Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD board president honored for dedication to education

Houston ISD District 3 Trustee Manuel Rodríguez Jr.

Houston ISD District 3 Trustee Manuel Rodríguez Jr.

Houston Independent School District Board of Education President Manuel Rodríguez Jr. will be recognized as the 2016 Pearl Award Honoree by the Hispanic Family Initiative on Friday, Oct. 14 during the Hispanic Family and Fatherhood Conference.

The Hispanic Family Initiative named Rodríguez as the 2016 Pearl Award recipient for his community service efforts and dedication to helping HISD families and students. The Hispanic Family Initiative is an organization that focuses on addressing issues facing Hispanic families in Houston and across the country. The organization’s annual Hispanic Family Conference brings together local professionals to Houston Community College for an opportunity to discuss the importance of fathers being engaged in their children’s education.

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Number of overcrowded classrooms cut in half

The number of Houston Independent School District elementary classrooms that exceed the state limit of 22 students has been sharply reduced over the past two years.

On Thursday, the HISD Board of Education will consider asking the Texas Education Agency to grant waivers for 755 elementary classrooms that have more than 22 students this school year. During the 2014-2015 school year, 1,499 HISD classrooms were over the limit, which applies to classes in kindergarten through the fourth grade.

Over the past two years, HISD has worked to bring more classrooms in compliance with the law. This fall, HISD opened the new Mark White Elementary School to relieve crowding in schools located on the district’s west side. Mark White Elementary’s construction was funded by the 2012 voter-approved bond program.

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52 schools take on Family Friendly Schools Challenge

The Family and Community Engagement Department (FACE) is welcoming 52 HISD campuses into its Family Friendly Schools Program for the 2016-2017 school year – twice the number of campuses from the previous school year.

Through a series of research-based activities and strategies to expand and build relationships with families, link family events to student learning, build parent capacity and support efforts for parent empowerment, schools have an opportunity to earn a star toward one of three Family Friendly School Certification levels: Continue reading →

Homeless Education Office offering support on World Homeless Day 

Today marks World Homeless Day, which is held annually on Oct. 10 to bring awareness to the needs of the homeless, many of whom are students in our schools, and to encourage outreach and support in local communities.

HISD’s Homeless Education Office is hosting a World Homeless Day event from 4 to 7 p.m. today at The Pink Giraffe House (2304 Mason St. 77006). HISD staff will provide guidance to homeless students on how to return to school or attend a trade school, as well as free college and career resources. Free food, health screenings and giveaways also will be offered.  Continue reading →

South Early College HS hosts ceremony, ribbon-cutting ceremony for new building

More than 100 South Early High School community members gathered Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of their new facility, which was built as part of the 2012 Bond Program and opened to students in August.

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The $13.5 million, 57,000-square-foot facility built adjacent to the Houston Community College-South Campus features modern, flexible learning spaces specifically designed to support the school’s robotics, computer technology and software engineering programs.

“This is an exciting opportunity we have here at 1930 Airport Road,” South Early Principal Steven Gourrier said to the audience. “It took a long time for us to get here, but now we’re here and excited about what’s to happen from this point forward at South Early College High School.”

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HISD students vote for favorite meal during National School Lunch Week 

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The Houston Independent School District Nutrition Services department observed National School Lunch Week with several taste-testing events in which students could vote for their favorite new lunch item.

The weeklong events began Oct. 4 at several HISD schools and concluded with a final vote at Blackshear Elementary School on Oct. 7.

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More than 600 HISD teachers gather for Pre-K summit 

New resources and training part of $9 million state grant

pre-k-1HISD Pre-K teachers recently gathered to learn new strategies, share best practices, and discover a new districtwide resource they can use to support the home-school connection.

Over 600 teachers from across the district attended HISD’s Prekindergarten Saturday Summit on Oct. 8. The half day of training and professional development was kicked off by HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza, who told the crowd that he prefers to address them as “early educators.”

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October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, which was created 10 years ago by Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center. Since 2006, the event has grown to an entire month of education and awareness activities, and is being recognized by schools and communities throughout the world.

At Oak Forest Elementary School, author Trudy Ludwig recently spoke to students and parents about empowering themselves to combat bullying, including conversational prompts to halt or deflect bullying behavior. The PTA also invited parents from other surrounding schools to participate in the session.

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High School for Law and Justice celebrates groundbreaking for new campus

High School for Law and  Justice Principal Carol Mosteit expressed her excitement Thursday as she spoke to a crowd of students, alumni, and school supporters gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of their new school.

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“It’s been a long time coming, and it seems like forever since we did the design for the new school with the architects,” said Mosteit. “Now it has come to fruition, and we’re ready to see this new building get going.”

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Up Close: First impressions of HISD with new Superintendent Richard Carranza 

HISD Board President Manuel Rodriguez Jr. sat down recently with new Superintendent Richard Carranza to hear his reflections after his initial days on the job and to ask him about his goals for HISD. He noted that Carranza hit the ground running, losing no time in getting out to HISD schools and meeting with community members.

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