Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition

HISD named to College Board’s AP District Honor Roll for gains in student access, success

District, placed on list for first time, is among 447 across U.S. and Canada to earn distinction

The Houston Independent School District is one of 447 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 8th Annual AP District Honor Roll, a first for the district.

To be included on the 8th Annual Honor Roll, HISD had to increase the number of students participating in AP since 2015 while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. The district has more than doubled that number since 2007. Reaching these goals shows that HISD is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for AP.

“I am very proud of our students and staff for achieving this distinction,” Superintendent Richard Carranza said. “This honor is yet another example of the district’s commitment to offering rigorous options to all our students that we believe prepare them for their next level of education.” Continue reading →

Milby HS educator riding in style after being named Teacher of the Month

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Milby High School English teacher Jill Hobbs was beyond surprised when HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza and Sterling McCall VIP Services stopped by her classroom on Dec. 5 to proclaim her the HISD Teacher of the month. In fact, the Achieve 180 teacher and 20-year veteran was at a total loss for words when she learned that she would get to drive a 2017 Lexus ES 350 for a month, courtesy of Sterling McCall Lexus.

“I’m in complete shock, and have never had the opportunity to drive in luxury,” Hobbs said. “It is truly an honor to be awarded this month, and I can’t wait to enjoy the vehicle during my commute to campus and grad school.” Continue reading →

HISD celebrating Inclusive Schools Week

HISD is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week through Dec. 8 in partnership with the Inclusive Schools Network.

This year’s theme focuses on standing up for inclusion, and the district is encouraging all schools to share photos of their inclusive schools week activities on Twitter using the hashtag #HISD2017ISW.

In particular, HISD is recognizing seven schools for their inclusivity efforts: Dogan, Lyons, Peck, and Patterson elementary schools; Tanglewood Middle School; and Lamar and Washington high schools. They will be honored at the Board of Education Meeting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14.

This year, the Inclusive Schools Week’s theme is “Stand Up, Sit Tall for Inclusion.” Schools, parents, and community members can take part in the celebration by downloading lesson plans, activities, and resources here. Continue reading →

Carnegie Vanguard HS senior selected as Houston’s next Youth Poet Laureate

Houston’s 2017-2018 Youth Poet Laureate, Rukmini Kalamangalam, is a senior at Carnegie Vanguard High School.

For the third year in a row, Houston’s Youth Poet Laureate is an HISD student, and this year, the honor goes to Carnegie Vanguard High School senior Rukmini Kalamangalam.

Kalamangalam has big plans for the coming year. As part of the job, she is a cultural arts advisor on Mayor Turner’s Youth Council.

“I would like to establish a space where young poets and other artists can collaborate and share their experiences,” she said. “I would also like to start a column in a local publication where students can publish their favorite poems, and I would like to implement poetry readings in public places where people gather.”

Carnegie Principal Ramon Moss is especially proud of Kalamangalam. Continue reading →

Support staff honored at appreciation luncheons across district

Superintendent Carranza stops by Transportation luncheon

It’s the season of thanksgiving, and the aroma of hickory smoke wasn’t the only thing that filled the air at the Northwest Motor Pool facility at their fall luncheon on Nov. 16.

Thanks to Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby, Transportation employees were treated to lunch and given a heartfelt thanks for their hard work in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Over the last two weeks, “thank you” luncheons have been held across the district for members of Team HISD who work in Facilities Services, Construction Services, Nutrition Services, the Police Department, and Transportation.

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HISD names student winners of 2017 holiday greeting card contest

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The Houston Independent School District on Monday announced the winners of the district’s 2017 holiday greeting card competition that features creative student artwork highlighting holiday traditions, seasonal decorations, and classic holiday songs.

The winners – fifth-grader Marissa Reyes of Scroggins Elementary School, seventh-grader Sophie Hinh of Pershing Middle School, and ninth-grader Daisy Prince of Lamar High School – were among 60 finalists from elementary, middle and high schools. All finalists received a boxed set of their holiday cards. All designs will also be available for purchase and on display at the HISD administration building. Continue reading →

HISD to unveil 2017 holiday greeting cards designed by students

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The Houston Independent School District on Monday will unveil its 2017 holiday greeting card collection designed by students as part of the district’s annual holiday card competition.

This year, 60 students from elementary, middle, and high schools are finalists. The winning cards will be announced by HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza, who will select a winner from each school level.

The winning students will be present for the unveiling. All of the finalists’ holiday cards will be on display and available for purchase at HoustonISD.org/HolidayCards.

HISD Construction Services hosts employee appreciation lunch

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Dozens of employees tasked with building and renovating HISD schools were honored Friday for their hard work and dedication during the district’s Construction Services quarterly update and appreciation luncheon.

Last month, the Construction Services team completed and opened nine new and renovated schools in time for the start of the 2017-2018 school year. Their openings bring the 2012 Bond Program’s completion rate to just under 50 percent.

The team also was called upon in late August to help repair and relocate schools that were severely damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

Continue reading →

Nominations for H-E-B Excellence in Education awards due Oct. 22

Staff, students, parents, and community members can make nominations

Do you know an HISD educator that deserves the ultimate recognition for their hard work?

Nominate your favorite teacher and/or principal for H-E-B’s Excellence in Education award. Anyone can make a nomination, including HISD staff, students, parents and community members. You can even nominate yourself. Click here to nominate one or more HISD educators by Sunday, October 22, 2017.

Teacher finalists will win $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 for their campus. Principal finalists will win $1,000 for themselves and $2,500 for their campus. In addition, all finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the awards celebration and a special reception in their honor. Continue reading →

Piney Point ES receives National Wildlife Federation Green Flag Award

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Representatives from the National Wildlife Federation visited Piney Point Elementary School this morning to present the campus with the Eco-Schools USA Green Flag Award.

The Green Flag is the highest honor a school can receive from the NWF. Piney Point is only one of two schools in Houston to be recognized this year and one of three elementary schools in the state of Texas to receive the honor.

“Here at Piney Point, we truly live by our motto – Everyone Learning, Everyone Leading,” Principal Bobby Swaby said.