Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD names new Officer of Business Logistics & Transportation

Alexis Licata

Houston ISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby has selected Alexis Licata to be the district’s new Officer of Business Logistics & Transportation.

Licata has served as general manager of the Office of Business Assistance for nine years, where she was responsible for the district’s risk management, supplier diversity, and warehouse services. She began her career with HISD in 1998 as a member of the HISD Nutrition Services Department.

In her new role, Licata is responsible for about 1,600 employees and a $45 million budget across the areas of transportation, fleet operations, logistics (previously warehouse services), textbooks, risk management, furniture services and supplier diversity. Continue reading →

U.N. visit highlights HISD newcomer school Las Americas

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United Nations Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements was in Houston recently to discuss the global refugee crisis and explore how refugees are resettled in Houston with the support of agencies across the city, carving time out of her schedule to visit HISD’s Las Americas Newcomer School in southwest Houston.

Clements observed a few classrooms, spoke with refugee students, and met HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza. Clements works for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees and stateless people. Also attending was former HISD Trustee Juliet Stipeche, now director of education for the city of Houston.  Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to consider changes to 2017-2018 Code of Student Conduct

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education will vote Thursday on a proposal to update the 2017-2018 Code of Student Conduct.

Among the proposed changes is a plan to offer alternatives in some cases to students who have been referred to the district’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). Other proposed changes include reclassifying the level of some non-statutory offenses and aligning the code with the district’s recently adopted policy banning suspensions in second grade and below. Continue reading →

HISD to host June 20 teacher hiring event

Principals from across the district to conduct interviews and extend job offers

The HISD Human Resources team is hosting a Teacher Selection Event on Tuesday, June 20, for prospective teachers interested in joining Team HISD.

In order to attend the invitation-only event, candidates must be pool-approved. Begin the application process by clicking here. Applicants who meet certification standards will receive an invitation with location and other event details. Applicants must then register for the event.  Continue reading →

Houston Real Men Read leads to lasting mentoring, friendship 

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Scholastic President Greg Worrell first met Bradford Tanner when Tanner was a fourth-grader at Young Elementary School.

As part of Houston Real Men Read, Worrell read the book “Wings” to Tanner’s class shortly after former HISD Trustee Paula Harris established the program in partnership with Scholastic in the spring of 2009. During that visit, Worrell told the students about his background and asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up. Tanner raised his hand and said, “I am going to be the president of Scholastic one day.” Worrell was so moved he gave Tanner his business card and asked him to keep in touch. And then Tanner gave the man who would become his mentor a thank-you note that Worrell carries in his wallet to this day.   Continue reading →

New Yates HS to offer unparalleled 360-degree views of Houston

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When construction of the new Yates High School is complete next year, it will offer unparalleled views of the city with Downtown Houston to the north, Texas Medical Center to the south, and the Galleria to the west.

The 360-degree view — which includes University of Houston to the east and Texas Southern University to the west — is already visible from top floors of the building, the construction of which is almost a quarter of the way completed.

“It’s starting to move very quickly,” said Yates Principal Ken Davis, who got his first glimpse at the new school during a recent Project Advisory Team meeting and site visit. “I’m excited about that. It’s an exciting feeling to know it is happening. After years of planning, it’s actually happening.”

Continue reading →

DeBakey leads Children at Risk’s list of top high schools for seventh straight year

Children at Risk announced its annual list of the top schools in the greater Houston area, and for the seventh consecutive year, HISD’s DeBakey High School for Health Professions was listed as number one among high schools.

Four other HISD high schools were included in the top 10 and dominated the top five: Challenge Early College High School (#2), the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (#3), Eastwood Academy (#4), and Carnegie Vanguard High School (#5). Continue reading →

Hundreds attend dedication for new DeBakey HS for Health Professions

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More than 300 students, teachers, parents, and medical center community members converged on the Texas Medical Center on Thursday to celebrate the dedication of the new DeBakey High School for Health Professions.

Columns of blue and white balloons flanked center stage and music from the DeBakey orchestra filled the five-story atrium as attendees took their seats, eager to celebrate the school’s opening and tour the new facility.

“This year we will be celebrating 45 years,” DeBakey Principal Agnes Perry said. “DeBakey High School for Health Professions has successfully introduced and honed an innovative magnet school model.”

Continue reading →

Sign up for mayor’s Back to School Fest

Registration opens on Monday for Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Back to School Fest, an annual event that helps elementary students across the city access the resources they need for a successful school year.

Pre-registered children who are in grades kindergarten through fifth grade and reside in the City of Houston are eligible to participate. Attendees will receive backpacks filled with school supplies and also will have access to eye exams, vaccinations, lessons in dental health and hygiene, and more.

The event is free, thanks to the generosity of Shell and other sponsors working with the mayor’s office.

To register for an appointment, visit this link. Registration closes on Friday, July 21. Families may also register by calling 311 or 713-837-0311 to request an appointment.

For more information, check out a list of FAQs about the event.