Category Archives: District I – Elizabeth Santos

26 HISD campuses attain Family Friendly Schools certification

As the first year of the Family Friendly Schools certification program draws to a close, the Family and Community Engagement department has certified 26 participating campuses as either gold, silver and/or bronze, and one as an honorable mention.

The FACE department established the certification program to recognize and honor the dedication and commitment of principals, faculty, and staff who are determined to ensure their families and communities work together toward a common goal. The program was founded to assist schools in three vital areas related to family engagement: building relationships with family and community, linking family events to students’ learning, and supporting parents’ advocacy.

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Valedictorians and salutatorians represent the Class of 2016’s highest achievers

Each spring, the Houston Independent School District honors the top two scholars at each of its high schools with a formal celebration of their outstanding academic achievements.

This year, the district recognized the valedictorians and salutatorians at the annual Scholars Banquet held on April 12, 2016, at the Westin Oaks Galleria. A valedictorian has earned the highest grade-point average in his or her graduating class; the student with the second-highest grade-point average is designated as the salutatorian.

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

Click here to see the 2016 HISD Spring graduation ceremonies schedule.

Sharpstown High School senior wins a car at school’s Academic Signing Day

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Other events held at campuses across HISD to celebrate seniors’ commitment to colleges of their choice

Thanks to Joel Rogers Classic Chevrolet, a lucky senior will be driving to college. Sharpstown High School’s Academic Signing Day Celebration ended with a drawing, and Joshua Baffoe won a Chevrolet Sonic.

As part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s #ReachHigher Initiative, she sponsored #CollegeSigningDay on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Most HISD high schools have been holding Academic Signing Day events since late April, and they are continuing almost until graduation.

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Meet the Finalists for Teacher of the Year and Beginning Teacher of the Year  

Winners to be announced at May 20 banquet 

Nearly 2,000 HISD teachers, along with district and school leaders, will gather on Friday, May 20, at the Bayou City Event Center for a superheroes-themed Educators of the Year banquet. The sold-out event, sponsored by Cigna, will honor campus-based teachers of the year and beginning teachers of the year. Fifteen finalists are vying for top district honors, which include elementary teacher of the year, secondary teacher of the year, and beginning teacher of the year.

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Board of Education to consider new names for seven schools

The Houston ISD Board of Education on Thursday will consider new names for seven schools that were recommended by committees of students, parents, teachers, alumni, civic leaders and principals.

Earlier this year, the Board of Education voted to start the process of choosing new names for schools that will better reflect the district’s values and diversity. If approved, the new names will be in effect beginning with the upcoming 2016-2017 school year. The proposed new campus names are as follows: Continue reading →

HISD community celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week in creative ways 

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxAxwjkyiWs”]While we always encourage our community to tell teachers how much they’re valued, students, administrators, and staff have rallied around our educators for Teacher Appreciation Week to celebrate their tireless dedication.

Inspirational and emotional messages of thanks and encouragement flooded the district’s social media channels, including tear-jerking moments caught on video as students told their teachers how much they mean to them. Continue reading →

Teach Forward Houston fellows commit to four-year teaching program 

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Some 60 seniors from 31 HISD high schools on Tuesday pledged to become teachers and return to the district to teach in four years as part of the prestigious Teach Forward Houston program.

“I will commit to my studies at the University of Houston in order to enter my classroom with the foundational knowledge, skills, and mindsets necessary to maximize student achievement and character development,” they recited in unison at Teach Forward Houston’s inaugural signing day celebration on May 3 in the Hattie Mae White board auditorium.

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Houston Youth Symphony features Davis Mariachi Band during spring concert

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The Davis High School Mariachi Pantera on Sunday was featured in a special guest performance with the Houston Youth Symphony Spring Concert at Rice University’s Stude Hall.

The band, under the direction of Davis High School Orchestra and Mariachi Director Jose Niño, was featured with the string orchestra on its final piece. In the 69-year history of the Houston Youth Symphony, this is the first time that an outside ensemble has collaborated with the symphony on stage.

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Finalists selected for 2015-2016 Teachers of the Year  

Winners to be announced at May 20 Educators of the Year banquet

HISD has announced the finalists for the district’s Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. The two winners, which will go on to represent the district in Region 4, will be announced during the Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, May 20. The twelve finalists were selected from all 283 campuses based on performance data and other criteria.

At the elementary level, the six finalists are:

  • Adrienne Glover from Anderson Elementary
  • Maria Godoy from Port Houston Elementary
  • Melissa Martinez from Sherman Elementary
  • Tracy Singleton from Fondren Elementary
  • Hillary Smith from DeAnda Elementary
  • Ciara Sutton-Rivers from Codwell Elementary

At the secondary level, the six finalists are:

  • Christina Carter-Woods from Pershing Middle School
  • Jennifer Chase from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
  • Morgan Dewitt from Long Academy
  • Valarie Moore from Gregory Lincoln Education Center
  • Donald Parker from North Houston Early College High School
  • Keavon Runnels from Austin High School

Be sure to help HISD pick the Fan Favorite among the campus-based Teachers of the Year by taking part in our survey. The first round of voting ends at 5 p.m. on May 6. You can vote once per day.

 

Who is your teacher hero? 

Teacher-Appreciation-Instagram-Banner-800px-800pxShare your photos, videos, and messages on social media 

While they may not wear capes, HISD teachers truly are real-life superheroes. As part of National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6), HISD is asking students, parents, and staff to thank a teacher hero in their lives and share out on social media.

Take a picture with your favorite teacher (past or present) or take a picture of your child with his or her favorite teacher and post on social media using the hashtags #HISDHero and #ThankATeacher. If your favorite teacher is not nearby, take a selfie holding a piece of paper with a simple message thanking that teacher who made a difference in your life.

Or better yet, surprise an HISD teacher using your camera cell phone and tell them why they are your teacher hero. Check out the video below and watch as Westbury High School students give a surprise thank you to their teachers and even their principal.

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HISD will be sharing the posts on its own social media channels, so be sure to follow us on Twitter @HoustonISD and like us at Facebook.com/HoustonISD.