Category Archives: District VIII – Judith Cruz

Family Learning Academy ‘Super Saturdays’ continue until Nov. 8

HISD families from throughout the district are encouraged to attend one of four remaining “Super Saturday” sessions held throughout the months of October and November by the HISD Family and Community Engagement Department. The free sessions are part of the district’s Family Learning Academy (FLA), which is designed to give HISD parents and families the tools they need to help their child graduate from high school, enroll in college, and pursue a rewarding career.

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Several hundred parents and their children attended the FLA event this past at Saturday at Furr High School which included sessions on a variety of district and community resources including: connecting kids to healthcare, navigating the HISD school choice application process, healthy eating, and how to help your student decide what to do after high school. Continue reading →

HISD PD reaches out to community during National Night Out

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The Houston Independent School District Police Department celebrated its annual National Night Out event on Tuesday with food, music and fun activities. About 150 community members, law enforcement officials, volunteers and businesses gathered at the department’s headquarters to host the event, which aims to strengthen police and community relationships.

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Family Learning Academy offers parents resources for college and career planning

Houston ISD wants to help parents be ready for when their children graduate and go on to college or join the workforce. The district’s Family and Community Engagement Department is holding a Family Learning Academy to give tips and let parents know about the options available.

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Patricio Dominguez attended the first Family Learning Academy Super Saturday, which was held at Jones Futures Academy, to find out how to save money.
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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 →

Rodriguez and Wharton are HISD’s newest IB schools

Rodriguez Elementary School and the Wharton Dual Language Academy have received official authorization to operate as International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools. These authorizations bring the district total to 16 IB campuses.

“We earned our authorized IB status through the extensive, collaborative hard work and commitment of our faculty, staff, students, and parents,” said Wharton Principal Jennifer Day. “This journey has brought our school community a long way toward realizing our mission of empowering our students to become respectful, life-long, bilingual and bi-literate inquirers who celebrate diversity as responsible citizens of the world.”

“Our IB authorization reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence for the diverse children of the Gulfton community,” said Rodriguez ES Principal Elena Martinez-Buley.” We are determined to close student achievement gaps by providing a rigorous, meaningful, and integrated curriculum that will expand our student’s knowledge and provide them with the tools to be productive citizens in our society and across the world.” Continue reading →

Furr HS community hears about construction plans for new school

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Members of the Furr High School community gathered Thursday evening at the school for a presentation on the construction process and final design plans for a new school being built under HISD’s 2012 bond program.

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HISD Up Close: Juliet Stipeche talks about Read Houston Read, student congress

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HISD Up Close, hosted by HISD Board of Education President Juliet Stipeche, explores the initiatives, educational programs and information about the school district that is of interest to students, parents, teachers and the community. In September, Stipeche spoke with Cindy Puryear, the district’s literacy director, and Garcia Elementary School Principal Aaron Dominguez about HISD’s Read Houston Read program. Puryear discussed the formation of the HISD Student Congress with the organization’s founding members. Finally, Stipeche visited with Rice University’s award winning mathematician, Dr. Richard Tapia. Continue reading →

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 →

HISD families invited to attend fall Family Learning Academy events

Do you want your child to excel in school? Get into college? Find a rewarding career?

We can help!

This fall, HISD launches the Family Learning Academy – a series of free events to connect district and community resources that support student success with HISD families across the city. Continue reading →