Category Archives: District II – Kathy Blueford-Daniels

North Forest homecoming to be made more memorable by giveaway

Remember when Houston ISD auctioned off North Forest ISD memorabilia? Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones purchased much of it and is giving it back to the community Saturday.

North Forest High School’s homecoming game against Austin HS is set to kickoff at 6 p.m., but three hours before that, at 3 p.m., Skillern-Jones, along with State Rep. Senfronia Thompson and Houston Vice Mayor Pro Tem Jerry V. Davis, will host a tailgate party, complete with refreshments, a DJ, and door prizes. Skillern-Jones also be giving away all the district memorabilia to alumni or students who want it. Continue reading →

Federal literacy grant to promote ‘culture of reading’ at 10 HISD elementary schools

As one federal literacy grant to HISD is ending, the U.S. Department of Education has approved a new, expanded $749,982 grant that will fund “Project REALITY” family library activities at 10 HISD elementary schools and extend to others during the summer. The acronym stands for Reading Elevates All Learners Through Integrated Technology for Youth.

“It shows that the Department of Education has faith in what we’re doing,” said Liz Philippi, manager of HISD Library Services. Continue reading →

Parents, students explore variety of educational options at School Choice night

Middle school parents learned about more than 40 high school programs their children can choose from at a Parent Information Night organized by the district’s Office of School Choice on Thursday at Burbank Middle School.

“It’s good to see that our students have so many opportunities at HISD,” said Rubin and Laura Precella, who attended the program with their daughter and nephew, both eighth-graders at The Rice School. “We just want to learn more about the different programs so that we can choose one that will help our children make their mark on the world.” Continue reading →

Community teams up with HISD schools for Walking Towards Literacy event

Over 300 students, families, HISD staff and community members gathered on Saturday to promote literacy across Houston during the 3rd annual Walking Towards Literacy event at Tidwell Park. The Making It Better organization, a HISD community partner for Read Houston Read, sponsored the event.

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Dogan Elementary celebrates dedication of new school

Dogan Elementary School students, staff and community members gathered on Monday to officially dedicate the school’s new 86,000-square-foot building, which was built with $19.6 million in funding from HISD’s 2007 bond initiative.

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Sign up as a reading volunteer during Walking Towards Literacy event

Nine HISD elementary schools have joined in the effort to promote literacy across Houston by participating in the 3rd annual Walking Towards Literacy event on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Tidwell Park  (9720 Spaulding, 77016).

The free event, hosted by Making It Better (MIB), kicks off with a 1 ½ mile-long literacy awareness walk followed by a family festival celebrating the importance of literacy through arts and crafts, entertainment, food, music and more. Attendees will also be provided with books, health and wellness screenings, and financial literacy information.

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New program designed to lower stress, boost focus in classes

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Twelve Houston ISD schools have a new program designed to improve students’ health and reduce their stress.

The program, which is sponsored by the Sonima Foundation, will teach students skills for a healthier lifestyle. Through group discussion, character education, breathing exercises and yoga, students will learn to focus their attention, calm their minds, reduce stress and think before reacting.  Nutrition curriculum will be introduced later in the school year. Continue reading →

Meet the North Forest HS senior who already has his own radio show on KCOH

In this edition of I am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, North Forest High School senior Joseph Vaughns talks about how he landed his own radio show on KCOH 1230 AM, which life struggles he considers a blessing, and what his plans are for after graduation.

North Forest High School senior Joseph Vaughns hosts his show "Generation Next" at the KCOH studio, September 20, 2014. (Dave Einsel / Houston ISD)

Joseph Vaughns

You host the Generation Next program on Saturday mornings at KCOH 1230 AM. How did a high school senior come to be hosting his own public radio show?

I started at the radio station as an intern when I was in the eighth grade. I learned to work the board as a deejay and to produce the Saturday show call “Person to Person” with Lisa Berry-Dockery.

Time went on and the owners of the station changed; they no longer needed me. They told me they would call me if they needed me and eventually, they did. Early one Saturday morning, I received a call asking me to come in to the station because they needed someone in the morning temporarily. I filled in for about two Saturdays and they asked me if I was interested in the position. I’ve been there ever since.

Tell me a bit more about Generation Next. How long have you been hosting that show and when did it first start airing? What is it designed to showcase?  Continue reading →