Category Archives: District II – Kathy Blueford-Daniels

HISD receives Mayor’s Proud Partner Award for environmental program

ProudPartner_102714Houston Independent School District became the recipient of a Proud Partner Award in the 2014 Mayor’s Proud Partner Awards on Monday. The district accepted the award for its National Wildlife Federation Eco-Schools Program, along with five additional recognitions, during the 30th annual luncheon hosted by Keep Houston Beautiful.

The Mayor’s Proud Partners Luncheon, hosted by Keep Houston Beautiful, recognizes outstanding work by local organizations and individuals who aim to improve Houston’s landscape through environmental and beautification projects.

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Don’t overlook your neighborhood campuses when shopping for a school

Crockett ES is not a magnet school for fine arts, but its program is top-notch due in part to art teachers like Geetha Thomas, pictured here with some of her students. Parents are encouraged to check out the offerings at their neighborhood schools first, before shopping for alternatives.

It’s fall in Houston, and that means many HISD parents are already thinking about which campuses to send their children to for the 2015–2016 school year.

But while the attraction of the district’s many magnet programs is undeniable, parents are encouraged to take a closer look at the “zoned” schools located in their neighborhoods, as sometimes a hidden gem can be right around the corner.
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Carnegie Vanguard HS wins top prize at UIL academics meet

More than 400 students from 14 Houston ISD schools participated in a UIL academics meet, the first of the 2014-2015 season, at Lee High School on Oct. 18.

Academics meets are held throughout the school year. They include character-building educational activities and emphasize good sportsmanship and fair play.

Here are the winners: Continue reading

Three senior athletes earn Positive Coaching Alliance scholarships

Karoline Hight, Aaron Reese, Tre-Shunda James

Three Houston ISD seniors each have $2,000 scholarships to put toward college thanks to the Positive Coaching Alliance.

Karoline Hight (swimming) of Bellaire HS, Aaron Reese (football) of Kashmere HS and Tre’Shunda James (volleyball) of Carnegie Vanguard HS received Triple-Impact Competitors scholarships at a banquet held on Oct. 18.

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A college visit to Texas A&M sparks students’ drive to succeed

The cadets in uniform, the large buildings, the football stadium, and students skateboarding and riding bicycles to class were some of the first things Yates High School senior Jason Covarrubias noticed upon arriving on the campus of Texas A&M University.

Until last week, he had never visited a college outside of Houston.

“I could go by myself on a college visit, but I’d be lost in the process,” he said. “My parents probably couldn’t go with me because they have to work, and I work on the weekends. So for HISD to do this, I really appreciate it.”

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HISD took about 120 12th graders to College Station last week to visit Texas A&M. Students from Davis, Furr, Kashmere, North Forest, Worthing, and Yates high schools and Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy boarded charter buses as early as 6:30 a.m. to participate in the day-long trip. Continue reading

Batter up! Key MS breaks ground on new, state-of-the-art baseball field

SELF and Fondren foundations bring baseball, unity to school community

When baseball season begins next spring, the students at Francis Scott Key Middle School will be running the bases of their new baseball field. The Stacey and Bo Porter SELF Foundation, in partnership with the Fondren Foundation, are together donating the construction and support for the field.

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“Part of our mission is facility improvements, and this is a step in that direction,” said Bo Porter, chairman of SELF — which stands for Sports, Education, Lifeskills, and Faith.

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HISD Trustee Skillern-Jones becomes a director of state school board association

HISD Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones has begun serving a three-year term on the board of directors of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), representing TASB Region 4D.

Skillern-Jones was elected to the HISD board in 2011 to represent District II. She is trustee for northern communities in HISD, including the former North Forest schools. She held positions of secretary in 2012-13 and is currently first vice-president.

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Construction activity ramping up for Group 1 schools in 2012 bond

Bond WaltripThe construction phase for the 17 schools in Group 1 of the 2012 bond is gearing up, and this means that all of the work, previously being done behind the scenes, will move front and center.

To prepare sites for construction, a number of schools are undergoing demolition, utility work, and installation of fencing and other safety measures. Throughout this part of the project, construction firms have committed to implement strict safety procedures and to minimize the impact on students and the community.

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444 students compete in season’s first UIL Academics tournament

Four hundred forty-four elementary students spent their Saturday at Welch Middle School for the first competition of the 2014-2015 UIL Academics season.

Students from Condit, Cornelius, DeChaumes, Highland Heights, Horn, Law, Twain, Piney Point, and Windsor Village elementary schools, along with Energized for Excellence Academy, competed.

Horn Elementary claimed first place in sweepstakes. DeChaumes Elementary won second place in sweepstakes, and Twain Elementary took home third place.

Here are the individual results: Continue reading

A homecoming day to remember

Homecoming had special meaning for the students, parents and alumni of North Forest High School Saturday. It was more than just a football game, more than the morning parade, more than the tailgate party with refreshments, door prizes, and music leading up to the game. Saturday was about their history, their memories.

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Moms, dads, grandparents, teens, aunts, friends, and youngsters strolled up and down tables with mementos from the former North Forest school district and were able to take home items that had meaning for them. Continue reading