Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier to Address Class of 2013 at Commencement Ceremonies

Nearly 9,000 seniors to graduate at 41 HISD graduation ceremonies

Starting today nearly 9,000 seniors will graduate from HISD high schools at 41 commencement ceremonies across Houston.  On Saturday and Sunday HISD Superintendent Terry Grier will be addressing the seniors at the commencement ceremonies for Chavez, Washington and East Early College high schools.  Members of the HISD Board of Education will also be taking part in commencement ceremonies across the district.

“It is such an honor to see thousands of students walk across the stage, ready to embark on a new chapter in their lives,” Dr. Grier said.  “At HISD we work hard to ensure all students are college and career ready, so we feel confident that every senior from the Class of 2013 is on the right path to success.”

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CFS Operations Honors Staff with Excellence Awards

Houston ISD’s Construction and Facilities Services Operations recently honored outstanding employees during three separate recognition ceremonies at the Delmar Field House. There are more than 1,200 custodians, plant operators and grounds crews who serve classroom needs and attend to building cleanliness on a daily basis.

“I was asked to speak to the hardest working employees in HISD, and I want to thank all of you for your commitment to our schools,” said HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier, as he opened the ceremonies.

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Class of 2013 offered more than $150 million in college scholarships

HISD seniors have been offered more than $153 million in college scholarships and the total for the class of 2013 is still growing. So far, Westside High School tops the list with student scholarship offers totaling nearly $26 million. Many students have received multiple scholarship offers from a variety of different organizations, community groups, and corporations as well as individual colleges and universities. That includes Barbara Jordan valedictorian Alejandra Ortega who has raked in more than half a million dollars in scholarship offers.

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Reagan High School Team Wins UIL State Mathematics Championship

Reagan Senior also placed first in individual state competition

 A mathematics team from HISD’s Reagan High School was declared the UIL State Mathematics Champion at the recent UIL State Meet.  Reagan team member Dante Vela also placed first in the individual state competition.

The mathematics competition is one of the most competitive contests at the UIL State Academic Meet, drawing students from across Texas.

The Reagan team, composed of five seniors, qualified for the state championship after advancing from UIL district and regional meets.  The team members have all been competing in UIL Academics for a combined total of 12 years.

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Find times, dates of graduation ceremonies

The Houston Independent School District congratulates the tens of thousands of students that make up the class of 2013.

There are 41 graduation ceremonies throughout the district. Construction is causing some road closures that may affect your route to a ceremony. One lane of the southbound lanes of U.S. 59 North, also known as the Eastex Freeway, will be closed from Dallas to McGowen on Saturday and Sunday. The southbound exit ramp to McGowen and the southbound entrance ramp from Webster will also be closed. No matter where you’re coming from and headed to, you may want to check Houston TranStar’s traffic map before you leave.

Find out where you, your relative or friend will be graduating this year:
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Two HISD Teachers in Running for Inaugural Music Educator Award

Mark Wurtzel of Pershing Middle School (Houston Independent School District)

Mark Wurtzel

A mind for music has led two HISD teachers into contention for a prestigious new national award for educators.

Lamar High School’s Scott Houston and Pershing Middle School’s Mark Wurtzel are two of the 217 music teachers from across the country to be named quarterfinalists for the inaugural Music Educator Award.

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Nine HISD Students Split $165,000 in Broad Scholarships

The Broad Foundation Scholarship winners. Click above to see more photos from the event.

Nine graduating seniors from HISD schools were awarded scholarships from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation at a news conference held during the organization’s second visit to Houston in two years.

“We’re so excited to be back in Houston for a second, consecutive year,” said Karen Denne, chief communications officer for The Broad Foundation. “We love coming back to districts that are repeat finalists because it means that their practices are working.”

The Houston Independent School District is one of four urban school districts in the running for the 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education and for $550,000 in scholarships.

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McGowen Elementary celebrates namesake during official rededication ceremony

(Houston Independent School District)During a celebration acknowledging the official name change of Houston Gardens Elementary, both educators and politicians spoke of Ernest McGowen’s legacy in serving his community as well as being a beacon for children who would someday walk the halls of the school now bearing his name.

While the name change became official earlier this year following a groundswell of community support, the school at 6820 Homestead on the city’s northeast side was officially dedicated as Ernest McGowen Sr. Elementary.

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Pershing MS Teacher Named KBR Science Teacher of the Year

Pin Oak MS, EECHS teachers also recognized through annual awards program

Alexandrea Oliphant has a secret to getting her kids interested in science. “I try to key in on whatever it is they’re really interested in and we start from there,” said the seventh-grade science teacher from Pershing Middle School. Continue reading →

KBR to Award the 2013 Science Teachers of the Year

Three HISD science teachers to receive awards of up to $6,000

Three secondary science teachers in the Houston Independent School District will receive the KBR 2013 Teacher of the Year award on Friday.

This annual contest selects science teachers for this award based on their ability to increase student achievement in science and effectively engage students in the classroom, among other criteria.  The winners are awarded $6,000, $4,000 and $2,000 respectively for first, second and third place.

Who:               KBR Corporate Giving Supervisor Marolynne Huber, HISD administrators and science teachers

What:             KBR 2013 Science Teacher of the Year awards ceremony

When:             Friday, May 24th 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.

Where:           Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027