Author Archives: HISD Communications

Professional Educators Compensation and Support Committee meets for the first time

Group to explore where HISD is as a district, where it’s going, and what needs to be done to get there

In 2010, HISD launched the Effective Teachers Initiative to provide targeted support for teachers to better meet the needs of their students and ultimately to improve student achievement.

This year, the district is continuing to prioritize instructional practices to ensure effective teaching and excellent school leadership by convening an advisory group that will strengthen the way teachers are supported and to reward practices that promote student achievement.

Continue reading →

Settlement allows construction of Mickey Leland College Prep Academy to continue

Facade to be constructed in similar architectural style as historical building

The Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to approve a settlement that will allow the district to move forward with a plan to build the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men on the site of the former Wheatley/E.O Smith building in the Fifth Ward.

To honor the accomplishments and history of the school and the students previously educated at the site, district architects are planning an outside area and a Grand Hallway that is, according to the agreement, “befitting and honoring the dignity of the history of the previous school.” The Gregg Street and Lyons Avenue facades of the new two-story facility will use a similar architectural style as the current H.P. Carter building, which once housed the original Phillis Wheatley High School. Additionally, the school will incorporate as much of the original building materials, including bricks and decorative ornaments, into the design as is practical.

HISD is agreeing to devote up to $1 million toward the construction to implement the agreement. Demolition will begin early next week, and construction of the new facility is scheduled to start before the end of the year. Continue reading →

Condit ES receives healthy lifestyle grant from Oliver Foundation

Grant to provide pedometers, introduce students to one new fruit or vegetable each month

Condit Elementary students can add nutrition and leading a healthy lifestyle to their school education this year, thanks to a $3,000 grant from locally based Oliver Foundation.

Continue reading →

Board of Education approves renaming of school to honor late Congressman

The HISD Board of Education voted unanimously to rename the Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy as the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men.  According to Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones this is an opportunity to honor the legacy of the inspirational congressman. “Mickey Leland lived a life of immeasurable service,” said Skillern-Jones. “It is only befitting that we bestow this honor in his name to memorialize his life and contributions. He was not just an elected official but the epitome of a public servant.”

Continue reading →

New career-readiness tool offers students virtual job-shadowing experiences

CTE teachers explore VirtualJobShadow at job-alike training

In addition to traditional job-shadowing visits, HISD students in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program will soon be able to use just about any computer or tablet in the classroom or at home to digitally follow engineering, health, oil and gas, and other professionals in high-demand careers.

The district’s Career Readiness Department has collaborated with VirtualJobShadow.com, an interactive career planning and exploration resource, to introduce students to career opportunities, prepare them for college and the workforce, and increase their awareness of local workforce development efforts. During the 2014–2015 school year, the tool will be offered to 100,000 students in the CTE program at 110 of the district’s secondary schools.

Continue reading →

Countdown to 2014-2015: What’s new in HISD #6 — Mascot makeover at four campuses

This is the fifth in a series of stories counting down to the start of school, spotlighting what is new in HISD in the coming year.

Two HISD middle schools and two high schools will be sporting new mascots when fall sports launch, in a historic move that saw outdated and culturally offensive symbols replaced in an orderly months-long process.

The Board of Education approved a policy change earlier this year after Superintendent Terry Grier sought new guidelines that would “respect cultural differences, values, and attitudes” by placing a ban on mascots or nicknames using race or ethnicity.

Continue reading →

Self-assessment identifies strengths, weaknesses in HISD’s community engagement efforts

Analysis of district’s effectiveness at communicating with stakeholders is part of new HB5 requirement

One of the requirements House Bill 5 now makes of public school districts is an annual assessment of their efforts to reach out to parents, students, employees, faith-based leaders, corporate partners, taxpayers, and any other group of community stakeholders who might have an interest in their students’ success.

Continue reading →

Students at 169 schools to eat for free during 2014-2015 school year

New federal initiative eliminates applications so youngsters don’t go hungry

Students at 169 HISD schools will be able to eat lunch for no charge this year, regardless of their income, thanks to a new federal initiative that became available to all states and eligible schools July 1.

“This new program is a wonderful opportunity for HISD students and families,” said Audene Chung, HISD’s Nutrition Services administrator. “By eliminating the need to qualify students through an application, we hope more children will take advantage of our healthy breakfast and lunch menus.”

HISD has already offered free breakfast to all students since 2010. This push to expand the free lunch program, known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), is just the latest step to ensure low-income students don’t go hungry.

Continue reading →

HISD schools claim spots on TEA Title I Reward Schools List

12 schools earn recognition for both high performance and progress

The Texas Education Agency has recognized several HISD schools for high performance and high progress for the 2013-2014 school year. Seventeen HISD schools were included on the agency’s list of Title I High Performing Schools and 17 schools were named as High Progress schools.

“The students and staff of the schools included on this list are focused on implementing innovative programs to affect student outcomes in a positive way,” said HISD Superintendent Terry Grier. “Their successes are models that can be used by all schools across the district to ensure that each of our students are not only receiving good grades and scoring well on tests, but are exposed to an academically rigorous education that creates learning leaders.”

Continue reading →

Baylor Summer Science Institute giving educators new ways to teach old lessons

All are designed to get elementary and middle school students excited about science and STEM careers

The classroom at Herod Elementary School didn’t have any ring stands available, but that didn’t stop the seventh-grade science teachers in it from completing their experiment on heat and energy at the Baylor Summer Science Institute.

The two-week event, which concludes on July 25, focuses on giving elementary and middle school teachers creative ways to deliver lessons on familiar subjects. And participants displayed that same spirit of ingenuity this year in assembling an acceptable substitute for that basic piece of lab equipment—made from a wet cork, some tin foil, and a coat hanger.

Continue reading →