Yearly Archives: 2017

District IX community meetings planned

Board president to address various topics, including Achieve 180

HISD Board President Wanda Adams is hosting community meetings for families and staff in District IX.

At the meetings, Trustee Adams will discuss various topics including the status of HISD and schools post-Hurricane Harvey and the launch of Achieve 180, the district’s initiative to support historically underserved and academically underperforming schools.

The community meetings are scheduled as follows. All start at 6 p.m.  Continue reading →

Scarborough HS construction more than halfway complete

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000tNfSvMrLO.k” g_name=”20170920-Scarborough-HS” 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” ]

Construction at Scarborough High School is over halfway complete with renovations to classroom spaces and common areas finished in time for students to enjoy on the first day of school on Sept. 11.

The remaining portion of the project — a 13,000-square-foot JROTC and fine arts building addition — is nearly complete with roofing underway and brick installation set to begin in the coming weeks.

“Although our construction timeline is slightly delayed, the crew has us back on track,” Scarborough Principal Rod Treviño said, referring to initial delays in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. “Our classrooms and hallways look great, and students are excited about the look of their new 21st century building.”

Continue reading →

Number of Family Friendly Schools more than doubles in second year of program 

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000qS1L7qdj0a8″ g_name=”20171005-FamilyFriendlySchool” 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” ]

Sixty-one HISD schools took the Family and Community Empowerment (FACE) Department’s challenge to get their campus certified as a Family Friendly School for the 2016-2017 school year, and they did it.

Campuses worked diligently during this past school year to offer their families and communities research-based activities and strategies to expand and build relationships, link events to student learning, and build capacity and support efforts for family and community empowerment.  Through these efforts, schools attained one of the three Family Friendly School Certification levels:   Continue reading →

Carnegie Vanguard HS senior aces SAT, ACT, and AP exams 

Carnegie Vanguard High School Ramon Moss (left) and HISD College Readiness Senior Manager Jennifer Ertel present senior An Nguyen with a certificate of achievement.

Meet An Nguyen, the Houston Independent School District student who earned perfect scores on the School Day SAT, the ACT, and the 11 Advanced Placement (AP) exams she has taken throughout high school. Nguyen is now part of an elite, high academic profile club.

According to the CollegeBoard, 1.7 million students took the SAT in 2017, with a mean score of 1060. In Texas, 204,409 students took the SAT, with a mean score of 1020.

The SAT and ACT are both college entrance exams, assessing skills in reading, math, and writing.

Increasing access to college entrance exams is a key focus for HISD— all high school juniors take the SAT for free at their home campus during regular school hours. Houston ISD also offers the PSAT to students in grades 8-11 for free. HISD is dedicated to preparing students test college-ready in math and reading before graduation. Continue reading →

Workshop Wednesday promotes financial freedom

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000NVS0_AuBJzw” g_name=”Workshop-Wednesday-Oct-17″ 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” ]

Certified Financial Educator Lijoy Thomas and his team educated local business owners and vendors on Wednesday about the concept of building a strong financial foundation.

During Thomas’ presentation, part of HISD’s Business Assistance Workshop Wednesday series, attendees were given clarity on compound interest and debt management, as well as a better understanding of the meaning of the terms asset, liability, and net worth.

“How is it that the richest country in the world is in so much debt?” asked Thomas as he presented information on the nation’s consumer debt level. “An average family owes $15,950 in credit card debt.” Continue reading →

Workers prepare foundation for new Lamar HS

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000HoFKs_QkAac” g_name=”20171005-Lamar” 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” ]

Though there’s not much to see above ground, construction at Lamar High School is well underway, as crews are drilling piers and preparing to lay the foundation for the campus’ new addition.

As part of that foundation work, crews soon will begin installing grade beams and pouring the concrete slab. Once the groundwork and foundation are complete, installation of steel columns and beams will follow, taking the project vertical by year’s end.

“Once this project gets out of the ground, it will be easy to see progress almost every day,” said Heery International Project Manager Marvin Stone, who oversees the Lamar construction for the Houston Independent School District. “Stay tuned. This will be a fun project to watch.”

Continue reading →

Construction on new Bellaire HS to start next summer 

The Bellaire City Council has approved an updated site plan and traffic study for the new Bellaire High School and granted a permit for the property, meaning construction on the facility could begin as early as next summer.

The  approval of the specific-use permit by the city effectively clears the last hurdle in the design process for the new high school, being rebuilt under HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program.

“After all the work we’ve put into this project to build consensus amongst all of our stakeholders, we are thrilled to finally get the green light from the City of Bellaire and begin moving forward,” Bellaire Principal Michael McDonough said. “This is a huge step forward for our students, our school, and our community.”

Continue reading →

Notice of Destruction of Special Education Records 

Special Education records, which have been collected by the Houston Independent School District (HISD) related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of Special Education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for a period of five years after Special Education services have ended for the student. Special Education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, completes his or her educational program at age 22, or moves from the district.

This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of HISD’s intent to destroy the Special Education records of students who are no longer receiving Special Education services as of the end of the 2011-2012 school year. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. Continue reading →

Principals honor Superintendent for leadership during Harvey

Carranza and COO Brian Busby surprised at monthly principals meeting

HISD Superintendent of Schools Richard Carranza surprised all district principals with a special ‘”HISD Strong” award at their monthly leadership meeting on Oct. 4, but then school leaders turned the surprise back on him.

While in the midst of being honored by Carranza for her efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Scarborough Elementary Principal Miriam Medina invited a group of fellow school leaders to the front of the board auditorium. The group then announced to the superintendent and Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby that they were awarding the two of them for their leadership during and after the storm.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000LiSOxUXJ3vk” g_name=”20171004-PrincipalMeeting” 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” ]

“Speaking for myself and the group up here, I appreciate our Superintendent and Mr. Busby for their ability to take in all the information including the federal information from FEMA, the state, and local decisions being made at a moment’s notice and then distribute it to us,” said Bellaire High School Principal Mike McDonough, one of nearly a dozen principals who gathered at the front of the board auditorium.

The group, made up of leaders from campuses who had a delayed first day of school because of the storm, thanked Carranza and Busby for their for their strength, support, and commitment to HISD students, staff, and schools impacted by the storm.

“They made sure to make decisions with the help of us, the principals, and included our expertise and knowledge of our school communities,” McDonough said. “We appreciate it.”

Carranza, who was genuinely surprised by the award presentation, thanked the crowd and said the best was yet to come.

“This city cannot survive and this city cannot be a world class city without Houston ISD,” Carranza said. “HISD is the best school district in the state, and we are going to make sure everyone knows it!”

 

HISD awarded more than $60 million in federal grants

U.S. Department of Education funding to target teacher recruitment, STEM programs

The Houston Independent School District has been awarded three grants, including one that is believed to be the largest grant the district has ever received.

Each of the three grants is from the U.S. Department of Education. The largest totals $47 million and will go to recruiting and retaining the best teachers and administrators at the district’s most struggling schools.

The district also received a nearly $15 million grant for STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math — education at six HISD schools, and a $1.3 million grant that will go toward professional development for music and arts teachers in high-poverty schools. Continue reading →