Author Archives: HISD Communications

Meet HISD’s one and only ‘Career Cowboy,’ Jake Breier

In this edition of I Am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, we talk to Jake Breier about how he became the district’s “Career Cowboy,” what he has learned about managing expectations through costumes, and the changes audiences can expect to see in the program this year.

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Let’s start with the basics. What is a “career cowboy” and what does one do?

Basically, I do two things: presentations (about possible careers) and activity stations. The presentations usually involve information and music, but recently we got a robot like the ones a few high schools received last year. Mine is blue, and sometimes I bring it out to talk about engineering and programming. Kids love it. Continue reading

Emerge recruiting students to prepare for college at top universities

A group of Eastwood Academy 10th and 11th graders learned what it takes to be in HISD’s Emerge program, which helps prepare high school students to receive college acceptances and scholarships to the nation’s top colleges and universities.

“We’re looking for students who aren’t afraid to work hard and show their drive,” said Emerge program manager Karthik Soora at an Emerge information session Tuesday at Eastwood.

Emerge is holding information sessions this month at various high schools across the district to encourage more students to apply for the program. The deadline for students to submit an Emerge application is Nov. 1. Continue reading

Oliver grant to let Davis HS culinary students share their knowledge

Students in Davis High School’s culinary arts program will soon be delivering lessons on cooking and healthy eating to their peers, thanks to a $3,000 grant from the Oliver Foundation.

Davis recently became the second HISD campus to receive a grant from that organization. The first was Condit ES in September. Continue reading

Three senior athletes earn Positive Coaching Alliance scholarships

Karoline Hight, Aaron Reese, Tre-Shunda James

Three Houston ISD seniors each have $2,000 scholarships to put toward college thanks to the Positive Coaching Alliance.

Karoline Hight (swimming) of Bellaire HS, Aaron Reese (football) of Kashmere HS and Tre’Shunda James (volleyball) of Carnegie Vanguard HS received Triple-Impact Competitors scholarships at a banquet held on Oct. 18.

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YWCPA teacher hopes ‘a flip on the flip’ will lead to a $25,000 award

Students in Sarah Campbell's 7th-grade writing class use Edmodo as a portal to conducting their lessons at Young Women's College Preparatory Academy, October 15, 2013. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Sarah Campbell

Sarah Campbell has been incorporating technology in her classroom since HISD’s PowerUp initiative came to her campus last fall. Now, the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy teacher and member of the PowerUp Teacher Leader Corps is hoping to parlay her cutting-edge instructional methods into national recognition and a big cash prize.

Campbell was one of three HISD educators nominated by Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Officer Lance Menster for the TNTP’s Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice, which recognizes exceptional teachers working in high-poverty public schools and comes with a top award of $25,000. Continue reading

Lee HS community briefed on construction plans for new school

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A community meeting was held Monday evening to discuss design plans and the construction timeline for the new 21st century campus at Lee High School.

Through HISD’s 2012 bond program, $73.8 million has been allocated to build the new Lee HS campus. The new 240,000-square-foot facility will include state-of-the-art technology with flexibility to allow for future upgrades. The two-story school will be divided into four neighborhood wings with open spaces and plenty of windows to maximize natural light.

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Madison HS names young cancer patient honorary team captain at homecoming

 (Houston Independent School District)

Kyssi Andrews poses with the Marlins’ usual team captain, senior Dornell Murrell.

Young Khrystin “Kyssi” Andrews has been getting a lot of attention since her mother waged a social media campaign to obtain a much-needed medical test for her daughter in 2012.

Last week, the three-time cancer survivor went on a dream date with “Prince Charming” in honor of her sixth birthday, and on Oct. 17, she was named the honorary team captain of the Madison High School Marlins during their homecoming game against the Austin High School Mustangs.  Continue reading

Brian Ching is the face of Read Houston Read in new public service announcement

The Houston Dynamo and Dash professional soccer teams are official sponsors of HISD’s Read Houston Read volunteer program, and their most visible face is helping to recruit reader-mentors.

Brian Ching, longtime star with the Dynamo and the U.S. Men’s National Team and now managing director of the Dash women’s team, has recorded a public service announcement seeking volunteers for Read Houston Read.

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Ching spent a day with students at The Rusk School near BBVA Compass Stadium, where the Dynamo and Dash play, to read with them and record the message. Continue reading

A college visit to Texas A&M sparks students’ drive to succeed

The cadets in uniform, the large buildings, the football stadium, and students skateboarding and riding bicycles to class were some of the first things Yates High School senior Jason Covarrubias noticed upon arriving on the campus of Texas A&M University.

Until last week, he had never visited a college outside of Houston.

“I could go by myself on a college visit, but I’d be lost in the process,” he said. “My parents probably couldn’t go with me because they have to work, and I work on the weekends. So for HISD to do this, I really appreciate it.”

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HISD took about 120 12th graders to College Station last week to visit Texas A&M. Students from Davis, Furr, Kashmere, North Forest, Worthing, and Yates high schools and Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy boarded charter buses as early as 6:30 a.m. to participate in the day-long trip. Continue reading

Condit ES stakeholders hear construction plans ahead of groundbreaking

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Condit Elementary parents and neighbors gathered for a community meeting Thursday evening to hear about the construction timeline and see final design plans for the school’s new 21st century campus. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 1, and construction will begin before the end of the year.

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