Author Archives: HISD Communications

Lockwood-area schools receive thousands of dollars in community grants

Comerica Bank awarded a total of $20,000 in community grants to five HISD schools in the Lockwood area to commemorate the bank’s 20th year of operation in Houston’s culturally rich Fifth Ward.

Pugh Elementary School was the big winner, with $10,000 for its proposal to put a tablet in every one of its classrooms. Wheatley High School received the second-place award of $4,000 and plans to invest in spirit incentives, as well as instructional improvements. McReynolds Middle School also took home $2,500, while Atherton Elementary School won $2,000, and N. Q. Henderson Elementary School won $1,500. The grants were awarded to these schools because they are located near a newly constructed Lockwood Banking Center.

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HISD and union leaders challenge area school districts to address workplace bullying

Wretha Thomas, president of Houston Education Support Personnel, with HISD Superintendent Terry Grier. (Houston Independent School District)

Wretha Thomas, president of Houston Education Support Personnel, with HISD Superintendent Terry Grier. (Houston Independent School District)

Houston ISD Superintendent Terry Grier and local and state leaders from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) joined forces on Monday, Feb. 9, to challenge school districts across the Houston area to join HISD in implementing a policy that formally bans workplace bullying.

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HSPVA alumnus bringing Black History Month to life for HISD students

Jason Moran poses for a photograph at HSPVA, February 3, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Jason Moran poses for a photograph at HSPVA, February 3, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Jazz pianist Jason Moran to collaborate with three schools on community art project

It’s one thing to hear about inspiring, but long-dead, historic figures as a part of Black History Month, but it’s another entirely to have a living, breathing legend in your classroom—and almost beyond imagining that as a student, you might get to work alongside that person on a creative project.

But that is exactly what students at three HISD schools will be doing over the next couple of years, as a part of the Jason Moran Homecoming Residency sponsored by Da Camera.

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Need help applying and paying for college?

fafsa-promoFebruary is full of free events to help HISD families

Navigating the college application process and finding financial aid to pay for higher education can be somewhat daunting for both students and parents, but HISD and various community partners are here to help throughout the entire month of February.

Mark your calendars, and check below for a list of FREE fairs, expos, and events that are open to middle- and high-school parents.

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Five HISD schools named finalists for Touchdown Club’s sportsmanship awards

HISD representatives accept good sportsmanship awards on behalf of Austin, Davis, North Forest, Sterling, and Yates high schools at the Touchdown Club’s annual luncheon Jan. 28.

HISD representatives accept good sportsmanship awards on behalf of Austin, Davis, North Forest, Sterling, and Yates high schools at the Touchdown Club’s annual luncheon Jan. 28.

Austin, Davis, North Forest, Sterling, and Yates high schools were all named finalists for the Touchdown Club Houston’s annual Sportsmanship Awards.

Nominees are determined based on referees’ scores after every game in the areas of:

  • actions of coaches
  • actions of players
  • actions of supports groups (such as parents and bands)
  • respect for the American flag.

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eNews Highlight: It’s over—all of my college applications are done!

Now, EMERGE scholar can just wait and let the acceptance letters roll in

Some people thought Olaide Sode was crazy when they found out she was planning to apply to almost two dozen different colleges and universities this year.

But the Carnegie Vanguard High School senior persevered, and she wrapped up the last of the 23 batches of paperwork this week. Now, she is basking in the glow of her accomplishment—and waiting for the acceptance letters to start rolling in.

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Generous donation allows HISD students to see civil rights film ‘Selma’

Houston Attorney Michael Harris paid for more than 700 students from Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy and Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men to see the movie “Selma” on Jan. 28, so that they could learn more about the civil rights movement.

“Lots of people have invested in me over the years,” said Harris, “and I hope this movie encouraged these young people to be productive, proactive citizens in society, much like the men and women they saw portrayed on screen. These students come from the same type of circumstance that I do, and I would like them to understand that their environment does not have to determine the outcome of their lives.”

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HISD to host inaugural districtwide dance montage festival on Jan. 31

Event to serve dual-purpose: performance experience for students and constructive criticism for all

HISD’s Dance Educators Organization (DEO) will be hosting its very first dance montage festival on Saturday, Jan. 31, and the public is invited to watch.

Students pose for photographs at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts, August 12, 2014. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)The event will take place at 5 p.m. in the Holmes Performance Hall at Lamar High School (3325 Westheimer, 77098), and students from more than 25 different dance programs will be performing.

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Educators from China’s Haidian District schools continue their tour of HISD

Twenty-five Haidian District educators from Beijing continued their visit to Houston and HISD as Lanier Middle School administrators introduced the delegation to the “Friendship State” of Texas on Jan. 26. Principal Felicia Adams opened the campus tour and program with an entertaining game in which the guests learned fun facts about Texas. Student artwork featuring pandas and Chinese messages and a chamber orchestra greeted the visitors.

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HISD using international assessment to ensure students are globally competitive

District and campus leaders gather to review OECD results and share best practices

District and campus leaders from more than a dozen HISD high schools gathered with school administrators from across the state this week to discuss the importance of making sure Texas students are globally competitive.  Much of the gathering focused on the analysis of an international assessment given to a select group of students from more than 500 schools throughout the world, including several HISD high schools.

The international exam, known as the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Test for Schools, was administered last year to a random sampling of 15-year-olds at 15 HISD high schools to assess student performance in math, science, and reading, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving. Unlike state standardized tests that measure mastery of curriculum, the OECD measures how effectively students apply what they know to solve problems.

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