Category Archives: District VIII – Judith Cruz

Spring Visual Arts Showcase displays talent of HISD student artists

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Stroll through the halls of HISD’s Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St, 77092) over the next few days, and you could see a lion, a wolf, or even a cheetah.

All of these and more are represented in original artworks created by HISD students as part of the 2015 Spring Visual Arts Showcase, which is organized annually to display the talent of student artists from across the district.

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East Early College HS educator named National SECME Teacher of the Year

Samuel Saenz was a KBR Science TOTY in 2013 and a finalist for HISD’s secondary TOTY in 2014

SECME_Saenz_250The third time has proven to be the charm for HISD’s Samuel Saenz.

The East Early College High School (EECHS) physics teacher, who placed second for KBR’s Science Teacher of the Year in 2013 and was a finalist for HISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2014, has been named the National Southeastern Consortium of Minorities in Engineering (SECME) Teacher of the Year for 2015.

“Each year, SECME accepts nominations for extraordinary educators to be recognized for their dedication, creativity, and professionalism in inspiring students’ interest and achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM),” said SECME, Inc. Interim Executive Director Michele Williams. “Mr. Saenz clearly demonstrates all of the qualities that SECME encourages in educators to accomplish our mission to engage and prepare a diverse pool of students for college and careers in STEM.”

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Author visits Scroggins ES as part of ‘School Lunch Hero Day’

LunchLady_400On May 1, students at 16 HISD elementary schools observed School Lunch Hero Day, a nationwide celebration sponsored by the School Nutrition Association, Random House Children’s Books, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author and illustrator of the popular Lunch Lady graphic novel series.

Krosoczka chooses one school to visit each year on School Lunch Hero Day, and this year, he chose HISD’s own Scroggins Elementary. He connected with Scroggins Librarian Jo Reed on social media and saw the marvelous activities she has done with the Lunch Lady series.

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Energy Institute named beneficiary of 2015 Offshore Technology Conference

Campus to receive proceeds from this annual event to support school programs

Houston, TX - OTC 2015 - Solange Guedes accepts the OTC Distinguished Achievement Award for Companies during the OTC Annual Awards dinner at the Offshore Technology Conference here today, Sunday May 3, 2015. The Society of Petroleum Engineers hosts the meeting at the NRG Park which has over 100,000 attendees from around the world to see the latest technology in the energy industry. Photo by © OTC/Todd Buchanan 2015 Contact Info: todd@corporateeventimages.com Keywords: (© OTC/Todd Buchanan 2015/Todd Buchanan)Each year, industry leaders gather together at the Offshore Technology Conference to recognize achievements, network with colleagues, and raise funds for a worthy cause. And each year, one organization is selected to receive the proceeds raised by the dinner held during the event.

The designated beneficiary of this year’s dinner is HISD’s own Energy Institute High School, which was created in 2013 in partnership with the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and the Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA). Continue reading

Last distinguished speaker in Energy Institute series more impressed by students

HISD’s Energy Institute held the last of a series of presentations given by distinguished speakers on April 30, and by the time their special guest was finished, he was as impressed by the students as they were with him.

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Austin HS maritime program christens navigation simulator

AustinHS_BridgeSimul_400While navigating rough water is a tough job, actually learning the finer points of navigation is even tougher. Students at HISD’s Stephen F. Austin High School for Maritime Studies have a new tool that will make that learning process a little easier—and certainly more comprehensive. Students, faculty, staff, and members of HISD administration and Houston’s maritime industry christened the school’s very own navigation simulator on April 24. Continue reading

Design charrette held for Askew, Wharton Dual Language, Young Women’s College Prep

Project Advisory Team (PAT) members for Askew Elementary, Wharton Dual Language Academy, and Young Women’s College Prep Academy (YWCPA) spent two days this week in an intensive workshop to put together preliminary design plans for their new facilities.

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J.J. Watt Foundation giving HISD after-school athletic programs a boost

Coach Wilson (L) with J.J. Watt and members of the Fondren MS football team

Coach Wilson (L) with J.J. Watt and members of the Fondren MS football team

Eight members of the Fondren Middle School football team received a big surprise on April 18.

They got to meet one of their idols that day—legendary Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt—at a special celebration held in Houston by the charity he created. As previous beneficiaries of a grant from the Justin J. Watt Foundation, the students were invited to help accept a large donation from Papa John’s Pizza, one of its biggest supporters, at the event. They also got to visit with Watt personally and ask him a few questions.

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HISD students honored for their winning dental posters

From left: Dr. Piazza, president of the Greater Houston Dental Society; Piney Point ES fifth-grader Viviana Jimenez; Garden Villas ES third-grader Alejandra Rodriguez; White ES second-grader Sandy Kong; Condit ES fifth-graders Eden Barr and Heidi Tamm; CoChairs of the Dental Health Committee Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Aguilos.

From left: Dr. Piazza, president of the Greater Houston Dental Society; Piney Point ES fifth-grader Viviana Jimenez; Garden Villas ES third-grader Alejandra Rodriguez; White ES second-grader Sandy Kong; Condit ES fifth-graders Eden Barr and Heidi Tamm; and Dental Health Committee CoChairs Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Aguilos. Not pictured: Scroggins ES second-grader Gabriel Velazco.

Every year, HISD elementary and middle school students participate in the Dental Health Poster Contest, which promotes the American Dental Association’s National Children’s Dental Health Month campaign. The purpose is to convince children and adults of the importance of good oral health.

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DeBakey tops Children at Risk’s list of best Houston high schools for sixth straight year

Reagan HS, Pilgrim Academy, and 20 other campuses also rated ‘Gold Ribbon’ schools

Children at Risk released its annual list of the top schools in the greater Houston area on April 27, and for the sixth consecutive year, HISD’s DeBakey High School for Health Professions was listed as number one.

Four other HISD high schools were included in the top ten: Carnegie Vanguard High School (#2), the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (#4), Eastwood Academy (#7), and North Houston Early College High School (#10).

T.H. Rogers, which serves students in grades Pre-K through 8, has held steady in the number one position among the top middle schools in Houston since 2011, and ranked first at the elementary level since 2012. Other HISD schools in the top 20 were: Wharton K-8 (#5), Pin Oak (#7), Lanier (#8), and Briarmeadow Charter (#15) at the middle-school level; and West University (#2), River Oaks (#3), Horn Academy (#6), Bush (#13), Condit (#14), Oak Forest (#17), and Roberts (#19) at the elementary level.

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