Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD holds its first official Parent University

HISD hosted its first official Parent University workshop on Thursday, Oct. 18 at four geographically dispersed locations across the district—Fonville Middle School, Austin, Sterling and Westbury High Schools.

The theme for the first workshop was “Getting Involved with Your Child’s Education.” Each school provided resources and information fairs that focused on ways parents could become more involved at their child’s campus and the importance of parental involvement.

There were also a variety of district and community program representatives available to speak with parents.

“It’s important that we equip our parents with valuable information and resources that will produce positive academic outcomes for their child in and outside of the classroom,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education unanimously votes to reinstate Lathan as interim superintendent

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education voted unanimously to reinstate Dr. Grenita Lathan as interim superintendent of HISD.

The Board of Education also voted to authorize the Board President or her designees and the interim superintendent to bring back recommendations concerning executive coaches for trustees and the interim superintendent, respectively. Trustees voted to submit a request to the Texas Education Agency to change the district’s assigned governance conservator.

In addition, trustees voted to set a date for the completion of the superintendent search and adopt a resolution concerning reconciliation.

The firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates will conduct a national search for a permanent superintendent.

HISD to hold Dual Language Parent Leadership Conference on Oct. 20

Houston ISD invites parents of dual language students to attend the district’s inaugural Dual Language Parent Leadership Conference from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Hattie Mae White Building (4400 W. 18th St. 77092).

With the theme of this year’s conference, “Understanding and Advocating for Bilingualism and Bi-literacy,” participants can expect to leave transformed and ready to support their children at home with new and effective instructional second language acquisition strategies.

Click here to register.

 

Proposed instructional materials available for review at HMW

The Houston Independent School District is participating in the instructional materials adoption process this year as part of the TEA’s Proclamation 2019, joining other school districts around the state in selecting materials for classrooms that will be used over the next eight years.

Instructional materials available for review include the following subjects.

  • English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR), grades K–8
  • Spanish Language Arts and Reading (SLAR), grades K–6
  • Spelling (English and Spanish), grades 1–6
  • Handwriting (English and Spanish), grades K–5
  • English Learners Language Arts, grades 7–8
  • Personal Financial Literacy (PFL), high school

Continue reading →

Hilliard ES holds grand re-opening celebration

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The atmosphere was festive and joyful at Hilliard Elementary School on Thursday morning, as students and staff gathered to welcome guests, and celebrate the grand re-opening of their beloved campus, which was heavily damaged last year in Hurricane Harvey.

Hilliard students and staff spent last school year at the former Fonwood Early Childhood Center to allow crews time to repair and renovate their flood-damaged campus. The school officially moved back to their refurbished building over the summer, in time for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

“We are so excited to be on our home campus,” Hilliard Principal Erika Kimble said. “We are back, and we are thriving.”

Since Hurricane Harvey, the school — including all classrooms, the library, and the gym — has been completely restored, as have the campus grounds. Additionally, a new retention pond and extensive storm drainage system have been added to prevent future flooding. Continue reading →

Transportation launching new tool for parents to track their child on HISD school buses

Transportation Services is introducing a new student badge program that will allow parents to track when and where their students board and depart HISD school buses.

Beginning, Oct. 29, students who are eligible for bus transportation service will use a personalized badge that must be scanned when they enter and exit their school bus.

“As we rectify some of the bus issues we have encountered this school year, this badge program will help to ease parents’ tensions,” said John Wilcots IV, interim general manager of Transportation Services. “They will know exactly when their child boards and exits the bus to go to school in the morning and the same at the end of the school day when they go home.” Continue reading →

HISD to emphasize good food during National School Lunch Week

Nutrition Services will mark National School Lunch Week with cafeteria-decorating contests, Lucky Lunch Tray giveaways, and a behind-the-scenes cafeteria media tour to showcase the work that goes into making and serving good food.

With a theme of “Level Up with a Healthy Lunch,” National School Lunch Week provides the perfect opportunity to highlight the mission of Nutrition Services – providing students with access to good food that is simple, wholesome, colorful, and made with locally sourced ingredients.

The week is observed nationally from Oct. 15 to 19. Continue reading →

HISD Board honors Worthing HS student for act of heroism

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The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday night recognized Worthing High School junior Marcus Dillard for an act of heroism that may well have saved the life of 72-year-old Houston resident Gloria Cage.

Cage’s car became disabled on Wednesday night after hitting a pothole. A short time later, her vehicle erupted in flames with Cage trapped inside. She said several cars drove by as she pounded on the window for help.

Marcus and his younger brother were passing by, and Marcus quickly turned around to assist Cage. Using a tire jack, Marcus and his brother Marvieon broke the windows of the car and dragged Cage to safety. Continue reading →

HISD recommending no increase in property tax rates for 2018-2019

Homeowners in the Houston Independent School District wouldn’t see an increase in HISD property tax rates for the 2018-2019 school year under a proposal being considered by the district’s Board of Education on Thursday.

The board’s regular monthly meeting will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 11, in the Manuel Rodríguez Jr. Board Auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th Street. Click here to view the full agenda.

If approved by trustees, HISD would maintain the current tax rate of $1.2067 per $100 of taxable property value for the third year in a row. The tax rate includes two parts: $1.04 dedicated to funding general maintenance and operations and $0.1667 earmarked for debt service. Trustees adopted a $2 billion budget for the 2018-2019 school year last June based on this tax rate. Continue reading →

DeAnda ES teacher named Teacher of the Month for October 

Fourth-grade students at DeAnda Elementary School thought it was just another day of learning prepositions and sentence structure, until Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan surprised their teacher, Hillary Smith, as the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for October.

Having served as a fourth- and fifth-grade English/Language Arts and Social Studies teacher, Smith was selected for her tenacious spirit that brings literacy to life for students at DeAnda.

“We are grateful to have had Hilary serve DeAnda students for the last seven years,” said Principal Lauren Mailhiot. “Her high expectations coupled with passion pushes our students beyond their limits in both reading and writing.” Continue reading →