Yearly Archives: 2016

Leland College Prep Academy construction nears halfway point

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Construction on the new Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men, located in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward, has been progressing well over the last quarter, and is now about 50 percent complete.

Part of HISD’s current bond program, the new 139,000 square-foot-facility, located at 1701 Gregg St., will accommodate 900 to 1,000 students once completed in the second quarter of 2017. Continue reading →

HISD’s Procurement Services receives national recognition

HISD’s Procurement Services has been honored with the 2016 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award  from the National Procurement Institute. HISD is one of a select group of school districts in the U.S. to receive this award, which recognizes excellence in the field. Achievement of Excellence in Procurement2

Procurement Services is made up of a team of experts who facilitate everything related to the purchasing of materials and supplies for HISD. This prestigious award acknowledges the team’s support of HISD students, faculty, and staff. Procurement Services will be recognized at the 48th Annual NPI Conference, which takes place Oct. 9-12 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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Mayra Hernandez named new principal of Edison Middle School

Mayra Hernandez poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Mayra Hernandez has been named principal of Edison Middle School after serving as the principal of Davila Elementary for the last three years. Under her leadership, Davila transitioned from an “Improved Required” School to a “Met Standard” school. She began her HISD career at Sherman Elementary as a teacher before becoming a teacher specialist and later a reading interventionist. In 2012, she became assistant principal at Davila Elementary.

Hernandez received her associate of arts degree from Houston Community College and her bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies from University of Houston-Downtown. She has a masters in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University.

New Teacher Academy gives teachers new to HISD valuable resources, connections 

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Near the end of the 2016 New Teacher Academy (NTA), Adrienne Wright found a relatively quiet spot at Kingdom Builders Center to eat her lunch. She exchanged a few friendly “hellos” with new friends she made before reflecting on a busy yet informative week.

As she gets ready to begin her first year of teaching, she said she feels considerably more prepared for the first day of school than she did a week ago. Many of the 1,300 other attendees likely felt the same way.

“It’s actually been excellent,” said Wright, who will teach at Woodson K-8 Academy. The trainings have been excellent. Everything has been well-organized. I am so happy to be working at HISD because they have so much support for new teachers like me. They make me feel confident.”  Continue reading →

Dimitrie Rainey named new principal of Alcott Elementary

Dimitire Rainey poses for a photograph during the Professional Learning Series at NRG Center, June 15, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Dimitrie Rainey has been selected as the new principal of Alcott Elementary School. She began her career as a fifth–grade math teacher in Virginia’s Prince William County School District, and also worked in the District of Columbia School District and Maryland’s Prince George County School District. Rainey began her HISD career as a fifth-grade math teacher and department chair at Blackshear Elementary School. Over the next 10 years, she served HISD as a middle–school math teacher, dean of students, and assistant principal. Most recently she was assistant principal at RP Harris Elementary School.

Dimitrie received her bachelors of arts in elementary education at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and her master’s degree in administration and supervision from American College of Education. 

 

Elizabeth Garcia named new principal of DeChaumes Elementary

Elizabeth Garcia, DeChaumes Elementary (Houston Independent School District)Elizabeth Garcia has been selected as the new principal of DeChaumes Elementary School. Garcia began her career in education as an elementary-school teacher and has taught reading and English in both middle and high schools. She taught for five years in Colombia, South America, before joining HISD and building a successful newcomers’ program at Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center. While at Sam Houston, Garcia was recognized as a Tiger Teacher and ELA Teacher of the Year. She continued her career at Hamilton Middle School as dean of students working with the ELA, ESL, and Spanish departments, as well as the sixth- and eighth-grade teams.

Garcia earned her bachelor’s degree in education from University of Auburn and her master’s degree in education from University of Alabama. She holds a certificate of instructional leadership from University of St. Thomas and is certified to teach English, reading, ESL, and Spanish.

Richard A. Carranza named sole finalist for HISD superintendent

Veteran educator known for innovative work promoting bilingualism, global citizenship and addressing students’ social and emotional needs

The Houston ISD Board of Education on Wednesday named Richard A. Carranza as the sole finalist for superintendent of the nation’s seventh-largest school district. The vote was unanimous.

By Texas law, the board now must wait 21 days before taking a final vote on whether to hire Carranza.

Carranza is a life-long educator who served as a teacher, principal and in other leadership posts before rising to his most recent position as superintendent of the 53,000-student San Francisco Unified School District in California. Last year, Education Week profiled Carranza as a national 2015 Leader to Learn From. Fluent in English and Spanish, Carranza has led one of California’s most diverse, high-achieving public school systems since 2012.

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HISD Bond Oversight Committee tours new Condit ES, gets update on 2012 Bond Program

Condit Elementary School Principal Dan Greenberg shared his vision for 21st century learning on Tuesday as he led HISD Bond Oversight Committee members on a tour of his new school, which opens for students next  month.

Placing an emphasis on modern learning styles, the two-story school features bright colors, open spaces, large windows that let in copious amounts of light, and curved walls that create lots of seating nooks.

White boards are found throughout the hallways, creating pockets where students can gather and learn throughout the building.

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HISD receiving $1.2 million for more fresh fruits and vegetables in schools 

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Nutrition Services was awarded $1.2 million from the Texas Department of Agriculture to offer fresh fruits and vegetables to more HISD students. This year, TDA selected two more HISD elementary schools to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, for a total of 39 schools in the district now included in the program.

FFVP helps Nutrition Services meet its goals of providing HISD students with more fresh fruits and vegetables and healthier food options in district schools. Nutrition Services Senior Operations Manager Becky Campbell said the grant gives school children the opportunity to taste products not regularly found on school menus.

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Board of Education to consider superintendent candidates

Trustees could vote to name finalist or finalists

The Houston ISD Board of Education will meet Wednesday morning to discuss superintendent candidates, and possibly announce a finalist or finalists for the position. Continue reading →