Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition

HISD to Celebrate Class of 2013 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

President and CEO of Smart Financial Credit Union to be Keynote Speaker

The Houston Independent School District will be honoring the exceptional academic achievements of each high school’s top seniors at the annual Scholars Banquet today.  HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman will be addressing the Class of 2013 valedictorians and salutatorians along with the keynote speaker CEO and President of Smart Financial Credit Union Gary Tuma.  Since its inception 79 years ago, Smart Financial Credit Union has been a valued community partner of HISD offering scholarships for graduating seniors.

Click here to see photos and read the biographies of each valedictorian and salutatorian.

What:              HISD to recognize the Class of 2013 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

Who:               HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman, President and CEO of Smart Financial Credit Union Gary Tuma, HISD administrators, principals, teachers, staff, parents and the Class of 2013 HISD Valedictorians and Salutatorians

When:             Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m.

Where:            Westin Oaks Galleria, 5011 Westheimer, Houston

HISD nurses, librarian of the year named

Three of HISD’s top employees were honored as nurses and librarian of the year.

Violet Clarke of Chavez HS and Deborah Morice of Red ES were named school nurses of the year at a ceremony on May 17, 2013. Each received a Florence Nightingale lamp, flowers, gift cards and two-night stays at a Hilton hotel. They will serve on HISD’s Professional School Nurse Advisory Committee and be considered for the Texas School Nurse of the Year.

The librarian of the year winner is Melina Flores from Herrera ES. She received a crystal book trophy and several donated prizes. She will serve on the committee that will select next year’s librarian of the year.

District Recognizes Top Volunteers at VIPS Breakfast and Awards Program

Every year, thousands of parents, businesses, and community partners support HISD students and teachers by donating their time, resources, and knowledge. On May 22, 2013, HISD held its annual Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) breakfast to celebrate and honor some of the district’s top volunteers.

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HISD Honors the 2013 Teachers of the Year

Board of Education President and HISD Superintendent announced the two Teachers of the Year during Team HISD Celebration of Excellence

The Houston Independent School District honored the two 2013 Teachers of the Year during the Team HISD Celebration of Excellence ceremony tonight at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Neff Elementary School teacher Paige Fernandez and Bellaire High School teacher Kay Kubena were selected among 12,000 HISD teachers.

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NBA Legend Launches Hospitality Program for High School Students

NBA Hall of Famer and philanthropist David Robinson is partnering with the University of Houston’s Hilton College, Hilton Worldwide and American Liberty Hospitality to create a scholars program that will provide HISD high school students with a pathway to a degree and career in the hospitality industry. The Admiral Hospitality Scholars (AHS) program was announced by Robinson at a kick-off event on May 20 on the University of Houston campus.

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HISD to Announce 2013 Teachers of the Year

Twenty-two elementary and secondary teachers among finalists

Teachers from all 276 HISD schools, including the 22 finalists for the districtwide teacher of the year award, will be at the annual HISD Celebration of Excellence today at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

HISD will announce the two 2013 Teachers of the Year, and each winner will receive $5,000, a plaque, and a custom made ring from Herff Jones Graduation Center. The principals, assistant principals, first-year principal and first-year teachers of the year and employees of the month will also be recognized.

Click here to read more about the 22 finalists for Teacher of the Year.

Who:  HISD Board of Education Trustees, HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, principals, teachers and staff

What:  Team HISD Celebration of Excellence ceremony honoring the 2013 Teachers of the Year

When:  Tuesday, May 21 at 6p.m.

Where:  George R. Brown Convention Center, Grand Ballroom, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston

HISD students receive free bicycles from motorcycle club

(Web Team)If the smell of new rubber bike tires didn’t serve as the theme for Friday’s bike giveaway at Coop Elementary, the roar of nearly 20 motorcycles entering the school’s parking lot sufficed.

Members of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, with a donation from the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, donated more than 90 bikes to deserving students at the school as part of the Bikes for Excellence program. The giveaway was part of a two-day effort to give more than 350 bikes to Houston ISD students at four schools who excelled in academics, conduct and attendance.

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Team HISD Honorees to Walk the Red Carpet

Teachers of the year from all 276 HISD schools will walk the red carpet on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the annual HISD Celebration of Excellence at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Joining them will be the 22 finalists for the districtwide teacher of the year, along with the beginning teachers of the year, the principals and assistant principals of the year, first-year principals of the year and the employees of the month.

Even if you are not planning to attend, you can catch live coverage on Facebook. We’ll be taking and posting photos of attendees in their snazziest duds on the red carpet, so be sure to like us at facebook.com/houstonisd.

You can read more about the 22 finalists for Teacher of the Year by clicking here. If you don’t have access to Facebook, read about the finalists on Pinterest.

UPDATE: See who won and check out pictures from the red carpet.

HISD to Recognize the 2013 Librarian of the Year at Upcoming Banquet

Award-winning author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni to be guest speaker

For more than 25 years, the Houston Independent School District has been recognizing the dedication and efforts of all school librarians in the district.  The Librarian of the Year for 2013 will be announced at the upcoming annual banquet on May 18, 2013.

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HISD’s Transportation Services Takes 2013 Top Fleet Sustainability Award

Awarded by nation’s leading fleet management association

The National Association of Fleet Administrators awarded the Houston Independent School District its Excellence in Public Fleet Sustainability award for 2013. 

“This award is a great recognition of the drive and determination of the entire transportation team, from the bus drivers who monitor engine idling, to the shop team members who reduce their waste stream,” HISD Transportation General Manager Nathan Graf said.  “Everyone in the department played an essential role in this award.”

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