Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD students raise SAT/PSAT scores by hundreds of points using free test prep from Khan Academy

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Two Booker T. Washington students have become national ambassadors for successful SAT/PSAT prep by  increasing their scores a combined 670 points, thanks to free practice tools available to every HISD student through Khan Academy.

In mid-October, the CollegeBoard flew Valencia Grayson and Matthew Blue to the Council of the Great City Schools fall conference in Miami, where they were honored for their success with the Khan SAT prep. HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza also attended the conference, where HISD was recognized for actively promoting the Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy.

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Tailgate parties entice HISD students to enjoy lunch outside

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It’s fall in Houston, and with the season comes football and tailgate parties. HISD’s Nutrition Services department is hosting lunch-time tailgate parties every Thursday at several HISD high schools. Jones Futures Academy and Scarborough High School were the first two schools to win an all-out tailgate party where students can enjoy a meal and socialize outside the cafeteria.

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Hispanic Heritage Month continues with six more HISD school namesakes

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Click image to enlarge.

The Houston Independent School District is observing Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15, by honoring the Hispanics for whom many of the district’s schools are named.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing the contributions made to this country by people of Hispanic descent, including those whose ancestors immigrated from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

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Gifted and Talented parent information sessions

Is your child Gifted and Talented? And if so, where should you send them to school?

HISD’s Advanced Academics department is offering two parent-information sessions on Gifted and Talented, often referred to as simply G/T, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support, 4400 W. 18th Street, 77092, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016.

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2016 Grads Within Reach walk recovers more than 50 students

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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and a team of volunteers from Booker T. Washington High School walked the neighborhood on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, knocking on doors and talking to dropouts about returning to school. They were part of a team of volunteers from HISD high schools participated in the district’s annual Grads Within Reach walk and convinced students across the city to come back to school and continue their education.

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Volunteers needed for Grads Within Reach Walk on Sept. 10

HISD’s Drop Out Prevention Office is looking for volunteers to help with HISD’s annual Grads Within Reach walk, which will take place 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016.

Please help us visit the homes of students who have not returned for the 2016-2017 school year. These students must re-enroll in high school to complete the basic requirements for a high school diploma.

If you can help, fill out this form to register to walk with a group from the HISD high school of your choice. You will be able to select a high school when you complete the form.

For training materials, please email CSantos2@HoustonISD.org and a packet will be sent to you. For more information, click here.

For questions, please contact the Drop Out Prevention Office at 713-556-7017.

HISD cafeterias welcome back students, new HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza

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On the first day of school, thousands of HISD students were greeted with hot breakfasts and lunches.

Carnegie Vanguard High School Food Service Attendant Wanda Watson said she could not wait to see students back on campus. Watson and her team got the kitchen ready a week prior to their return. They set high goals for the CVHS cafeteria this year.

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HISD chef has a passion to serve children

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HISD Research and Development Chef Tom Valdivieso has a new appreciation for what he and his fellow chefs do at the district. As a first-time father of a newborn son who will one day attend an HISD school, Valdivieso understands the importance of his role.

“We always cook with students in mind so that we can make sure they get the necessary nutrients to succeed in school,” he said. “We are trusted with their well-being.”

Valdivieso evaluates the HISD school menu as part of his job to design school meals that are delicious and healthy.

“The goal is always to satisfy students,” he said. He accomplishes this by creating recipes, testing them, and tweaking them to perfection.

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Nutrition Services upgrades make online lunch account enrollment easier

School Cafe

Nutrition Services School Eligibility and Accountability department (SEA) improved two of its programs to increase satisfaction and participation. SEA digitized the Community Eligibility Provision program survey that provides more free lunches to HISD students. In addition, ParentOnline.net is now SchoolCafé.com, a software that allow parents to load funds into and manage their child’s meal account. SEA Manager Mark Allen believes these improvements will speed up the process for the back-to-school rush.

The SEA department is responsible for collecting data, and reporting it to the Texas Department of Agriculture. In February, TDA applauded Nutrition Services’ SEA team for having an excellent program that services students and their families.