Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD rolls out workplace bullying training for all employees

Houston Independent School District is continuing its effort to eliminate workplace bullying by introducing a new training course for employees.IMG_3619

Under the new policy adopted in August 2014, the district is taking steps to protect the emotional and physical well-being of its adult team members by passing one of the first comprehensive anti-bullying policies in the nation for public school employees.

Under HISD policy, anyone who witnesses bullying or a form of intimidation can also report it. The course explains the definition of workplace bullying—how to identify it and the process of filing a formal report through management.

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Art contest winners for Police Appreciation Week announced

The Houston Independent School District Police Department has announced the winners of its first Police Appreciation Week Art Contest.

Third- through fifth-grade students throughout the district showcased their artistic skills on a range of law enforcement themes, including highlighting any HISD campus officer, honoring a relative in law enforcement, or the different types of law enforcement officers.

“It was amazing to see the themes and imaginations of our third-, fourth- and fifth-graders,” said Lt. Guadalupe Jimenez. “Their illustrations showed the time and effort that was contributed by each student.”

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HISD recognizes 2015’s top volunteers for their ‘Work of Heart’

In a (literally) heart-filled ceremony on Thursday, May 14, HISD honored the district’s top volunteers from the longstanding Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) program. VIPS, which was first launched in 1970, now has more than 30,000 volunteers districtwide who have dedicated countless hours to schools, programs, and events across Houston.

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During the ceremony, awards were presented to four individuals to recognize their outstanding efforts as volunteers in HISD schools.

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HISD schools sweep recycling bin decorating contest

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He may have cardboard for horns and empty plastic water bottles for brains, but that hasn’t stopped the Milby High School mascot from making a big impression on visitors to the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092).

Students from that school’s Peace Club decorated a 96-gallon recycling bin from the City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department as part of an art contest called “Growing Up Recycling,” and their submission won the $500 first prize. Continue reading →

HISD to announce its Teachers of the Year on Friday, May 15

HISD will be announcing its Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year during the district’s annual Celebration of Excellence on Friday, May 15.

The ceremony won’t start until 6 p.m. that evening, so be sure to follow us on Twitter or visit the district’s website after the event concludes at 8 p.m. to see who won the titles for 2015.

You can see a list of the ten finalists (along with a photo gallery of most of them in action) here.

Also announced that night will be the “Fan Favorite,” a new category of recognition created this year to honor the people’s choice for the most-liked campus-based Teacher of the Year. People began voting for their favorites on May 1, and you can see a list of the six finalists here.

Peck Elementary recognized for service to homeless students by Ellen DeGeneres Show

A KHOU-TV Channel 11 news report that aired late last month on Peck Elementary School has resulted in a big surprise for the campus and its principal—and some very public recognition on a popular TV show.

Ellen DeGeneres, the host of the daytime talk show of the same name, heard about the district’s Homeless Outreach Center there through that broadcast, and her staff reached out to Principal Carlotta Brown to see if they could feature the school on the show.

That episode aired on Thursday, May 14, and during the segment, Brown was surprised with a $100,000 check to support campus programs and a $10,000 check for herself. (Watch the segment here.) Continue reading →

Read Houston Read volunteers recognized for service to students

In 71 hours, a person can ride a bicycle from Paris, France, to Brest and back or complete 48 orbits of planet earth. For Mimie Taylor, who was honored at Thursday’s Read Houston Read Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, those 71 hours were best spent helping first-graders improve their reading skills at Garcia Elementary School.

“Tuesdays and Thursdays are dedicated to Read Houston Read and my scholars,” said Taylor brightly.

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Reagan HS educator spotlighted for great instructional practices

Reagan High School English teacher Ina Knight was recently “Caught in the Act” of great instruction during a lesson on the Shakespeare classic Romeo and Juliet. An HISD video crew, along with Secondary Curriculum and Development Officer Annie Wolfe, surprised Knight and her 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 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 →

East Early College HS places second in national SECME competition

East Early College HS Falcon 1 team, Pablo Flores, Miguel Lara, and Alejandro Meza

East Early College HS Falcon 1 team, Pablo Flores, Miguel Lara, and Alejandro Meza

The East Early College High School’s (EECHS) Falcon 1 team, whose members are Pablo Flores, Miguel Lara, and Alejandro Meza, won second place in the High School Water Rocketry category at the 2015 National SECME (Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering) Competition.

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