Yearly Archives: 2017

October is National Principals Month

Thank an HISD leader using a special image and hashtag on social media

Next to classroom instruction, the role of an effective school leader is crucial to the success of a school and its students. That’s why NASSP, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the American Federation of School Administrators have designated October as National Principals Month to honor principals nationwide.

Texas Governor Greg Abbot has also issued a proclamation declaring October 2017 Principals’ Month in Texas. HISD is joining in on the festivities by encouraging students, parents, staff, and community members to honor and thank district principals by downloading the image below and posting it on social media. Be sure to include the name of the principal you would like to acknowledge along with the school he or she leads. Also include the hashtags #ThankaPrincipal and #HISD in your posts.

Click here to download

72 HISD students named National Merit semifinalists

Students will have opportunity to compete for more than $32 million in scholarships 

Seventy-two seniors from six Houston Independent School District high schools have qualified as semifinalists in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program, earning one of the top academic honors in the nation. HISD had 51 semifinalists last year.

The students are among 16,000 from across the country to earn the semifinalist designation, allowing them the opportunity to continue in the academic competition and vie for more than $32 million in scholarships that will be awarded in the spring.

The students attend Bellaire, Carnegie Vanguard, Lamar, and Westside high schools, as well as DeBakey High School for Health Professions and the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. Continue reading →

Six HISD Board of Education positions up for election on Nov. 7

Six Houston Independent School District Board of Education seats are on the ballot in the general election coming up on Nov. 7, 2017, and three incumbents have filed for re-election.

District I: Gretchen Himsl, Monica Richart, and Elizabeth Santos have filed for the seat currently filled by Anna Eastman.

District III: The seat is up for special election to fill an unexpired term following the death of Manuel Rodríguez Jr. Sergio Lira, Carlos Perrett, Rodolfo Reyes, and Jesse Rodriguez filed for the two-year position.

District V: Kara DeRocha, Sean Cheben, Sue Deigaard, and Susan Shafer have filed for the seat currently filled by Mike Lunceford.

District VI: Incumbent Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Daniel Albert, and Robert Lundin have filed for the seat.

District VII: Incumbent Anne Sung and John Luman have filed for the seat.

District IX: Incumbent Wanda Adams, Karla Brown, and Gerry Monroe have filed for the seat.

Trustee district boundaries

To cast a ballot in the election, citizens have to register to vote by Oct. 10, 2017. Early voting begins on Oct. 23. Find ballot and polling location information here.

See complete information on candidate filings here.

Candidates had a filing deadline of Aug. 21, 2017. They had to be at least 18 years old, a registered voter, a resident of the state for at least 12 months, and a resident of the district in which they are running for at least six months. HISD consists of nine board members elected by district to staggered four-year terms.

Garrett, former HISD chief financial officer, passes away 

Former HISD Chief Financial Officer Melinda Garrett

Melinda Garrett, who served the Houston Independent School District as chief financial officer from 2001 to 2012 and won numerous honors and accolades for fiscal responsibility, has died at the age of 65.

Under Garrett’s leadership, HISD gained a national reputation for excellence in public school financial accountability and also maintained the highest possible bond rating and the lowest property tax rate in Harris County.

In 2011, HISD became the first U.S. school district in three years to win the prestigious Award for Excellence in Financial Management from the Council of the Great City Schools. In 2010, Garrett won the Council’s Bill Wise Award for distinguished service to America’s urban public schools. It was under Garrett’s leadership that the plan for a nearly $2 billion bond for new and renovated schools was proposed. The bond was overwhelmingly approved by voters shortly after Garrett’s retirement in 2012.  Continue reading →

Sign up now to attend Top-Tier College Night Oct. 11

Juniors, seniors, and students interested in getting a head start on the college process are invited to attend Top-Tier College Night on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at Chavez High School (8501 Howard Dr., Houston, TX, 77017).

Admissions representatives from top colleges across the nation will be on hand to answer questions about selective college admissions.

Students must RSVP to attend. Sign up here to reserve a space and to learn about options for bus transportation from your campus. Dinner will also be provided.

The evening begins with the Top-Tier College Fair from 4-6:30 p.m., followed by Selective College Admissions Workshops from 6:30-7:30 p.m. During the workshops, ninth- and 10th-grade students can attend a session on what they can do now to become competitive applicants for selective institutions. The session will be led by EMERGE staff. Students in grades 11 and 12 can attend a session about the selective admissions process led by a panel of admissions officers. Continue reading →

Teachers begin extended-day training on Achieve 180

Campuses receiving extra support and training every Wednesday

Teachers from across the district gathered at their campuses on Wednesday afternoon for their first extended-day, professional development session as part of Achieve 180, the district’s initiative to support underserved and academically challenged schools.

Achieve 180 contains six research-based best practices or pillars that provide a framework for the transformational work happening at 44 schools throughout HISD. One pillar of the plan, instructional excellence, includes two-hours of specialized and differentiated professional development for core teachers every Wednesday afternoon. The campus trainings are supported by district Teacher Development Specialists and staff from the Elementary and Secondary Curriculum Departments. Teachers at the Achieve 180 campuses receive extra-duty pay for the weekly professional development.  Continue reading →

Lyons ES, Eastwood Academy named National Blue Ribbon Schools for second time

A month after catastrophe crippled the city, there’s a bright spot to celebrate in HISD.  Two of our schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education:  Eastwood Academy and Lyons Elementary.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private exemplary campuses or those that are closing achievement gaps.  Eastwood and Lyons are among 26 public schools in Texas to receive the award this year, and both were named as “Exemplary High Performing Schools.”

Eastwood Academy, which is located in the East End, is a college prep high school.  Students here complete dual-credit courses, along with 80 hours of community volunteer work, before they graduate.  The principal attributes part of their success to the school’s focus on addressing the needs of individual students through social and emotional learning. Continue reading →

Construction at Lawson MS hits halfway mark

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Construction at Lawson Middle School is more than halfway complete with the installation of the roof and testing of the heating and cooling system well underway.

Lawson Principal Kasey Bailey said she’s happy with the construction progress and is looking forward to opening the new school next year.

“I’ve walked the building twice, and it’s definitely coming along,” Bailey said. “Since we are a fine arts magnet, I’m really looking forward to celebrating the arts.”

Continue reading →

Hurricane art by HISD students on sale to raise money for hurricane relief

When some HISD students wanted to raise money for hurricane victims, they picked up their paint brushes and crayons and got to work. Tinsley Elementary School art teacher Phil Daum and his students are using art and technology to raise money for the HISD Foundation’s hurricane fund.

Continue reading →

Sharpstown HS wins $100,000 sports equipment grant 

Sharpstown High School has won a $100,000 customized sports equipment grant from Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Let’s Play, and Good Sports!

After the field had been narrowed down to 20 schools from across the country, voting opened on Facebook on Sept. 8. Sharpstown then made the top 10, then the top three, and finally were selected by a committee to win the grand prize.

Coach Carlos Quintero spearheaded the winning campaign, and now the athletic department will have $100,000 worth of new equipment. The school would like to thank everyone who voted for them.

See Click2Houston’s video here, which captures the moment the coach and students found out they won, as well as part of the video that won them the prize.