Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition

Schad named finalist for Houston organization’s CIO of the Year award

Houston Independent School District Chief Technology Information Officer Lenny Schad has been named as a finalist for the CIO of the Year Oribe Awards.

The award, presented by HoustonCIO, recognizes chief information officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer review process.

Schad is a finalist in the nonprofit/public sector category. Other CIO of the Year award categories include super global, global, enterprise, and corporate. Award winners will be announced at the Houston Marriott Marquis on Thursday, March 22.

“It’s a huge honor to be in the running for this award,” Schad said. “It’s an incredible testament to the work we are doing here at HISD to bring the best technological support and infrastructure to our students, schools, and staff.”

HoustonCIO’s mission is to build a strong professional community among Houston technology executives and to inspire CIOs to achieve their leadership potential.

African-American JROTC leaders in HISD honored during Black History Month

Organization has a 92-year history in the district

In celebration of Black History Month, the Houston Independent School District is saluting Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps senior leadership and personnel serving high school students across the district.

HISD offers 20 Army JROTC, one Air Force JROTC, and four Navy JROTC programs for the 2017-2018 school year. Statistics show that among students who complete four years in the program, over 90% attend college, 5% enter the workforce, and about 5% join the U.S. Armed Forces. Continue reading →

Teacher of the month has never missed a day in the classroom

When you mention second-grade teacher Marvin Mendoza at Whittier Elementary School, you are instantly greeted with a warm smile and enthusiastic welcome. The teacher with perfect attendance during his 13 years of teaching is more than just a familiar name on campus, he’s the heartbeat on campus and the Sterling McCall VIP Services January Teacher of the Month.

“When I hired Mr. Mendoza almost 13 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined him unfolding into the remarkable employee he is today,” Principal Lorrie Lueptow said. “Mr. Mendoza is everything principals desire in a teacher and in leadership. He not only focuses on the success of his students, but he takes pride in nurturing his peers.”  Continue reading →

Meyerland PVA students lend artistic talents to Nutrition Services project 

Art students from Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School teamed up recently with Nutrition Services to create the artwork for seed packets the department will distribute to the public.

The collaboration was the brainchild of Nan Cramer, Nutrition Services community outreach dietitian. Cramer, who was familiar with the school’s art program, thought the custom illustrations would add a unique touch to the seed packets.  Continue reading →

HISD chief operating officer given President’s Award for outstanding work post-Harvey

Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby received the President’s Award in recognition of the outstanding work the Business Operations unit has performed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

The award was given at the Jan. 18 board meeting by outgoing Board of Education President Wanda Adams, who noted Business Operations’ “dedication, commitment and support to HISD and of the Houston community in wake of Hurricane Harvey.”   Continue reading →

Gregory-Lincoln ES student wins annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition

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Gregory-Lincoln Elementary School fifth-grader Tchanori Kone channeled the composed, fighting spirit of her civil rights activist grandfather, Ester King, with her winning speech about her dream to improve the lives of the poor and grant equal and fair access to health care and education for all.

Kone, a native Houstonian, won first place for her speech titled “Making the Dream Come True” at the 22nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition. Twelve fourth- and fifth-graders from two dozen HISD schools competed in the event, which challenged them to answer the question “What is your dream for today’s world?” with original speeches.

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HISD news blog named to tech company’s Top 30 Houston Blogs and Websites list

The HISD news blog recently was named by Feedspot as one of its Top 30 Houston Blogs and Websites.

The HISD news blog ranked 9th overall, just after the Houston Museum of Natural Science and one spot above Swamplot: Houston’s Real Estate Landscape. Read the entire list here. The best Houston blogs were chosen from thousands using search and social metrics, including the following criteria: Continue reading →

12 HISD students to compete during MLK Jr. Oratory Competition finals on Jan. 12 

Twelve HISD students will continue the tradition of honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when they compete Friday in the final round of the Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition.

For more than 20 years, fourth- and fifth-graders from two dozen HISD schools have competed in the annual contest, which challenges students to write and present a short original speech on a subject related to the slain civil rights leader. The topic this year is, “What is your dream for today’s world?”

Watch livestream of competition at Facebook.com/HoustonISD or follow along on Twitter at Twitter.com/HoustonISD

Students are judged on delivery, stage presence and decorum, content interpretation, and memorization at all three levels (school, preliminaries, and finals) of the competition. The first-place prize is $1,000; the second-place prize is $500; and the third-place prize is $300. Other finalists will receive a $100 award.. 

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HISD high school wins $100,000 worth of sports equipment

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Sharpstown High School won a $100,000 customized sports equipment grant from Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Let’s Play, and Good Sports back in September, and now the new athletic gear has been delivered to the school. State Representative Gene Wu presented Sharpstown Principal Daniel De Leon with a congratulatory certificate during a school celebration on Dec. 14.

The school received new soccer balls, new goals for the soccer field, cones, and practice gear; a football five-man blocking sled with flags and uniform pants; starting blocks and training equipment for track; rackets and tennis balls for tennis and PE; gloves, bats, baseballs/softballs, and practice gear for the baseball/softball programs; and a wealth of other PE equipment ranging from hula hoops to jump ropes to medicine balls to floor hockey equipment.

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HISD honors longtime trustees Eastman and Lunceford 

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HISD trustees Anna Eastman and Mike Lunceford, who both were elected to the HISD Board of Trustees in 2009 and are now retiring, were thanked on Thursday for their service during a reception at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.

Superintendent Richard Carranza thanked Eastman and Lunceford for their eight years of service, calling them “good public stewards of public tax dollars. … Your touch is everywhere in our district, and your legacy will live on for years.” He presented them with crystal apples as a small token of the district’s appreciation. Continue reading →