Author Archives: HISD Communications

Westbury HS senior plant operator takes pride in supporting school

Werner Flores

Every morning at 6 a.m., Werner Flores opens the doors at Westbury High School. He turns the alarms off and the lights on and then checks to make sure the HVAC systems are up and running. But that’s where his routine typically ends.

As the school’s senior plant operator, Flores says no two days are alike. And he likes it that way.

“I enjoy the variety, so it doesn’t feel like a job anymore,” Flores said. “It’s never boring. There’s always more to do, so the day passes fast, and suddenly it’s time to go home.”  Continue reading →

Lamar HS Project Advisory Team gets first look inside new building

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Soaking up striking views of the Galleria to the west and Downtown Houston to the east, Lamar High School Project Advisory Team members got their first look inside the school’s new four-story addition.

Members were shown a 3-D printed model of the campus and then given the opportunity to walk through the steel structure, up to the fourth floor of the academic wing, where they could view construction progress. Continue reading →

Class of 2018 valedictorians, salutatorians to be honored at Scholars Banquet 

The Houston Independent School District will pay tribute to each high school’s valedictorian and salutatorian during its annual Scholars Banquet on Wednesday evening.

Every spring, HISD honors the top two scholars at each of its high schools with a formal celebration of the accomplishment of finishing first or second in their class academic rankings. During the banquet, each valedictorian and salutatorian is presented with a medallion in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements.

The 2018 Scholars Banquet will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at the Westin Galleria Hotel (5060 West Alabama St., Houston, 77056). Continue reading →

HISD art cars win five trophies in Art Car Parade 

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Five of HISD’s 21 entries in the 31st annual Houston Art Car Parade caught the judges’ attention, winning trophies and even some cash.

It was easily the best year yet for HISD students and their art cars.

In the category of Best Youth Entry, Frank Black Middle School with Luz Martinez and Julon Pinkston took second place with the Panthermobile. Pinkston accepted the award at the Art Car Awards Ceremony at Smither Park.

The Art Car Parade judges like to give out numerous awards, so there are winners in multiple categories, including four first-place winners, four second-place winners, and four third-place winners. HISD art cars won in each of the three categories.  Continue reading →

Second annual East Area Feast of Arts showcase this weekend 

The second annual Feast of Arts for schools in the Chavez feeder pattern will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, at Chavez High School (8501 Howard, Houston, 77017).

Last year, the Fine Arts Initiative in District III started with the Chavez Feeder Pattern, and this year, it is expanding to include the Milby Feeder Pattern.    Continue reading →

GT Expo on April 25 to showcase student research projects 

The first Gifted and Talented Exposition in 15 years will take place on April 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum, Houston 77092). Pre-K through 12th-grade gifted and talented students from across the district will present more than 450 research projects from 167 schools.

“We are excited to allow our GT students the chance to showcase their work to the entire HISD community,” said Advanced Academics Officer Adam Stephens. “This event is the culmination of a year of hard work for our students, and the products that they have produced will reflect that.”  Continue reading →

Still need to choose a school for 2018-19? Come to the Spring School Choice Fair on April 21 

Magnet application deadline for Phase 2 is May 31

Magnet schools and other choice programs that still have open seats will be available to discuss options with parents at the Spring School Choice Fair on Saturday, April 21.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center (1101 Taft St. 77019) and will offer a glimpse of the many programs still waiting for students after the Phase 1 magnet deadline, as well as all other transfer options.

Schools with space available will have representatives at the event. For a complete list of magnet programs with openings, click here. Other programs such as dual language and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs will also be represented. Continue reading →

HISD Director of Athletics named 2018 National Sport and Security Professional of the Year

HISD Director of Athletics Marmion Dambrino

HISD Director of Athletics Marmion Dambrino has been selected to receive the 2018 National Sport and Security Professional of the Year Award, presented by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi.

The award recognizes a member of management in the field who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in addressing safety and security issues over the past year.

The honor is selected by each respective sport league, association, or advisory committee, and will be presented on Wednesday, July 11, during the 2018 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition in Louisville, Kentucky.

HISD updates standardized school start times for the 2018-19 school year

The Houston Independent School District announces revisions to standardized start/dismissal times for the 2018-19 school year in order to improve our delivery of reliable and affordable transportation to our students.

The updated times include two notable changes:

  • PK-8 and K-8 schools will now be grouped with middle schools, rather than elementary schools to have a later start/dismissal time of 8:30 a.m.-3:50 p.m.
  • Ten minutes will be added to each day for high schools and 6-12 campuses to account for eight optional early release days for final exams. Their start/dismissal time will be 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Beginning next fall, the district will operate with the following standardized start/dismissal times: Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education passes resolution calling for action on school safety

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education during its regular April meeting voted to approve a resolution calling for federal action related to school shootings.

Trustees voted 8 to 0 to approve the resolution that acknowledges the Board of Education stands with the students of Broward County Public Schools, and students across the country including HISD in demanding effective and comprehensive action from the federal government to protect schoolchildren. The resolution includes a call for Congress to appropriate adequate new funds to allow the nation’s school districts to plan and coordinate school security efforts with law enforcement officials and make changes to buildings that may be necessary to protect students, teachers, and staff. Continue reading →