Author Archives: HISD Communications

New Mark White ES accepting applications through March 25

MarkWhiteES_800aHISD’s brand new Mark White Elementary School (2515 Old Farm Road, 77063) will be opening its doors for the first time in the fall of 2016, and interested parents have until Friday, March 25, to submit their applications for admission.

The school, which is located just north of Westheimer on the district’s west side, will offer a French-language immersion program to students in prekindergarten and kindergarten during its first year of operation, and expand the program by one additional grade each year until 2021.

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Student transfers analyst moonlights as a beekeeper

Anthony Dickerson poses in his beekeeping suit with a jar of his own honey.

Anthony Dickerson poses in his beekeeping suit with a jar of his own honey.

In this week’s edition of I am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, Student Transfers Analyst (and 20-year HISD team member) Anthony Dickerson talks about the buzz over his beekeeping, Colony Collapse Disorder, and advice for new members of Team HISD.

So tell me about the beekeeping. How did it start?

Well it’s kind of complicated. We have a house out in the country, and I noticed there was a buzzing in the walls. We found out there was a colony of bees that had infiltrated the house. I did what most people would do and called an exterminator.

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New Sam Houston MSTC campus to feature flexible design with a collegiate feel

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Stakeholders of Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center gathered at the school this week for a bond community meeting to learn more about design plans for their new campus, which is being rebuilt under the bond program.

Flexibility, a hallmark of 21st Century school-planning, features prominently in the design. The building would feature a large open courtyard that will function as a flexible outdoor learning and gathering space, and also serve as an extension of the dining area. A large grand stair is also featured in the plans and would serve as a flexible informal sitting and gathering space for students, but can also be used by class-sized groups for lectures or presentations.

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HISD interim superintendent calls for school finance reform as district aims to build on literacy gains

HISD Board President Manuel Rodriguez announces district’s first-place win of prestigious Magna Award for literacy efforts

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Speaking before a packed ballroom, HISD Interim Superintendent Ken Huewitt urged the community to rally around its most struggling schools, while Board of Education President Manuel Rodriguez announced the district has won a national Magna Award for its literacy efforts.

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33 HISD schools earn spot on 2015 Texas Honor Roll

 List includes schools that exhibit high academic achievement and have reduced achievement gaps

Thirty-three schools from across the Houston Independent School District have been named to the 2015 Texas Honor Roll by the Educational Results Partnership, a nonprofit organization that showcases schools with high academic achievement.

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Graduation ceremony schedule announced for the Class of 2016

A student from Davis HS at the 2015 graduation ceremony.

A student from Davis HS at the 2015 graduation ceremony.

Hundreds of HISD students will take their first steps into adulthood this spring, when they walk across a stage to collect their diplomas as part of the district’s annual graduation ceremonies.

Most ceremonies will take place at various locations around the city (primarily the Barnett Fieldhouse, Butler Fieldhouse, NRG Arena/Stadium, Texas Southern University campus, and Williams Pavilion) between Friday, May 27, and Sunday, May 29.

However, a few will be taking place earlier (Leland College Prep on Tuesday, May 24; E-STEM on Thursday, May 26) or later (Liberty HS on Sunday, June 12), so be sure to check the schedule here for details. You can also find it at www.HoustonISD.org/GraduationCalendar.

Yates HS teacher ‘Caught in the Act’ of delivering great instruction

Biology teacher Demond Carter was “Caught in the Act” of delivering outstanding instruction to his students during a recent lesson on how to dissect a pig.

An HISD video crew, along with Secondary Curriculum and Development Officer Annie Wolfe, surprised Carter and his students and captured the video below.

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The “Caught in the Act”— or CIA — video campaign was started by HISD to recognize highly effective teachers who are delivering instruction that will lead to students become Global Graduates: young men and women who possess the skills necessary to ensure success in college and the ability to compete in today’s global workforce.

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Thelonious Monk Institute launches week of jazz at four HISD schools

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A weeklong celebration of jazz kicked off at Waltrip HS on Feb. 29, as the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz brought its “Peer-to-Peer” jazz education program to HISD. HISD was one of only six school districts selected nationwide this year to host the program.

The program started with what the Institute dubs an “informance” — a performance and lesson combined — performed by a group of gifted students from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA).

“We’re here to share knowledge about jazz, but also, I guess, more importantly what jazz represents,” said LACHSA student and percussionist Austin Kim, 15. “The American values it teaches,” interjected LACHSA student and pianist Jamael Dean, 17.

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Student Congress seeking volunteers, speakers for April 9 TEDxHISD

HISD’s Student Congress, in partnership with Rice University, will be conducting a TEDxHISD conference on April 9, 2016, and leaders of that organization are still seeking both volunteers and speakers.

TEDx are independently organized events designed to bring people together to share great ideas. The TEDxHISD event will take place from noon until 6 p.m. in the Anderson Bio Lab Lecture Hall 131 at Rice University (6100 Main Street, 77005). It is open to all HISD high-school students.

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Community partnership lets Pilgrim Academy students explore ‘Pathways to Law’

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Pilgrim Academy students pose with retired Jones Day attorney Jim Teater during a “Pathways to Law” exercise on Feb. 22.

Students at HISD’s Pilgrim Academy have been exploring the intricacies of the Fourth Amendment’s search-and-seizure clause as part of an ongoing partnership with the international Jones Day law firm.

Founded in 2013 by former Jones Day attorney Jim Teater (now retired), the “Pathways to Law” program is designed to help eighth-grade students develop a better understanding of the law and expose them to possible careers in the legal field.

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