Author Archives: HISD Communications

Bellaire HS students visit set of local show to learn more about broadcasting

Students in Bellaire High School teacher Charles Sanders’ structured learning class (for children with autism spectrum disorders) got a peek behind the scenes of a real television show recently, when they served as audience members on Great Day Houston, hosted by Deborah Duncan.

The students visited the set to learn more about the different types of work that go into producing and taping a live performance.

“A few of our students have technical theatre or theatre arts for an elective,” explained Sanders. “They have helped with the preparation of a few performances of the Bellaire Belles (the school’s dance team) and various plays this school year. So we wanted to see an actual live performance put on and we had an awesome time.”

Coding club students learn how to build computers

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Over the winter break, Lockhart Elementary School hosted a free three-day computer camp for 60 students in a coding club sponsored by Schlumberger, a global technology supplier. The camp was also sponsored by KidsXplore, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching kids about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Students in grades 4-6 learned how to build computers using a new computer platform called Raspberry Pi. The students connected wireless keyboards, monitors and speakers to their CPUs (central processing units). Once their computers were built, students connected them to a Wi-Fi network where they were able to load Scratch and other computer programming software. Students also participated in a circuits workshop to explore circuit design. Continue reading →

Businesses learn about role they can play in Read Houston Read

Representatives from dozens of local businesses gathered Friday, Jan. 9 to learn how their companies could help Houston ISD first-graders learn how to read. It only takes 30 minutes per week, and volunteers can make a difference without ever leaving their desk.

Neil Bush, chairman of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and a Read Houston Read volunteer, said he plays games, including an educational version of Tic-Tac-Toe, with his assigned student, Savannah. They also go through digital flash cards and read a book each session. Continue reading →

Celebrations mark beginning of construction for 2012 bond projects

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Right on schedule, the fourth quarter of 2014 brought the beginning of construction for the 17 schools in Group 1 of HISD’s current bond program, bringing groundbreaking ceremonies and more activity to worksites across the district.

Continue reading →

High school students receive diplomas at fall semester graduation ceremony

fallgraduation2 More than 80 students received their high school diplomas at the HISD fall 2014 graduation ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 10.

Organized by the district’s Office of School Support, the ceremony recognized students from various high schools for completing the required courses and passing the state assessments during the fall semester. Among those were the first four graduates from the district’s Middle College High School at HCC Felix Fraga, which opened in August 2014: Jennifer Baltazar (below, right), Selena Hernandez (center), Verner Potts, and Nataly Ramon (not pictured). Continue reading →

HISD to link virtual learning to classroom with on the job video conferences

Career professionals will soon be able to join an HISD class virtually to speak to students live on camera about their industry, giving students an up-close and personal look at numerous professions.

As part of a new HISD Linked Learning initiative to combine core academics with career-based knowledge, hundreds of career and technical education teachers participated in a two-hour training this week to learn how to use Nepris.com, a web-based platform that easily connects teachers and students with industry experts for video conferences. Although teachers often organize face-to-face student visits with professionals, this tool will allow teachers and students to participate in these sessions without having to leave the classroom. Continue reading →

EMERGE scholars reunite to reflect on college experience, prepare for internships

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Graduates of HISD’s EMERGE program reflected on their first semester of college and learned how to begin a summer internship search during a “homecoming” event held especially for them on Jan. 6. The EMERGE Scholar Homecoming, which took place at the University of Houston, reunited students who came home for the winter break from colleges such as Columbia University, Oberlin College, Smith College, and Yale University. Continue reading →

College acceptance letters start arriving for members of Class of 2015

Lamar senior Tyra Jenkins poses with the acceptance letter she received from Cornell University. Cornell is her dream school, and she plans to attend it in the fall.

Graduating seniors are starting to discover where their quest for higher education will take them this fall, as colleges and universities across the country are sending out letters of acceptance to those who applied for admission early.

More than two dozen students in the district’s EMERGE program have already received either early decision or early action notices from top tier schools, including Stanford, Notre Dame, Rice, Cornell, and Harvard. Continue reading →

Senior challenges giving students extra incentive to apply to college

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Completing college and financial aid applications early often yields its own rewards, but for students at two HISD campuses, it could also mean a free ticket to the senior prom or a day spent shadowing an admired professional.

Sharpstown High School Principal Rob Gasparello launched the Senior Challenge at his campus last fall, and students who meet all criteria are eligible to attend both the senior prom and the annual senior trip for free. Continue reading →

HISD school nurses get additional training on preventing spread of flu

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HISD school nurses attended a training session recently on the best way to manage and prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as influenza.

In Texas, the flu is currently being reported at higher levels than this time last year. The same holds true for HISD, where more elementary school children have been diagnosed with the flu than other grade levels. Continue reading →

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