Author Archives: HISD Communications

Valedictorians and salutatorians represent the Class of 2016’s highest achievers

Each spring, the Houston Independent School District honors the top two scholars at each of its high schools with a formal celebration of their outstanding academic achievements.

This year, the district recognized the valedictorians and salutatorians at the annual Scholars Banquet held on April 12, 2016, at the Westin Oaks Galleria. A valedictorian has earned the highest grade-point average in his or her graduating class; the student with the second-highest grade-point average is designated as the salutatorian.

Click here to see photos and read the biographies of each valedictorian and salutatorian.

Click here to see the 2016 HISD Spring graduation ceremonies schedule.

HISD educators to ‘pass the cape’ at Friday event

Superhero-themed banquet to honor teacher and principals of the year

HISD will honor its principals and teachers at a superheroes themed Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, May 20, at the Bayou City Event center. In addition to announcing the elementary and secondary 2016 HISD Teachers of the Year from a select group of 12 finalists, the banquet will recognize the 2015 winners as they “pass the cape” to a new group of honorees.

In the spirit of this year’s theme, we asked the 2015 Principals and Teachers of the Year a few superhero-related questions. Continue reading →

Former Gov. Mark White meets with team planning his namesake school

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Former Gov. Mark White joined this week with Project Advisory Team members from the school that will bear his name to hear an update on the project, and discuss plans for technology components and furnishings within the new building.

White, the 43rd governor of the State of Texas, has been supportive of the new school throughout the planning and design process, and said he is looking forward to the school’s opening in August.

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HISD Police Department celebrates Police Appreciation Week with art contest winners

The Houston Independent School District Police Department has announced the winners of its second annual Police Appreciation Week Art Contest.

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For this year’s contest, students in kindergarten through second grade created art projects using a variety of law enforcement themes. Some highlighted a specific HISD campus officer, while others showcased different types of law enforcement officers or honored relatives in law enforcement.

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Early identification, intervention is key for HISD’s Speech-Language team  

speech_pathologistPart of creating Global Graduates is ensuring all students have the resources they need to be ready to learn. That’s where HISD’s speech-language pathologists come into the picture.

These trained professionals are responsible for identifying and providing intervention for students with speech and/or language difficulties that might affect a students’ ability to learn. Whether it’s receptive/expressive language, articulation, social skills, or stuttering; speech-language pathologist work to identify struggling children and provide the right intervention and strategies for them so they are able to flourish in school.  Continue reading →

Sharpstown High School senior wins a car at school’s Academic Signing Day

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Other events held at campuses across HISD to celebrate seniors’ commitment to colleges of their choice

Thanks to Joel Rogers Classic Chevrolet, a lucky senior will be driving to college. Sharpstown High School’s Academic Signing Day Celebration ended with a drawing, and Joshua Baffoe won a Chevrolet Sonic.

As part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s #ReachHigher Initiative, she sponsored #CollegeSigningDay on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Most HISD high schools have been holding Academic Signing Day events since late April, and they are continuing almost until graduation.

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Books Between Kids delivers books and adventure to Cunningham ES

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Amid whispers about horses, Star Wars and the occasional princess, students at Cunningham Elementary School on Monday excitedly filled their arms with stacks of books, thanks to the nonprofit group Books Between Kids’s annual book celebration.

Students were allowed to choose up to six books to keep as part of their own home library.

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New Worthing High School addition nears completion

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Worthing High School’s new classroom wing is in the final stages of completion and will open to students for the start of the upcoming school year.

Recently, Worthing Principal Duane Clark led a group of district and community representatives through the new two-story building for a first-hand look at the new facility, which is Phase 1 of a three-phase construction plan.

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Meet the Finalists for Teacher of the Year and Beginning Teacher of the Year  

Winners to be announced at May 20 banquet 

Nearly 2,000 HISD teachers, along with district and school leaders, will gather on Friday, May 20, at the Bayou City Event Center for a superheroes-themed Educators of the Year banquet. The sold-out event, sponsored by Cigna, will honor campus-based teachers of the year and beginning teachers of the year. Fifteen finalists are vying for top district honors, which include elementary teacher of the year, secondary teacher of the year, and beginning teacher of the year.

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 HISD Transportation employees encouraged to be healthy examples during ‘Love Your Heart’ event  

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The HISD Transportation department and the Houston Educational Support Personnel Union (HESP) is teaming up to fight against heart disease and encouraging employees to live a healthy lifestyle with their Love Your Heart initiative.

About 200 employees packed Northwest Motor Pool on Friday to celebrate the joint effort between Transportation and HESP to raise awareness on the importance of checking your heart health. HISD Interim Superintendent Ken Huewitt, HESP Union President Wretha Thomas and Board Trustees Harvin Moore and Rhonda Skillern-Jones were all on hand in support of the program, which is currently for Transportation employees with plans to expand into other departments. Continue reading →