Yearly Archives: 2017

Books Between Kids donates thousands of books to HISD students

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Since 2013, Books Between Kids has been providing gently used books to HISD elementary school children. The number of HISD schools that have benefited from their generosity has grown to 69 schools this year, and on May 23, they will give away their millionth book to an HISD student at Piney Point ES.

On May 16, students at Braeburn ES were busy browsing the tables of books arranged by grade level. Books Between Kids Co-Founders Amy Barnes and Sandra Ahlhorn looked on, along with a number of long-time volunteers.

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HISD Police announce art contest winners

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The Houston Independent School District Police Department has announced the winners of the third annual Police Appreciation Week art contest.

Fifth-grade artists were encouraged to showcase their talents with the department’s K-9 unit as the theme. Participants also explored other themes, including the importance of law enforcement and the different types of police officers.

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Summer readers can boost knowledge, win rewards  

It doesn’t take long for students to lose some of the academic progress they have made during the school year by sitting idle over the summer, so HISD is challenging students to use the power of reading to combat the dreaded “summer slide.”

Below are a number of ways to access thousands of books absolutely free through the district’s Summer Reading Program.

”It’s been proven through research, experience, and time that students lose at least three months of learning during the summer if they don’t engage in reading over the summer break,” said HISD’s Library Media Services Manager Janice Newsum.  Continue reading →

‘Feast of Art’ to showcase effort to boost fine arts in District III 

Schools in the Chavez High School feeder pattern will host the first fine arts showcase, “A Feast of Art,” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 at Chavez High School (8501 Howard, Houston, 77017) as part of a larger effort to increase arts access in the area.

The fine arts showcase will feature visual artwork created by students from the following schools: Bellfort Early Childhood Center; Bonner, Lewis, Patterson, Park Place, and Rucker elementary schools; Ortiz and Stevenson middle schools; and Chavez High School.   Continue reading →

Retirees honored for years of service

Over 350 members of Team HISD praised for dedication to Houston’s children

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Teachers, principals, and district support staff retiring from HISD were honored for their years of service at a special ceremony on May 11. More than 350 members of Team HISD are choosing to retire this school year. Many, like Madesta Lily, have served the district and its children for decades.

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HISD announces school winners of ‘We Khan Do It’ Challenge  

To boost college readiness across the district, HISD in mid-January challenged the district’s schools to compete for the most students using Khan Academy before the SAT test – and the results are in.

The three high schools with the most usage will receive financial support to enhance their college centers and/or support for college visits. Because college readiness starts early, elementary and middle schools were also part of the challenge. As part of a photo competition challenge, elementary and middle schools also arranged college visits for students and then tweeted pictures of those events.  Continue reading →

HISD board approves partnership with City of Houston to help at-risk, non-traditional students

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education approved a partnership with the City of Houston that would allow HISD to use community-based multiservice centers to help reach non-traditional, at-risk students.

The partnership between HISD, the City of Houston Health Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Education would allow the district to offer its program through seven designated multiservice centers.

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New Energy Institute HS construction 40 percent complete

Construction on the new Energy Institute High School is almost halfway complete, with one building completely enclosed and the other two soon to follow.

Located at the rear of the new campus, the enclosed building — known as Building C — has a roof, walls and windows, as well as brick going up on the exterior, project officials said. All overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure has been installed, and the building soon will have permanent power access via a CenterPoint Energy transformer.

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Ketelsen ES educator named 2016-17 Bilingual Teacher of the Year  

Janet Rodarte

“If I can do it, you can, too!” That’s what Janet Rodarte tells her fifth-grade students at Ketelsen Elementary when one of them is on the verge of giving up.

She tells them her story, about being the daughter of two immigrants from Acuna, Coahuila, and stepping into the classroom speaking only Spanish, to let them know she understands.

“As the daughter of two immigrants who came to the United States for a better life, I know that if you have the mentality to succeed, you will,” Rodarte says.  Continue reading →

HISD board to discuss partnership with City of Houston to help at-risk, non-traditional students

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider a partnership with the City of Houston that would allow HISD to use community-based multiservice centers to help reach non-traditional, at-risk students.

If approved, the partnership between HISD, the City of Houston Health Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Education would allow the district to offer its program through seven designated multiservice centers. Continue reading →