Yearly Archives: 2016

Pilgrim Academy sweeps advanced category at TCEA robotics competition

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On Jan. 30, six teams from HISD’s Pilgrim Academy competed in the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Area 4 Robotics Competition — and three of those teams took home top honors when they swept the Advanced Arena Division for middle- and high-school students.

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Briarmeadow students change lives of Cambodian amputees through IB project

Briarmeadow Charter School students raised enough money at this bake sale to buy prosthetic limbs for two Cambodian amputees.

Briarmeadow Charter School students raised enough money at this bake sale to buy prosthetic limbs for two Cambodian amputees.

Two Cambodian amputees are now enjoying a better quality of life due to increased mobility, after students at HISD’s Briarmeadow Charter School completed a project that provided them with new prostheses.

Hea Yoeung, who lost her lower left leg in a motorcycle accident, and Dork Savorn, who lost his lower right leg after stepping on a landmine during a soccer game, both have new artificial limbs, thanks to a donation of $600 from the school’s first-graders. The students raised the money during a single bake sale, after learning about the needs of amputees around the world.

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Virtual welding trainer gives students real-world experience

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Students from Milby High School’s welding program now have access to a state-of-the-art virtual-reality arc-welding training simulator. The computer-based training system is an educational tool designed to supplement traditional welding training. The VRTEX® 360 allows students to practice their welding techniques in a simulated environment that is just like being on the job. The machine is suitable for students studying everything from basic to advanced welding.

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Thompson ES students reach out to president…and he responds

Thompson ES students display some of the items they received from President Barack Obama.

Thompson ES students display some of the items they received from President Barack Obama.

When Brenda Mays’ class at HISD’s Thompson Elementary School sent individual holiday greeting cards to President Barack Obama last December, they didn’t really expect to hear back from him. But when the students began opening their mailboxes late last month, they were astonished to discover he hadn’t just responded to their letters; he had sent them each a care package, too.

Each package contained a variety of materials, such as photos of the president and his family (including dogs Bo and Sunny), personal letters addressed to the students by name, and fact sheets about Obama’s family, the White House, and the importance of eating healthy and exercising.

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Grant opportunities still available for eco-campus partnership with Taiwan

The National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA program is looking for HISD schools interested in joining the third year of their USA-Taiwan Eco-Campus Partnership Program.

The program, designed and coordinated by the NWF, U.S. Environmental Program and EPA Taiwan, matches schools in the United States directly with sister schools in Taiwan to work together on a global level to address environmental- or sustainability-related issues.

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Westbury HS staff tells students why they are inspirational

The world is full of stories about teachers who have inspired their students to reach for greatness.

But at HISD’s Westbury High School, campus staff members have turned the tables. Faculty and administrators alike have been stopping Westbury pupils in the hallways to share the many ways they feel inspired by these students to come to school every day and continue the work they do in public education.

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New classroom wing at Grady MS is open for learning

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Grady Middle School students stepped inside their new $14.8 million classroom wing today – the first day of classes in the new building. With natural light streaming into classrooms and shared collaborative spaces, and flexible furniture placed throughout, the new wing truly reflects a modern learning environment.

The addition completes the multi-phase master plan for the campus that was begun with funds from the 2007 bond. The building features a core classroom wing with 24 classrooms, six science labs, six learning commons, and three administrative suites. Student capacity at the school is now expanded from 580 to 850 students.

HISD to celebrate Year of the Monkey with two weekend events

Students at Kolter ES perform during a 2015 Lunar New Year celebration.

Students at Kolter ES perform during a 2015 Lunar New Year celebration.

Monday, Feb. 8, marks the beginning of a new lunar year in many cultures, and to observe the occasion, HISD will be hosting two celebrations in partnership with the Confucius Institute.

The first will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School (6300 Avenue B, 77401), while the second has been scheduled for 6–8 p.m. at Westside High School (14201 Briar Forest, 77077).

Both are free and open to the public.

African-American leaders forged lasting legacy of public service

Editor’s Note: Black History Month runs from Monday, Feb. 1, through Monday, Feb. 29, this year, and HISD is celebrating with a series of weekly stories recognizing distinguished African Americans who graduated from district high schools. This second article focuses on alumni who went on to have successful careers in politics or law. The first one spotlighted professional athletes, and others will feature artists, educators, and those with careers in radio, TV, and film.

Since its earliest days, Houston has been home to great leaders who, through their commitment to public service, have helped to shape our community and create opportunities for future generations.

African-Americans figure prominently in this group of civic and government officials, and HISD is proud to count many of them among our distinguished alumni, who have left a lasting legacy for citizens of Houston and students in HISD.

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Askew Elementary community briefed on new building plans

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About 40 parents, neighbors, and staff of Askew Elementary School participated in a bond community meeting at the school this week, where they were briefed on the project status and design plans for their new campus.

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