Yearly Archives: 2017

Madison HS to mark start of construction with groundbreaking ceremony

Bond community meeting at Madison High School, January 19, 2017. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)

Madison High School will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 5 p.m. to celebrate the start of construction on their new facility, which is being rebuilt as part of the HISD’s 2012 Bond Program.

The $94 million project calls for a new school that can accommodate up to 2,100 students. The two-story building will be built facing West Orem Drive on the school’s existing athletic fields. A two-story foyer will double as a dining commons and large gathering space, while also providing plenty of natural light. Continue reading →

HISD to open nine schools for 2017-2018 school year

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Nine schools across the Houston Independent School District will formally open their doors to all students for the first time on Monday — the first day of the 2017-2018 school year.

New schools set to open this school year include Furr, Milby and Wisdom high schools, as well as Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men and DeBakey High School for Health Professions. DeBakey technically opened to summer school students in May, but Monday marks the start of its first fall semester in the new building.

Another four schools — Kashmere and Waltrip high schools, Sharpstown International School, and Codwell Elementary — underwent major renovations. Continue reading →

Attend a parent information session on HISD’s Gifted and Talented programs

HISD provides two program options for Gifted and Talented (G/T) students – Vanguard Magnet and Vanguard Neighborhood programs. The Vanguard Neighborhood programs are designed to meet the needs of G/T students at the school to which they are zoned, and the Vanguard Magnet program provides an environment where G/T students can work with their peers at a Vanguard Magnet School.

Continue reading →

Parent survey on HISD extended in aftermath of Harvey

The window for parents to take a survey on their experiences having a child in HISD has been extended until Monday, Oct. 30, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Parents are being asked to complete the survey as part of a third-party review being conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR).

Responses from the survey will be used to improve special education services provided by HISD. All parents, including those whose children do not receive special education services in the district, are asked to participate.

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Arabic. It is voluntary and confidential – results will not be associated with your family or child.

Important Parent Survey (English)

Important Parent Survey (Spanish)

Important Parent Survey (Vietnamese)

Important Parent Survey (Arabic)

In April, the HISD Board of Education selected AIR to implement a comprehensive Special Education Program Review. The review will identify how the district is providing proactive intervention for struggling students, offer suggestions on the evaluation referral process, and examine the process for identifying students with disabilities. The review will also evaluate the development of the individualized education program (IEP).

 

Achieve 180 debuts with parade and community event in Sunnyside

Worthing feeder pattern schools join forces for ‘Southside Takeover’

HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza took to the streets of the Sunnyside community on Saturday, Aug. 19, for the first ever “Southside Takeover,” a back-to-school bash to kick-off the start of the 2017-2018 school year and the start of Achieve180.

“Achieve 180 is more than a plan or initiative,” said Carranza. “It’s a movement to better serve our historically underserved and academically challenged schools.”

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The “Southside Takeover” featured Carranza at the helm of a parade with students, staff, and parents from Worthing High School, along with various other campuses in the south area, and a resource fair for families with free immunizations, school supplies, backpacks, uniforms, food, and entertainment. Continue reading →

Christina Lovette named new principal of MC Williams Middle School

Dr. Christina Lovette has been appointed principal of MC Williams Middle School. Dr. Lovette has been an educator for 23 years, beginning her career with HISD as a history teacher at Patrick Henry Middle School and serving in various leadership roles across the district, including district coordinator and assistant principal. From 2010-2017, Dr. Lovette served as a principal and the director of curriculum and instruction in Alvin ISD. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Dillard University in New Orleans and a master’s and doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Brian Gaston named new principal of North Houston Early College High School

Brian Gaston poses for a photograph, November 7, 2016. (Dave Einsel)Brian Gaston has been appointed principal of North Houston Early College High School. Gaston graduated from North Forest ISD schools and started his educational career as a 2010 Teach for America corps member at Hogg Middle School and later Heights High School. After serving in several instructional leadership roles, Gaston became dean of students at Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center and served as the school director training new teachers for the Teach For America Houston Institute. Most recently, he was assistant principal of the Business Academy at Heights High School. He was named 2011-2012 HISD Secondary Teacher of the Year, received the 2012 Kinder Award for Excellence in Teaching, and was named to the 2014 Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practices Honor Roll. Gaston received his bachelor of business administration in management from University of Texas at Austin and his master of education in teacher leadership from University of St. Thomas.

Milby HS celebrates the old and the new at grand opening ceremony

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“It’s a great day to be a Milby Buffalo!” exclaimed HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza as hundreds of attendees cheered with pride and excitement at Milby High School’s highly anticipated grand opening celebration Thursday.

Current and former Milby Buffs filled the new school as the Milby Marching Thunder Band and Charlie’s Angels pumped up the crowd at HISD’s largest ribbon-cutting ceremony to date. Shiny gold and blue decorations adorned the large learning commons area, which showcases a combination of new construction alongside the historical front façade of the school.

Continue reading →

New HISD chief school officers and assistant superintendents appointed

Rebecca Brown, Nicole Moore, and Yolanda Rodríguez

HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza announced several new leadership appointments and a restructuring of the district’s Schools Office, improvements that are part of a larger effort to better meet the needs of HISD students, especially in historically underserved schools.

Continue reading →

Back-to-school immunizations and health screenings

It’s time to get ready for the first day of school, and we have prepared a list of of resources to ensure your children are ready for the 2017-2018 school year.

Immunizations and health screenings 

City of Houston Health Centers

http://www.houstontx.gov/health/HealthCenters/

Harris Health Troubleshooters

https://www.harrishealth.org/en/our-community/outreach-services/pages/troubleshooters-immunization.aspx

Texas Children’s Mobile Clinics

http://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/mobile-clinics/services

HISD FACE Community Resource Guide

Visit the Family and Community Engagement Resource Guide at www.houstonisd.org/communityresource and search for these resources:

  • Back-to-School Supplies
  • Clothing Assistance
  • Healthcare