Category Archives: District IX – Myrna Guidry

Students receive scholarships, iPads, Target shopping spree  

Foundation led by ex-NFL player, Madison HS grad Moran Norris continues commitment to HISD students for 11th year

Thanks to the Moran Norris Foundation’s “Shopping for Good Character” program, 150 HISD middle-school students won a $100 shopping spree at Target in May. The students were selected by their teachers for great character, as well as excellent attendance. Of those students, six received iPads for their essays on good character. Another six students won athletics scholarships for college.

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The foundation handed out the awards at its 10th-anniversary fundraising gala, “Follow Me to the Stars,” in late June. In addition, HISD representatives presented Moran and Tamara Norris with a Certificate of Recognition for their outstanding support of HISD students over the years with scholarships, charitable initiatives, and the “Shopping for Good Character” program.

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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 →

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 →

Elementary school leaders are Harvard bound

Hines-Caldwell and Briargrove elementary principals selected to attend summer leadership institute at Harvard

Hines-Caldwell Elementary School Principal Torrye Hooper and Briargrove Elementary School Principal Eden Jones-Hinds are heading to Harvard this summer thanks to Raise Your Hand Texas, a nonprofit advocacy organization working to strengthen and improve public education,

Hooper and Jones-Hinds were selected by the non-profit to participate in a summer leadership program at The Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The two will join campus leaders from around the globe to engage in training and workshops led by national and international experts in the fields of education and leadership.

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Refugee flourishes at Westbury HS, will graduate with full scholarship to study physical therapy

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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.

Ludreche Bouanga was 11 years old when he moved to Houston with his family from Gabon, a country bisected by the equator on the Atlantic coast of Africa.

The young refugee spoke no English and knew little about American culture when he started as a middle-school student in HISD. Seven years later, the 18-year-old is graduating from Westbury High School with a scholarship to attend Allen Community College in Kansas, where he plans to study physical therapy and run track and cross country.

“I didn’t think it was possible,” he said. “But I met some people who helped me along the way.”

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HISD celebrates 2016 Educators of the Year

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The Houston Independent School District on Friday paid tribute to the district’s top elementary and secondary teachers of the year during the fifth annual Educators of the Year banquet, which honors exceptional teachers and principals.

Hillary Smith, a fifth-grade reading teacher at DeAnda Elementary School, was named HISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, while Christina Carter-Woods, a seventh-grade reading teacher at Pershing Middle School, was named HISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Smith and Carter-Woods each received a $3,500 cash award and an engraved plaque. They also will advance to the state’s regional Teacher of the Year competition. Continue reading →

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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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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