Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD observes Hispanic Heritage Month

The Houston Independent School District is observing Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos to the U.S.

Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off September 15 with the anniversary of the 1821 independence day of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (known back then as the Captaincy General of Guatemala or Kingdom of Guatemala,) and goes through Oct. 15. Belize, Chile, and Mexico also commemorate their independence during September. Throughout the month, a variety of events showcasing performances, music festivals, food tastings, art shows, and many other displays of the rich Hispanic culture can be observed in schools across the district.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is truly a time to celebrate — especially in Houston, a truly global city known for its rich diversity and culture,” HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said. “In HISD, we are proud of our diversity and thrilled to take part in recognizing the many wonderful contributions of our Hispanic community.”

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ll be highlighting an interesting fact from each Latin-American country, to share a little bit more about their history. So stay tuned! And check back daily to see which country will be spotlighted next. Then join the conversation on social media and tell us your favorite reason to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Central America And Central America was born…
Mexico Viva Mexico! Celebrating 205 years of Independence
Argentina Argentina: Tango, Soccer, Gauchos, and more!
Chile Chile: Country of Poets
Belize Belize: Barrier reef, rainforest, Maya heritage
Bolivia Bolivia: Rich in natural resources and biodiversity
Colombia Colombia: Biodiversity, emeralds, and the greatest storyteller!
Costa Rica Costa Rica: Adventure-filled, eco-friendly, and unique!
Cuba Cuba: Turquoise beaches, ‘Son’ rhythm, and more!
El Salvador El Salvador: Land of volcanoes, coffee, and surf
Ecuador Ecuador: Rivers, nature, and bananas!
España Spain: Tapas, soccer, and flamenco
Guatemala Guatemala: Mayan heritage, archeology, and crafts
Honduras Honduras: Mountains, a biosphere reserve, and culture
Nicaragua Nicaragua: Land of lakes, volcanoes, and poets
Panamá Panama: Culture, skyline, and the crossroads of the world
Paraguay Paraguay: Guaraní culture and hydroelectric resources
Perú Peru: Ancient cultures, colonial architecture, and a multiethnic melting pot
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico: Baseball, blue flag beaches, and forts
República Dominicana Dominican Republic: Where it all started!
Uruguay Uruguay: Natural beauty, music, and high-tech farming
Venezuela Venezuela: Joropo, oil, and the world’s highest waterfall

And Central America was born…

Today Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua are celebrating their Independence Day! Formerly known as the Captaincy General of Guatemala or Kingdom of Guatemala, these five countries declared their independence from the Spanish Empire on Sept. 15, 1821, when they signed the Act of Independence of Central America. Shortly thereafter, they became part of what was known then as the First Mexican Empire, until they separated to form the Federal Republic of Central America. In 1838, the dissolution of the Federal Republic of Central America began, and each of the five provinces became the countries that we currently know.

Did you know…? There is no spot in Central America more than 125 miles from the ocean. Each Central American country has a variation of tamales, but they are always wrapped in either corn husks or plantain leaves and steamed or boiled.

This is the first in a series of articles spotlighting different countries in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. To see a complete list of entries, click here.

UPDATED: HPD, HISD Police investigate major bus accident

UPDATED 6:40 p.m., Sept. 15: Two students were killed, and two students and their bus driver were seriously injured this morning when an HISD school bus crashed at the 610 Loop and Telephone Road.

The bus was transporting four students to Furr High School when it was hit by another vehicle on Loop 610 around 7 a.m. The bus then left the freeway and crashed onto Telephone Road.

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‘Support Our Science’ initiative kicks off at Sherman ES

Campus is one of only two in America selected to receive comprehensive STEM program

Students and faculty at Sherman Elementary School got a sneak preview of the numerous fun and fascinating activities that await them this year on Sept. 9, when representatives from Discovery Education and the Science Channel came to the campus to kick off the year-long Support Our Science initiative.

Discovery Ed Curriculum Specialist Patti Duncan led a number of entertaining demonstrations to illustrate various science concepts, such as an explosive combination of Diet Coke and Mentos that brings gas out of solution.

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Duane Clark named principal of Worthing High School

Duane Clark poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Duane Clark has been named the new principal of Worthing High School. He began his career in 2001 as a Teach For America Corp member, teaching physics, AP physics and AP statistics in the Jones High School Vanguard program, and has 14 years of experience in education with HISD. Clark has served as teacher, athletic coach, graduation coach, assistant principal, and dean of instruction. Most recently, he served as the dean of instruction at Davis High School.

Clark is originally from Baton Rouge, LA. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Dillard University in New Orleans, and later obtained a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Houston. 

Kristina Davis-Troutman named principal of Mistral Early Childhood Center

Kristina Troutman poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Kristina Davis-Troutman has been named the new principal of Mistral Early Childhood Center. In her 29 years of experience in education, she has served as a teacher, Title VII/multilingual director, assistant principal, and principal in both public and charter districts.

Davis-Troutman began her career with HISD as a bilingual teacher at Cunningham Elementary School. She later moved to Benavidez Elementary, where she wrote, facilitated, and implemented a Title VII grant for the district’s first bilingual gifted and talented program. Davis-Troutman began her administrative career at Pilgrim and Fonville middle schools as an assistant principal. She was then recruited to Southwest Charter Schools as director of multilingual programs. For the last four years, Davis-Troutman has been principal at Young Learners School, an HISD charter network of early childhood centers.

Davis-Troutman received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with minors in bilingual/bicultural education and Spanish from Central Michigan University. She holds a master’s degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University.

Don’t Miss Texas’ Annual Sales Tax Holiday Aug. 7–9

Most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks exempt

Parents have the opportunity for some extra back-to-school savings during Texas’ fourteenth annual Sales Tax Holiday, August 7–9, 2015.

The holiday provides exemptions from state and local sales taxes on most clothing and footwear priced at less than $100, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Many retailers offer sales and special promotions over the weekend, so that shoppers can maximize their savings.

For complete details, please visit the Texas comptroller’s website.

Irma Sandate named new principal of Durkee Elementary School

Irma Sandate poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Irma Sandate has been named the new principal of Durkee Elementary School. She began her education career in Corpus Christi ISD, where she taught Spanish at Moody High School and served as an assistant principal at Moody and Miller high schools, a principal at Driscoll Middle School, and a turnaround principal at Allen Elementary School.

Sandate has 14 years of experience in public education and holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in secondary education from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.  She is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Texas A&M University – Commerce in global eLearning.

Pumps & Pipes externship shows teachers how to link learning with careers

Mentors for Mentors gives educators direct access to medical, energy, and space professionals

Whether you’re a cardiologist trying to clear a blocked artery or an engineer trying to drill for oil more efficiently, the mechanics and physics at play are the same.

That’s why 15 educators from seven different HISD campuses attended a “Pumps & Pipes” externship recently to learn how to apply concepts from engineering to medicine and vice-versa.

Pumps & Pipes was founded in 2007 to allow medical, energy, and aerospace professionals to learn from on another by comparing notes on common systems and processes. At the “Mentors for Mentors” symposium, they shared insights they had gained with HISD teachers, so that they, in turn, could get students excited about studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

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Alicia Craig named new principal of Fondren Elementary School

Alicia Craig poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Alicia Craig has been named the new principal of Fondren Elementary School. She started her career as an educator in Alief ISD, where she served as a teacher, program coordinator, mentor teacher, magnet instructor, math specialist, and most recently, assistant principal in an elementary school.

Craig earned a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in educational management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.