Author Archives: HISD Communications

YWCPA stakeholders briefed on initial design plans for renovated school

One of HISD’s oldest school buildings is undergoing a $27.1 million makeover that will preserve its historic past while integrating modern learning spaces designed to prepare students for the future.

“This is a magnificent building,” said Architect Carolina Weitzman during a community meeting Tuesday at the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy, located at 1906 Cleburne. “It’s got great bones.”

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‘Caught in the Act’ spotlights Wheatley HS geometry teacher

Keisha Evans, a Wheatley High School teacher, was “Caught in the Act” of delivering great instruction during a sophomore geometry class toward the end of the 2014–2015 school year. An HISD video crew, along with Secondary Curriculum and Development Officer Annie Wolfe, surprised Evans and her students, and captured the video below.

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The “Caught in the Act” video campaign was started by HISD earlier this year to recognize highly effective teachers who are delivering instruction that will lead to students becoming 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. Continue reading →

Phase 3 of PowerUp begins

Monday was an exciting first day of duty for teachers at DeBakey High School for Health Professions. They received their laptops in the third phase of HISD’s PowerUp initiative.

“I’m excited about how I’m going to use it in my classroom,” said math teacher Wilson Chavez. “Sometimes it’s difficult to implement technology in math, but I have exciting plans to use it for various projects.”

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The teachers are currently receiving training on their laptops, including how to use web-based tools in their daily instruction through the HUB. Continue reading →

Sign up now to participate in 2015 Grads Within Reach walk

HISD wants to get dropouts back in school, and to do that, we need your help.

The district’s annual Grads Within Reach walk will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, and we’re looking for caring community members to visit the homes of students who have not returned to finish their high school education and help them explore the many options for graduation that HISD offers. Continue reading →

Twenty-nine HISD schools awarded by TEA for top performance in 2014-2015

Campuses receive every distinction designation available from the state.

Twenty-nine schools from across the Houston Independent School District earned the maximum number of distinction designations from the state for their top performance throughout the 2014-2015 school year.

The campuses – 17 elementary schools, six middle schools and six high schools – earned every distinction designation awarded by the Texas Education Agency. Schools are eligible for distinctions if they are rated as having “Met Standard” — the highest rating under the state accountability system — and meet various other performance standards.

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Officers, personnel honored at annual HISD Police Department Awards Luncheon

About 150 officers, personnel and family members of the Houston Independent School District Police Department gathered at Peck Elementary School on Friday to honor outstanding employees during their 18th Annual Awards Luncheon. The ceremony celebrates the achievements, outstanding customer service and contributions of the department during the academic school year.

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2015 Green Schools Challenge winners announced

The 2015 Green Schools competition has concluded, and HISD’s Energy & Sustainability Department is pleased to announce the winners of the Green Schools Challenge.

Mistral Early Childhood Center, Baylor College of Medicine Academy, McGowen Elementary, Piney Point Elementary, Seguin Elementary, and Garden Oaks Elementary all placed in the contest. As part of the competition, 28 schools pledged to take energy saving actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help protect the environment for future generations. Schools also were encouraged to become a registered Eco-School through the National Wildlife Federation.

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Sterling HS to add welding to course offerings

Sterling High School will offer a new course in its airframe engineering and design program in the 2015–2016 school year: welding.

The school is able to offer welding through a new partnership with Houston Community College. Students who successfully complete all of the necessary courses will earn a certificate as a welder’s helper. If they go on to study at Houston Community College, they will be able to take advanced welding courses there. Continue reading →

Washington HS students achieve liftoff in New Mexico

It took them five long years to do it, but the High Altitude Rocketry Team from Washington High School has finally achieved success.

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On their fifth visit to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico this July, the team managed to launch its 23-foot suborbital rocket. Continue reading →