Author Archives: HISD Communications

PSAT Test Day introduces students to the SAT, prepares them for college

HISD 9-11th graders took the PSAT during the school day on Oct. 15 at their campus as part of the district’s PSAT Test Administration Day.

The PSAT, a preliminary SAT and College Board exam that measures college readiness among students, is offered to HISD students free of charge on PSAT Test Administration Day at HISD. Students are scheduled to take the exam in the morning and could spend up to three hours completing the test that includes sections on math, critical reading, and writing.

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“There are a lot of opportunities for students to prepare for the PSAT in HISD,” said Jharrett Bryant with the HISD College Readiness Department. “The PrepMe platform is an online course that’s given to all students in the district. It’s actually an adaptive course, where based on a diagnostic you take at the beginning of the class, it customizes a study plan for you.” Continue reading →

Check out this week’s HS football schedule

We’ve got a packed weekend of high school football!

One of the most closely watched matchups will be Bellaire vs. Lamar. Lamar has won the last 31 games against Bellaire and is looking to extend its streak to 32, but the powerful Cardinals are looking put a stop to it. Check out this story on yourhoustonnews.com for more about the rivalry and how this game will impact the race for the 20-6A crown.

Here’s this week’s HISD high school football schedule: Continue reading →

The creative side of technology: Chevron program fuels Clifton MS STEM education

Imagination, creativity, problem-solving, and technology joined forces at Clifton Middle School with a generous donation from Chevron and its Fuel Your School program. Chevron donated MaKey MaKeys to Clifton MS and teacher Jawad Tahiri’s engineering and technology classes.

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“At Clifton, we believe that at this age, they should be totally fluent in the language of technology, so we put cutting-edge…latest technology in their hands,” said Tahiri. Continue reading →

First-year HISD teachers say support makes the difference in Alternative Certification Program

Early on a Saturday morning, a group of 168 first-year teachers have gathered together at Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center for fellowship and support while learning practices to make them effective first-year HISD teachers.

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This is a key part of support for these first-year teachers who are interns in HISD’s alternative certification program — the Effective Teacher Fellowship (ETF).

ETF acknowledges the challenging work of teachers in urban school districts such as HISD and equips interns with appropriate skills to thrive in the classroom environment.  ETF has partnered with FuelEd, a unique training program that equips teachers with the social and emotional competencies necessary to establish high-quality relationships in schools. Continue reading →

HISD PD reaches out to community during National Night Out

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The Houston Independent School District Police Department celebrated its annual National Night Out event on Tuesday with food, music and fun activities. About 150 community members, law enforcement officials, volunteers and businesses gathered at the department’s headquarters to host the event, which aims to strengthen police and community relationships.

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Nutrition Services finds it’s easy being green with competitions, games

With more than 220,000 meals a day served, HISD’s Nutrition Services generates a massive volume of waste – which is now being recycled, thanks to new green initiatives at the Food Service Support facility.

Recycling bins have been distributed to manufacturing and common areas and to every cubicle in administration to collect paper, plastic wrap, cans, bottles and more for reuse instead of landfilling.

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“We are so proud of our green efforts,” said Jennifer Lengyel, Nutrition Services nutrition education dietitian, who is leading the efforts at the support facility. “We pride ourselves in nourishing the lives of our students and community with nutritious food, and now we are nourishing the future by protecting the environment and reducing our carbon footprint.” Continue reading →

Ivy Plus College Night shows students they can get accepted into a top college

Madison High School senior Jamie Russell has his heart set on attending the University of Texas or Texas A&M University, but he came to Ivy Plus College Night Monday anyway to weigh his options and learn about the nation’s top colleges.

“My counselor told me this would be a good chance to learn about top colleges and see what opportunities they have for students in higher education,” said Russell, who is currently ranked No. 7 in his senior class. “I’m getting good advice on financial aid and the (college) application process.”

Hundreds of high school students from across the district attended Ivy Plus College Night at Reagan HS to get tips on how to increase their chances of getting accepted into a top tier college such as Yale, Harvard, Rice, and Duke. All of the colleges represented at the event are ranked among the top 100 by U.S. News & World Report.

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Family Learning Academy offers parents resources for college and career planning

Houston ISD wants to help parents be ready for when their children graduate and go on to college or join the workforce. The district’s Family and Community Engagement Department is holding a Family Learning Academy to give tips and let parents know about the options available.

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Patricio Dominguez attended the first Family Learning Academy Super Saturday, which was held at Jones Futures Academy, to find out how to save money.
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Federal literacy grant to promote ‘culture of reading’ at 10 HISD elementary schools

As one federal literacy grant to HISD is ending, the U.S. Department of Education has approved a new, expanded $749,982 grant that will fund “Project REALITY” family library activities at 10 HISD elementary schools and extend to others during the summer. The acronym stands for Reading Elevates All Learners Through Integrated Technology for Youth.

“It shows that the Department of Education has faith in what we’re doing,” said Liz Philippi, manager of HISD Library Services. Continue reading →

Pre-bid meeting held for potential subcontractors on Sterling HS bond project

sterling_pre_bidCadence McShane Construction held a pre-bid meeting at Sterling High School on Friday for companies interested in working on the school’s new building project. As part of HISD’s 2012 bond, $72.3 million was allocated to construct a new 21st century campus for Sterling.

More than 80 potential subcontractors attended Friday’s meeting, which was the company’s second and final pre-bid meeting for the Sterling project prior to the October 22 bid deadline.

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