Category Archives: District VII – Bridget Wade

Briarmeadow students change lives of Cambodian amputees through IB project

Briarmeadow Charter School students raised enough money at this bake sale to buy prosthetic limbs for two Cambodian amputees.

Briarmeadow Charter School students raised enough money at this bake sale to buy prosthetic limbs for two Cambodian amputees.

Two Cambodian amputees are now enjoying a better quality of life due to increased mobility, after students at HISD’s Briarmeadow Charter School completed a project that provided them with new prostheses.

Hea Yoeung, who lost her lower left leg in a motorcycle accident, and Dork Savorn, who lost his lower right leg after stepping on a landmine during a soccer game, both have new artificial limbs, thanks to a donation of $600 from the school’s first-graders. The students raised the money during a single bake sale, after learning about the needs of amputees around the world.

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New classroom wing at Grady MS is open for learning

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Grady Middle School students stepped inside their new $14.8 million classroom wing today – the first day of classes in the new building. With natural light streaming into classrooms and shared collaborative spaces, and flexible furniture placed throughout, the new wing truly reflects a modern learning environment.

The addition completes the multi-phase master plan for the campus that was begun with funds from the 2007 bond. The building features a core classroom wing with 24 classrooms, six science labs, six learning commons, and three administrative suites. Student capacity at the school is now expanded from 580 to 850 students.

Two HISD students win top honors in regional Scholastic contest

Anna White, from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, was named an "American Vision" finalist in this year's Scholastic Art & Writing Contest for her painting, entitled "Afternoon Nap."

Anna White, from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, was named an “American Visions” finalist in this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Contest for her painting, entitled “Afternoon Nap.”

The Harris County Department of Education recently announced the regional winners of the Scholastic Art & Writing contests, and one of the top 10 finalists in each category attends an HISD school.

Anna White (High School for the Performing and Visual Arts) was named an American Visions finalist for her painting entitled “Afternoon Nap,” while Jaelynn Walls (Carnegie Vanguard High School) was named an American Voices finalist for her personal essay/memoir entitled “Prime.” American Visions and American Voices nominees are considered regional “best of show” winners in art and writing (respectively). Each will receive a $250 scholarship from sponsor Texas Art Supply, and one finalist in each category will earn the national medal in March.

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Six HISD schools recognized by Touchdown Club for demonstrating good sportsmanship

TouchdownClub2016_800Six high school campuses in HISD were honored recently for their athletes’ consistent demonstration of good sportsmanship during competitions. Austin, Kashmere, Lee, North Forest, Waltrip, and Westbury high schools were all named finalists for the Touchdown Club Houston’s annual Sportsmanship Awards.

“The annual gala rewards high schools for doing things the right way,” said HISD Senior Athletics Program Administrator André Walker. “Squads are judged based on their actions on the field, the actions of the support personnel in the stands, the number of personal fouls and unsportsmanlike fouls, and respect for the American flag.”

The schools were formally recognized during the Touchdown Club’s 11th annual luncheon held on Jan. 28.

Twenty-four HISD students land 2016 all-state ensemble seats

TMEA2016Waltrip_250Two dozen HISD students have earned a spot on a Texas Music Educators Association All-State Ensemble this year.

Flutist Jiayuan Han (Lamar HS) and French horn player Eduardo Sierra (pictured, Waltrip HS), as well as seven students from Bellaire High School and 15 from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), will perform in various groups during the TMEA’s annual convention in February.

All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive. More than 1,600 students were selected this year through a process that began with more than 64,000 from around the state vying for the honor to perform in one of 15 ensembles (bands, orchestras, and choirs).

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Seven student athletes honored by Sugar Land Skeeters

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Seven HISD juniors from three different high schools were recognized recently by a professional baseball team for their skill on the field.

The Sugar Land Skeeters honored Elizabeth Castillo, Julissa Duenas, and Marcus Mack (Bellaire HS), Courtney Taylor, Mary Tindall, and Jimmy Winston (Lamar HS), and Richard Bailey (Waltrip HS) during the organization’s fourth annual Hot Stove Banquet on Jan. 21.

The girls are members of the 2016 All-Greater-Houston Preseason High School Softball Team, while the boys are members of the 2016 All-Greater-Houston Preseason High School Baseball Team.

To see a list of all the honorees this year, please visit the Skeeters’ website.

 

Seven bond schools planning community meetings in first quarter

Updates will be provided on design plans and project status for each campus

Community meetings have been scheduled during the first quarter for the following seven bond schools, to inform stakeholders of project plans to rebuild or renovate their campus as part of HISD’s $1.89 billion bond program. Attendees will hear from project architects and other team members and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Meeting times and locations

SCHOOL DATE ADDRESS
Garden Oaks Montessori Tues., Feb. 2, 7:00 p.m. 901 Sue Barnett
Askew Elementary Thurs., Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m. 11200 Wood Lodge
Waltrip High School Tues., Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. 1900 West 34th St.
Westbury High School Thurs., Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. 11911 Chimney Rock
Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy Tues., Feb 23, 6:30 p.m. 1906 Cleburne Street
Wilson Montessori Thurs., Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m. 2100 Yupon
Sam Houston MSTC Wed., Mar. 2, 6:30 p.m. 9400 Irvington

More information on HISD building programs

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Flexible furniture complements modern learning environments across HISD

Construction at Grady Middle School, January 8, 2016.

Interior work is underway in the new wing at Grady Middle School.

With construction well underway on schools throughout HISD, a few are beginning to put the finishing touches on their buildings—including installation of furniture that will bring 21st century learning to life.

Under the bond program, a total of 40 schools are currently being built or renovated with flexible and innovative learning spaces. Inside of each building, flexible furniture will be included in the learning spaces to move beyond the traditional classroom of four walls, white board, and fixed desks and chairs.

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Thank a trustee during National School Board Recognition Month

The 2016 Board of Education

The 2016 Board of Education are (L-R): Anna Eastman, Michael Lunceford, Second Vice President Diana Davila, First Vice President Wanda Adams, Assistant Secretary Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Secretary Jolanda Jones, President Manuel Rodriguez Jr., Harvin Moore, and Greg Meyers.

January is National School Board Recognition Month, honoring the men and women who serve on the nation’s thousands of Boards of Education. These dedicated public servants become school board trustees because they are committed to improving public education and their communities.

Our board members devote many hours to making sure Houston’s schools are safe and have the resources and instructional programs needed to educate children to their fullest potential.

“The students in HISD are very fortunate to have dedicated board members who work day in and day out to shape policies that support a high-quality education for all of our students,” said HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier. “If you haven’t reached out, please thank your school board trustee for caring about our children, and let them know that they truly are appreciated for what they do.”

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Update on Wilson Montessori K-8 bond project

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Wilson Montessori K-8 will receive a new $18.9 million addition and general renovations of the existing facilities to accommodate 750 to 900 students.

The three-story building addition will feature flexible learning centers, multipurpose rooms, and a new dining area which connects to the existing building.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016 and take about 16 to 24 months to complete.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects