Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD teachers receive Hurricane Harvey relief grants 

This week, more than 140 teachers  across the district were awarded grant money that will go toward putting classrooms back together in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Thanks to the HISD Foundation and many philanthropists and corporations locally and nationally, nearly $178,000 was awarded to teachers in partial or full grants of up to $1,500. The grants were awarded based on need, the number of applications, and available funds.

The storm left many HISD schools across the city damaged, and many teachers had limited resources to get their classrooms back up and running before the start of school. In September, teachers were encouraged to submit an application to request funds that would cover the costs of replacing classroom supplies, technology, and other resources that were lost as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey.   Continue reading →

New Kinder HSPVA on track to welcome students in January 2019

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Construction on the new Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Houston is making steady progress, with work about 65 percent complete as of this quarter.

The $88 million campus, which is part of the Houston Independent School District’s 2012 Bond Program, is located between Caroline and Austin streets near the city’s renowned arts and theater district. It is scheduled to open in January 2019.

After raising the five-story building to its highest point in May, workers have since installed the roof and exterior waterproofing and plan to have the entire building enclosed in the coming weeks. Connection of permanent power will follow, which will enable the air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems to be up and running by late November. Continue reading →

Revised survey available from HISD Transportation on 2018-2019 standardized school start times

Editor’s note: The district has heard concerns about the initial survey that was presented earlier this week on standardized school start times, and in response has revised the survey to offer more choices and an opportunity to include comments. Questions are also added that will collect more information about the needs of those taking the survey.

HISD is considering standardizing school start times across grade levels starting in the 2018-19 school year, with the goal of increasing the efficiency of bus transportation, and is conducting a survey to collect parent feedback.

Across more than 280 campuses, HISD manages 67 different school start times – which is the highest number in the state. This poses challenges to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for students. Those challenges include: ineffective routes, increased cost of maintenance and repairs, and reduced availability for field trips and athletic events (an increased cost for campuses).

Take the revised parent survey now Continue reading →

Special needs students return for second year of transitional work program 

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With the beginning of a new school year, there are new classes underway in HISD’s transitional programs for students with cognitive disabilities that train them to find meaningful work and sustainable life situations after graduation.

HISD students participate in classes within the community at the Houston Food Bank (HISD/H.E.A.R.T.), Houston Community College, and Texas Children’s Health Plan (Project SEARCH).

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we revisited the Houston Food Bank to see how students are doing (see last year’s story here). The second-year pilot program is underway, with four students returning from last year to experience real-world employment, working 40 hours a week from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. They are responsible for finding their own rides to work, and they use METROlift or get rides from family members.  Continue reading →

Waltrip HS celebrates ribbon-cutting and homecoming

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Waltrip High School students, staff and alumni roared with excitement Friday as they gathered before their new three-story building addition and watched as administrators cut a large red ribbon stretched across the entrance.

As the Ram Band began to play, cheerleaders and dance team members led the crowd in singing the Waltrip fight song.

“Go Rams!” Senior Class President Coby Johnston said, smiling at the energetic crowd.

Continue reading →

Washington HS construction on track for Spring 2018 opening

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Construction of the new Washington High School campus is edging closer toward the three-quarter completion mark, with flooring, drywall, ceiling, and window installation all underway.

The $56.5 million project is a part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, which calls for the renovation or rebuilding of 40 schools, including 29 high schools.

Site utility installation for the new school is currently in progress, project officials said. Exterior brick installation is nearly complete, as are the visitor and faculty parking areas. The school’s front bus loop also is more than halfway done.

Continue reading →

HISD hosting Parental Involvement Conference 

HISD will be serving as this year’s host for the 2017 Statewide Parental Involvement Conference set for Nov. 30  to Dec. 2  at the Crowne Plaza Hotel near NRG Park (8686 Kirby Drive).

Title I and Achieve 180 schools are encouraged to have staff and parents attend this year’s conference.

Over the course of the three-day conference, parents and educators will learn strategies for empowering all school community stakeholders in an effort to increase student achievement and to meet the required mandates of the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the nation’s national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students.  Continue reading →

New High School for Law and Justice building to open for summer classes

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Construction on the new High School for Law and Justice is making steady progress, with work this quarter expected to bring the project to about 80 percent completion.

The new $40 million campus, which is funded through a combination of bond funds and real estate proceeds, will feature a realistic courtroom, crime-scene investigations lab, emergency communications center, and law library. The building also will include spaces for ROTC, athletics, fine arts, and other traditional high school spaces.

In the last quarter, the roof and exterior walls were installed, serving to enclose the building. Crews also installed the interior climate system, along with permanent power, plumbing, and utilities.

Continue reading →

Groundwork underway at Jordan HS for Careers

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Construction is moving along at Jordan High School for Careers, with groundwork underway in preparation of the new building’s foundation.

The $42.4 million project is a part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, which calls for the renovation or rebuilding of 40 schools, including 29 high schools.

Drilling is underway on piers that will help hold both the foundation and structural steel in place, project officials said. Additionally, the installation of underground plumbing and electrical systems will begin in the next couple of weeks, and the foundation will be poured toward the end of the year.

Continue reading →