Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD names Lyons ES, West Briar MS administrators as 2017 Principals of the Year

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000a0xFA1TOD28″ g_name=”20170209-POY” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza, along with school board members, made surprise visits to Lyons Elementary School and West Briar Middle School on Thursday to name the district’s top campus leaders of the school year.

Lyons Elementary School Principal Cecilia Gonzales was named HISD’s Elementary Principal of the Year, while West Briar Middle School Principal Keeley Simpson was selected as HISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year. Both winners will advance to the state’s regional principal of the year competition.

“I am so proud of our principals and the incredible work they do each and every day to ensure the success of their campus, students and teachers,” Carranza said. “The level of student achievement at these schools did not happen by accident.” Continue reading →

Together with Tech, district’s first student-led technology conference, to be held this weekend 

More than 100 Houston ISD high school students on Saturday will deliver presentations on the impact of technology in the classroom at Together With Tech, the district’s first student-led technology conference.

Students from 45 schools will present on technology-based platforms that include digital animation, mobile app design, and tools such as Google Earth. Each participating school has a team of at least three students who will share ways in which the district’s PowerUp initiative has transformed what it means to be a high school student in HISD.

Continue reading →

Construction to begin soon on Barbara Jordan HS for Careers

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00002K8r4eN6A8Y” g_name=”20170207-Jordan” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Barbara Jordan High School for Careers soon will get a new facility that will transform career and technical education and boost workplace readiness for students at nine surrounding high schools.

Construction on the $36.6 million building, located at the junction of the Eastex Freeway and the East Loop, could start as early as March, with the goal of finishing in time for the 2018-2019 school year.
Continue reading →

Superintendent to deliver his first State of the Schools address at annual district event 

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza will deliver his first State of the Schools address on Wednesday, Feb. 15 to a sold-out ballroom crowd at the Hilton Americas Hotel for the district’s annual luncheon.

Carranza’s speech will focus on the district’s ongoing efforts to strengthen HISD’s academic and fine arts programs, improve equity within schools, and create a world-class school district.

Continue reading →

Grand opening celebration this week for new Delmar Fieldhouse 

The Houston Independent School District will host a grand opening celebration to mark the completion of the new Delmar Fieldhouse, which was constructed as part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond Program.

The first games to be played in the new facility will follow that afternoon, as eight HISD boys’ high school basketball teams take to the court, which features a star representing the HISD logo and an image of the Houston skyline.

Continue reading →

Honor African Americans during Black History Month by learning about HISD’s namesake middle schools 

HISD is celebrating Black History Month by exploring the many schools named for distinguished African Americans in the community. The district has more than 30 schools that recognize the contributions of African American leaders ranging from renowned educators to legislators to community leaders. The first week’s story focused on early childhood centers and elementary schools. This week, the series continues with middle and combination schools, and the third week will be high schools, charter schools, and alternative schools. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to consider construction contract for new Austin HS

If approved, HISD will have executed contracts on all 2012 Bond projects

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider the construction contract for Austin High School, which is being rebuilt as part of the 2012 Bond Program.

If the contract is approved, it will mark a major milestone in the 2012 Bond Program with all projects moving forward with executed construction contracts. Another major milestone is expected in the coming months, with the district preparing to have almost half of all 2012 Bond schools and projects completed and open by summer 2017.

Continue reading →

Students from four HISD schools bring home top awards at math and science competition in Florida 

Six HISD students from four schools took home top honors in three categories recently at the Math and Science Competition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

HISD students competed against about 50 other students from K-12 Confucius Institutes in Nevada, Utah, Ohio, and Florida. The six students competed in three categories: Math in Chinese, Science in Chinese, and Chinese Character Bee. Results are as follows: Continue reading →

Bond community meetings planned for Jordan HS, Westbury HS, Askew ES 

Community meetings are being held this month for three HISD campuses, which are set to be renovated or rebuilt as part of the district’s 2012 Bond Program.

The three schools, Barbara Jordan High School for Careers, Westbury High School, and Askew Elementary School, recently have entered the construction phase. The meetings will cover construction plans, timelines, and safety information, which could impact stakeholders at each facility.

Continue reading →

Online tool to help develop character, good choices launches at Pilgrim Academy 

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00006__Xmqqwm6s” g_name=”20170203-Character” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Student also wins two Super Bowl tickets from United Way through essay contest 

A new online course designed to help students develop character and engage in healthy relationships debuted Friday, Feb. 3, at Pilgrim Academy with much fanfare. The NFL, the Houston Texans, the United Way of Houston, United Way Worldwide, and Verizon came together to launch Character Playbook, which was developed by education technology innovator Everfi, Inc.

Character Playbook is designed for middle-school students and teaches character education and how to communicate effectively, understand and manage emotions, and resolve conflicts. Prior to an assembly, there was an opportunity to talk with students working the program in a computer classroom.

Continue reading →