Author Archives: HISD Communications

HISD Board of Education approves 2021-2022 academic calendar

In April, the Houston Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2021-2022 academic calendar, which includes 15 additional academic days to help address learning gaps caused by COVID-19.

These additional days were added to the calendar after input from teachers, parents, students, and educational experts. Additionally, recent statewide results for the STAAR test show that learning loss has occurred because of the pandemic.

This provides the district an opportunity to address student academic needs and utilize resources to regain learning. That informed the decision to add the 15 additional days of instruction as well as a full return to in-person instruction in the fall. We expect this will produce better student outcomes. Additionally, we are formulating plans that will mitigate students’ lost time and improve educational performance.

The calendar consists of a one-week Thanksgiving break, two-week winter break and a one-week spring break. Students will be off on Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Chavez-Huerta Day, and Memorial Day. The school district will also observe a Fall holiday on September 16, 2021, and Spring holiday on April 15, 2022.

The approved 2021-2022 school year can be found at houstonisd.org/2021AcademicCalendar.

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HISD Police Department’s K-9s Boni and Thor to get donation of body armor

HISD Police Department K-9s Boni and Thor

The Houston Independent School District Police Department’s K-9s Boni and Thor will receive bullet- and stab-protective vests, thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.  

K-9 Boni’s vest is sponsored by Kathleen Pellissier of Temecula, Calif., and will be embroidered with “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.” K-9 Thor’s vest will be embroidered with “This gift of protection provided by Teresa.” Delivery is expected within eight to 10 weeks.

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Nurses of the Month named at School at St. George Place, Jane Long Academy

It’s not easy surprising a school nurse.

As Human Resources snuck into the back entrance of the School at St. George Place, Nurse Hsueh Beveridge was working on her morning tasks near the front entrance. They had to be careful not to spoil the surprise of Nurse Beveridge being named the March Secondary Nurse of the Month.

As she entered the school cafeteria expecting a medical issue, Beveridge was surprised to find HR waiting along with several teachers, the school principal, and one special guest—her husband.

“I’m very honored,” Beveridge said. “And overwhelmed!”

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HISD Interventions Office Conference set for April 17

The HISD Interventions Office is set to host its inaugural conference on Saturday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Designed for both HISD employees and educators across the country alike, the one-day, virtual conference will focus on educational interventions for suffering students and other assistance for special populations.

The theme of the conference is Momentum: Getting Back on Track, and will have four different tracks. The four tracks are:

  1. Technology: developing responses to providing instruction, learning opportunities, and tools in a pandemic.
  2. Whole Child: fostering a learning environment with empathy, creativity, and engagement that support the needs of a diverse learner.
  3. Leadership in a Pandemic: creating accommodations for virtual learning, supporting staff members, moral, engaging parents.
  4. Interventions Resources: implementing independent learning opportunities and strategies for ongoing success.
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Sixth six weeks selection period for in-person or virtual instruction begins

With the sixth six weeks of the 2020-2021 school year approaching, HISD families have the option starting Monday to revise their selection for either in-person or virtual instruction for students. The first day of the sixth six weeks is May 3.

The selection process remains the same. Parents will have from Monday, April 12, through Friday, April 16, to make their selection through the HISD Connect Parent Portal “Forms” section. If parents would like to keep their selection as-is, no action is needed. The current selected mode of instruction will carry over to the sixth six-weeks grading period.

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Hobby ES, Alcott ES named ‘Culture Cultivator Campuses’ by Harris County Department of Education

The Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) has named two HISD elementary schools as 2021 Culture Cultivator Campuses.

Both Hobby and Alcott Elementary Schools were named Culture Cultivator Campuses, or schools that have gone above and beyond to implement systems and practices that best support the students, staff and community in a dynamic way – especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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HISD to celebrate National Library Week, National School Librarian Day

A strong library is a central part of any school campus, and Houston Independent School District is recognizing the hard work of school librarians and school libraries as part of National Library Week, which is April 4-10, and National School Librarian Day, which is April 4.

“Our school librarians work hard every day to provide the resources and information that HISD students need to thrive,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan said. “Their work is a vital part of our schools, and their dedication to all of our students is important every year and especially this year.”

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For Earth Month, HISD challenges campuses to take steps toward sustainability

EarthMonth flyer
Download flyer to learn more about Earth Month activities

Education and awareness play a critical role in creating a sustainable future — but it also requires action.

That’s why this April, HISD’s Energy and Sustainability department is asking campuses to show appreciation for the planet by taking the 2021 Earth Month pledge and participating in eco-friendly activities.

“Our students are global citizens. It’s important for them to learn about our planet and how they can help take care of it,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “Earth Month gives us the opportunity to highlight our efforts to reduce our environmental impact while also promoting sustainable behaviors inside and outside the classroom.”

Campuses that take the pledge are encouraged to participate in designated Earth Month activities. They earn points for completed activities, which range from tallying the number of students who walked or biked to school to writing essays on the meaning of sustainability.

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Chávez-Huerta Student Symposium offers opportunity to learn about legendary activists

On Saturday morning, fourth-grader Alanna Herod sat in her bedroom closely watching the screen of her laptop.

But the student at Helms Elementary School wasn’t watching the typical Saturday morning cartoons. She was listening to Dolores Huerta address the Chávez-Huerta Student Symposium.

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