Author Archives: HISD Communications

African-American JROTC leaders in HISD honored during Black History Month

Organization has a 92-year history in the district

In celebration of Black History Month, the Houston Independent School District is saluting Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps senior leadership and personnel serving high school students across the district.

HISD offers 20 Army JROTC, one Air Force JROTC, and four Navy JROTC programs for the 2017-2018 school year. Statistics show that among students who complete four years in the program, over 90% attend college, 5% enter the workforce, and about 5% join the U.S. Armed Forces. Continue reading →

Eastwood Academy starts new year in new addition

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Eastwood Academy started 2018 with the opening of a new wing — the first of two additions being built for the school as part of the 2012 Bond Program.

Known as the “blue wing,” the building houses the main entrance to the facility, as well as a new student dining and multipurpose area, career and technical education classrooms, an athletics facility, and a large covered patio.

It eventually will connect to the school’s existing two-story classroom wing.

“Our students are enjoying the new amenities, and we already feel at home here,” Eastwood Academy Principal Brandi Lira said. Continue reading →

HISD names new principal for Wheatley HS

The Houston Independent School District has selected 22-year veteran educator and administrator Joseph Williams as the new principal for Wheatley High School. Williams’ tenure at Wheatley is effective today.

Williams is known for transforming underperforming schools into thriving campuses. Wheatley is in Year Six Improvement Required status, as designated by the Texas Education Agency, meaning it has not met state standards for six years.

For 90 years, Wheatley has served Houston’s historic Fifth Ward community and is recognized for its award-winning athletics program and notable alumni, which include Barbara Jordan, the first African-American U.S. Congresswoman from the South; her successor, U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland; and musician Archie Bell of Archie Bell & the Drells, among others. Continue reading →

Hundreds turn out to beautify grounds of Hilliard ES after Harvey

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Last fall, Hilliard Elementary School was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. Floodwaters breached the building and pooled in hallways, classrooms, and the cafeteria. At their worst, they rose as high as four feet.

The damage was so severe, students and staff had to relocate so construction crews could carry out a major overhaul of the building.

“Hilliard was wrecked,” HISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby said. “It was heartbreaking to see the extent of the damage.”

Five months later, the environment at the elementary school has completely changed — thanks in part to more than 640 volunteers from across the country, all of whom gathered last week at the newly renovated school to beautify the campus grounds. Continue reading →

HISD Police Department to host ‘Coffee With a Cop’

The Houston Independent School District Police Department is building relationships with community one cup of coffee at a time.

HISD Police Department will host the first Coffee With a Cop of 2018 on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Whataburger located on 6914 Harrisburg Blvd., Houston, TX 77011.

Coffee with a Cop is an event centered on breaking down barriers and joining law enforcement officers with their respective communities. The program gives police officers an opportunity to discuss specific community concerns, share ideas and address issues with those who live in the area they serve, while building trust and confidence.                     Continue reading →

Teacher of the month has never missed a day in the classroom

When you mention second-grade teacher Marvin Mendoza at Whittier Elementary School, you are instantly greeted with a warm smile and enthusiastic welcome. The teacher with perfect attendance during his 13 years of teaching is more than just a familiar name on campus, he’s the heartbeat on campus and the Sterling McCall VIP Services January Teacher of the Month.

“When I hired Mr. Mendoza almost 13 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined him unfolding into the remarkable employee he is today,” Principal Lorrie Lueptow said. “Mr. Mendoza is everything principals desire in a teacher and in leadership. He not only focuses on the success of his students, but he takes pride in nurturing his peers.”  Continue reading →

Meyerland PVA students lend artistic talents to Nutrition Services project 

Art students from Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School teamed up recently with Nutrition Services to create the artwork for seed packets the department will distribute to the public.

The collaboration was the brainchild of Nan Cramer, Nutrition Services community outreach dietitian. Cramer, who was familiar with the school’s art program, thought the custom illustrations would add a unique touch to the seed packets.  Continue reading →

Kashmere HS celebrates grand opening of renovated campus

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Kashmere High School stakeholders gathered Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of their new 21st century campus, which underwent major renovations as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program.

Students, staff, alumni, and various dignitaries crowded into the large, brightly lit, central commons area as the nationally acclaimed Kashmere Alumni Reunion Stage Band joined with the dance team and cheerleaders to kick off the festivities. Continue reading →

HISD adding minutes to end of each school day to make up for storm closure

Note: Time added to end of school days will vary based on current schedules at each campus. Please check with your campus DIRECTLY for specific schedule information.

HISD will add extra minutes to the end of each school day for the remainder of the 2017-18 year. The added minutes will make up for instruction time lost to this month’s winter ice storm, which closed schools for two days Jan. 16-17.

  • All elementary schools will add 10 minutes to the end of their instructional day starting Jan. 29, 2018.
  • All middle schools will add 10 minutes to the end of their instructional day starting Jan. 29, 2018.
  • High schools will add between zero and 20 minutes to the end of their instructional day, depending on their current schedule, starting on Jan. 29, 2018.  The majority of high schools will need to add 10 or fewer minutes to their schedules, and the changes at individual high schools will be communicated by the schools.

By adding the makeup time to the end of each day, HISD can continue to provide students with safe and reliable transportation.

HISD will not need to add makeup days to the calendar, and no changes will be made to holidays, grading cycles, or the last day of school, which will remain June 1, 2018 for students and June 4, 2018 for teachers.

HISD chief operating officer given President’s Award for outstanding work post-Harvey

Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby received the President’s Award in recognition of the outstanding work the Business Operations unit has performed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

The award was given at the Jan. 18 board meeting by outgoing Board of Education President Wanda Adams, who noted Business Operations’ “dedication, commitment and support to HISD and of the Houston community in wake of Hurricane Harvey.”   Continue reading →