Author Archives: HISD Communications

Westside HS to Compete in Shell Eco-marathon Americas

A group of Westside HS students work on a piece of their vehicle for the Shell Eco-marathon Challenge

A group of Westside HS students work on a piece of their vehicle for the Shell Eco-marathon Challenge

For students at Westside High School, it’s not slow and steady, but slow and energy-efficient that wins the race. Three Westside Engineering and Geosciences Academy (WEGA) teams will compete in the seventh annual Shell Eco-marathon Americas (SEMA) April 5-7, 2013 in downtown Houston.

The Shell competition recognizes students who design the highest miles-per-gallon performing vehicles. Student teams from around the world were tasked with designing, building, and testing ultra energy-efficient vehicles. The goals for the 2013 competition: surpass last year’s record of 2,188 MPG (awarded to a team from Indiana) and to take home the coveted win for “Best Electric Car”.
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Construction Networking Event Draws Hundreds Ahead of 2012 Bond Project Bidding

Construction industry professionals network at HISD's Delmar-Tusa Fieldhouse on Wednesday as the district prepares to begin the bidding process on select 2012 bond projects.

More than 270 people turned out Wednesday night at Delmar-Tusa Fieldhouse to network with construction industry professionals as the Houston Independent School District prepares to start the bidding process on some 2012 bond projects.

“We were really pleased to see so many faces,” said Alexis Licata, general manager of HISD’s Office of Business Assistance. “This $1.89 billion bond program will create new jobs and opportunities for our diverse business community, and we want everyone to know how they can be a part of it.

Click here for more photos of the networking event

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April 5 Deadline Approaching for Magnet School Entrance Agreements

Students who have been accepted to a magnet school program for the 2013-2014 school year must sign and return the school’s entrance agreement postmarked by this Friday, April 5. On Monday, April 8, school magnet coordinators will begin making phone calls to offer spots to waitlisted students. Student positions on each school’s wait list were determined by a lottery.

Students who are still looking at school options, including waitlisted students, those who have recently moved into the district, students in private or charter schools and students who may want to apply to different types of magnet programs, are invited to attend the third annual Houston ISD School Choice Fair from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, April 27, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, located at 4400 West 18th Street.
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HISD Forms New Committee to Guide 21st Century School Design Under 2012 Bond

13-member expert panel will address educational, technology, environmental needs

HISD has set up a new committee of Houston-area architects, educators, engineers, futurists, lawyers, and building experts to help advise the district on project team selection, facility planning, and design as it moves forward with the 2012 bond program to build or renovate 40 schools.

“Our goal is to ensure we have the best quality bond program possible,” said Dan Bankhead, general manager of facility design. “By creating this committee, we have assembled a notable group of innovative thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and industry leaders to assist us and provide invaluable advice during the planning and design process.”

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NFL Player and HISD Grad Donates Computers to Marshall Middle Students

Professional football player and HISD alumnus Moran Norris recently recognized ten Marshall Middle School students for academic excellence and citizenship. Each of the students received a free computer courtesy of the Moran Norris Foundation, which aims to help youth succeed through education and character. Continue reading →

Texas Education Agency Orders North Forest ISD Annexed into Houston ISD

The Texas Education Agency on Monday upheld the state education commissioner’s order for the North Forest Independent School District closed and annexed into the Houston Independent School District effective July 1.

According to the TEA, Education Commissioner Michael Williams based his decision on North Forest’s track record of poor academic performance and low high school completion rate.  His decision was upheld Monday by Chief Deputy Commissioner Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds.  North Forest’s elected school board now has the option of appealing the decision to the State Office of Administrative Hearings, which could uphold or reverse the decision.

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HISD and UST to Launch Second Master’s Degree Program

Classes start on August 26, 2013, for the second cohort of the University of Saint Thomas (UST) Master’s Degree Program, an innovative partnership between HISD and UST geared towards producing entrepreneurial and innovative school leaders.

Graduates of this two-and-a-half-year program will have the business, education, and management skills needed to lead successful urban schools—as well as to obtain principal certification.
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Autism Awareness Month begins; HISD Wears Blue to Mark ‘Light It Up Blue’ Day

April is Autism Awareness Month, and in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, communities across the globe are being asked to “Light It Up Blue” on April 2.

Staffers around HISD wore blue shirts, shoes and other items to signify “Light It Up Blue” day.

Only about 1,375 students have been identified with autism spectrum disorders in HISD (a figure that represents less than one percent of the district’s entire student population), but Autism Support Team Coordinator Lorraine Klim-Drew says that because more are being diagnosed every day, it’s still important to increase awareness on this subject.
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Students and Staff Gearing up for STAAR

Schools holding tutorials and competitions to prepare for exam 

Westside High School students prepare for STAAR testing. Click photo to see Austin High School's STAAR efforts.

HISD students and teachers across the district are getting the word out about the upcoming STAAR exam, and some are using their creative and artistic side. Over at Austin High School students and staff formed teams to compete in a hallway decorating contest to see who could create and design the best STAAR display. Some of the themes included Godzilla, Mario Brothers and even Hollywood.

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Hispanic Advisory Committee Urged to Help Get Word Out About 2012 Bond

Members of HISD's Hispanic Advisory Committee hears an update on the 2012 bond program.

A key part of the 2012 bond program is keeping Houston’s diverse communities up-to-date on what’s happening at their neighborhood schools.

Assisting in that effort is HISD’s Hispanic Advisory Committee, which heard firsthand Thursday about its important role in reaching out to the city’s Latino residents.

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