Dr. Katie Bradarich has been appointed principal of Lanier Middle School. Dr. Bradarich has been an educator for 16 years, serving in various roles, including teacher, curriculum administrator, and assistant principal. She began her career in Chicago as a middle–school English language arts and reading teacher. She then moved to a St. Louis middle school, where she served as department chair, peer assessment leader, quality instructional leader, professional learning communities coach, reading specialist, and literacy coach. In 2011, while serving on the board of directors of the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society, she was recruited by the Monarch School and Institute in Houston to direct curriculum and instruction for individuals with neurological differences. In 2016, Dr. Bradarich joined HISD as assistant principal of Furr High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA, a master’s degree in teaching from National Louis University, and a Ph.D. in teaching and learning from University of Missouri, St. Louis. Dr. Bradarich completed her principal certification with Harris County Department of Education.
Yearly Archives: 2017
Rod Treviño named new principal of Scarborough High School
Rod Treviño has been appointed principal of Scarborough High School. Treviño has served as a public school educator for more than 19 years, beginning his career at Johnston High School in Austin ISD, where he taught English and served as chairman of the English Department and assistant principal. Most recently, he was principal of Dahlstrom Middle School in Hays Consolidated ISD. Treviño is a native Texan and received his undergraduate degree in English from University of Texas at Austin and his master’s degree in educational leadership from Texas State University. Most recently, he completed work as a member of the leadership cohort at Harvard University with a specialization in family and community engagement.
Worthing HS undergoing physical and academic transformation
With modern construction underway and a new administration in place, Worthing High School is on the verge of a transformation.
While construction crews work tirelessly to rebuild the 59-year-old school nestled in Houston’s historic Sunnyside neighborhood, new Principal Khalilah Campbell-Rhone is doing the same from the inside out.
“My desire was to come in and put Worthing back on the map,” Campbell-Rhone said, recalling how the school’s academic programs were once highly sought after and school pride was ubiquitous. “We can get back to that.”
Nearly half of building projects to be completed by start of school year
HISD’s Bond Program continues to make steady progress with eight new or renovated schools set to open to students in August and another eight set for completion in the following two quarters.
“All but one of our projects have finalized construction documents, and by the end of this summer we’ll be at roughly 50 percent completion,” HISD Construction Services Officer Derrick Sanders said Tuesday during the quarterly meeting of the district’s Bond Oversight Committee. “We’re really excited about the progress.”
Bond Oversight Committee members heard from Sanders and other members of the district’s bond team as they discussed the status of building programs and reviewed second quarter progress during the group’s regular meeting.
The new schools set to open next month include Furr, Milby and Wisdom high schools, and Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men. Renovated schools set to open include Kashmere and Waltrip high schools, Sharpstown International School, and Codwell Elementary, which is not funded by the 2012 Bond. Continue reading
National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program applications available online now
Parents are urged to complete the forms now to avoid back-to-school rush
Although the start of school is weeks away, Houston Independent School District Nutrition Services is urging all parents and guardians to complete the student applications for free and reduced-price meals online as soon as possible to ensure their child’s school gets the proper state and federal funding.
The National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program applications and surveys are now available at https://mealapps.houstonisd.org. They can also be accessed by visiting the HISD Nutrition Services website and clicking on the “One Form Means So Much” button on the right side of the page.
Tracy Clemons named HISD press secretary
Tracy Clemons has been appointed press secretary for the Houston Independent School District.
Clemons is a passionate storyteller with a journalism career that’s taken him across the country. He came to Houston as a reporter/multi-media journalist for ABC13, most recently focusing on the 10 p.m. news. He covered Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Mo., the Charleston Church massacre, and the police shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La. Locally, he’s covered his share of breaking news, but he’s most proud of his record of telling community-oriented stories that make viewers smarter and more engaged.
Clemons is originally from Virginia. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland-College Park. Prior to ABC13, he worked in Charlottesville, Va., as a reporter, in Shreveport, La., as a reporter/anchor, and in St. Louis, Mo., as a reporter/multi-media journalist.
“Being a reporter was my dream since I was 10. I can say I lived that dream,” says Clemons. “Walking away is bittersweet, but the chance to tell HISD’s story every day is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. It’s been a joy being part of one of the best news teams in America at ABC13, but I look forward to this new chapter.”
Clemons began in his new role Monday, July 24.
HISD mourns loss of Board of Education Trustee Manuel Rodríguez Jr.
The HISD family is mourning the passing of Board of Education District III Trustee Manuel Rodríguez Jr., a dedicated servant to the children of Houston for 14 years and himself a product of HISD schools.
Rodríguez, who passed away on Wednesday, was elected to the board in 2003 and held every office, including assistant secretary, second vice president, first vice president, and in 2016, president of the Board of Education.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Trustee Rodríguez, who was a pillar in the HISD community,” said Superintendent Richard Carranza. “He was a true advocate for educating all children and a champion for change. He was a wise man, a mentor, and a friend to us all. We will forever be indebted to him by his service to public education. His legacy will live on.” Continue reading
Stephen Gittens named new principal of Woodson K-8 Academy
Stephen Gittens has been appointed principal of Woodson K-8 Academy. He has served HISD for 18 years in various capacities, including as a teacher at Wesley and Cornelius elementary schools, assistant principal at Brookline and Whidby elementaries, and for the past five years, principal of Hobby Elementary. Under Gittens leadership, Hobby moved from Improvement Required to Met Standard after his first year. A Madison High School graduate, he earned a bachelor of arts in child psychology from Colorado University and holds two masters, one in leadership and management from Prairie View A&M and a second in business from Rice University. Gittens is an Olympian in track and field.
Special Education conference focuses on meeting unique needs of every student
HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza addressed more than 300 teachers and support staff members at the district’s fourth-annual Special Ed Conference on Tuesday at Pin Oak Middle School, encouraging them to create an environment where all children can succeed.
“We are at a critical juncture,” Carranza said later, when asked what he hoped the conference would achieve. “Too often, students with disabilities have been marginalized. We say NO, that is not what we are going to do here in HISD. I want all these educators to leave here on fire, to go back to their schools with great strategies and support so they can create incredible learning environments.” Continue reading
New Washington HS taking shape as construction progresses
Construction is more than halfway complete at Washington High School, where crews have completed installation of the building’s west side structural steel, exterior concrete walls, and exterior brick.
Crews are making steady progress. Installation of the exterior glass on the $51.7 million facility is underway, and the west side of the building is ready for both paint and flooring.
“It’s exciting to see what’s taking place,” Washington Principal Carlos Phillips said. “This will be the face of our school.”