Author Archives: HISD Communications

Hurricane Harvey delays don’t dampen excitement at new Leland College Prep Academy

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After a two-week storm delay, Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men Principal Dameion Crook was so excited for the start of school on Monday, he couldn’t sleep the night before.

“I got here at 6 a.m.,” Crook said as he stood in front of his school directing cars in the driveway. “I beat the plant operator.”

For Crook and his students and staff, Monday marked not just the first day of school but the first day of school in their new building, constructed as part of the 2012 Bond Program. The $30.3 million project called for a new facility that could accommodate up to 1,000 middle school and high schools students. Continue reading →

Furr HS begins new school year in new facility

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After the storm, Furr High School students were more than ready to start the new school year, but they were especially excited Monday morning to begin their first day of classes in their new building.

“It feels like High School Musical,” joked junior Jose Padron about the colorful new building. “I really like it. I think people won’t skip school as much.”

The three-story, $56 million facility was designed to enhance the school’s science, technology, engineering, and arts programs. It includes flexible, brightly colored learning areas with moveable furniture and sliding glass doors to make the rooms easily adjustable and accommodate changing needs of students and staff. Continue reading →

Day 2 of free uniform distribution limited to one site

HISD, along with county and city officials, distributed close to 25,000 free school uniforms at seven sites across the city.  Due to the overwhelming response, the distribution has been narrowed down to one site for the second day.

Uniform distribution for Saturday, Sept. 9 will now happen from 9 a.m. – noon (or until supplies run out).

Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center
6402 Market Street
Houston, Tx. 77020
832-395-0895 Continue reading →

HISD to close community feeding sites launched in the wake of Hurricane Harvey

Feeding sites will close on Sunday evening after serving thousands of meals per day

The community feeding efforts launched by the Houston Independent School District in the wake of Hurricane Harvey will end on Sunday, Sept. 10, after serving between 8,000 to 10,000 free meals per day.

HISD’s Nutrition Services has been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner free of charge at nine sites since Saturday, Sept. 2. Meals have been available on a first-come, first-served basis to all community members. Additionally, volunteers from local churches, community centers and even apartment complexes delivered food to families that were unable to visit the locations due to transportation. Continue reading →

New HISD schools sustain minimal damage, set to open on Sept. 11

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After a two-week delay, nine new and rebuilt schools across the Houston Independent School District will open their doors to students for the first time on Monday, Sept. 11.

The schools sustained only minor damages during Hurricane Harvey and the resulting floods, and contractors were able to make any needed repairs while the district was closed due to inclement weather. Continue reading →

Volunteer to help HISD families and students recover from Harvey 

Volunteers help sort donated items at Delmar Fieldhouse.

Individuals and local organizations have an opportunity to help HISD students and families impacted by  Hurricane Harvey by volunteering at the district’s designated donation site.

Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum Road, Houston, TX 77092) will be receiving donations the week of Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering will need to sign-up by clicking here, and select the day and time they can volunteer.  Continue reading →

Delmar Fieldhouse serving as makeshift donation center 

Staff and community members teaming up to help victims of the storm

HISD staff members and volunteers from across the city are helping out with Hurricane Harvey relief by collecting much-needed items for the students and families affected by the storm.

HISD’s Delmar Fieldhouse has been become a makeshift donation center for school uniforms and supplies, toiletries, socks, underwear, and 5,000 pairs of shoes recently donated by Mythiquer Pickett, the founder of We See Abilities.

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Save the Children brings Jill Biden to HISD to tour storm damage 

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Former Second Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday toured Forest Brook Middle School and the community surrounding Hilliard Elementary School, which were impacted by Hurricane Harvey, afterward joining a panel discussion with HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza.

Biden is board chair of Save the Children, a child advocacy group that aims to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and emergency aid during natural disasters. The group has mobilized support across the state in the wake of Harvey, creating child-friendly spaces in shelters and working with local officials and partners to get more volunteers on the ground.

After visiting the badly flooded neighborhood around Hilliard, Biden walked through nearby Forest Brook, where post-Harvey cleanup is underway. She chatted with Forest Brook Principal Tannisha Gentry, who showed her through some classrooms and the library, where three feet of wet drywall had been removed.  Continue reading →

Free uniforms available for distribution at 7 sites across city

The Houston Independent School District, along with county and city officials, will be distributing thousands of free school uniforms to students at seven locations across the city from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9. Students must be present to be fitted in order to receive clothing.

HISD has relaxed its school uniform policy until January 2018, but students may wear uniform clothing to school if they have purchased or received those items.

The distribution locations are: Continue reading →