Author Archives: HISD Communications

Fonville MS robotics team wins tournament its first time out

The fledgling robotics team at Fonville Middle School might be relatively new, but that doesn’t mean its members don’t know a thing or two about how to win a competition.

The Fonville team outperformed several high school teams recently to claim top honors at HISD’s VEX West competition. The students shared the title of “tournament champions” with their allies from Lamar High School, and also received the “Cooperate Award” for demonstrating extraordinary teamwork under pressure. Continue reading →

FRAC grant to bring First Class Breakfast to more high school students

Students at eight HISD high schools will now receive their first meal of the day right in their classrooms, thanks to a $64,000 grant from the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), funded by Kellogg’s corporate citizenship fund.

The money will be used to purchase equipment, food, labor, and marketing materials to implement the First Class Breakfast program at Kashmere, Lee, Madison, Milby, Sam Houston, Sterling, Washington, and Wheatley high schools. Continue reading →

HISD educators talk STEM with science, technology, engineering, math leaders

Science, technology, math, and engineering leaders with global companies and research universities shared forward-thinking STEM practices with HISD to help the district establish advanced standards for its STEM programs.

What makes STEM “STEM,” and how can HISD ensure students who graduate are truly prepared for a post-secondary education and career in STEM? These are a few of the questions HISD educators and cabinet leaders were asked to think about during a STEM Standards Stakeholder Meeting on Monday. Continue reading →

DeBakey HS community hears final design, construction plans

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Students and staff at DeBakey High School for Health Professions will soon have a new facility in the heart of the Texas Medical Center that will allow easier access to some of the best facilities in the world.

Continue reading →

Pin Oak MS wins first UIL middle school tournament of year

More than 500 middle school students spent their Saturday at Hamilton Middle School on Oct. 25, competing in the first University Interscholastic League (UIL) Middle School tournament of the 2014–2015 season.

Students from 15 schools competed: Attucks, Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan, Black, Burbank, Clifton, Cullen, Fondren, Hamilton, Johnston, Pershing, Pin Oak, Revere and Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men.

Pin Oak Middle School was declared the sweepstakes champion, with Mickey Leland College Prep winning second place and Black MS taking home third.

Here are the individual results: Continue reading →

Pumpkins get a makeover as schools explore literacy through art

In HISD, people aren’t the only ones donning costumes this Halloween. In an effort to get students excited about reading, pumpkins across the district have been painted, polished, and primped to depict dozens of children’s favorite literary figures.

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Bond Oversight Committee reviews progress in third quarter

Bond Oversight Committee members Bob Eury and Phoebe Tudor

Bond Oversight Committee members Bob Eury and Phoebe Tudor

The Bond Oversight Committee held its third quarter meeting on Tuesday, getting an update on the status of 2012 bond building projects and a preview of upcoming fourth quarter activities.

About 90 percent of the Group 1 Schools have entered into the Construction Documents phase and are working through the regulatory process and permitting with the city. All schools in this group are on track to begin construction work before the end of this year.

Continue reading →

HISD facilities planner awarded scholarship to attend CEFPI World Congress

Princess Jenkins

Princess Jenkins

Princess Jenkins, a facilities planner for HISD’s 2012 bond program,  was recently selected by the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International (CEFPI), Southern Region Foundation to receive an all-expenses paid scholarship to attend the CEFPI World Congress in Portland, Oregon.

Conference attendees toured new schools in the Pacific Northwest area Oct. 3-6, attended interactive sessions and presentations on state-of-the art planning and design principles, and visited the industry expo, which highlighted the latest in materials, equipment, and systems for 21st century schools.

Continue reading →

HISD receives Mayor’s Proud Partner Award for environmental program

ProudPartner_102714Houston Independent School District became the recipient of a Proud Partner Award in the 2014 Mayor’s Proud Partner Awards on Monday. The district accepted the award for its National Wildlife Federation Eco-Schools Program, along with five additional recognitions, during the 30th annual luncheon hosted by Keep Houston Beautiful.

The Mayor’s Proud Partners Luncheon, hosted by Keep Houston Beautiful, recognizes outstanding work by local organizations and individuals who aim to improve Houston’s landscape through environmental and beautification projects.

Continue reading →

Rodriguez ES and Student Assessment prove good neighbors also make good reading buddies

Betty Garcia from HISD’s Student Assessment Department reads aloud from “Nugget & Fang,” by Tammi Sauer, to Rodriguez ES students.

On the last two days of every work week, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., you’ll find members of HISD’s Student Assessment Department making their way across the busy intersection of Chimney Rock and Glenmont.

Why are they braving the lunch hour traffic? To get to Rodriguez Elementary School, on the other side of the street.

Last month, Rodriguez Principal Elena Martinez-Buley launched a new Reading Buddy Partnership with Student Assessment in support of the district’s Literacy By 3 movement, and now, more than a dozen volunteers from that department visit the school twice a month to read to students during their lunchtime. Continue reading →