Author Archives: HISD Communications

Governor bolsters commitment to pre-K funding with visit to HISD

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Days after making early childhood education his top priority upon taking office, Gov. Greg Abbott visited an HISD elementary pre-K program and renewed his call for state support in providing a solid foundation for the state’s youngsters.

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HISD given go-ahead for Washington HS neighborhood demolition project

A preliminary design concept shows the front of the new Booker T. Washington High School.

A preliminary design concept shows the front of the new Booker T. Washington High School.

Demolition is scheduled to begin in early March, which follows the completion of asbestos abatement at 51 properties in Houston’s Independence Heights neighborhood – properties that were acquired by the district to become a part of the new 21st century campus for Booker T. Washington High School.

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March is National Read Aloud Month

Tweet your photos, tips using #Discover15 and #LiteracyBy3

March is National Read Aloud Month, and HISD is teaming up with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation to raise awareness among our families about the importance of reading aloud to children each and every day.

Independent reading and reading aloud are important strategies of Literacy by 3.

Reading aloud, for 15 minutes a day, is critically important during a child’s earliest years of life, and the benefits of reading aloud through the elementary years has been shown to instill a love of reading. In a recent study, researchers found that not only does reading aloud throughout elementary school years expose children to more complex words or stories than when they read alone, but they are also more likely to read more books independently in later years.

In addition to reading a book with a child at bedtime, here are five tips parents can use “on the go” to ensure their children are reading aloud for 15 minutes a day. Continue reading →

Rosa Parks’ story lives on at Daily Elementary

Urana McCauley

Urana McCauley

Urana McCauley shares the inspiration of her aunt’s bravery

History came alive Wednesday for about 400 students at Daily ES as part of Black History Month as the niece of Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks told the story of her aunt’s legendary stand against segregation. Continue reading →

Westside defensive lineman picked for 2016 Army All-American Bowl

Westside High School defensive lineman Jordan Elliot has been selected to participate in the Army All-American Bowl to be played on Jan. 9, 2016, in San Antonio — just one of 90 of the top high school players in the nation to be chosen for the elite game.

Jordan Elliot

Jordan Elliot

Elliot is currently the No. 6 defensive lineman in Texas and No. 33 in the U.S. According to his coach, Mark Byrd, he’s an automatic qualifier to the NCAA and currently holds 17 offers from Division I teams, including University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, University of Alabama, University of Oregon, University of Missouri, and University of Oklahoma.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound junior has been named to the UIL District 20-6A All-District Defensive Team the past two years, and was selected for the Associated Press All-State Team this year.

Outside-the-box Madison team wins Energy City of Future contest and $2,000

Three Madison High School students have been rewarded for thinking creatively about the future. Luis Pineda, Idalia Castro, and Jennifer Valle Camacho earned the honor and $2,000 at the Energy City of the Future 2050 finals at the University of Houston last weekend for their concept of using biomass as Houston’s main alternative energy source.

As part of a 10-week extracurricular project, competitors were challenged with envisioning new ways of developing drinking-water sources, transportation, and energy sources through the use of models, PowerPoint presentations, and public-service announcements. The exercise was designed to develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

The Madison trio of Pineda, Castro, and Valle Camacho — who rank 1, 2, and 3 in their graduating class, respectively — were the only team who dressed up and produced a brochure and animated public service announcement for their presentation. The PSA also earned the team a medal for Best Technology Use, and a judge commented on the prudent use of recyclable materials in the students’ city model.

“My students were creative and really knew how to persuade and sell their product to the judges,” said their adviser, Amanda Torres, an HISD Career Technology Education health science tech.

HISD also fielded teams from Milby High School and Mickey Leland Preparatory Academy.

The competition is organized by the Harris County Department of Education’s Center for Afterschool, Summer, and Expanded Learning for Kids program and funded by the Education Foundation of Harris County.

“Energy City provides students the opportunity to explore energy professions while also studying energy and urban planning solutions,” said CASE for Kids Director Lisa Thompson-Caruthers. “Students collaborate through teamwork, a critical skill set for working within the energy sector.”

Madison HS seniors Jennifer Valle Camacho, Luis Pineda, and Idalia Castro won the Energy City of the Future 2050 finals and a check for $2,000 for their multi-part presentation on using biomass as an alternative energy source.

Madison HS seniors Jennifer Valle Camacho, Luis Pineda, and Idalia Castro won the Energy City of the Future 2050 finals and a check for $2,000 for their multi-part presentation on using biomass as an alternative energy source.

 

Yates communications students show off their green thumbs

IMG_0394Yates High School students in the School of Communications conducted their annual spring gardening event recently in order to bring attention to food deserts such as Houston’s Third Ward. Many areas of Houston have relatively few grocery stores, making the choices for nutritious food in short supply. Continue reading →

Upcoming Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) Parent Summit to offer resources and information for parents

The annual Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) Parent Summit is being held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Houston Hilton Westchase, 999 Westheimer 77042. The event is free for parents, and will offer information and resources on topics such as federal student aid, communicating with tweens and teens, bullying and cyber-bullying, special education processes, and more. Continue reading →