Yearly Archives: 2015

HISD Board of Education withdraws plans to reduce classroom overcrowding, asks for more comprehensive plan

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday declined to consider proposals to reduce classroom overcrowding throughout the district by making adjustments to a handful of elementary school attendance boundaries.

Trustees had been set to review the proposals during the March board meeting. Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones withdrew the agenda items Thursday afternoon with the support of her fellow board members. As a result, trustees could not discuss or vote on the proposals. Continue reading →

Take part in Digital Learning Day using #DLDay and #HISDdigital

Watch event live from 12 to 1 p.m. on Friday featuring district’s digital transformation

Every day, students and teachers across the district are using digital tools and resources to transform teaching and learning.  On Friday, March 13, HISD teachers and students will share on social media how they are using technology in the classroom using the hashtags #HISDdigital and #DLDay as part of national Digital Learning Day.

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Two HISD teachers named finalists for H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Two HISD teachers got a big surprise this week, when they learned that they had been named finalists for H-E-B’s 2015 Excellence in Education Awards.

Michael Clark, who was named HISD’s own Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2011, was selected as a finalist in the Lifetime Achievement category at the secondary level, while Dr. Nghia Le, who was recognized by H-E-B in 2011 with the Rising Star Award, was chosen as a finalist in the Leadership category at the secondary level.

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Pin Oak MS student named myON’s inaugural ‘Reader Leader’

Alfredo Castillo-Sosa Photo courtesy Muses3, LLC.

Alfredo Castillo-Sosa
Photo courtesy Muses3, LLC.

Alfredo Castillo-Sosa, a sixth-grader at Pin Oak Middle School, has been named the very first “Reader Leader” by myON for logging the most time spent reading on that website during a particular month.

Alfredo read for eight hours and 15 minutes on myON in February. He also completed 55 books and took their accompanying quizzes.

As a part of his prize, Alfredo received an ASUS laptop (with computer case) from Muses3, LLC, the representative of myON in southeast Texas.

“This was a tight race,” noted Linda Bessmer, managing partner of Muses3. “Several elementary school students came very close to winning but, in the end, a secondary school student took the prize.”

Alfredo was formally recognized during a special ceremony held on his campus March 10.

 

High schools compete to win money for completing financial aid application

Priority deadline for FAFSA/TASFA is March 15 for first-round consideration by many colleges, as well as a few Texas scholarships and loans

Six HISD high schools could win up to $750 for having the largest percentage of students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 15.

Thanks to Advise TX and Texas A&M University, 13 HISD high schools have college graduates on campus year-round advising low-income students on what is required to get into a good school and how to pay for higher education.

“HISD is very happy to partner with Advise Texas to ensure that our students receive additional support in navigating the college and financial aid process,” said Assistant Superintendent of College Readiness Rick Cruz. “They are one of our strong continued partners that do great work alongside our staff to support our students.”

These college graduates are working hard right now to get seniors at their schools (see list of schools below) to complete their FAFSA by the March 15 deadline. Submitting the FAFSA or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) by the priority deadline is highly recommended for students seeking to qualify for any of the following: Top 10 Percent Scholarship, Texas Grant, and Texas B-On-Time Loan.

Advise TX College Advising Corps is similar to Teach for America or the Peace Corps in that it places graduates in a position for one to two years after graduation and pays them a salary. Advise TX is part of College Advising Corps, a national organization that works to increase the number of students who enter and complete higher education.

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Help your child #Discover15 over spring break

Download an interactive tool to help your family include 15 minutes of reading every day

What is your child doing over spring break? Why not help them develop a love of reading and improve their literacy skills by reading aloud for 15 minutes every day? HISD has partnered with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Houston Hispanic Forum, Literacy Advance of Houston, Region 4 Educational Service Center, and the Houston Public Library to develop a fun, interactive way for parents and children to incorporate 15 minutes of reading into their busy schedules every day.

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2015 spring break schedule for HISD schools and offices

All HISD campuses and offices will be closed for spring break from Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 20, 2015.

Schools and offices will reopen for normal business on Monday, March 23, 2015.

Employees should consult the duty schedules posted here.

The HISD Police Department will be patrolling district facilities all during the holiday break. Emergencies may be reported by calling 713-892-7777.

HISD finalizes property purchase for new High School for Law and Justice

HISD-30by42-Poster-HSLECJ4

A preliminary design concept shows the front of the new High School for Law and Justice.

In February, HISD completed the purchase of property near downtown at Scott and Coyle streets, which will become the campus for the new High School for Law and Justice.

The school’s new three-story building, part of the district’s $1.89 billion bond program, will combine a 21st century learning environment with unique features – including a courtroom, a crime scene investigations lab, an emergency communications center, and a law library.

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ACP grant lets teacher pursue professional development in Singapore over Spring Break

Shannon Kelly

Shannon Kelly

Program yet another benefit of obtaining alternative certification credentials through HISD

Shannon Kelly, a ninth-grade geography teacher at Milby High School, has big plans for her spring break.  She will be attending the fourth International Problem-Based Learning Symposium in Singapore March 18–20, thanks to HISD’s alternative certification grant program.

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Yates HS students receive practical training for health services careers

Students at Yates High School are getting practical experience in the health services arena. The Health Science Program at Yates HS is in its first year, and the new Jack Yates Community Clinic opened at the beginning of March. Services provided in the Community Clinic include blood pressure screenings for faculty, staff and students, height and weight measurements, and patient education. Continue reading →