Author Archives: HISD Communications

First magnet deadline is today at 11:59 p.m.

The first magnet deadline to apply for guaranteed consideration in the first round ends today, Dec. 18, at 11:59 p.m. Any applications received after today’s deadline will be considered only for schools where there is still space available.

Completed applications can be submitted in the following three ways:

* Submit it online at hisdchoice.com (online applications provide more options for tracking and staying up-to-date)

* Hand-deliver or send by U.S. mail to the Office of School Choice at 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77092

* Scan the paper application and e-mail it to magnet@houstonisd.org, along with the required documents

The big day is March 24, 2016. That’s when parents will learn the status of their application – results will be available online and also sent by mail. If a child has been offered a seat in a program, the parents have two weeks to provide proof of residence and sign an entrance agreement.

If their student is placed on a waiting list, parents can monitor changes in application status throughout the summer, at which time they may be able to submit additional applications to programs with available seats.

For more information on the magnet application process, please contact HISD’s Office of School Choice at 713-556-6947.

HISD Office of Internal Audit finds no evidence of improper test procedures at Reagan HS

The Houston Independent School District Office of Internal Audit completed its investigation into allegations of improper testing processes at Reagan High School, and found no evidence to support the claims.

The investigation was launched in August 2015 after the Office of Internal Audit learned of allegations made by a retired teacher who indicated students were allowed to re-take failed final exams multiple times until they earned a passing grade. The teacher further alleged that students were allowed to re-test with corrected scantrons to aid in passing.

Auditors spoke with the retired teacher, who reported overhearing other teachers talk about such a grading practice that was taking place during Saturday school tutorials. The retired teacher told auditors he never witnessed the practice nor did he have documentation of it.

During the course of the investigation, the Office of Internal Audit identified one instance in which a teacher allowed students to re-use scantrons that only had marks on one side and were blank on the other. The scantrons were used for later exams covering different course content.

Auditors also discovered an instance five years ago that involved a teacher who was asked to tutor a student who had failed a physics course in the fall, making him ineligible to graduate in the spring. The teacher tasked with tutoring the student was given a copy of the student’s initial final exam. The student attended Saturday school tutorials, passed the class and was able to graduate on time. The investigation found no policy violation in this instance.

View a copy of the Office of Internal Audit’s investigative report.

New Condit ES to open for 2016-2017 school year

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With the new school construction as a backdrop, this fall students, parents, staff, and neighbors added their signatures to a steel beam that was used in the building of the new Condit Elementary School.

The school is being built adjacent to the existing building while students continue to attend classes. The new $24.3 million facility for 750 students will feature a centralized learning commons area surrounded by a two-story cluster of classrooms, an open-concept design with plenty of natural light and flexible work spaces.

The school has a target opening of August 2016.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

HISD announces partnership with Taipei Department of Education

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The Houston Independent School District joined Thursday with the Department of Education in Taipei to celebrate the formalization of an international partnership between the two organizations.

The Partnerships in Education agreement formally solidifies the friendship between the two entities, allowing the pair to become “sister” organizations. It includes opportunities for the sharing of educational information, coursework and teaching methods between HISD and educators in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, a world leader in information technologies. Continue reading →

HISD receives threat of violence similar to school districts in New York, Los Angeles, Miami

Dec. 16, 2015 — The Houston Independent School District late Wednesday received a threat of violence similar to those received this week by school districts across the nation, including Los Angeles, New York and Miami.

At this time, we do not believe the threat is credible, but as a precautionary measure, law enforcement officers are in the process of conducting random sweeps of school district buildings to ensure student safety. Surrounding law enforcement agencies also have been notified and additional officers will be on patrol Thursday morning.

HISD asks parents and students to be vigilant Thursday morning and report any suspicious activity to police.

School will continue Thursday as scheduled. Should that change, we will notify you.

*10 a.m. update*
HISD Chief of Police will hold media briefing to address security measures in response to threat @10:30 a.m. today.

*10:30 a.m. update*
School is in session today, and no issues have been reported. Teaching and learning are continuing as usual. Though the threat is not believed to be credible, HISD is taking every precaution possible to ensure safety.

Gifted and talented program: What parents need to know

A recent policy revision means that HISD students will have more equitable access to the district’s gifted and talented (G/T) program. Under new board policy, once a child qualifies to receive gifted-and-talented services, they will continue to receive services unless a parent or guardian requests otherwise.

Continue reading →

Bastian ES students surprised by Houston Texans player during annual toy giveaway

A group of 25 students at Bastian Elementary School were surprised with a special delivery by Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph on Tuesday afternoon—just in time for the holidays.

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“I’m so glad to be here doing this for the holidays,” Joseph said. “On behalf of Academy and myself, we came to surprise [students] for this special occasion.”

Joseph, accompanied by team members from Academy Sports + Outdoors, gave students bikes on behalf of The Andre Johnson Foundation’s annual toy giveaway event. Students were chosen based on perfect attendance and outstanding grades.

“The community at Bastian Elementary is excited to once again team up with the Houston Texans and the Andre Johnson Foundation to do something special for students who have shown excellence throughout the school year,” said Bastian Principal Tonya Roberson.

Nutrition Services encourages culinary students to bake healthy recipes at home

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As a reward for cooking healthier at home, four Gregory Lincoln Education Center students received laptops for participating in a Nutrition Services department healthy recipe contest. Culinary arts students were challenged to bake the Nutrition Services’ sweet potato muffin recipe, which utilizes whole grain flour and real sweet potatoes.

Nutrition Services Education Dietitian Jennifer Lengyel and Gregory Lincoln’s Culinary Arts Teacher Kelly Karavias encouraged the students to integrate nutritious ingredients into a recipe that the whole family will enjoy. “Everybody likes a delicious, warm muffin,” Karavias said. “Parents like it, little kids like it.”

Continue reading →