Author Archives: HISD Communications

Mickey Leland College Prep stakeholders briefed on plans for new school

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The Mickey Leland College Prep Academy community turned out in force this week to hear about the latest plans for their school’s new 21st century campus. More than 125 attended the presentation given by the architect and project manager, which offered the opportunity to view renderings up close and give feedback.

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Diagnostician sheds some light on student evaluation process

Tacy Gilmore poses for a photograph, March 4, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Tacy Gilmore (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

I Am HISD profile showcases Educational Diagnostician Week

In this week’s I am HISD, which features HISD students, graduates, and employees, we are highlighting Educational Diagnostician Week across Texas by interviewing HISD Lead Evaluation Specialist Tacy Gilmore. Gilmore talks about when she became a diagnostician, how she evaluates students for disabilities, and who decides which students are evaluated.

How did you come to be a diagnostician for HISD?

I was working as a seventh-grade math teacher in Alief ISD, when I became interested in becoming an Educational Diagnostician. As a general education teacher, I wanted to know how I could have a greater impact on student achievement and the process to get the individualized support needed.  I attended graduate school at Prairie View A&M University, where I became certified, first as a counselor and then as a diagnostician.

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Library love leads to volunteering for Brookline ES fifth-graders

BrooklineES_LilLibrarians_400The “Early Bird Library Club” has been a popular destination for third- and fourth-graders who want to get in a little reading before class starts at Brookline Elementary School since January of 2014. But this year, a group of seven caring fifth-graders also decided to get in on the library love, when they began volunteering to replace books on the shelves after the club members had left.

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Community groups supporting district’s digital transformation

Volunteers spend afternoon at Milby HS learning more about the HUB

Houston community members and local businesses are supporting PowerUp, the district’s effort to digitally transform teaching and learning in the classroom. Recently a group of volunteers spent the afternoon side-by-side with teachers at Milby High School learning more about the HUB, the district’s new online teaching and learning platform.

HISD Instructional Technology Program Specialist Diana Bidulescu came up with the idea of having a support group of volunteers at Milby assist with the school’s recent distribution of laptops to students and its ongoing transition to digital learning. She hopes to expand the program to other HISD high schools in the future.

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It’s on to regional hoop quarterfinals for five HISD teams

Five HISD boys’ basketball teams will play Monday and Tuesday in the University Interscholastic League regional quarterfinals.

Defending state champions Yates will see the tipoff for their games against Pflugerville at 6 p.m. Monday at Rudder High School in Bryan. The game was postponed from the weekend because of weather that made driving hazardous.

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Digital Learning Spotlight: McNamara ES

Teachers “blending” face-to-face instruction with technology

During the month of February, all HISD teachers are being encouraged to try something new in their classrooms, as well as share ideas, resources, and lessons learned by posting their experiences and photos on social media using the hashtag #HISDdigital. Each week during the month, we are profiling a teacher or campus that is using technology to break up rows in classrooms, engage students, and innovate instructional practice. This week’s profile features McNamara Elementary.

Earlier this year, McNamara Elementary School  teacher Carlos Rosario started videotaping some of his lessons instead of delivering them in front of the class. The result has been somewhat surprising.

“I find that many of my students are more engaged watching me deliver a lesson on video than when I do it in person,” said Rosario. “Plus, I have built in questions with the videos to check for understanding. At the end, I also get a report, so if I need to pull anybody out to reteach or focus on small group instruction, I can do that.”

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EdWeek: HISD is a “Leader To Learn From” in PowerUp technology initiative

HISD’s PowerUp technology initiative is receiving national attention this week in Education Week’s 2015 Leaders To Learn From report, for “setting the bar for how to manage the digital transformation of a large urban school system.”

Superintendent Terry Grier and Chief Information Officer Lenny Schad are cited for their leadership on PowerUp, which combines a one-to-one laptop program for high school students with an all-encompassing digital “HUB” accessible to students, teachers, and parents for information, teaching, and collaboration.

The article also focuses on Chavez HS, whose students have embraced the laptop program that allows them to use the devices both in and outside school.

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Attend Black College Expo Saturday to learn about college options

Juniors, seniors encouraged to bring transcripts, SAT/ACT scores to share with university representatives

HISD middle- and high-school students and parents will be able to meet with universities and scholarship providers and learn about finding money for college when they attend the Black College Expo on Sat., Feb. 28.

The expo will be held at the J. W. Marriott Hotel, 5150 Westheimer Road, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The district has partnered with the National College Resources Foundation to offer free admission to the event with a school identification card.

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HISD teams see district basketball playoff action

Teams from 12 Houston ISD high schools — including last year’s state champion Yates HS — launch district basketball playoffs this week.

North Forest, Sharpstown, Madison, and Sterling all have their first games Monday, with Yates, Sam Houston, Bellaire, Lamar, Westside, Scarborough, Worthing, and Wheatley seeing action Tuesday.

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