Author Archives: HISD Communications

Organization identifies HISD as leader in dyslexia intervention  

HISD is leading the way on how dyslexia is identified and addressed at the district and school levels, according to a recent report released by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).

In April 2018, SREB spent time with the HISD Dyslexia Program Support Services Office and asked them to share their experiences regarding changing dyslexia practices. According to the report, through leadership dyslexia training with Neuhaus Education Center (NEC) — a nonprofit organization devoted to evidence-based training and support for reading — at the district and school levels, HISD can readily determine if a student is dyslexic and then quickly provide early intervention.

“Houston ISD chose to work with Houston-based NEC to train regional and campus-based dyslexia specialists and interventionists,” the report states. “Some elementary schools in the district also work more directly with Neuhaus to try to prevent reading difficulties early by training classroom teachers to incorporate structured language teaching into their daily reading instruction.”  Continue reading →

Transportation Services experiencing reduced late school bus arrivals

The number of buses arriving late to school each morning has been cut dramatically over the past three months as Transportation Services continues to review and refine its operations and provide the best possible service to students.

Currently, the department averages about 30 to 40 late buses every day, which equates to as many as 5 percent of the district’s 878 routes. That’s a significant decrease from the average in August, when almost 20 percent of buses — roughly 140 to 160 each day — were late. The numbers are tracked manually.

“The percentage of late arrivals has been drastically reduced since the start of school,” Interim General Manager John Wilcots IV said Tuesday as he presented a department update to the HISD Board of Education. “I believe that our new technology is going to help us continue to make tremendous improvements. We are learning, and we have a lot of lessons learned.” Continue reading →

Achieve 180 uses Community of Practice to shift direction for underperforming schools 

It may appear as a normal day at school for students at Achieve 180 campuses, but for administration and staff, it’s a day known as Community of Practice.

This special day, unique to the Achieve 180 program, serves as a bridge between district employees to provide hands-on support to staff at underserved campuses needing extra support.

“Community of Practice is an opportunity for our team to be able to really see where the areas of support are needed in a much greater capacity at our Achieve 180 campuses,” Achieve 180 Area Superintendent Felicia Adams said. Continue reading →

16 Kinder HSPVA students receive national recognition for talents

Sixteen students from Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts were named 2019 YoungArts winners by the National YoungArts Foundation, which identified them as some of the nation’s most promising young artists in visual, literary, design and performing arts.

Two Kinder HSPVA students, Deena Fahed – Visual Arts and Katherine (Kate) Kortum – Jazz Voice, were named finalists and will have the opportunity to participate in the 38th annual National YoungArts Week on January 6-13 in in Miami. Finalists are also eligible for nomination to the White House-appointed Commission on Presidential Scholars. Continue reading →

Celebrate Computer Science Education Week with the 12 Days of Code  

Design an iPhone game. Track Santa’s movements. Animate text. Those are just a few of the ways students can participate in  Computer Science Education Week , which is Dec.  3-9.

The HISD Instructional Technology team has shared the 12 Days of Code with an activity board  that allows students to engage in a new coding experience every day.

The activities in these three calendars for elementary, middle, and  high school  include lessons such as designing web pages with HTML, creating a virtual pet, developing interactive art, and even teaching a robot to make crepes. Continue reading →

Chavez HS to hold magnet program showcase

Campus is accepting magnet student transfers for 2019-2020 school year

Chavez High School on Thursday will hold its annual Lobopallooza magnet program showcase event for prospective students and their parents.

The event, which will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the campus (8501 Howard Dr., 77017), coincides with the Houston Independent School District’s approaching deadline on Dec. 7 for the first round of 2019-2020 magnet school applications. Lobopalooza is an open-house event for prospective students that highlights the programs and activities that will be offered at Chavez during the 2019-2020 school year. Continue reading →

Order HISD holiday cards featuring student artwork through Dec. 17 

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Are holiday greeting cards still on your to-do list this season?

The Houston Independent School District is offering greeting card packages featuring the finalists and winners of this year’s student holiday greeting card competition, which feature creative artwork interpretations of winter landscapes, holiday traditions, and seasonal decorations.

The winners selected from each grade level – fifth-grader Valery Vazquez from Crespo Elementary School, seventh-grader Jocelyn Ajacum from Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, and sophomore Allenique Matthews from Westbury High School – were among 31 finalists from elementary, middle and high schools. The winners were announced at a special ceremony this month at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. All finalists’ designs are available for purchase through the district’s Printing Services department.   Continue reading →

Last school choice fair on Saturday as magnet deadline nears 

Parents have a wide variety of choices regarding where to send their students to school in HISD, but time is running out to be in the first round of consideration.

Parents who still aren’t sure which school they want their child to attend next year are invited to the final School Choice Fair from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Dec. 1, at Milby High School (1601 Broadway St., 77012). Representatives from HISD magnet schools will be there, and attendees can get help submitting their application.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 7 for guaranteed consideration in the first round. Any applications received after the Dec. 7 deadline will be considered only for schools where space is still available.   Continue reading →

FAFSA priority deadline for Texas students is Jan. 15

Filling out the FAFSA is the first step toward getting many different types of financial aid for school, and finishing the FAFSA early is the best way to maximize college-award packages.

Even though the federal government doesn’t have a firm deadline as to when FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) applications need to be completed, all 50 states do, and for Texas the priority deadline is Jan. 15 – two months earlier than last year.

When applying for student aid, timing matters. Each year, the Office of Federal Student Aid offers more than $120 billion through grants, loans, and work-study funds to help students pay for higher education. Priority for this money will be given to students who apply before the priority consideration deadline.

Also, if you complete your FAFSA application by Jan. 1, 2019, you will be entered in a drawing for three $500 scholarships. The scholarships will be awarded in January. Continue reading →

Slime kits, action figures top the list in Longfellow ES annual toy survey  

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Students at Longfellow Elementary School on Friday announced that action figures and slime kits are two of the hottest toys this holiday season after polling their classmates for their annual top toy survey.

For the ninth consecutive year, a group of fifth-graders at the school survey their classmates to determine what gifts kids would like to receive for the holidays. In an mid-morning press conference, 12 students announced the top five toys for boys and girls. The goal of the survey is to help give parents and relatives an idea of what to buy before they do their holiday shopping.

“Today we are showing some different toys that your child might want,” said fifth-grader Kaylyn Newcomb. “We want to give you a little bit of inspiration so you don’t have to draw things out and ask them what they want.” Continue reading →