Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD named to College Board’s AP District Honor Roll for gains in student access, success

District, placed on list for first time, is among 447 across U.S. and Canada to earn distinction

The Houston Independent School District is one of 447 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 8th Annual AP District Honor Roll, a first for the district.

To be included on the 8th Annual Honor Roll, HISD had to increase the number of students participating in AP since 2015 while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. The district has more than doubled that number since 2007. Reaching these goals shows that HISD is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for AP.

“I am very proud of our students and staff for achieving this distinction,” Superintendent Richard Carranza said. “This honor is yet another example of the district’s commitment to offering rigorous options to all our students that we believe prepare them for their next level of education.” Continue reading →

Milby HS educator riding in style after being named Teacher of the Month

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00004uFQEHHRkUc” g_name=”20171205-Teacher-of-the-Month” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Milby High School English teacher Jill Hobbs was beyond surprised when HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza and Sterling McCall VIP Services stopped by her classroom on Dec. 5 to proclaim her the HISD Teacher of the month. In fact, the Achieve 180 teacher and 20-year veteran was at a total loss for words when she learned that she would get to drive a 2017 Lexus ES 350 for a month, courtesy of Sterling McCall Lexus.

“I’m in complete shock, and have never had the opportunity to drive in luxury,” Hobbs said. “It is truly an honor to be awarded this month, and I can’t wait to enjoy the vehicle during my commute to campus and grad school.”   Continue reading →

HISD celebrating Inclusive Schools Week 

HISD is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week through Dec. 8 in partnership with the Inclusive Schools Network.

This year’s theme focuses on standing up for inclusion, and the district is encouraging all schools to share photos of their inclusive schools week activities on Twitter using the hashtag #HISD2017ISW.

In particular, HISD is recognizing seven schools for their inclusivity efforts: Dogan, Lyons, Peck, and Patterson elementary schools; Tanglewood Middle School; and Lamar and Washington high schools. They will be honored at the Board of Education Meeting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14.

This year, the Inclusive Schools Week’s theme is “Stand Up, Sit Tall for Inclusion.” Schools, parents, and community members can take part in the celebration by downloading lesson plans, activities, and resources here.   Continue reading →

Project aDOORe exhibit on display at Hattie Mae White

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000DHEBu6ua39Y” g_name=”20171117-Project-aDOORe” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

An exhibit of student art from 26 campuses across HISD that features doors from storm-damaged homes transformed into works of art is on display at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.

The fine arts initiative — known as Project aDOORe Houston — aims to strengthen school communities that were most impacted by Hurricane Harvey by providing students with a means to heal through the creation of art. The exhibit will continue through Dec. 15.   Continue reading →

TEA approves HISD’s revised turnaround plan for Kashmere HS

The Texas Education Agency has notified the Houston Independent School District that it has approved the modified turnaround plan for Kashmere High School.

In a letter addressed to Superintendent Richard Carranza and HISD Board President Wanda Adams, Commissioner of Education Mike Morath announced TEA finds that the modified campus turnaround plan submitted on Nov. 17, 2017 “meets all necessary requirements and addresses the deficiencies identified in the original turnaround plan” and approved the plan to be implemented for the remainder of the 2017-2018 school year.

“We are glad and thankful the TEA has accepted our plan,” HISD Board of Education President Wanda Adams said.  “We know there’s a lot of hard work ahead, but our students, staff, administrators and the entire Kashmere community are ready.  As an alum, it is personal for me to see Kashmere succeed. Today’s letter signifies Kashmere is continuing to move in the right direction. I’m so proud of the principal for her commitment.” Continue reading →

Energy Institute HS nears 90 percent completion

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000v_91ZtHdJz4″ g_name=”20171117-Energy-Institute-HS” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Construction on the new Energy Institute High School soon will reach 90 percent completion, with the building being furnished and outfitted with technology in the spring and teachers and staff moving in next summer.

Crews are currently working on interior finishes such as painting, ceiling panel installation, and sealing and polishing of concrete floors. Installation of carpet in limited areas and outdoor canopies will wrap up this quarter, as will final mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and safety inspections.

“Our new Energy building has been a labor of love for all of us who have contributed to its innovative design,” said Energy Institute Principal Lori Lambropoulos. “The high-tech facility will positively inspire our inventive students and staff to reach for the stars.” Continue reading →

HISD recruiting teachers at hiring events in Florida

A team from the Houston Independent School District will travel to Florida this month to recruit and interview teachers for positions in critical shortage areas.

The district is looking for elementary bilingual education teachers who are fluent in both English and Spanish, as well as secondary math, science, and English/Language Arts teachers. Also needed are special education teachers with experience in autism education and deaf education at all levels.

Interviews/Job Fairs will be held in both Orlando and Miami. Candidates must pre-register and bring their teaching certificates, college transcripts, and/or a copy of their bachelor’s degree. Continue reading →

Get involved in Computer Science Education Week at HISD 

Design an iPhone game. Track Santa’s movements. Animate text. Those are just a few of the ways students can participate in Computer Science Education Week this Dec. 4-10, and this year HISD employees are also encouraged to get in on the fun.

The Advanced Academics Department has created “15 Days of Code,” made up of interactive calendars that allow students to engage in a new coding experience every day.

The activities on these three calendars for elementary, middle, and high school include lessons such as designing a web pages with HTML, creating a virtual pet, developing interactive art, and even teaching a robot to make crepes. Continue reading →

Magnet school application deadline approaching for 2018-2019 school year 

Parents who want their child to attend one of the district’s magnet schools for the 2018-2019 school year must submit an application by Friday, Dec. 8, to be included in the first round of consideration.

Any applications received after the Dec. 8 Phase I deadline will be considered only for schools where space is still available.

Parents who still aren’t sure which school they want their child to attend next year are invited to the final School Choice Fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Key Middle School (4000 Kelley St., 77026). Representatives from HISD magnet schools will be there, and attendees can get help submitting their applications.  Continue reading →

2012 Bond launches Twitter to provide easy access to latest construction updates

Wish you could get the latest information and updates on construction progress at your child’s school? Now you can. Just follow @Build_HISD on Twitter, and you’ll have all that information at your fingertips.

The new page was launched last month to provide families with quick and easy access to the latest information — photos, videos, project updates, meeting recaps — about 2012 Bond projects across the district.

Follow us. Re-tweet us. Tag us with your questions. Or tweet your own construction photos, and we can retweet you. You can also look for and use our hashtags #BuildHISD, #2012Bond, and #BuiltForLearning. Continue reading →