Monthly Archives: April 2016

Businesses get customer service tips during Workshop Wednesday

More than three dozen local business owners learned strategies and tips for improving customer service on Wednesday during a monthly workshop hosted by HISD’s Business Assistance Supplier Diversity department.

Customer service expert trainer Mercedes Alfaro spoke to the group, presenting tips for delivering superior customer service and discussing the importance of identifying consumer needs. Alfaro works with companies across the nation, speaking on topics such as management, leadership, communication, diversity sensitivity and customer service.

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HSPVA one of two schools nationwide selected for national jazz tour 

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Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts was one of only two schools nationwide selected by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz to participate in a national “Peer-to-Peer Education” tour. HSPVA opened in Savannah, Ga., on April 11 and continued on to Charleston, Ga., performing in public schools all week.

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I am HISD: Meet renowned pianist and ‘Selma’ composer who developed a love of music in HISD schools 

Jason Moran works with a dance class at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center where he went to school as well.

Jason Moran works with a dance class at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center.

In this week’s I Am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, HISD alumnus and renowned pianist, composer, and bandleader Jason Moran talks about giving back to the HISD schools he attended and receiving a McArthur “genius” grant. He attended McGregor Elementary School, Gregory Lincoln Education Center, and High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. During a recent visit to Houston to engage with students at all three schools, he took time out from his busy schedule to talk to HISD. For more background information see these links: African-American alumni give back and HISD alumni bringing Black History month to life. 

You are in year two of a three-year homecoming residency sponsored by Da Camera with the three schools you attended at HISD. What inspired you to give back to students in those schools?

Many of the thought patterns that I continue to use as a mature artist were learned at those schools. Macgregor Elementary is the place where an instrument was first placed in my hands [a violin], and that prompted my parents to buy a piano for all of us boys to practice on. That piano is still in my living room In New York City, and it’s probably the one I play the most. Though they seem fleeting, these ideas that are planted early on in children’s minds are very important. Continue reading →

HISD chefs spotlighted by Texas Department of Agriculture 

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Chef Trainer Brittany Jones teaches students how to make pumpkin spice muffins.

The Texas Department of Agriculture recently highlighted HISD Nutrition Services Chefs David Husbands and Brittany Jones in their spotlight newsletter, Chefs in Texas Schools, for developing nutritious school meals for students.

Husbands, who is the executive chef, creates reimbursable school meals and works closely with dietitians to develop school menus. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with other colleagues and strives to provide better service to HISD students. Continue reading →

HISD Scholars Banquet honors Class of 2016 valedictorians and salutatorians

HISD Scholars Banquet honors Class of 2016 valedictorians and salutatorians HISD paid tribute to 99 high school seniors at the top of their class at the annual Scholars Banquet on April 12 at the Westin Oaks Galleria. In addition to their outstanding academic achievements, these valedictorians and salutatorians have already garnered more than $10 million in scholarships and financial aid offers.

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District’s new career and technical education center at Jordan HS accepting applications

Rising juniors at nine HISD high schools have the opportunity to explore different careers without changing schools, thanks to the district’s first regional career and technical education center at Barbara Jordan.

The Barbara Jordan Career Hub is now taking applications from 10th-grade students zoned to Davis, Furr, Kashmere, North Forest, Reagan, Sam Houston, Washington, Wheatley, and Yates high schools to participate in the specialized program at Jordan, where they will get specialized education and training in high-demand fields.

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Take a trip around the world at expo of Pre-K students’ work

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In honor of Laurenzo Early Childhood Center becoming a dual-language school this year, the faculty adopted an international theme for their annual expo. Every class chose a different country to study for eight weeks, and their project-based lesson plans included students’ asking questions, engaging in investigations, and making discoveries.

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Roses and Knights on their way to robotics finals in Kentucky

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A robotics team made up of students from HISD’s only all-boys and all-girls schools will be heading to Louisville, Ky., later this month to compete in the 2016 VEX Worlds Robotics championship.

The team is made up of five students from the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy and four students from the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men.

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HISD Board of Education to consider Kashmere High School construction contract

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday is expected to consider a construction contract for Kashmere High School, which is undergoing significant renovation as part of the 2012 Bond Program.

The bid for the renovation work was submitted by DT Construction in response to a February request for competitive sealed proposals. The proposal — one of three submitted — includes a base bid of $13 million with a construction contingency of $1.1 million, meaning the total costs would not exceed $14.1 million. Continue reading →