Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD students to interview NASA astronaut currently aboard International Space Station   

HISD students from Milby High School, Deady Middle School, and Davila Elementary School will be given an exclusive opportunity to speak with and interview NASA astronaut Col. Tyler “Nick” Hague, who is currently living and working aboard the International Space Station. 

Students will ask Hague about his time in space and what motivated him to become an astronaut. The 20-minute Earth-to-space call at 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, will allow students to hear and see crew members live from space. HISD will livestream the downlink via Facebook.com/HoustonISD and HoustonISD.org/LiveTV (Comcast Ch. 18 and U-verse Ch. 99). 

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HISD celebrates 2018-19 Educators of the Year at western-themed banquet

The Houston Independent School District crowned the district’s top elementary and secondary teachers of the year during the annual, western-themed Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, which honors teaching excellence across the district.

Nazaret Chavez-Guerrero, a second-grade ESL math teacher at R.P. Harris Elementary School, and Jose Clemente, a math teacher at Westbury High School, were named the 2018-2019 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, respectively.

“I want you to know we appreciate the countless sacrifices and time you have spent in making sure every student knows their potential and greatness,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “You are the most important indicator of a student’s academic outcomes.”

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HISD salutes Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education issued a proclamation during its regular meeting declaring the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in HISD. 

To join the district in celebrating APAHM, click here to download lesson plans, student activities, and guides designed for teachers seeking ways to include Asian Pacific American information in the classroom.  

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Second-graders to receive backpacks filled with books for summer reading

It doesn’t take long for students to lose some of the academic progress they have made during the school year by sitting idle over the summer, so HISD is challenging second-graders to use the power of reading to combat the dreaded “summer slide.” 

HISD is providing all second-grade students with a summer backpack filled with six books, a reading journal, graphic organizers, at-home family activities, reading log, colored pencils and a postcard. Experts agree that children who read during the summer months keep their reading skills sharp and are better prepared for the challenges of the next grade level. 

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Barbara Jordan Career Center celebrates grand opening with unique ribbon-cutting experience

Barbara Jordan Career Center rolled out the red carpet for guests on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of its new building.

The event was held in the school’s state-of-the-art welding center where students awed guests by welding through a brightly colored metal strip, which took the place of a traditional ceremonial ribbon.

“Moving to this new facility has energized adults and students alike,” Principal Ross McAlpine told guests. “Each day I witness teachers transforming their classrooms and labs into wonderful learning environments. And every day students approach me to let me know how much they enjoy the opportunities that Barbara Jordan offers them.”

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HISD seniors to receive associate degrees during HCC commencement ceremonies

On Friday, nearly 500 high school seniors from a dozen Houston Independent School District campuses will walk across the stage at Houston Community College commencement ceremonies to receive their associate degrees and work certifications.

The HISD students are enrolled in dual credit programs in the district’s Futures Academy and at early college high schools. The students simultaneously earned two years of college credits or valuable industry certifications in high-demand career fields – all at no cost to them.

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HISD celebrates inaugural CTE and Military Signing Day at Barbara Jordan Career Center

Students graduating from the Houston Independent School District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, as well as those headed into the military, celebrated with a first-ever signing day on Thursday.

At the inaugural event, which was held at HISD’s Barbara Jordan Career Center, CTE students announced their career choices in several high-wage, high-skills and high-demand occupations, such as: cosmetology; transportation distribution and logistics; health science; public safety, corrections and security; hospitality; and business management and administration.

“Today we are honoring our students who are entering the workforce, and who have been offered careers beyond graduation, as well those students who have chosen to enlist in the armed forces,” said Director of Career Readiness Juliet Amara. “Today we are excited to recognize those efforts, their hard work and commitment to their career choice.”

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Register by July 12 for mayor’s Back to School Fest

Click here to view flyer

Registration is now open for Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Back to School Fest, an annual event that helps elementary students across the city access the free resources they need for a successful school year, such as school supplies, backpacks, and medical services.

All participants must register for an appointment by Friday, July 12 in order to attend. To register, visit this link. Families may also register by calling 311 or 713-837-0311 to request an appointment.

The event, held in partnership with Shell and the University of Houston, is a great opportunity for Houston families to take advantage of an array of resources provided by the City of Houston and other sponsors.

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Longtime Washington HS educator wins HEB Excellence in Education award

Booker T. Washington Engineering teacher Nghia Le accepts the
Secondary Education Leadership prize at HEB’s Excellence in Education Awards on Saturday, May 4.

An engineering teacher at HISD’s Booker T. Washington High School and the High School for Engineering Professions is one of the eight educators statewide receiving this year’s HEB Excellence in Education Awards. 

Nghia Le was awarded HEB’s Secondary Education Leadership prize, which honors teachers with 10 to 20 years of classroom experience. The award comes with a $10,000 grant for his school and a $10,000 check for his personal use.  

“Dr. Le is certainly one of our shining stars in the classroom,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “He leads an out-of-this-world program and deserves this prestigious honor and the prize that accompanies it.” 

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