Author Archives: HISD Communications

Workshop Wednesday focuses on maximizing the value of businesses

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Local business owners and vendors gathered on Wednesday to hear from Bank of America executives on the multiple ways to grow their businesses by increasing and monitoring cash flow.

Vice President of Global Banking & Markets Brian Barrow and his colleague, Vice President of Small Business Banking Doris Leal, began their presentation by asking questions about each attendee’s work industry and job title. The presentation was a part of the Workshop Wednesday series hosted by HISD’s Business Assistance Supplier Diversity department. Continue reading →

Learn about Advanced Placement courses during AP Parent Night on Nov. 14 

Over the next few months, HISD’s Advanced Academics Department will be hosting multiple parent information sessions on Advanced Placement courses.

The fall parent information session will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092).

HISD offers students the chance to earn college credit while still in middle and high school by taking advantage of AP courses. Last year, HISD students took 28,236 AP exams, which resulted in more than $9 million in college savings for students and their families.   Continue reading →

Worthing HS construction making progress

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Construction at Worthing High School is quickly advancing, with renovations to the fine arts wing complete and work on the building addition underway.

Crews have renovated the auditorium stage, music rooms, restrooms, locker rooms, and clinic in the existing building. Additionally, the foundation for the new building has been poured and almost two-thirds of the steel framing is in place, with concrete walls for the JROTC and weight room going up.

“This community is ready to see this building, so I’m excited to tell them we’re still on schedule,” Worthing Principal Khalilah Campbell-Rhone said, noting that she was pleased the project timeline had not been impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Continue reading →

Mandarin Immersion Magnet School dedicates new Dragon & Phoenix Spark Park 

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Mandarin Immersion Magnet School students on Friday climbed aboard a dragon, a phoenix, and other colorful playground equipment at the school’s dedication of its new Spark Park.

The Dragon and Phoenix Spark Park is the first in a series of Spark park dedications around the city. November is going to be a busy month, with 10 new parks opening in five school districts – three more of which are in HISD.

During Spark Week (Nov. 13-17), eight more parks will be dedicated, including parks at HISD’s Hartsfield Elementary, Clifton Middle, and Mark Twain Elementary.  Continue reading →

Haydee Cavazos named new principal of Kennedy Elementary

Haydee Cavazos has been selected as the new principal of Kennedy Elementary School. Most recently, Cavazos was an elementary school assistant principal in Aldine ISD. She began her career in education in 2004 as a teacher’s assistant and bilingual teacher prior to moving into school administration in 2013. Cavazos earned a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies at University of Houston–Downtown and a master of education in administration from Sam Houston State University.

Bond Oversight Committee tours Milby HS, hears update on third quarter construction progress

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The Houston Independent School District’s Bond Oversight Committee got an inside look at the new Milby High School while touring the campus as part of their regular quarterly meeting on Tuesday.

The eight-member group got to see 21st century learning in action as they made their way through the dining commons, library, gym, and various classroom spaces, including the welding, science, and culinary arts labs.

They also walked through the large central courtyard and got to see the historic main entrance, which now leads to a park-like green space. Continue reading →

HISD to broadcast live DACA Town Hall

The Houston Independent School District will hold a live town hall on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program at 3 p.m. on Nov. 13, and it will be streamed via HISD-TV and social media.

The program will address questions about DACA, which was created in 2012 to allow young people brought to the U.S. by their parents to get a temporary reprieve from deportation and to receive permission to work, study, and obtain a driver’s license. DACA recipients who did not apply for renewal by Oct. 5 are in danger of losing their protection from deportation and their work permit this year under a plan to start phasing out the program. Continue reading →

HISD students turn storm-damaged doors into art in Project aDOORe

Students from 25 campuses across the Houston Independent School District are turning doors from storm-damaged homes into works of art that will be showcased throughout the city.

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.

Students will use the doors to visually document how the storm affected them, their school, and their community. They also will be tasked with depicting how the city has overcome, united, and grown as a result of the storm. Continue reading →

Wharton DLA construction project going vertical

Construction of the new Wharton Dual Language Academy is a quarter of the way complete, with interior demolition of the existing building finished and steel framing being erected for the new addition.

Crews are currently pouring concrete on the upper floors of the new three-story addition, as well as installing roofing, plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling systems within the existing building.

“I’m thrilled to see the new building taking shape,” Wharton Principal Jennifer Day said. “It’s going to be a great new 21st century learning facility for future generations.”

Continue reading →

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 →