Author Archives: HISD Communications

Read Houston Read volunteer opportunities available 

Just one hour a week can make a difference in a child’s life

HISD’s Read Houston Read program is kicking off for the 2016-17 school year, and volunteers are needed once a week to read to a first-grade student — either in person or online.

The goal of Read Houston Read, which is in its third year, is to instill a love of reading in children, while giving Houstonians an opportunity to give back to their community. The program is part of the district’s Literacy by 3 movement, which aims to have all students reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade.

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Bond program construction moves at record pace through fall 

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On the heels of an extremely busy summer that included the opening of six new schools, HISD’s bond construction is expected to continue moving forward at a record pace through the fall semester.

Construction is currently underway at more than 20 campuses across the district — more active construction than at any other time in district history. Contracts for most of the remaining schools in the program are expected to be awarded in the fourth quarter of 2016.

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Kashmere HS drum major the face of new Metro ad campaign

Zackery Johnson, drum major for Kashmere High School, takes METRO to school every day, and his dream is to one day be part of the famed Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band.

But you may already know all of this if you’ve seen or heard the latest ad for Metro on TV or on the radio. The ad, part of Metro’s “This is My Metro” campaign, features Zack on the bus and performing on the field.

“(Zack) is amazing and can always bring a smile to my face,” said Kashmere High School Principal Nancy Blackwell. “Zack works hard to promote the band, and he has specific plans for his future. I love having him at Kashmere High School.”

According Metro’s website, “We have invited real customers to talk about their experiences riding our system and tell why they do it and how it’s changed their lives.”

 

Twenty-eight HISD schools recognized by state for top performance in 2015-2016

HISD schools were twice as likely as other Texas schools to earn the maximum number of distinction designations from the Texas Education Agency for their strong performance during the 2015-2016 school year, according to a report released this week.

Eleven percent of the district’s 255 eligible campuses earned every distinction designation for which they were eligible. Statewide, only 5.5 percent of eligible schools can make that claim. HISD’s awarded campuses include 15 elementary schools, six middle schools, and seven high schools. Continue reading →

Superintendent, Board of Trustees hosting series of town hall meetings in HISD communities 

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HISD Board of Education trustees are hosting a series of community town hall meetings with newly appointed Superintendent Richard Carranza as a way to introduce the new leader to the community, solicit input from stakeholders about the district’s future, and learn about key issues across HISD.

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September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month 

As part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, HISD is partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Greater Houston to get the word out on suicide prevention measures and how to talk to teens about suicide without increasing the risk of harm.

Last December, NAMI Greater Houston trained 16 new volunteers to speak at middle and high school campuses about mental health wellness, mental illness, how to be a friend of someone dealing with mental health challenges, and suicide intervention. This past summer, NAMI volunteers began working with HISD to train district administrators, social workers, special education case managers, and other employees.

HISD has its own Crisis Intervention team, which is part of the new Social and Emotional Learning department. There are nine psychologists on staff under the direction of Dr. Lauren Goonan. All are licensed as both psychologists and as specialists in school psychology in the State of Texas.

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Hispanic Heritage Month perfect opportunity to showcase campus namesakes

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Click image to enlarge.

The Houston Independent School District is observing Hispanic Heritage Month, which kicks off today and runs through Oct. 15, by honoring the Hispanics for whom many of the district’s schools are named.

Half a dozen schools will be highlighted each week on the HISD website (see below for the first six).

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing the contributions made to this country by people of Hispanic descent, including those whose ancestors immigrated from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

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Furr High School awarded $10 million grant

HISD’s Furr High School has won a $10 million Super School Project grant, beating out thousands of other schools who applied from across the nation.

The five-year grant, awarded by the XQ Institute, began with a call for innovative ideas for redesigning traditional American high schools to prepare students for college and the workforce. Only 10 schools were awarded grants. Continue reading →

52 HISD students named National Merit semifinalists

Fifty-two seniors from six Houston Independent School District high schools qualified as semifinalists this week in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

The HISD students are among 16,000 from across the country to earn the semifinalist designation, allowing them the opportunity to continue in the academic competition and vie for nearly $33 million in scholarships that will be awarded next year.

The students attend Bellaire, Booker T. Washington, Carnegie Vanguard, and Lamar high schools, DeBakey High School for Health Professions, and the High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. Continue reading →

Telemundo, Chick-fil-A want to recognize outstanding HISD teachers

Know an outstanding teacher who deserves kudos and free Chick-fil-A? Then nominate them for Telemundo/Chick-fil-A’s Teacher of the Month program.

The partnership seeks to recognize HISD educators who inspire their students, are involved in the community, and routinely go above and beyond in the classroom.  Continue reading →