Yearly Archives: 2016

HISD chef has a passion to serve children

20160818_chef-tom_004 (3)

HISD Research and Development Chef Tom Valdivieso has a new appreciation for what he and his fellow chefs do at the district. As a first-time father of a newborn son who will one day attend an HISD school, Valdivieso understands the importance of his role.

“We always cook with students in mind so that we can make sure they get the necessary nutrients to succeed in school,” he said. “We are trusted with their well-being.”

Valdivieso evaluates the HISD school menu as part of his job to design school meals that are delicious and healthy.

“The goal is always to satisfy students,” he said. He accomplishes this by creating recipes, testing them, and tweaking them to perfection.

Continue reading

Superintendent Richard Carranza to welcome HISD students back to school

New HISD leader will travel 60 miles while visiting 6 schools in 6 hours on Monday

Newly hired HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza will welcome students back to school on Monday as he crisscrosses the city on a six-campus tour.

A unanimous HISD Board of Education hired Carranza on Thursday, and Monday’s visits will be his first chance to get a glimpse of the district’s size, diversity, and variety of educational programs. Members of the HISD Board of Education will join Carranza along the tour, and members of the news media are welcome to cover all of his stops.

Continue reading

Richard A. Carranza named HISD superintendent

Carranza calls on community to rally around city’s public schools

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00009WMyKzX5m90″ g_name=”20160818-Carranza” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Richard A. Carranza assumed leadership of Texas’ largest school system on Thursday with a unanimous vote by the Houston ISD Board of Education to name him superintendent.

Carranza, 49, most recently served as superintendent of the 58,000-student San Francisco Unified School District. Carranza is a fluent Spanish-speaker and lifelong educator. He has served as a bilingual classroom teacher, a campus principal, and a senior-level administrator in Las Vegas and Tucson.

The Board of Education conducted a national search for candidates matching a leadership profile developed with input from more than 3,200 parents, teachers, taxpayers, and other community members.

Continue reading

New Mandarin Immersion Magnet School campus near completion, set to open Monday

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000WmnGKPDBSNM” g_name=”20160727-MIMS” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

The new Galleria-area campus for the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School (MIMS) is nearing completion, and construction crews are working hard to ensure that the building is all set to welcome students for the first day of school on Monday.

Part of the district’s current bond program, the $32.2 million school, located in the 5400 block of W. Alabama adjacent to the School at St. George Place, is one of HISD’s most popular magnet programs, with more than eight applications for every available spot. It draws students from all parts of the district and is one of HISD’s most diverse schools, but it long ago outgrew its initial location on the former Gordon Elementary campus in Bellaire.

Continue reading

Board of Education set to name Richard A. Carranza HISD superintendent

carranza2New superintendent will address news media, meet with public following vote

The Houston ISD Board of Education is scheduled to finalize the hiring of lone superintendent finalist Richard A. Carranza on Thursday.

The meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Board Auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th Street. After the vote, Mr. Carranza will address members of the news media and participate in a meet-and-greet with members of the public. The full agenda is available here. Continue reading

Back-to-school events and resources for parents 

Getting ready for the first day of school? There are a number of events and resources available to ensure children are ready for the new school year:

HISD Homeless Education Office Back-to-School Extravaganza

Free backpacks, school supplies, shoes, health screenings, and immunization for low-income HISD families, not just the homeless. Students must bring their shot records to get free immunizations. The Houston Food Bank will distribute fresh produce to families. Noon to 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, at Bethel’s Empowerment Center, 12660 Sandpiper Dr., Houston 77035.  Continue reading

Two HISD high schools to host grand openings this week to celebrate new buildings

Two HISD high schools will host grand opening celebrations this week to mark the completion of construction projects on their campuses.

Worthing High School will host a grand opening, campus tour and custom mural dedication on Thursday to celebrate the completion of its new classroom wing, the construction of which is the first phase of plans to rebuild the comprehensive high school.

Continue reading

Facilities Services kicks off the new school year with ‘Welcome Back’ event

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000Yh_u1xa4sQc” g_name=”2016-Facilities-Breakfast” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Hundreds of Facilities Services employees celebrated the start of the new school year at a ‘Welcome Back’ event hosted by HISD Facilities Officer Brian Busby and his management team.

“We wanted to say ‘thank you’ for the effort you put in over the summer and throughout the year to ensure our schools are ready and safe for the kids,” Busby told the group. “There is no amount of letters, notes, awards or trophies I could present that could adequately express my appreciation for what you achieve each year, year after year. We always pull together as a team and get the job done.”

The event was held Tuesday at staggered times throughout the day to accommodate the large group, which included custodians and plant operators, as well as staff from facilities maintenance, security maintenance, business services, and grounds. The employees were treated to refreshments and had the opportunity to visit with colleagues and ask questions.

Busby used the occasion to discuss the strategic vision of the department and its culture of teamwork and accountability.

“I hope to instill the mindset throughout our division that we are all accountable, and we’re all in this together,” Busby said. “The bottom line is: It’s all about the kids. If it’s not kid-driven, then it will not be done.”

Michelle Turek named new principal of Herod Elementary

Michelle Turek has been selected as the new principal of Herod Elementary School. She began her career in education as a high school English teacher and has taught English in both middle and high schools. Ms. Turek was an instructional specialist and then an assistant principal at Deady Middle School. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Roberts Elementary. She received her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Houston-Downtown and her master’s in academic leadership and supervision from the University of Texas at Arlington.

 

Families Encouraged to Complete Application for HISD’s Free and Reduced Price Meals Program

Application available online and at all HISD campuses for 2016-17 academic year

The Houston Independent School District announced its policy today for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the attached current income eligibility guidelines. Each school/site or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request.

Starting on Aug. 22, 2016, the Houston Independent School District will begin distributing letters to the households of the children in the district about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for these benefits. Applications also are available at the HISD Nutrition Services Support Facility and all HISD schools.

Continue reading