Author Archives: HISD Communications

Still looking for the perfect school for next school year?

If you are looking for an HISD magnet school for the 2015–2016 school year, you will have an opportunity to learn more about dozens of schools with openings firsthand at the HISD School Choice Fair. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 25, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th Street, Houston 77092.

“This event will provide an opportunity for parents and students to visit with representatives from HISD schools to learn more about exceptional programs that still have space available,” said Mark Shenker, assistant superintendent of School Choice. “These include magnet schools, multilingual programs, neighborhood schools, and preschool programs.” Continue reading →

HISD Police Department welcomes newest officer during ceremony

The Houston Independent School District Police Department welcomed its newest police officer during a swearing-in ceremony at its headquarters on Monday morning.

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‘When I Grow Up’ career expo draws crowd of thousands

Despite an overcast sky and the threat of rain, an estimated 5,107 students, parents, and community members attended the third annual “When I Grow Up” career expo on April 11. Students of all ages talked with representatives from nearly 100 local companies and employers. Click here to see a list of participants.

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“We are very pleased with the growth of this event,” said HISD Career and Technical Education Manager Dana Sturdevant. “Each year the career expo is bigger and better – more students attend, and our partner companies provide more engaging hands-on experiences.”  Continue reading →

Schools in DFW area offer Jordan HS planners a glimpse of 21st century CTE spaces

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HISD educators are looking at the district’s $1.89 billion building program as a unique opportunity to align their buildings with 21st century education – especially career and technical programs.

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Johnston MS student named myON’s second ‘Reader Leader’

Robert Edmond

Robert Edmond

Robert Edmond, a sixth-grader at Johnston Middle School, has been named the second “Reader Leader” by myON for logging the most time spent reading on that website during a particular month.

Alfredo read for 13 hours and eight minutes on myON in March. He also completed 109 books and took their accompanying quizzes.

As a part of his prize, Robert received a laptop (with computer case) from Muses3, LLC, the representative of myON in southeast Texas.

“This was another very tight race,” said Linda Bessmer, managing partner of Muses3. “Robert’s teacher, Wilfred Dacus, instituted a myON Camp for his Life Skills students, where they spent concentrated time reading on myON, and several other Johnston students were only minutes away from the leader’s record, with elementary students close behind.”

Robert was formally recognized during a special ceremony held on his campus April 10.

Photo courtesy Muses3, LLC.

Burbank MS student wins scholarship to summer math camp

Shermya Parkere poses with Principal Rosa Hernandez (L) and teacher Olivia Holub

Shermya Parkere poses with Principal Rosa Hernandez (L) and teacher Olivia Holub

Shermya Parkere, a seventh-grader at Burbank Middle School, is one of one two middle-school students in the State of Texas to win a Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) scholarship to attend the Summer Mathematics Institute (SMI).

The program is sponsored by the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at the University of North Texas. Shermya will live on the college campus and meet other gifted students who share her passion for mathematics. She learned of the opportunity to apply for the scholarship from her math teacher, Olivia Holub.

“I was really surprised and excited,” said Shermya, who plans to pursue a medical career as an obstetrician. “This experience will look great on my applications next year, when I apply to high schools.”

The institute is a three-week residential program with an intense focus on mathematics. Students enroll in a single class and have the opportunity to complete one year of high school mathematics in this self-paced program.

Thanks to the generosity of Summer Mathematics Institute, the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) has awarded the full scholarships to the SMI program, valued at $2,250.

Nutrition Services honored with the No Kid Hungry Breakfast Champion Award

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HISD’s Nutrition Services Department was presented with the No Kid Hungry Breakfast Champion Award, sponsored by Share Our Strength during a pep rally event on Wednesday at Marshall Middle School. The department provides the First Class Breakfast program, offered in more than 240 locations districtwide.

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Submit nominations for HISD School Nurse of the Year by April 17

Do you know a great nurse at a Houston ISD school? Nominate him or her for the district’s 2014-2015 School Nurse of the Year award!

Nominees must have at least five years of experience as a school nurse and spend at least 50 percent of their time caring directly for students.

Anyone can make a nomination by submitting a form (.pdf) and a letter of support. Applications are due by April 17.

The nominee will need to submit his or her resume, a PowerPoint of no more than 10 slides that includes photos of them interacting with students, an essay describing their personal strengths, and letters of recommendation.

For more information, contact the Health and Medical Services department at 713-556-7280. Also see this related flyer (.pdf) on five ways nurse benefit schools.

HISD elementary school receives $50,000 grant for smart boards, books

Bruce Elementary School was selected this week to receive a $50,000 grant from the Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children, an organization that provides educational resources to underfunded schools in urban and rural communities.

Bruce Elementary was one of nine schools from across the country to receive the grant, which will be used to purchase interactive whiteboards and nonfiction books for existing classroom libraries to boost literacy through student engagement and teacher effectiveness.

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Student Congress using literacy to cultivate readers, leaders

Students from North Houston Early College High School read to second-graders at Roosevelt Elementary School.

Students from North Houston Early College High School read to second-graders at Roosevelt Elementary School.

Literacy is so important to HISD’s newly formed Student Congress that the organization has already created its own mentoring program.

“Bring a Book” got its start last September, when Congress members began brainstorming ideas for possible service projects. After agreeing to focus on literacy, the group decided to pair high-school students with second-graders to develop the younger children’s reading comprehension skills.

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