Author Archives: HISD Communications

Superintendent outlines district’s direction for 2017-18 school year

Social and emotional learning, restorative discipline, and expanding wraparound services to be top priorities

The start of the 2017-2018 school year is over two months away, but HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza is outlining some of the district’s top priorities for the coming year.

Carranza recently addressed over 1,500 school and district leaders at the HISD 2017 Professional Learning Series, a two-day training series that traditionally has launched the direction of the district for the coming academic year.

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School culture and climate focus of districtwide learning series

Leaders gather to learn about restorative justice, inclusive practices, and supporting all students

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More than 1,500 school and district leaders are gathering this week at Kingdom Builders Center for HISD’s 2017 Professional Learning Series (PLS), which includes two days of development, collaboration, and learning that will set the priorities and vision for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year. The theme for this year’s PLS, “Support Every Child: Create a Culture and Climate for all Students,” emphasizes connections between a positive school culture and adult behaviors in schools. At PLS, school leaders will focus on how improving school culture and climate can reduce dropout rates, discipline issues, bullying, and other high-risk behaviors while supporting students to increase academic and behavioral performance.

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Thayer Hutcheson named new principal of Briargrove Elementary School

Thayer Hutcheson poses for a photograph, November 7, 2016. (Dave Einsel)Thayer Hutcheson has been selected as the new principal of Briargrove Elementary School. Hutcheson previously was a biology and AP psychology teacher at Westside High School and a Dean of Instruction at Worthing High School. Most recently, she served as the magnet academy principal at Heights High School, an International Baccalaureate World School. Thayer earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Rhodes College and a master’s in Business Administration from Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, with an emphasis in the Rice University Education Entrepreneurship Program (REEP). 

Kasey Bailey named new principal of Lawson Middle School

Kasey Johnson poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Kasey Bailey has been selected as the new principal of Lawson Middle School. Bailey is currently the principal of Foerster Elementary School. She began her career in 2004 as a middle-school English Teacher and served as assistant principal at Barbara Bush Elementary School and Worthing High School. Bailey received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Stephen F. Austin State University and her master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston–Victoria.

J. Auden Sarabia named new principal of Meyerland Middle School

Auden Sarabia poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)J. Auden Sarabia has been selected as the new principal of Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School. Sarabia is currently principal of Crespo Elementary School, a fine arts magnet school. He began his career in 1999 as an instructional technologist at Wharton K-8 Dual Language Academy. He also served as magnet coordinator for Wharton Dual Language Academy and Roberts Elementary School. Sarabia received his bachelor’s degree in Spanish/Education from the University of Texas. He completed the Entrepreneurship Program at Rice University and holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Houston.

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 wants to hear about your experience with parental involvement at your child’s school

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Houston Independent School District is required to give parents and guardians an opportunity to share their opinions and experiences about parental involvement at their child’s school. Please go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HISDParentalInvolvementSurvey_2016-2017_English to complete the 2016-2017 Title I Part A Parental Involvement Survey. This survey will only take a few minutes to finish. If you have more than one child, please complete a survey for each campus your children currently attend. If you have more than one child at a specific campus, you need only complete one survey for that school. Thanks!

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HISD announces new principal of Secondary DAEP School

GuinnThe Houston Independent School District appointed Tynette Guinn as the principal of the new Secondary Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) School.

Guinn serves as principal of Lawson Middle School but is currently transitioning into her new role. She also served as principal of High School Ahead Academy and in numerous campus leadership positions within the district. Guinn earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in computer information systems from Prairie View A&M and her master’s degree of educational management from University of Houston-Clear Lake.

“Words cannot explain how truly excited I am about the opportunity to help Houston ISD develop this in-house Secondary DAEP School,” said Principal Tynette Guinn. “I am looking forward to creating an environment that will support some of our most at-risk students in changing their behaviors through the district’s social and emotional learning platform.” Continue reading →

Lilly Rincon named new principal of Jefferson Elementary

Lilly Rincon (Houston Independent School District)Lilly Rincon has been selected as the new principal of Jefferson Elementary School. Rincon began her nearly two-decade career in education in the McAllen Independent School District in South Texas. After two years of teaching, she decided to return to her hometown and served as a classroom teacher at Burbank and Travis Elementary schools in HISD. During this time, Rincon was recognized as a Bilingual Teacher of the Year and selected as a candidate for the HISD Turnaround Leadership Cohort. She joined the Jefferson leadership team as a Teacher Specialist and assumed the role of Assistant Principal three years ago. Rincon received her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Houston Downtown and master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston.

City of Houston to host summer job fairs

Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston, in partnership with the McDonald’s Owner/Operators Association of Greater Houston, are hosting a series of “on the spot” hiring events to help connect youth and young adults, ages 16-24, with potential employers looking to fill summer jobs.

Bring your resume, Texas ID, and Social Security card, and get hired on the spot!

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