Author Archives: HISD Communications

Students tracking environmental changes at Yellowstone National Park

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Students at two HISD schools are helping to monitor the health of the planet, and it’s all thanks to one passionate teacher.

For the past 17 years, Ann Linsley has been taking her Bellaire High School IB and AP geography and environmental science students on field trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Six years ago, she added a group of Pin Oak Middle School students, and this year Pin Oak Principal Rita Graves accompanied them as well.

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Revere STEM program gains national attention with BP’s help

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Community partners are invaluable when it comes to helping students see how things are done in the real world. BP America has been partnering with HISD’s Revere Middle School since 2013, when STEM magnet coordinator and robotics teacher Alyssa Cannon-Banks began searching for role models for her students. BP America was one of the first to respond and sent nearly 40 scientists, engineers, and accountants to judge the school’s science fair. Soon after, BP America organized frequent tours of their headquarters, which made lasting impressions on students, most of whom come from underprivileged families.

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Bellaire Concert Chorale performs with national ensemble

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After a three-day residency with the award-winning Rose Ensemble, Bellaire High School’s Concert Chorale joined them in concert to open the Houston Early Music season on Sunday, Oct. 24, at St. Philip Presbyterian Church. The program was entitled “Land of Three Faiths: Voices of Ancient Mediterranean Jews, Christians, and Muslims.”

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Nutrition Services adds more fresh fruits and vegetables to menu

Fresh fruit and vegetables story

DeChaumes Elementary School students enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables at lunch.

USDA’s MyPlate recommends children eat three and a half cups of fruits and vegetables daily, and the fresher they are, the more nutrients they contain. HISD Nutrition Services is offering healthier choices for students by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to school menus.

“We want to offer more varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables to get the students excited about eating healthy foods at school,” said HISD Dietitian Amanda Oceguera. “It was rewarding to see the students’ positive reactions to our Texas-grown watermelon, and we plan to continue offering more items like it.”

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Vote now for HISD teacher in STEM competition

Beverly Carson is one of four finalists in “Inspiring Curiosity in STEM,” a contest sponsored by KHOU and Halliburton. If Carson gets the most votes on KHOU’s Facebook page, she will receive $2,000 to spend on supplies for her classroom.

Carson teaches STEM at Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet School, where her students are enthusiastic learners, thanks to her innovative lesson plans. She would like to purchase microscopes with the prize money, but some of her students would rather have a 3D printer.

Parents, HISD staff, and supporters can vote here daily through Sunday, Nov. 1.

To see the KHOU video and story, click here.

District’s efforts to support refugee students gaining state, national attention

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Representatives from PBS News Hour film students at Mistral Early Childhood Center for an upcoming segment on refugee students.

Children who have fled their native countries due to war, drug-related violence, or other conflicts often need special types of support once they arrive in the United States.

That’s why two organizations came to HISD this week to learn more about how the district is assisting its refugee students. Representatives from Raise Your Hand Texas visited two campuses — Daily Elementary School and Westside High School — while producers from PBS News Hour spoke with leaders at Mistral Early Childhood Center (ECC) and Las Americas Newcomers School.

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DiscoverU expands the number of educational travel opportunities for HISD students

DiscoverU has increased the number of partnerships it has with HISD schools to seven for the current school year, allowing even more students to expand their horizons through foreign travel, college campus residencies, business internships, and more.

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Google Expeditions takes McGowen students on virtual world tour

What if your child could take a guided tour of Machu Picchu, look out over the streets of Barcelona, or dive deep into the ocean to explore a coral reef, and then head home after school all on the same day?

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That’s the idea behind the Google Expeditions Pioneer Program, which was presented to educators and second-graders at McGowen Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 8, by representatives from the technology megacompany.

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Students at four schools create upbeat school murals

Thanks to the Moran Norris Foundation and artist Fernando Romero, dozens of HISD elementary students had a chance to create new murals at their schools in early September.

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Wearing face masks, the students learned how to apply spray paint under the direction of Romero, a former graffiti artist from New York City, and Moran Norris, a retired NFL player who enjoys giving back to his community. Moran and his wife Tamara established their foundation to help students succeed.

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HISD Dietitians Attend National Conference

Attendees share best practices for schools’ meal program

Dietitians and school-district representatives from around the U.S. attended the 69th Annual National Conference of the School Nutrition Association in Salt Lake City, Utah. HISD Dietitian Amanda Oceguera, along with several Nutrition Services employees, represented the district. The conference covered many aspects of school food services, from vendors to school menus to meal recipes.

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