Author Archives: HISD Communications

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.”

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Astros mascot leads pep rally for reading at HISD schools

The Houston Astros mascot, Orbit, not only encourages fans at Minute Maid — he’s pumping up students to get excited about reading.

Orbit served as the Master of Ceremonies for literacy pep rallies at several HISD elementary schools. Excited elementary students were entertained with animated skits, vibrant performances, lively music, interactive games, and teacher participation in an effort to encourage them to read at least 20 minutes daily.

Orbit’s visit was made possible by a partnership among the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Phillips 66, Houston Astros, and HISD.

Phuong Uyen Tieu named principal of Reagan PK-8

Phuong Tieu poses for a photograph during the Professional Learning Series at NRG Center, June 15, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Phuong Uyen Tieu has been named principal of Billy Reagan K8 Educational Center. Tieu graduated from Hastings High School and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Houston and a master’s degree in education administration from Concordia University in Austin. Following her undergraduate education, she worked in corporate America for eight years before becoming a teacher. Tieu began her career in education at Stafford Municipal School District, where she served as an elementary school teacher, dual language coordinator, and dean of instruction.

Currently, she is an assistant principal at Scarborough High School. Tieu has two children, Olivia, 12, and Ethan, 10.

Student-run Apollo Market serves 200 families more than 6,000 lbs. of groceries

Sharpstown High School students, as well as volunteers from Morgan Stanley, Memorial Hermann, and Volunteer Houston, made the holiday season a little brighter for their community at last weekend’s Apollo market. Approximately 200 families were provided with more than 6,000 pounds of groceries.

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The Apollo Market is a weekly food distribution run entirely by student volunteers, but the December 12 market included a special holiday fair for the community, which included:

* fresh groceries, including a turkey

* a recipe demonstration by the Sharpstown High School HealthCorps Cooking Club

* free blood-pressure screenings from Memorial Hermann Southwest staff

* the opportunity to learn more about the onsite Memorial Hermann school clinic

* a nutrition demonstration by Houston Food Bank staff

* booths with holiday games and activities provided by Morgan Stanley staff * the opportunity to register for eligible social services with Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS).

“This was such a great event to support the local community.” said Sharpstown community member Kim Benson. “I was impressed by the students, who were helpful and sweet. It really puts you in the holiday spirit.”

HISD Board of Education Runoff Election Results

Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones and Trustee Manuel Rodriguez Jr. were re-elected to the Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Saturday, according to final, but unofficial results of the trustee runoff election.

Skillern-Jones, who has served on the board for four years, defeated challenger Larry Williams to retain her District II seat. Rodriguez, who has served on the board for 11 years, defeated challenger Jose Leal in the race for the District III spot.

Both will serve a four-year term, which formally begins when they are sworn in during the first 2016 Board of Education meeting on January 14.

In addition to serving as board president, Skillern-Jones also represents HISD on the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Board of Directors. The native Houstonian earned both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in clinical sociology from Texas Southern University.

Rodriguez, who serves as first vice president of the board and was first elected in 2003, is the founder and president of the MARVAA Corporation, which provides assistance in education, housing, and community involvement. A graduate of HISD’s Stephen F. Austin High School, Rodriguez earned an associate of arts degree in social sciences from Solana Community College and studied organizational behavior management and marketing at University of Houston.

Joining Skillern-Jones and Rodriguez are Diana Dávila and Jolanda Jones, both of whom were elected to the board in November’s general election.

Jones won a seat on the board for the first time, beating out three opponents to fill the District IV spot being vacated by departing Trustee Paula Harris. Jones owns the Law Office of Jolanda Jones and previously spent four years on the Houston City Council, where she served as a council member at-large in District V. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Houston and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

A former HISD teacher, Dávila previously served on the HISD Board from 2003 to 2010. She defeated incumbent Trustee Juliet Stipeche for the District VIII seat. A graduate of HISD’s Milby High School, Dávila earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on bilingual education from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in educational management and principal certification from University of Houston-Clear Lake.