Author Archives: HISD Communications

New principals prepare for 2021-2022 school year

The first day of school is a common source of jitters and anxiousness. Students fidget with new backpacks, parents adjust to new schedules, teachers prepare to meet a new crop of students.

But for some members of Team HISD, August 23 this year will be more than just the normal first day of school. It will be their first day as school principals.

The 35 new principals in Houston Independent School District gathered at the HISD Education Learning Center for the New Leaders Institute this week, to brainstorm, network, gather resources, and get inspired for a new year.

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Student leadership program hosts luncheon for interns

When the alarm goes off at 6 a.m., Joshua Martínez gets a quick bite of breakfast and heads onto the freeway to arrive on time at the Hattie Mae White building for his first office job.

Joshua is one of 20 interns working in HISD’s Central Office this summer for six weeks. He is assigned to the Communications department, reporting on new superintendent Millard House II and his campus visits.

“I have held service jobs before, so I know the importance of making good first impressions,” said the 18-year-old who graduated from Heights High School with acceptance to The University of Texas at El Paso in the fall.

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Superintendent House outlines district plans during Sugar Grove Academy visit

Standing in the school garden just inside the signature red wall at the front of Sugar Grove Academy Middle School, new HISD Superintendent Millard House II listened as Science Department Chair Charles Huckaby listed off the vegetables and fruits growing in the verdant space.

“Potatoes, garlic, corn, jalapenos, tomatoes, squash, bell peppers, even ghost peppers, if you’re brave enough to try them,” Huckaby said.

“Not me! No way,” House joked in reply.

The stop at the garden was a part of House’s visit to Sugar Grove’s summer school, where he took a tour of the building and then held his first press conference as superintendent, outlining his goals for HISD.

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HISD hiring 400 custodians as district shifts operations in-house

HISD is looking to fill more than 400 custodial positions before the end of the year as the district transitions from outsourced contract custodian services to fully in-house operations.

More than a quarter of the district’s 280 schools are currently serviced by contracted vendors.

The transition will move the 79 outsourced campuses ­­to in-house service by Dec. 1, 2021, in accordance with Texas Legislative Budget Board recommendations for improving operational efficiency.

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HISD hosting job fairs to recruit dedicated bus drivers

As a kid, Jephte Mondesir loved watching “The Magic School Bus,” a popular animated children’s television show featuring an eccentric teacher who took her students on educational adventures via a magic bus.

The ex-New Yorker and 10-year Texan loved watching the teacher, known affectionately as Miss Frizzle, transport her science class to new worlds.

He loved it so much, in fact, he knew he wanted to do the same.

“I wanted to operate that bus in real life,” Mondesir said with a laugh. “I just knew that the school bus was an important part of education. In fact, all the real ones truly are.”

A 22-year veteran bus driver, Mondesir now serves as a response team operator for the Houston Independent School District’s Transportation Services department. He is among a select group of drivers who work with department leaders to solve manpower issues and recruit new drivers.

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Lilly Rincon named new principal of Scarborough High School

Lilly Rincon has been selected as the new principal of Scarborough High School. Rincon began her 22-year career as an educator in the McAllen Independent School District. Returning back home to Houston after two years of teaching in South Texas, she served as a classroom teacher at Burbank Elementary and Travis Elementary within Houston ISD. During this time, she was recognized as Bilingual Teacher of the Year and selected as a candidate for the Houston ISD Turnaround Leadership Cohort. Rincon joined the Jefferson Elementary team in 2013 and has served as a Teacher Specialist, Assistant Principal, and Principal. During her tenure, Jefferson has attained an 89 TEA rating with 3 distinctions and has been awarded Butterfly Effect by the Neuhaus Education Center for the inspiring work in literacy. 

Rincon received her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Houston Downtown and master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston.

HISD summer school helps students re-engage after virtual learning stint

Incoming seventh grader, Kirsten Aparicio, believes in-person learning at Ortiz Middle School has been the key to her success this summer.

After learning online since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the 12-year old finally returned to the classroom in June for summer school.

An avid reader, Kirsten said she now feels prepared for the seventh grade and ready to break out of her shell.

“When I came back, it’s like the old me again, and I’m making good grades,” she said.

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Superintendent House tours campuses to kick off first week with HISD

As he walked through the first and second grade classrooms at Mading Elementary School, Superintendent Millard House was greeted with the smell of freshly made tamales.

Students attending summer school at Mading were taking a break for lunch just as the new superintendent of HISD stopped by for a visit. It was a well-earned break after a morning full of learning for the students.

“You guys continue working hard,” House said as he exited one of the classrooms. “We are proud of you. We are glad you are back.”

That school was just one of many as House toured several schools on his second official day on the job.

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Moreno ES teacher uses summer school to bridge the gap

Roam the hallways at Moreno Elementary School in north Houston, and you might see some lions, tigers, or even a few bears.

That’s because the elementary school’s theme for summer school is Summer Safari, giving students the chance to see wild animals without ever leaving their classrooms.

Enrollment for summer school at Moreno has increased this year, as it has at schools across Houston Independent School District. Many students are attending to help close the learning gaps from the previous year’s obstacles. And for teachers, it is a chance to see students in their classrooms—some for the first time in-person.

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