Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD Board of Education to consider the district’s legislative priorities

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider adopting the district’s legislative agenda for the 86th Texas Legislative Session.

The proposed state legislative agenda focuses on reforming the state’s school finance system and reducing recapture, improving school safety and security, and addressing accountability ratings and sanctions.

Approval of this agenda item will give HISD specific policy and school finance recommendations to share with members of the Texas Legislature. The 86th session will begin January 8, 2019.

Also proposed is the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. Continue reading →

Students dance, play games at Nutrition Services Fall Tailgates

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A large group of energetic Holland Middle School students danced alongside their teachers in the school cafeteria last week, while others played Connect 4 and cornhole.

Other students streamed through the lunch line — decorated with white and blue balloons — as cafeteria staff handed out bright green water bottles to students.

The event was a part of a Fall Tailgate series hosted by HISD’s Nutrition Services department. In its second year, the Fall Tailgates are designed to get students excited about school lunch and encourage them to select healthier meal options.

Continue reading →

HISD Police Emergency Response Team to respond to most critical threats

The Houston Independent School District Police Department has developed a new Emergency Response Team designed to respond to potential crisis situations throughout the district.

The 10-member team will have specialized uniforms and equipment, allowing them to mobilize and deploy quickly when a crisis occurs.

“If there is an active shooter scene, we don’t have an hour to wait,” HISD Police Chief Paul Cordova said, noting that emergency assistance from external law enforcement agencies can take up to an hour. “What we need is to have the equipment and the personnel in the field ready to go at all times.”

Continue reading →

New Parent University session scheduled for Nov. 15 

HISD will host its second Parent University workshop from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 at five locations throughout the district: Pin Oak Middle School, and Milby, Washington, Wisdom and Yates high schools.

The theme for the session will be “Pathways and Programs.” The workshop will begin with a dinner and resource fair and will include information on district programs, parent engagement, community resources, and how parents can become active partners in the successful education of their children.

Parents can look up locations and select the most convenient one to attend. Registration is available at HoustonISD.org/ParentUniversity.

Free dinner, interpretation services, and child care will be provided.

HISD Transportation reinstating four bus stops in southwest Houston

HISD’s Transportation Services has reinstated four major southwest Houston school bus stops serving roughly 600 students and is recruiting more than 90 safety monitors to oversee magnet hubs across the district.

The changes are part of a continued effort by the department to improve its services and ensure students arrive at school safely and on time each day.

“Our goal is to ensure all students arrive at school by 7:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. — 15 minutes ahead of the standardized start times,” Transportation Services Interim General Manager John Wilcots IV said. “Our employees see the value in meeting this goal.”

The reinstated stops are located at the intersections of Allday and Sands Point drives, Memorial and Plainwood drives, and Player Street and Tidewater Drive, as well as one stop along Tiger Lilly Way. Students assigned to these stops have already been notified. Continue reading →

New Wharton Dual Language Academy building nears completion

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Construction on the new Wharton Dual Language Academy is now 95 percent complete with the project team, school principal, and teachers making plans to welcome students to the new facility in January.

Crews are currently wrapping up work on interior finishes and have begun waxing floors and sodding outdoor areas. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are operational, data cable installation is complete, and final inspections are underway.

“Four years ago, we began planning. As we approach our move-in, it is exciting to see the final touches be put in place and to see our vision come to life,” Wharton Principal Jennifer Day said. “It is a beautiful facility, and we’re looking forward to our opening day with students in January.” Continue reading →

HISD teacher recruitment event scheduled for Nov. 15

HISD’s Alternative Certification Program (ACP) will host an information session on Thursday, Nov. 15 at Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092) for those interested in becoming a certified teacher in the district.

The HISD ACP program is a one-year program dedicated to recruiting individuals from diverse educational and career backgrounds who are passionate about students, teaching, and learning.

Click here to RSVP for the information session. Continue reading →

HISD Special Education Fall Parent Summit draws nearly 200 

Click here for photos, videos and more from the Special Education Fall Parent Summit.

The Houston Independent School District held its 2018 Special Education Fall Parent Summit on Saturday, October 27, providing nearly 200 parents and students with the opportunity to meet with Special Education professionals, attend learning sessions, and connect with resources available to them.

“I am pleased to have hosted another very successful Special Education summit with our HISD parents,” said Office of Special Education Services Assistant Superintendent Dr. S. Lachlin Verrett. “We are excited for the opportunity to support our students and families as well as hear their input about how we can better serve their needs.”

See photos, videos and more from the Special Education Fall Parent Summit

Continue reading →

Provide feedback to Legislative Budget Board through stakeholder survey 

HISD, in coordination with the Legislative Budget Board, is soliciting suggestions/feedback from HISD stakeholders regarding opportunities for improvement in the quality of education and management of district resources.

In June 2018, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees requested a management and performance review from the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). LBB is a permanent joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops budget and policy recommendations for legislative appropriations, completes fiscal analyses for proposed legislation, and conducts evaluations and reviews to improve the efficiency and performance of state and local operations. Continue reading →

HISD to name student winners of 2018 holiday greeting card competition

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31 finalists selected from nearly 100 entries this year

The Houston Independent School District on Monday, Nov. 5, will unveil the winners of the district’s 2018 holiday greeting card student art competition.

This year, 31 students from HISD elementary, middle, and high schools have been named finalists from a total of 94 entries. The 31 finalists were chosen by the district’s area superintendents. During a ceremony at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092), the winning cards will be announced by HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, who will select a winner from each school level.

The winning students will be present for the unveiling. All of the finalists’ holiday cards will be on display and available for purchase at HoustonISD.org/HolidayCards.