Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD partners with Rice University to conduct districtwide study on educational equity

HISD has partnered with Rice University’s Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), a program of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research and School of Social Sciences, to conduct a comprehensive study on educational equity across the district.

Recognizing its responsibility to continually improve academic achievement for all students, HISD and HERC will examine equitable access to educational programming, resources, supports, facilities and opportunities for students by race/ethnicity, economic status, English-learner status and other factors.

“Conducting a districtwide study on educational equity — at this scale — is remarkable, and truly unprecedented in many ways,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “We know that for some of our students, simply having equal access to opportunities and resources may not be enough of the support they need to achieve their greatest academic potential. This study will inform critical decision-making relating to equity and closing achievement gaps across the city.”

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HISD to hold first virtual Parent University of the 2020-21 school year

The Houston Independent School District will kick off its third year of Parent University on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. with the first of six virtual workshops.

The workshops will connect parents and children to resources offered by the district to create successful academic careers as well as safe and healthy environments at home and at school. 

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HISD to open 12 Curbside Summer Meals distribution sites on Monday

Seven sites to provide food for students and families in partnership with Houston Food Bank

When the Houston Independent School District reopens its curbside summer meals program on Monday, July 20, it will do so with 12 sites strategically located throughout the city.

Seven of those locations will be operated in partnership with the Houston Food Bank, allowing families to pick up several days’ worth of student meals as well as packages of produce — and other food items when available — for families.

HISD Nutrition Services previously operated several dozen smaller sites but streamlined operations to maximize resources in areas with the most need and reduce staff needed on site as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the city.

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Khalilah Campbell-Rhone named Officer of Special Populations

Khalilah Campbell-Rhone has been named Officer of Special Populations. She is a proud product of the Houston Independent School District and the University of Houston, where she received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

Dr. Campbell-Rhone has worked as a teacher and administrator at several campuses including Tanglewood and Stevenson Middle Schools, Sam Houston MSTC, Ninth Grade College Preparatory Academy and served as principal at Thomas Middle School and currently at Worthing High School. During her tenure in HISD, she also served as a School Support Officer and oversaw and advised 17 principals and schools in the district. 

“I am honored to have the opportunity to help HISD continue to provide quality programs and services to the district’s diverse groups of students,” Campbell-Rhone said. “I look forward to supporting Dr. Lathan’s vision of providing equity to all HISD students.” 

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20 HISD students named National Merit Scholarship winners

A total of 20 Houston Independent School District students from six high schools have been selected as winners of National Merit Scholarships this year with the final four recipients named this week.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) annually selects winners in three categories: awards funded by corporations-recipients were named in April, awards funded by NMSC-recipients were named in May, and awards sponsored by institutions of higher learning-the first group of recipients were named in June. The final four HISD scholarship winners are in the second and final group of recipients who won awards funded by colleges and universities.

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HISD to reconnect safely, return strong for 2020-2021 school year

All students to return to school virtually for six weeks; families may choose all-virtual learning

With the health and safety of students, families, and staff as the top priority, all HISD students will begin the 2020-2021 school year virtually on September 8, 2020. Virtual instruction for all students will continue for six weeks through Friday, October 16, 2020.

The decision to begin the 2020-2021 school year virtually and delay the start of the school year for two weeks was due to the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases in the area.

On Monday, October 19, 2020, face-to-face instruction for students will begin. This date is subject to change based on COVID-19 conditions across the City of Houston and guidance from local, state, and federal health officials.

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Report: Miles Ahead Scholars program shows overwhelming promise for student achievement

Less than a year ago, 60 ninth- and 10th-grade boys walked across Worthing High School’s cafeteria stage, signifying their acceptance into the inaugural class of HISD’s Miles Ahead Scholars (MAS) program.

Now, just 10 months after that moving induction ceremony, a new evaluation conducted by the district’s Research and Accountability Department showcases the positive academic and socioemotional impacts the program has had on its first cohort. The full report can be found here.

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Most Curbside Summer Meals sites temporarily close for two weeks beginning Friday, July 3

The Houston Independent School District is temporarily closing most Curbside Summer Meals sites beginning Friday, July 3, due to guidance from public health officials and rising numbers of COVID-19 cases throughout the city.

Five strategically located sites offering both Curbside Summer Meals and the Houston Food Bank’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program — which provides families with 30-pound boxes of produce — will remain open.

Those sites are Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center, Revere Middle School, and Kashmere, Chavez, and Milby high schools.

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No access to HISD schools, facilities from July 3-19 due to increasing COVID-19 cases across Houston

The Houston Independent School District is restricting access to all district schools and facilities from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 19, in response to public health guidance and an increasing number of COVID-19 cases throughout the city.

All summer athletic practices and in-person summer school sessions are canceled. HISD students will be allowed to keep laptops until the fall rather than return them to campus, eliminating the need to bring additional staff and families on site.

The district continues to operate virtually and will continue to provide educational and related services during this disruption of normal district operations.  Employees reporting to a location as a part of their assigned duties will continue to practice social distancing and wear appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with district policy and public health guidelines.  The Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center will remain open for limited purposes.

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Fresh Bus produce delivery program set to end this week

The Fresh Bus produce delivery program will come to an end this week as the grant provided by the Texas Department of Agriculture Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program has concluded.

Final produce deliveries scheduled for Thursday are canceled due to inclement weather.

Families in need are encouraged to visit one of the district’s Curbside Summer Meals sites, where they  can pick up several days’ worth of student meals on Mondays and Thursdays.

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