Yearly Archives: 2015

HISD proposing policy update banning suspensions, expulsions for youngest students

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider a proposal that would ban suspensions and expulsions for students in second grade and below.

Under the proposal, campus administrators would not be allowed to suspend or expel pre-kindergarten through second-grade students in response to behavioral or disciplinary issues — except as required by state law. The policy revision further explains that students in third through fifth grades should only be removed from the school setting as a last resort. Continue reading →

Students thank veterans for their service to America

Students at Barrick Elementary School were treated to a parade featuring the likenesses of famous American authors, activists, and personalities during their annual Veterans’ Day ceremony on Nov. 10, 2015.

The school, like many across the district, held a special program to honor citizens who gave of themselves by serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center marching band and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) also performed, and local veterans, including some school staff members, joined the parade.
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WWII veteran, 91, gets honorary degree from Davis HS

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A World War II veteran who was drafted before he could finish high school received a very special birthday present this year.

John Kressley, who turned 91 on Nov. 7, accepted an honorary diploma from his alma mater, Davis High School, during a special celebration coordinated by his four children that more than 30 family members attended. Continue reading →

Briargrove ES encourages community to use ‘feet – not fuel’ to get to school

The Briargrove Elementary School community is on a mission to keep the city of Houston beautiful and to help students start their day in a fun, active way with their Walk-Bike-Scoot-Carpool to School program.

On the last Friday of each month, students, staff, administrators and parents lace up their walking shoes, ride a bike, hop on a non-motorized scooter, or carpool to school in an effort to keep as many cars off the road as possible and improve air quality.

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Students tracking environmental changes at Yellowstone National Park

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Students at two HISD schools are helping to monitor the health of the planet, and it’s all thanks to one passionate teacher.

For the past 17 years, Ann Linsley has been taking her Bellaire High School IB and AP geography and environmental science students on field trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Six years ago, she added a group of Pin Oak Middle School students, and this year Pin Oak Principal Rita Graves accompanied them as well.

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‘Caught in the Act’ spotlights HAIS

World history teacher featured in November 2015 C.I.A. video

Emily Neale, a second-year teacher at the Houston Academy for International Studies, was “Caught in the Act” of delivering great instruction during a recent visit to her world history class. An HISD video crew, along with Secondary Curriculum and Development Officer Annie Wolfe, surprised Neale and her students in the middle of a lesson on the rise and fall of different world empires.

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“When planning lessons for my students, I want to make sure the instruction allows them to develop the skills they are going to need to compete globally with their peers,” said Neale. They need to be able to work in groups and collaborate with each other, and they need to be able to think critically and communicate effectively.”

The “Caught in the Act” video campaign recognizes highly effective HISD teachers who are delivering instruction that will lead to students becoming Global Graduates — young men and women who possess the skills necessary to succeed in college and compete in today’s global workforce.

Throughout the 2015–2016 school year, the HISD video team, along with Wolfe or Chief Elementary Curriculum and Development Officer Lance Menster, will be dropping in on classrooms to observe and point out examples of effective instruction based on the six qualities of the Global Graduate profile: adaptable and productive, a leader, a responsible decision-maker, a skilled communicator, a critical thinker, and a college-ready learner.

Teachers can be nominated for the video series by school offices, chiefs, principals, and teacher development specialists. To nominate someone, please send an email to HISDcia@HoustonISD.org.

‘Three Doctors’ inspire HISD students to support one another though hardships

Wheatley HS students at the "Three Doctors" event

Wheatley HS students at the “Three Doctors” event

Students from HISD’s Kashmere, Scarborough, and Wheatley high schools received a full dose of motivation on Nov. 6 from “Three Doctors” who made a pact to support each other while growing up in the rough neighborhoods of Newark, New Jersey, and achieved professional success as a result.

The students attended a presentation given by Drs. Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins at the Brown Convention Center as part of the White House initiative, “My Brother’s Keeper,” which aims to close the achievement and opportunity gaps for young men of color.

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HISD Supplier Diversity team expands minority outreach at annual expo

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HISD’s Business Assistance Supplier Diversity team participated this week in the in the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) Business Expo, which was held at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

The annual event, which attracts more than 1,500 corporate buyers, government agencies, and educational institutions, provides an excellent opportunity for businesses of all sizes to grow their networks.  HISD took part in hopes of identifying more minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) that might be interested in future procurement opportunities in the district.

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First Class Breakfast program expanding to high schools

Food Research and Action Center awards Nutrition Services $64,000 grant

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has awarded HISD’s Nutrition Services department $64,000 to expand the First Class Breakfast program in HISD high schools. The grant will ensure that students at eight high schools get a nutritious, free breakfast every school day.

A 2012 HISD study reported better academic performance, behavior, and attendance in schools that served breakfast. Nutrition Services Director of Operations Odell Warren explained how beneficial the program is to helping students stay focused in class.

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Email marketing strategies featured at November’s Workshop Wednesday

This month’s Workshop Wednesday featured marketing strategist and author Toni Harris, who discussed the power of email marketing and social media engagement in growing a business.

“Email marketing is a way to hand your message to your clients,” said Harris, who also represents Constant Contact, the largest email marketing company in the world. “Only a small percentage of your contacts will see your social media posts, a lot more will see your direct email, so it’s important to create content that engages your audience.”

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