Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD names new chief communications officer

Houston ISD Superintendent Richard Carranza has named Rebecca Suárez as the district’s new chief communications officer.

Suárez, a 13-time Lone Star Emmy Award winner, is currently an anchor and reporter at Univision (KXLN 45) and has more than 15 years of experience in media and communications. She is also a former HISD staff member, having served as the district’s primary spokesperson for Spanish-language media, senior media relations specialist, and community affairs television host. She has also worked as an anchor and reporter for NBC Telemundo (KTMD 47).

“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Suárez back to Team HISD,” Carranza said. “She is a familiar face who brings with her an extensive knowledge of the district and will offer new ways to engage with and inform our community.” Continue reading →

HISD supports House Bill 21 to increase funding for all schools and lower Recapture payments statewide

Bill would reduce HISD’s 2018-19 biennium recapture payment

The Houston Independent School District supports House Bill 21, which passed the Texas House of Representatives April 20 and would lower HISD’s Recapture obligation providing approximately $40 million in additional resources for the 2018-19 biennium.

Houston voters go to the polls on May 6 to decide how to pay this year’s Recapture obligation of $77.5 million. Proposition 1 asks voters whether they want to “purchase attendance credits.” A vote for means HISD will write a check to the state, while a vote against would result in the state’s detachment and reassignment of the district’s most valuable commercial property. Early voting begins April 24, 2017, and ends May 2, 2017. Continue reading →

Rooftop garden inspires learning and excitement at Atherton ES

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Students and staff at Atherton Elementary are excited about the newest addition to their campus – a rooftop garden. And they have big plans for it.

“We can learn how plants grow and change over time,” said fifth-grader Nathaniel Alvarenga.

“It’s helping our ecosystems,” added his classmate Isacc Solis. “Birds and bees come, and the bees pollinate the plants.”

Atherton received a new building as part of the 2007 bond program, but plans for the rooftop garden were put on hold as other items took priority. Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones supported the garden, which is receiving its finishing touches this month. The project also got a boost from IDG Architects’ Ben McMillan, who donated funds last October. Continue reading →

Yates HS seniors make their mark on school history at beam signing

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The Lion’s Den at Jack Yates High School roared with excitement as the graduating Class of 2017 scribbled their signatures on the final steel beam to be erected in the construction of their new school.

Once all seniors had signed, they joined with school staff to watch as the beam was hoisted into the air and placed in its new home — the auditorium. The beam will be installed and left exposed, showcasing the signatures from the class of 2017.

“The kids were concerned that they weren’t going to have any history with the new school since they’ll be graduating in May,” said Yates Principal Ken Davis, who worked with the construction staff to surprise the students with the informal ceremony. “We told them that we were going to sign the beam — a little bit of history about you will go into the new building.”

Continue reading →

Apply now for teacher hiring event on May 6 

HISD recruiters work at a teacher job fair at the University of Houston on April 7, 2017.

The HISD Human Resources team is hosting a Teacher Selection Event on Saturday, May 6, at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092) for current teachers and 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 →

HISD Transportation seeking drivers, attendants for 2017-2018 school year

HISD’s Transportation Department is looking for the best school bus drivers and attendants to join its nationally recognized team for the 2017-2018 school year.

For immediate consideration, interested candidates should apply online or in person at one of the four terminals between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Terminals are located at:  Continue reading →

‘On the Yard’: Learn more about the May 6 vote on Prop 1 

HISD Board President Wanda Adams recently visited with General Manager of Budgeting and Finance Glenn Reed to discuss the importance of the Recapture issue on the May 6 ballot.

During Adams’ inaugural episode of On the Yard, which will be featured monthly on HISD-TV, Reed outlined the consequences of both options under Proposition 1: a vote for, to purchase attendance credits from the state, or a vote against, to have commercial property detached from HISD tax roll.   Continue reading →

I am HISD: ‘Hidden Genius’ Frank Mann made imprint on aviation

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Phyllis Wheatley High School graduate Frank Mann (1908-1992) was just 11 when he met Howard Hughes on a Houston airfield. Mann went on to become a successful aeronautical and aerospace engineer, and worked for Hughes in California. A black child born in 1908 to an unwed mother, he defied the odds to achieve remarkable success in his field. H.T. Bryer, the author of “Hidden Genius: Frank Mann, the Black Engineer Behind Howard Hughes,” knew Mann personally. He and his brother Paul Bryer, who was Mann’s best friend and confidant, spent 20 years researching the book.   Continue reading →

Two events offer students opportunity to learn about career options 

This week, two events will help HISD students of all ages explore careers in high-demand, high-growth industries.

First up is Family Career Night from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, at East Early College (220 N. Milby St., Houston, 77003).

The event, sponsored by District VIII Trustee Diana Davila, is for parents and students in grades K-12 in the Northeast and East part of the city and will provide the opportunity to learn more about different careers in the Greater Houston area, HISD programs and resources, and how to connect with high education and industry representatives. There also will be an opportunity to win a scholarship.  Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education approves special education program review

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a proposal to select American Institutes for Research to implement a comprehensive Special Education Program Review.

In preparation for the 2017-18 school year, and in response to feedback from the community and HISD staff, HISD is re-evaluating how it delivers special education services to students and families. The Special Education Program Review will help the district’s efforts to improve special education services. Continue reading →