Author Archives: HISD Communications

Wheatley HS biology teacher named finalist for Presidential Award

Wheatley High School biology teacher Ferleshare Starks poses for a photograph in her classroom, August 14, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Ferleshare Starks

Ferleshare Starks, a biology teacher at HISD’s Wheatley High School, has been named a finalist for the 2015 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Starks, who came to HISD from Fort Bend ISD last year, is one of only 10 educators from Texas to be so honored. She was nominated by Tia Watson, a first-year teacher she is mentoring.

“Being nominated by my mentee is one of the highlights of my career,” said Starks. “My passion is to fill all new teachers with a love for science. Being named a finalist has given me an overwhelming sense of gratitude.”

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Nominate HISD’s next Service Excellence Employee of the Month

Have you recently recognized an employee, coworker or team member at HISD go above and beyond in providing exceptional customer service? Nominate him or her for the Service Excellence Employee of the Month!

Anyone can nominate an employee under Business Operations—meaning a principal, co-worker, secretary, general manager, community member, or a parent. The honorees will be recognized during a breakfast with Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla.

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Pilgrim Academy K-8 has strong showing at first bond community meeting

A standing-room-only crowd filled the library at Pilgrim Academy for a bond community meeting this week to hear about plans for a new addition to the popular K-8 neighborhood school.

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Elections for Board of Education members set for Nov. 3

Four of the nine seats will be up for election; deadline to file is Aug. 24

A public election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, to fill four seats on the HISD Board of Education.

The terms of the trustees who currently hold those positions are expiring at the end of the year. They are:

  • District II (.pdf) currently held by President Rhonda Skillern-Jones
  • District III (.pdf), currently held by First Vice President Manuel Rodriguez
  • District IV (.pdf), currently held by Secretary Paula Harris
  • District VIII (.pdf), currently held by Assistant Secretary Juliet Stipeche

The filing period began on July 25 and continues through 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24. Election winners will start their four-year terms in January 2016.

To be eligible for office, a candidate must be a registered voter, at least 18 years old, and a citizen of the United States. Additionally, candidates must have lived in Texas for the past 12 months and in the district he or she wishes to represent for the past six months. Those who have been convicted of a felony and are still serving their sentence, as well those who have been deemed by a court to be mentally incapacitated, are not eligible.

Preparing today’s high school graduates for the future

HISD recognizes the need to instill in students the skills they will need to be successful after high school, in college, or the workplace, and to compete in today’s global economy. In this month’s edition of Up Close, HISD Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones discusses the skills and characteristics of the Global Graduate with HISD Secondary Curriculum and Development Officer Annie Wolfe, Davis High School Principal Julissa Alcantar-Martinez, Chief Elementary Curriculum and Development Officer Lance Menster, and Shadydale Elementary School Principal Tammie Daily.

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq7j0fcB01Q”]

“HISD engaged industry leaders, educators, university professors, community leaders, parents, and students to determine what knowledge, skills, and dispositions are critically important to have in place when a child graduates from HISD,” explained Menster. “Interestingly, they all focused on the six characteristics that form HISD’s Global Graduate profile.” Continue reading →

HISD receives Platinum Pear award from Dept. of Agriculture

(Houston Independent School District)

Dietitian Manager Amanda Oceguera accepts a Platinum Pear award for Nutrition Services’ efforts to serve locally-sourced foods.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) honored HISD Nutrition Services this year with its Platinum Pear Award.

TDA challenged Texas schools to include three local products on their menus during the 2015 School Breakfast Week. Nutrition Services met the challenge by serving locally sourced cinnamon toast, low-fat milk, and apple juice March 2–6.

Nutrition Services Senior Administrator Audene Chung stated that one of the department’s goals is to support Texas farmers. “Our department buys locally-sourced products to bring the freshest products to our students,” she said.

TDA’s Growing Healthy Texans awards were distributed during the Texas Association for School Nutrition’s annual conference in Grapevine, Texas.

Business Operations employees recognized for Service Excellence

Three HISD employees were recognized on Tuesday morning as August’s Employee of the month for Service Excellence during a special breakfast with Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla.

Each month, HISD’s Business Operations department hosts the event to celebrate employees from the areas of Transportation, Police, Nutrition Services, Construction and Facilities Services, and Business Assistance who go above and beyond in providing customer service throughout the district. Continue reading →

Principal uses HISD training to help crash victim

(Houston Independent School District)

Principal Angela Sugarek

Hogg Middle School Principal Angela Sugarek used the fire extinguisher training she received through HISD on Aug. 7, when she witnessed a fiery crash while on her way to work.

Sugarek said a driver slammed into the back of a truck that was preparing to turn, and she stopped to make sure everyone was OK.

“I saw that one of the drivers was still in his car, and that the engine was on fire,” Sugarek said. “I helped another witness to get a car door open so that the driver could get out.” Continue reading →

Homeless Education Office to host Back-to-School Extravaganza Aug. 21

Classes start on Monday, Aug. 24, but just a few days before that, HISD’s Homeless Education Office will help you get your child ready to go back to school.

The office is hosting a Back-to-School Extravaganza from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, at Bethel’s Place Empowerment Center (12660 Sandpiper, 77035). Continue reading →