Category Archives: District VIII – Judith Cruz

Wharton renovation, expansion plans presented to community; construction to start soon

Once construction is complete, the new Wharton Dual Language Academy will feature new learning spaces and labs, a new gym and library, an interior courtyard preserving heritage trees, and a grand, three-story, glass entryway.

Designs plans for the school’s renovation and new addition were detailed to nearly 100 Wharton parents and community members Thursday night during  community meeting at the Wharton campus.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000zs1OfpkPbNw” g_name=”20160421-Wharton” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

The project is part of the Houston Independent School District’s 2012 Bond Program, which calls for renovation or replacement of 40 schools across the district. Construction at Wharton is expected to start later this year, with the Montrose-area school expected to re-open its doors in fall of 2018.

The project will expand the school’s capacity up to 900 students and eliminate all the temporary buildings from the site.

Continue reading →

7 HISD schools named winners of SAT promotional campaigns

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000UbOHITXgMfg” g_name=”20160415-SATKhanAcademyWinners” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Representative from HISD’s College Readiness department and The College Board spent most of Friday driving across Houston to surprise 11th-grade students at seven high schools who were named winners of the School Day Incentive program.

The purpose of the program is to increase student participation and scores for the School Day SAT on April 12, thereby increasing student access to higher education and money for college. Two contests were introduced through the incentive: the You Khan Do It Scholarship and the Best SAT Campaign Ever. Students were encouraged to participate in taking the SAT for a chance to earn scholarships toward college-bound materials or activities.

Continue reading →

I am HISD: Meet renowned pianist and ‘Selma’ composer who developed a love of music in HISD schools 

Jason Moran works with a dance class at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center where he went to school as well.

Jason Moran works with a dance class at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center.

In this week’s I Am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, HISD alumnus and renowned pianist, composer, and bandleader Jason Moran talks about giving back to the HISD schools he attended and receiving a McArthur “genius” grant. He attended McGregor Elementary School, Gregory Lincoln Education Center, and High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. During a recent visit to Houston to engage with students at all three schools, he took time out from his busy schedule to talk to HISD. For more background information see these links: African-American alumni give back and HISD alumni bringing Black History month to life. 

You are in year two of a three-year homecoming residency sponsored by Da Camera with the three schools you attended at HISD. What inspired you to give back to students in those schools?

Many of the thought patterns that I continue to use as a mature artist were learned at those schools. Macgregor Elementary is the place where an instrument was first placed in my hands [a violin], and that prompted my parents to buy a piano for all of us boys to practice on. That piano is still in my living room In New York City, and it’s probably the one I play the most. Though they seem fleeting, these ideas that are planted early on in children’s minds are very important. Continue reading →

HISD Scholars Banquet honors Class of 2016 valedictorians and salutatorians

HISD Scholars Banquet honors Class of 2016 valedictorians and salutatorians HISD paid tribute to 99 high school seniors at the top of their class at the annual Scholars Banquet on April 12 at the Westin Oaks Galleria. In addition to their outstanding academic achievements, these valedictorians and salutatorians have already garnered more than $10 million in scholarships and financial aid offers.

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UxevnOYgY4&feature=youtu.be”]

Continue reading →

Take a trip around the world at expo of Pre-K students’ work

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000QzZ8s9Gofy0″ g_name=”20160411-Laurenzo-ECC-Student-Expo” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

In honor of Laurenzo Early Childhood Center becoming a dual-language school this year, the faculty adopted an international theme for their annual expo. Every class chose a different country to study for eight weeks, and their project-based lesson plans included students’ asking questions, engaging in investigations, and making discoveries.

Continue reading →

Anticipation is growing as Furr High School construction makes progress

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00003afEyy_WVNQ” g_name=”20160411-Furr” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Construction on the new building for Furr High School is set to be complete just 12 short months from now and open to students for the start of the 2017-2018 school year, project manager Michael Scott confirmed at the school’s quarterly Project Advisory Team meeting last week.

“I’m really pleased with the progress that’s been made in the first quarter,” Scott said. “Despite a couple of rain delays, we’re on schedule and we expect to stay that way.”

Continue reading →

‘Caught in the Act’ spotlights Furr HS teacher

Creativity, costumes, and nature used to engage students 

HISD “Caught in the Act” cameras, along with Chief Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Officer Annie Wolfe, recently captured an out-of-the-box and creative instructional lesson during a visit to the classroom of Furr High School teacher David de Hoyos Salazar.

During the 40 minute lesson, students in Salazar’s environmental sciences class left the school building and traveled to a nearby park to take part in an interactive activity that required critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. Watch the video below to see how Salazar, dressed as the movie character Indiana Jones, uses some creative teaching techniques to engage his students.

[su_vimeo url=”https://vimeo.com/161942676″ width=”500″ height=”280″ responsive=”no”] Continue reading →

College Readiness surprises two high school seniors with FAFSA scholarships

Completing this year’s FAFSA on time paid off big time for two high school seniors who were the surprise recipients of a $500 scholarship on Friday.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000geik3IhWEMo” g_name=”20160401-FAFSAScholarships” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

The HISD College Readiness department made two surprise visits to award checks to Belen Mendoza of Austin High School and Ashley Guzman of Energized for STEM Academy, Inc. High School West Campus. As a part of this year’s HISD FAFSA Initiative to increase TASFA or FASFA application submissions, names of every student who completed their TASFA/FASFA by HISD FASFA Day on March 3 were randomly selected from a drawing.

Continue reading →

Five HISD students win additional honors through Scholastic Art & Writing

Detail from Andrea Conley’s artwork titled “Fish Out of Water”

Andrea Conley’s “Fish Out of Water”

Students from four different HISD schools have been recognized as national winners in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing contests, and a fifth student has received an additional award at the regional level.

Pin Oak MS’s Andrea Conley won a gold medal at the national level in the drawing and illustration category for her piece titled “Fish Out of Water,” while Ashton (Unity) Haq (HS for Performing and Visual Arts) and Aleia Sen (T.H. Rogers) took home silver medals in the poetry and personal essay/memoir categories respectively.

Carnegie Vanguard HS student Jaelynn Walls was named sole national American Voices Medal winner for her personal essay/memoir — one of Scholastic’s most prestigious awards — and Eli Winter (also from CVHS) received one of three regional Trustees’ Exemplary Awards from Harris County Department of Education (HCDE).

To see a complete list of national winners, please visit the HCDE website.

HISD to announce winning school of NCAA Read to the Final Four literacy challenge

Carillo ES learn they are in the lead

Carrillo Elementary School students learn they are in the lead for the Read to the Final Four challenge in November 2015.

Nearly 10,000 HISD elementary school students will fill NRG Stadium (Reliant Parkway, 77054) on Friday, April 1 for the district’s announcement of the winner of the NCAA Team Works Read to the Final Four Literacy Program at Reese’s Final Four Friday event.

The program begins at 11 a.m., but prior to that, Waltrip HS’s band will play as students arrive, and Atherton ES’s drum line will perform before the announcement of the winning school at 11:40 a.m., which will receive a $5,000 cash prize, Final Four trophy, and campus celebration. The final four elementary schools in the competition are Browning, Carrillo, Dogan, and Janowski. Additionally, the top readers from each of the 68 schools will receive a bike from CYCLE. Attendees are welcome to stay for the remainder of the day and watch special practice games and tributes. The day’s activities are free and open to the public, including parking in the stadium’s Blue Lot beginning at 9 a.m. Anything brought into the stadium during all Final Four events must be in a clear bag, due to security. Some 125,000 clear bags are being given away at Houston hotels and the George R. Brown Convention Center, as well as on METRORail platforms. Find full details here.

Continue reading →