Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition

HISD announces school winners of ‘We Khan Do It’ Challenge  

To boost college readiness across the district, HISD in mid-January challenged the district’s schools to compete for the most students using Khan Academy before the SAT test – and the results are in.

The three high schools with the most usage will receive financial support to enhance their college centers and/or support for college visits. Because college readiness starts early, elementary and middle schools were also part of the challenge. As part of a photo competition challenge, elementary and middle schools also arranged college visits for students and then tweeted pictures of those events.  Continue reading →

Ketelsen ES educator named 2016-17 Bilingual Teacher of the Year  

Janet Rodarte

“If I can do it, you can, too!” That’s what Janet Rodarte tells her fifth-grade students at Ketelsen Elementary when one of them is on the verge of giving up.

She tells them her story, about being the daughter of two immigrants from Acuna, Coahuila, and stepping into the classroom speaking only Spanish, to let them know she understands.

“As the daughter of two immigrants who came to the United States for a better life, I know that if you have the mentality to succeed, you will,” Rodarte says.  Continue reading →

HSPVA senior named 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar

Student one of 161 across the nation to receive prestigious honor

Elle Cox

A senior who attends the High School for the Performing & Visual Arts in the Houston Independent School District has been named as a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the highest honors for high school students.

Elle Cox is one of 161 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C., on June 18-20. Continue reading →

HISD’s 2015-16 annual financial report earns top honors from two business organizations 

HISD has earned top recognition for its 2015-2016 annual financial report from two organizations – the Government Finance Officers Association and the Association of Schools Business Officials International.

The Chicago-based Government Finance Officers Association awarded the district the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for having met or exceeded the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability. That certificate “represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” said the letter to the district announcing the award.   Continue reading →

Superintendent’s message for Teacher Appreciation Day

Today is National Teacher Day, and HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza asks that the community join him in thanking teachers for the amazing work they do every day. Watch this video message from the superintendent, and tell the teachers in your life how much they are appreciated today and all year long.

10 HISD schools to host officials from European Consulates across Houston

Representatives will visit with students in AP social studies classes as part of Europe Day

As part of Europe Day on Tuesday, May 9, the Houston Independent School District is inviting representatives from European Consulates in Houston to visit 10 schools across the district. The representatives will be visiting with juniors and seniors in AP social studies classes to share insights about the European Union, discuss the EU’s engagement with the United States, and to highlight the possibilities of diplomacy as a career trajectory.

Learn more at HoustonISD.org/EuropeDay2017 Continue reading →

2 instructional coaches to receive inaugural Ann Sledge Instructional Coach Excellence Awards

Two HISD instructional coaches received a big surprise in their classrooms on Friday as HISD administrators dropped by to announce that they were the inaugural winners of a new award this year: The Ann Sledge Instructional Coach Excellence Award.

The late Ann Sledge, a lifelong educator who dedicated more than 30 years to HISD, created a successful model of exemplary coaching. In honor of Sledge, one campus-level and one districtwide instructional coach were selected to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to building instructional capacity and positively impacting student achievement.   Continue reading →

May 10 is National School Nurse Day 

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Celebrate the positive impact nurses have on school communities

National School Nurse Day on May 10 celebrates the vital role school nurses play in the health and well-being of students. They promote a healthy learning environment, connect families to health resources, and educate communities about immunizations, nutrition, health screenings, and disease prevention.

Schools and the community are encouraged to thank their nurses in person and on social media using #SND2017 and #HISD.  Continue reading →

Vote in second round of ‘Fan Favorite’ Teacher of the Year

Two winners to be announced at May 19 Educators of the Year banquet

Over the past week, HISD staff, students, and alumni voted more than 105,000 times for their “Fan Favorite” Teacher of the Year. Voters could choose from any of the campus-based Teacher of the Year nominees. The votes are now tallied, and the top four elementary and secondary teachers are moving on to round two. The finalists are: Continue reading →