national champions this year at the Masters Level of the Mixed Arms Division—a first for Reagan High School and a first for any high school from the Houston area.  Continue reading →

Sam Houston student attains three IT industry certifications

CompTIA Certs

Senior Luis Guapo with his industry certifications alongside teacher Edward Cantu.

Luis Guapo, a senior at Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center, recently passed the CompTIA Network+ test over the weekend, giving him a total of three industry certifications – Information Technology Fundamentals, A+, and Network+.

“This a great accomplishment for Guapo and the IT program at Sam Houston,” said one of his technology teachers, Eduardo Cantu. “Luis’ accomplishments exemplify what the IT program is about – passion for IT, commitment to learning, and a professional attitude.”

In addition to obtaining these industry certifications, Guapo took first place in February in the Skills USA District 8 computer maintenance competition and went on to compete at the state level.

Guapo is in the top ten percent of his senior class and has been accepted at the University of Texas.

Asian Advisory Committee honors five outstanding teachers, one student club

All were formally recognized during HISD’s Asian-Pacific American Heritage Celebration 

HISD observed the start of Asian-Pacific Heritage Month on Thursday, May 7, with a kick-off reception held at Kim Son restaurant downtown.

As a part of that celebration, members of the district’s Asian Advisory Committee recognized five outstanding teachers and one student club for their contributions to Asian students and to HISD as a whole.

The teachers honored were: Marilou Alcaraz (Briarmeadow Charter), Pia de Leon (River Oaks ES), Dr. Nghia Le (Washington HS), Oscar Le (Sharpstown International School), and Nazan Sohail (Key MS). The Asian American club at Chávez High School is led by Thanh Hoang  and sponsored by Maria de Leon. Each winning teacher received a $500 cash prize. The club received a $200 prize to help fund activities.

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Hearing student to attend advanced ASL summer workshop at Gallaudet

NathanBrunell_300Nathan Brunell, a junior at HISD’s Westside High School, will be immersing himself in deaf culture this summer after being selected to attend an exclusive American Sign Language (ASL) program at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

Nathan is one of only 48 high-school students chosen from across the country to participate in the 10-day program, which is for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students. Gallaudet is the only university in the world designed specifically to serve deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and only experienced signers at the intermediate level or higher were considered for the workshop.

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Help pick the ‘Fan Favorite’ among HISD campus Teachers of the Year

Winner to be announced May 15 at Celebration of Excellence

New this year at the HISD Celebration of Excellence is the Fan Favorite award. Over the past week, HISD staff, students, and alumni have been voting for their favorite campus-based Teacher of the Year, as designated by schools across the district. More than 25,000 votes were submitted and tallied—and the top two elementary, middle, and high school teachers are moving on to round two of voting. The top six finalists are:

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Briargrove ES students learn about connecting with environment

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The Briargrove Elementary School community celebrated Earth Day this year with plenty of activities, including their fifth annual Earth Day Picnic for the Planet on May 1.

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