Approved by Houston voters in 2012, HISD’s Bond Program will renovate or rebuild 40 schools across the district, and Interim Chief Operating Officer Lenny Schad shared the latest details during the July episode of Up Close with Manuel Rodriguez.
“This summer is shaping up to be a turning point in the bond program,” Rodriguez said, as he opened his show. “Currently, we have more than two dozen schools under construction, and we are set to open six new schools in August.” Continue reading
Participants in this month’s Workshop Wednesday, entitled Talk Like a Leader, learned that strong leadership and effective communication go hand-in-hand, and received tips on incorporating constructive phrases, positive body language, and effective vocal quality into daily interactions.
Presented by Corinne Chalmers, owner and leadership coach at Deliberate Changes, the workshop also gave insight into fundamental strategies for what works and what doesn’t when influencing others.
“Leadership is all about influencing a group toward a common goal,” Chalmers said. “There is very little distinction between strong leadership skills and strong communication skills.”
The group of about 50 attendees learned to drop key phrases that harm credibility and adopt new ones that create positive influence and encourage mutual respect in a conversation. Continue reading
Amid national concerns about lead in municipal water supplies, HISD has begun random lead testing and plans to test all schools not being rebuilt within the 2012 bond program by the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
In March 2016, HISD conducted a test for lead at five schools that were selected at random. The schools tested were: Wharton Dual Language Academy, Hogg Middle School, Henderson Elementary School, Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men, and McReynolds Middle School. Lead levels in all water samples were within acceptable standards.
The long stretch of hot days (and nights) in Houston have begun, and by now you probably have already heard your child utter two dreaded words: “I’m bored.” Don’t worry – we have you covered! See the list below for some ideas that will keep your child both entertained and prepared when the first day of school rolls around. You can also check out HISD’s summer page for more helpful information. Continue reading
The Texas Education Agency on Tuesday awarded the Houston Independent School District a $9.2 million grant to enhance its early childhood education program.
HISD is among 578 school systems across Texas to be awarded a grant as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s high-quality prekindergarten initiative. The $116 million grant program allows districts and charters to receive funding for qualifying pre-K students in addition to the half-day Foundation School Program funding that is already received for each eligible pre-K student. To receive the grant funding, a district or charter must meet certain enhanced quality standards related to curriculum, teacher qualifications, academic performance, and family engagement.
HISD’s Nutrition Services department plays a vital part in the district’s mission to prepare students for success after school. Students can’t learn if they’re not properly fed.
The Nutrition Services team members understand this and take their jobs seriously, which is why nearly 500 job seekers recently attended their job fair. While about 200 people were hired, Nutrition Services still needs more motivated team members to help cook and serve healthy meals to the district’s students. Continue reading
Mayor’s Sylvester Turner’s Back to School Fest is a great opportunity for Houston families to take advantage of an array of resources provided by the City of Houston and other sponsors.
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As in years past, only registered kindergarten through fifth-grade students will receive a backpack filled with school supplies. In addition, students can take advantage of free eye and ear examinations, vaccinations, and lessons in dental hygiene and health.
Mickey Leland Preparatory Academy’s middle school and high school teams display their awards at the SECME VEX nationals with SECME staffer Anthony Bowser (center). Students (left to right) are Evert Guzman, Brandon Chuor, Danny Medina, Marcellus Jordan, Luis Torres, and Jarmel Brown.
Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy’s high-school robotics club won first place at the 40th annual SECME Summer Institute’s VEX nationals in June at Tennessee State University in Nashville, and the middle-school team took second place.
This summer event brings together STEM educators and students for learning, collaboration, and dialog.
School at St. George Place ranked top in nation for energy savings amongst K-12 school buildings
Nine campuses from across the Houston Independent School District were recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for reducing energy consumption by at least 20 percent over the last year.
The schools were recognized in June as part of the EPA’s 2015 Energy Star National Building Competition Battle of the Buildings Team Challenge, which encouraged organizations across the country to compete in their efforts to reduce energy and water consumption.
Applicant pool consists of candidates who match leadership profile developed with public input
The HISD Board of Education is interviewing candidates for the position of superintendent of schools to replace former Superintendent Terry Grier, who stepped down on Feb. 29.
The Board, working with the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, narrowed down an initial list of 35 applicants to a select pool of candidates for a first round of interviews, which is underway. Continue reading