Houston Independent School District (“the District”) is currently planning to access the capital markets in April/May 2017. The District anticipates selling the following transactions via negotiated sale. The final size and structure of the transactions have not yet been determined and is subject to change. While it is the District’s expectation to move forward with these transactions, it reserves the right to change or modify its plans as it deems appropriate. Continue reading
Yearly Archives: 2017
Lawson MS hosts beam signing celebration
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Huge smiles could be seen throughout the Lawson Middle School courtyard as students headed outside to scribble their signatures on what will be the final beam to be erected as part of their new school.
The southwest Houston middle school is among 40 schools being renovated or rebuilt as part of the 2012 Bond program. The signed beam will be the last piece of steel installed, as the $59 million project is nearly one-third of the way complete.
“We are overjoyed at the feeling of knowing that the school is on the mark to be completed by the end of the school year,” said Lawson Principal Tynette Guinn. “The kids are excited to be a part of history.”
‘When I Grow Up’ career expo to be held April 22
For the fifth year, local companies will help students of all ages explore their options in high-demand, high-growth industries at the “When I Grow Up Expo” on Saturday, April 22, 2017.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092). Continue reading
HISD announces director of new K-12 Fine Arts Department
Wenden Sanders
Wenden Sanders has been appointed director of HISD’s new K–12 Fine Arts Department.
Sanders, who is currently serving as principal of Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, was selected by a committee of teachers, principals, and district administrators. He will provide leadership, support, and direction to ensure that all HISD students have access to a high-quality fine arts education.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the fine arts to all students in HISD,” Sanders said. “I look forward to working with the Arts Access Initiative, principals, school officers, and community leaders to ensure that we are educating the whole child.”
Texan Proud: Lamar HS ushers in groundbreaking for 80-year anniversary
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Eighty Lamar High School graduates armed with shovels lined the school’s front lawn on Thursday, eager to break ground on a new campus as they celebrated the 80th anniversary of their beloved alma mater.
Graduates spanning eight decades each had the opportunity to dig into the dirt, formally marking the start of construction on the $108 million project.
“This is an exciting day for us,” said Lamar Principal James McSwain. “It’s a day that the school community has been looking forward to for many years.”
Three HISD students competing in WITS slam poetry contest
Meta-Four Houston team semi-finalists.
Writers in the Schools (WITS) will hold its Space City Grand Slam poetry finals at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, at Discovery Green – where three HISD students are among 10 semi-finalists competing to be on the WITS Meta-Four Houston team.
Six finalists will go on to represent Houston at the 20th annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival in the San Francisco Bay Area in July. Continue reading
Scarborough HS community gathers to celebrate the start of construction
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Standing before a packed auditorium, Scarborough High School Principal Diego Linares thanked the school community for passing the district’s 2012 Bond Program — a move that he said began the renewal of the 50-year-old campus.
The school is making great progress, Linares said, noting that students are meeting state standards and the campus boasts of having the most Futures Academy graduates in HISD. The renovation work underway will simply serve to strengthen and complement the campus.
“We are the school that builds upon the strengths of its students, rather than focus on their deficits. We are a school that views failure as a temporary rather than permanent state,” Linares said. “Now, we can say we’re the school that’s on the verge of providing the most functional building to meet the student’s needs.”
Superintendent joins Children At Risk to highlight positive impact of Pre-K education
Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza, together with superintendents from surrounding districts, joined Children At Risk on Tuesday for a press conference to bring awareness to the positive impact of early childhood education on student learning.
Children At Risk is part of a multitude of community groups that are calling on state lawmakers to put more funding into Pre-K programming. They are taking action because the state’s Pre-K grant program, which started in 2015, is not fully funded in this year’s budget legislation. Continue reading
HISD hosting special education parent forums
District taking look at how to better provide services
HISD is inviting parents to three special education forums where they can ask questions and provide comments as part of a broader effort to reform special education services in the district.
The meetings will be hosted by the HISD Office of Special Education Services, which supports students with disabilities in gaining college and career readiness and independent living skills through active engagement in grade level curriculum. Continue reading
Washington HS hosts students from Zimbabwe for science, technology learning collaborative
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Booker T. Washington High School recently hosted a group of nearly 50 students from Zimbabwe as part of a 10-day international collaborative learning project.
The collaborative between Rydings College in Zimbabwe and Washington High School primarily was focused on science and technology and included visits to Space Center Houston and the University of Houston. Students hoped to bring back ideas on how to make wind turbines and processes for water purification.