Category Archives: District I – Elizabeth Santos

Two HISD high schools to host grand openings this week to celebrate new buildings

Two HISD high schools will host grand opening celebrations this week to mark the completion of construction projects on their campuses.

Worthing High School will host a grand opening, campus tour and custom mural dedication on Thursday to celebrate the completion of its new classroom wing, the construction of which is the first phase of plans to rebuild the comprehensive high school.

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Waltrip HS students will enjoy new spaces this school year

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After years of construction, Waltrip High School is now poised to unveil the completion of several major renovations projects when students return to school this fall.

On the first day of school, students are expected to be welcomed by a new main entry and band hall, new first- and second-floor classrooms, new administrative offices, and new career education spaces.

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Board of Education to consider superintendent candidates

Trustees could vote to name finalist or finalists

The Houston ISD Board of Education will meet Wednesday morning to discuss superintendent candidates, and possibly announce a finalist or finalists for the position. Continue reading

Board interviewing candidates for superintendent position 

Applicant pool consists of candidates who match leadership profile developed with public input 

The HISD Board of Education is interviewing candidates for the position of superintendent of schools to replace former Superintendent Terry Grier, who stepped down on Feb. 29.

The Board, working with the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, narrowed down an initial list of 35 applicants to a select pool of candidates for a first round of interviews, which is underway. Continue reading

Teacher at Arabic Immersion Magnet School to be recognized on World Refugee Day

Asinja Badeel

Asinja Badeel

Every refugee has a story, and they do not all have happy endings. Former refugee Asinja Badeel, however, came to the U.S. in 2008, and hers is a story of perseverance and success.

Badeel is being honored at World Refugee Day 2016 on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Houston Community College, 1300 Holman. She will speak about leaving Iraq with her family and spending a year in Istanbul before coming to Houston.

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Schools’ Office Organizational and Staffing Changes

As HISD prepares for the 2016-2017 school year, the district is taking the necessary steps to align the central office team in a way that best supports teaching and learning. Also, as a result of the $165 million recapture payment HISD must make to the state, the district is making changes to the organization and staffing structure at the cabinet level and throughout central office departments. Continue reading

Student Spotlight: Short digital safety videos from HISD students win national recognition

HISD students have been busy this spring making short videos to teach their fellow students about digital safety.

The district’s Educational Technology department received 39 multimedia submissions from 61 HISD students (four high schools, two middle schools, and five elementary schools) regarding online safety, digital citizenship, and privacy security.

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North Houston Early College HS opens doors early for visit from graduating seniors

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Having spent six years in a temporary campus, Principal Angela Lundy-Jackson couldn’t stop smiling as she showed off the new North Houston Early College High School, one of 40 schools being rebuilt or renovated under HISD’s 2012 bond program.

“Everyone is just giddy,” she said. “It’s been a tremendous learning process but now I see the reward.”

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With full scholarship in hand, Davis HS senior is first in her family to go to college

iamready_fb_Almandarez

Editor’s Note: This week, thousands of HISD seniors will receive their diplomas during graduation ceremonies across the district. Many of our students have overcome challenging circumstances during their educational journeys. We are sharing a few of their stories this week.

Odallis Almendarez is the first in her family to go to college. She has been awarded a full scholarship to Dickinson College in Carlisle, which is located in southeastern Pennsylvania. She plans to study political science.

Almendarez was an English Language Learner when she began school.

“It was really challenging, but it didn’t stop me from working hard and always striving to be in the top 10 percent of my class,” she said. “I wanted to make my parents proud and be a role model to my little sister, who is 12.”

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Board considers options for sending $162 million in local property taxes to state

On the heels of last week’s Texas Supreme Court ruling declaring the state’s school finance system flawed, but constitutional, Houston ISD trustees met Thursday to discuss options for complying with the system’s requirement that HISD pay the state $162 million using local tax revenues.

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