Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition

Police officer’s service in HISD spans from helping schools to serving alongside superintendent

HISD Police Officer Brenson York

Every morning, Brenson York prepares for a day full of surprises. As an HISD police officer assigned to the superintendent’s security detail, he must be ready for anything.

“I’ve done and seen almost everything,” York said with a chuckle. “From driving the superintendent to local meetings around the city to making turn-around trips to Austin — even providing security at events, monthly board meetings, and, of course, hundreds of school visits.”

According to York, fighting Houston traffic, navigating backroads, finding detours, and waking up before sunrise for early morning meetings are just part of the gig. He also serves as the eyes and ears for HISD’s superintendent, often acting as a needed buffer for the school district chief at public events. Continue reading →

Nutrition education dietitian growing more than just food with school garden program 

When HISD Nutrition Education Dietitian Julia Jarrell gets a reluctant student to try — and enjoy — bok choy for the first time, she knows she’s doing exactly what she is meant to be doing.

Studies have proven the link between healthy eating and improved academic performance, she said. Good nutrition can boost grades, lower dropout rates, and even reduce disciplinary problems.   Continue reading →

HISD logistics manager busy behind the scenes ensuring smooth transitions across district

Jade Mays

You might call Jade Mays a mover and shaker.

On a typical day, the HISD logistics manager can be found hustling around the district warehouse, scheduling movers, communicating with contractors, coordinating with principals, walking campuses, and overseeing the packing and moving of entire schools.

In a business where things are constantly changing, the job of a logistics manager is no easy feat. Mays and her team are responsible for moving schools and offices that are relocating. Her job is to make the process seamless for employees. Thanks to Mays and her team, teachers and students just have to show up at their new location, unpack and get to work. Continue reading →

Mitchell ES, Park Place ES win NFL Play 60 grants 

Mitchell and Park Place elementary schools scored big recently, winning Play 60 grants from the Houston Texans and Texas Children’s Hospital to fund new equipment for P.E., sports, and after-school programs to help get kids moving.

Mitchell won $5,000 and Park Place won $3,500 after submitting a formal funding request that included an essay on how the grant would be used.

Play 60 grants help schools with gym equipment, playgrounds, activity trails, etc.—anything to help students be active for 60 minutes each day.

HISD social workers recognized in March for national Social Work Month 

The National Association of Social Workers has proclaimed March to be Social Work Month, with the theme of “Social Workers: Leaders. Advocates. Champions.”

The Houston Independent School District includes 37 social workers on campuses across the district. These social workers provide crisis support, helping children overcome issues such as death and grief, and helping communities connect to resources to recover from natural disasters – most recently from Hurricane Harvey and flooding. Continue reading →

March Teacher of the Month is Fleming MS science educator

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What started off as an ordinary day for Fleming Middle School teacher Sha’rell Webb on Tuesday morning turned into a surprise of a lifetime, when Area Superintendent Julia Dimmitt interrupted class to announce Webb as the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for March.

“Mrs. Webb is more than deserving of this recognition,” Dimmitt said. “She not only puts her students’ educational needs first, but those of the entire campus, which shows in their academic achievements.”  Continue reading →

HISD’s 2018 Principals of the Year are from Braeburn ES, Jones Futures Academy 

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It was a day full of surprises on Thursday as Superintendent Richard Carranza, Chief Academic Officer Grenita Lathan and school board members, made their rounds to name the district’s 2018 Principals of the Year at Braeburn Elementary School and Jones Futures Academy.

Braeburn Elementary School Principal Santos Reyes was crowned as HISD’s Elementary Principal of the year, while Jones Futures Academy Principal Geovanny Ponce was named HISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year.    Continue reading →

Chavez Chess Academy recognized by governor, mayor  

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The Chavez Chess Academy, under the direction of instructor and coach Robert L. Myers, has been busy. In a couple of weeks, the team will travel to compete in Tokyo, and in June, they are headed for Greece and Italy.

The team has won five state chess championships in a row, and team member Anateresa Hipolito is now rated one of the top 100 girls in America. Consequently, the students were recognized by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Governor Gregg Abbott.

Last summer they competed and won in London, Paris, and Rome and were featured twice on the cover of “Texas Knights,” the official publication of the Texas Chess Association.

 

3 HISD teachers, 1 principal named finalists for 2018 HEB Excellence in Education Awards 

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Three HISD teachers and one principal have been recognized as finalists for the 2018 HEB Excellence in Education Awards, one of the largest monetary programs for educators in Texas and the nation.

Kellie Karavias of Gregory-Lincoln, Amber Neal of Almeda Elementary School, Jennifer Chase of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and Principal Diego Calderon of Burbank Elementary School, are among eight educators from across Houston who were surprised in their classrooms and presented the awards.

Each teacher finalist received a $1,000 check for themselves and a $1,000 check for their schools. The principal was presented a $1,000 personal prize and a $2,500 prize for the school at a surprise pep-rally-style student assembly.

HEB will be surprising 40 finalists over the next two months. Finalists across the state will be invited to Houston on May 5-6 to compete for the chance to win additional cash prizes totaling $430,000.

VH1 Save the Music and Hard Rock Heals foundations donate $25,000 to Scarborough ES 

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It’s been a rough six months for Scarborough Elementary School students, staff, and parents since Hurricane Harvey flooded their school, making it uninhabitable.

“We suffered a bit of a bump back in August,” said Principal Miriam Medina. “When I saw waves of water inside our beautiful school, I knew we wouldn’t be opening on time.”

It took a month, but they finally reopened in the former Terrell Middle School, which was large enough that they could all be together. Now the students are gathered in the auditorium to celebrate the donation of $25,000 to their music program, thanks to VH1 Save the Music Foundation in partnership with Hard Rock Heals Foundation.   Continue reading →