The Houston Independent School District is streamlining its student meals and community distribution efforts for the Spring 2021 semester.
After reviewing data through the fall, Nutrition Services is closing a dozen curbside student meal pick up locations with extremely low-to-no participation. The move is designed to allow the department to focus food and resources at the most populated sites were the need is greatest.
Continue readingTo assist with ongoing efforts to support public health and safety, the Houston Independent School District is offering COVID-19 BinaxNOW Rapid Tests at all campuses and its central office.
The district has been provided with testing resources to test campus-based staff, district administrators, and a percentage of students (with permission from parents) through a statewide COVID-19 Rapid Testing program implemented in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The tests will be optional, but all staff who work on a campus are encouraged to participate in the program.
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education elected officers for the 2021-2022 school year during a special meeting on January 21.
District IV Trustee Patricia Allen, a former principal and longtime educator who worked for HISD for 35 years, was elected president.
Continue readingEach year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo awards more than 800 scholarships, and the deadline to apply for this year’s awards is Monday, Feb. 22.
In the fall, the Rodeo committed to award $14.2 million in scholarships, $3.7 million in educational program grants, and $662,000 in graduate assistantships.
Continue readingThe Houston Independent School District will host its next virtual Parent University workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9. (Please note: this was rescheduled from February due to inclement weather.)
The theme of the fourth session will be “Non-Academic Supports Offered in HISD.” The workshop will begin with a general session followed by virtual breakout sessions that will include information on district programs, parent engagement, and community resources.
Continue readingThe Houston Independent School District (HISD) hereby notifies all Private Nonprofit (PNP) School administrators to contact the district regarding participation in ESSA federal grants (Titles I, II, and IV – Part A / Title I – Part C / Titles III – Part A, EL and IMM) for 2021-2022. Neglected & Delinquent (N&D) Facility administrators can contact the district regarding participation in the Title I – Part D, Subpart 2 federal grant. NOTE: Participation in a grant is dependent upon the physical location of the school or facility.
The ESSA federal grants provide equitable services to students, families, educators, and school personnel to supplement current opportunities and activities and to promote academic success. Equitable services may include instructional services, instructional materials, counseling, parent and family involvement opportunities, professional development, field lessons, and more.
Continue readingFor bus drivers, safety has always been a top priority. Nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, that hasn’t changed — but the ways they go about it have.
Armed with assorted cleaning supplies and backpack-style sprayers filled with hospital-quality disinfectant, crews gather every Friday and Saturday to thoroughly disinfects every surface of every bus used that week.
“We make sure everything is safe,” said Tyrick McCoy, a response team operator for Transportation Services and member of the bus sanitization team.
Continue readingFourth-grader wins $1,000 prize for original speech inspired by civil rights leader
Crespo Elementary School fourth-grader Vivianna Serna used her own experience with discrimination amongst friends as a guide for her winning speech at the 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition.
Serna was awarded first place for her original speech that tackled hate and bigotry between friends, stating that Dr. King’s teachings showed her that she must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.
The event was held Friday at HISD’s Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Serna was among 12 HISD students to participate in the final round of the Foley & Lardner LLP-sponsored competition, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Continue readingThe Houston Independent School District’s efforts to save energy and reduce utility costs are paying off in a major way.
The district received more than $342,000 through the CenterPoint Energy SCORE program, which rewards school districts with cash incentives for implementing energy saving projects and strategies.
The incentives were due in large part of the work of two departments — Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations and Construction Services. Together, they helped the district more than triple the amount received during the previous 2017-2018 earning period.
Continue readingIn partnership with Souper Bowl of Caring and the Houston Food Bank, HISD schools and staff are participating in the 2021 Souper Bowl of Caring, a youth-led, national food drive that mobilizes thousands of young people to fight hunger and poverty in their communities
One of the nation’s largest celebrations of serving and giving will raise awareness and tackle hunger in communities. HISD schools, departments, families, and staff are all invited to participate by doing the following:
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