Author Archives: HISD Communications

Students Dig in to Mock Drilling Exercise at PetroChallenge

More than 150 sophomores from Milby HS, Westside HS, and the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy (YWCPA) in Houston ISD and Southwest HS in Fort Worth ISD competed in the fifth annual PetroChallenge held Sept. 20.

The computer simulation exercise, which took place this year at the Houston Community College’s Alief Campus, asks teams of students to form an energy company entering a new oil and gas field. Starting with $200 million in funds, their goal is to achieve the highest company value by finding oil or gas and investing in other teams’ opportunities.

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Meet HISD’s sports announcer—a computer analyst—in this week’s eNews

Find out what he does to make teams feel special

By day, Wesley White is a computer analyst for Texas Children’s Hospital, but by night, he’s the announcer for HISD’s football games at the Delmar-Tusa stadium. You can read more about him and how he got involved with HISD’s Athletics Department in the “I Am HISD” feature of the Sept. 20, 2013, edition of eNews.  Continue reading →

Find Out What Collegiate Military Options Are Available Sept. 25

Houston ISD is hosting United States Services Academies/ROTC Information Night at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th, 77092) from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 25.

Students, parents, counselors and teachers will learn about the country’s five service academies as well as the college ROTC programs at Prairie View A&M University, Rice University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, Texas State University, the University of Houston, and the University of Texas at Austin and at San Antonio.

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2007 and 2012 Bond Programs Progressing Within Budget and on Schedule

The HISD Board of Education held a workshop on Sept. 19 to receive progress updates on the district’s capital building programs, which are progressing within budget and on schedule.

As the Houston Independent School District moves forward with planning for the 2012 bond program to renovate, build or replace 40 schools, work is underway to finish all the projects in the 2007 bond program by the end of 2014.

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HISD Food Services Hosts Inaugural Community Health and Wellness Festival

Event will feature student chefs, free health services and fun family activities

In an effort to encourage healthy, active lifestyles, the Houston Independent School District’s Food Services Department is hosting its inaugural Community Health and Wellness Festival on September 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Forest High School, 10725 Mesa Drive.  The event is free and open to the public.

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School Choice Orientation Sessions Scheduled Through Oct. 3

Several hundred parents and students came out to Burbank MS on Sept. 17 to learn more about school-choice options available at HISD and preview HISD’s new online magnet application. While HISD will continue to take paper applications for the district’s 115 magnet schools, the new online system will make it more convenient and less time-consuming for parents and students.

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The Key to Success: Doing What You Love

 Virginia Croft, 77, has been teaching band at Lovett ES for 35 years. Because of her impact on students over the years, Croft was featured in this week’s Houston Chronicle. One of her first-graders loves band so much that he was disappointed that he had to stay home on Labor Day, while another student, now in his 20s, held on to a note that Croft had sent him in elementary school. To find out what that note said and to learn more about Croft, read her profile in the Houston Chronicle.

MythBusters: HISD Buses

MYTH: Old, unsafe Carpenter school buses are being used to transport HISD students to and from school.

FACT: HISD no longer uses Carpenter school buses.

In 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued an advisory about Carpenter school buses, warning that the roof could cave in should the bus overturn. As a result, HISD removed about 525 Carpenter buses from the fleet at that time.

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HISD Introduces New Online Magnet Application Option to Parents

Six parent orientation sessions scheduled to familiarize parents with school choice options and new online system

The Houston Independent School Districts is launching a new online application system for parents and students wanting to attend any of the district’s 115 magnet programs. While paper applications will still be accepted, HISD is hosting a series of orientation sessions to familiarize parents with the new online option and outline the multitude of school choices available.  The first session will be on Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m. at Burbank Middle School, 315 Berry.

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