Author Archives: HISD Communications

Complete the 2021 Parent Involvement Survey for the Texas Education Agency

Does your child receive special education services? If yes, this is a reminder to complete your Special Education Parent Involvement Survey.

If your child was selected for inclusion in this year’s sample, you should have received an invitation to complete the survey at www.ParentSurveyTX.com and a PIN code.

If you cannot find your PIN, or need help completing the survey, call 713-556-7042 or email SpEdSupportingParents@HoustonISD.org or contact Gibson at support@gibsonconsult.com or 512-685-2697. If you did not receive an invitation, your child was not selected in this year’s sample.

Please complete the survey by May 28, 2021.

HISD Career and Military Signing Day set for May 20

Join Career Readiness as they celebrate graduating seniors who have secured employment or committed to the U.S. Armed Forces.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, at Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum, 77092). See Career and Military Signing Day for more information.

For questions, please contact Melanie Martinez-Gomez at mmarti96@houstonisd.org or Echos Blevins at echos.blevins@houstonisd.org. More formation can also be found on the Career Readiness website at HoustonISD.org/CareerReadiness.

HISD celebrates National Police Week May 9-15

Law enforcement officers in the Houston Independent School District and across the country will be celebrated for their service and sacrifice as part of National Police Week on May 9-15.

HISD police officers’ duties include everything from keeping campuses safe to providing crucial assistance at sporting events and food distributions to serving as mentors to students – and more. Their efforts make a huge difference on every aspect of the district.

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Amanda Sebba named new principal of Garden Oaks Montessori

Amanda Sebba has been selected as the new principal of Garden Oaks Montessori. She has served as the assistant principal for the past four years at Braeburn Elementary School.

During her time at Braeburn, Sebba helped lead the school to academic gains in several areas including reading, math, and writing. She also spearheaded efforts to strengthen protocols around interventions and data analysis. This work was all done despite the challenges the school faced after being displaced for three years due to Hurricane Harvey damage.

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Budding artists surprised as winners of Blast Off with a Healthy School Breakfast art contest

First-grader Nidarshani Chinthagunta gasped and her eyes widened as a bright turquoise bike adorned with white balloons was wheeled into the T.H. Rogers conference room where she stood sandwiched between her mother and school principal.

Grabbing the 20-inch Titan Tomcat by the seat and handlebars, she carefully eyed the new bike as she whispered a shy, “thank you.”

Nidarshani was one of two grand prize winners in the district’s “Blast Off with a Healthy School Breakfast” art contest held in honor of National School Breakfast Week in March.

More than 60 students submitted original artwork using the breakfast theme. A panel of judges from the district’s Nutrition Services and Fine Arts departments selected the top winners at the elementary and secondary levels.

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Vote for 2020-2021 Fan Favorite Teachers of the Year

Houston Independent School District will name its “Fan Favorite” Teachers of the Year in June, and you can vote now for your pick.

Voting begins Wednesday, May 5, and ends on Friday, May 14. Winners will be determined in three categories (Elementary School, Middle School, and High School) and will be announced on June 15 at the virtual Educators of the Year event.

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Ortiz MS celebrates heritage, diversity with mariachi program

The scene playing out on the stage at Ortiz Middle School on a humid May morning is a familiar one to many Houstonians.

Musicians decked out in embroidered pants, wide-brimmed sombreros, and colorful silk ties playing vihuelas, guitarróns, trumpets, and other instruments in a style instantly recognizable as mariachi music.

But what makes this group stand out is that the musicians are all under the age of 14.

“It makes me feel alive,” sixth-grader Joshua Campos said. “My problems, when I play, they just go away. I just think about the music.”

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Scarborough Huskies mark official homecoming with virtual grand opening, watch party

The smell of freshly made popcorn and thunderous cheering filled the hallways of Scarborough Elementary School as overhead announcements reminded students there was just “thirty seconds until showtime.”

“Ah! I’m so excited!” one student yelled from his classroom.

“This is going to be so cool!” hollered another.

The excitement was focused on the Scarborough Elementary School Virtual Grand Opening, which students and staff were celebrating with classroom watch parties.

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HISD students to be surprised with Superintendent Scholars Awards

Several Houston Independent School District seniors will receive a surprise visit—and a scholarship—from Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. The exemplary students will be surprised as part of the Superintendent Scholars Award.

The fourth year of these scholarships, the Superintendent Scholars Award recognizes the achievements of graduating seniors who have exemplified great character and resilience in the face of adversity.

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HISD celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week May 3-7

Houston Independent School District will recognize its nearly 12,000 teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3 through 7.

The week is a part of a nationwide campaign spearheaded by the National Parent Teacher Association.

“Our teachers truly are the heart and soul of HISD,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan said. “Over the past year, teachers have stepped up as true team players for our students and families. Teachers have transitioned to virtual learning and back again, often teaching two classes at once—one at home and one in-person.”

To celebrate the week, HISD is launching a campaign that focuses on these All Stars—and students, staff, parents, and the community are invited to participate through social media.

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