HISD District VIII Trustee Diana Dávila will discuss the district’s 2018-2019 budget and magnet recommendations during a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 26 at Austin High School (1700 Dumble, Houston, TX 77023).
Author Archives: HISD Communications
Pilgrim Academy addition set for completion next month
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Construction on Pilgrim Academy’s new building addition is nearing completion with work on the project scheduled to wrap up at the end of April.
Interior ductwork and sprinkler system piping have been installed, as have the ceiling grid and insulation. Installation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are underway and exterior brickwork is ongoing. Most internal drywall also is in place, while painting and interior finishes will be the focus in the coming weeks.
“It will be wonderful to have the extra space for our middle school students,” Pilgrim Academy Principal Diana Castillo said. “We can’t wait to move in.” Continue reading
HISD social workers recognized in March for national Social Work Month
The National Association of Social Workers has proclaimed March to be Social Work Month, with the theme of “Social Workers: Leaders. Advocates. Champions.”
The Houston Independent School District includes 37 social workers on campuses across the district. These social workers provide crisis support, helping children overcome issues such as death and grief, and helping communities connect to resources to recover from natural disasters – most recently from Hurricane Harvey and flooding. Continue reading
HISD to be closed March 12–16 for Spring Break
All HISD campuses and offices will be closed for Spring Break from Monday, March 12, through Friday, March 16, 2018.
Schools and offices will reopen for normal business on Monday, March 19, 2018.
Employees should consult the duty schedules posted here.
The HISD Police Department will be patrolling district facilities all during the holiday break. Emergencies may be reported by calling 713-892-7777.
Report shows HISD has taken steps to improve special education program
The American Institutes for Research (AIR) released a comprehensive new report that finds HISD has already taken specific action that will enable the district to improve outcomes for students with disabilities and implement the report’s recommendations more effectively.
The report, Special Education Program Review, was commissioned by the Houston Independent School District. The HISD Board of Education contracted AIR to assess the district’s strengths and areas in need of improvement with respect to its special education program. The results of the review were presented at the March HISD Board of Education meeting by experts from AIR. Continue reading
New Kinder HSPVA construction making great progress
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Rising five stories into the air, the new Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is becoming a real presence in downtown Houston with the building now 80 percent complete and visible progress being made every day.
Permanent power is now connected, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are up and running. Work on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as installation of internal sheetrock and external masonry is ongoing. Workers will focus next on interior fixtures and finishes. Continue reading
3 town hall meetings planned on HISD magnet program
The Houston Independent School District’s Office of School Choice is planning three meetings on proposed changes to the district’s magnet program.
Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about school choice in the district.
Meetings will be held at the following locations and dates. All meetings are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 20
Milby High School
1601 Broadway, Houston 77012
Wednesday, March 21
Hattie Mae White
4400 W 18th St., Houston 77092
Thursday, March 22
Wisdom High School
6529 Beverly Hill, Houston 77057
HISD Board of Education to consider reduction in force
‘Critical shortage’ positions eliminated from list of positions eligible for RIF
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider a reduction in force for certain term- and continuing-contract employees.
The board’s regular monthly meeting begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in the Manuel Rodríguez Jr. Board Auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St. Click here to view the full agenda.
Trustees are expected to consider the two annual reduction in force (RIF) agenda items related to being able to execute a reduction in force of teachers and other campus-based employees, as well as certain central office employees who hold term and continuing contracts. These agenda items were originally scheduled for consideration at the Board’s February meeting, however trustees voted to delay a vote until March. Continue reading
March Teacher of the Month is Fleming MS science educator
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What started off as an ordinary day for Fleming Middle School teacher Sha’rell Webb on Tuesday morning turned into a surprise of a lifetime, when Area Superintendent Julia Dimmitt interrupted class to announce Webb as the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for March.
“Mrs. Webb is more than deserving of this recognition,” Dimmitt said. “She not only puts her students’ educational needs first, but those of the entire campus, which shows in their academic achievements.” Continue reading
Kolter school community bids farewell to Harvey-damaged campus
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Sugary donuts and hot coffee lined blue tables at the front entrance of Kolter Elementary School as students, faculty, and parents covered their hands with bright-colored paint and marked the building’s exterior with vibrant handprints.
The festivities were part of a “Donuts before Demo” event designed to allow hundreds of community members the chance to say goodbye to their beloved building, which is being demolished and rebuilt due to damages sustained from Hurricane Harvey.
“It’s exciting,” Kolter Principal Julie Dickinson said, smiling. “Although initial circumstances weren’t ideal, we’re getting a new building. It’s worth the wait.”