Category Archives: Elementary Schools

‘Culture of trust, accountability’ at the center of North Forest turnaround success

Over six years ago, HISD faced an enormous challenge when it agreed to take over North Forest ISD, which had been plagued by years of low academic performance, a laundry list of state sanctions, and financial mismanagement – which eventually led to the order from the Texas Education Agency to close the district. 

Since taking on the seven schools in the North Forest district, HISD has made significant strides in improving the long-struggling campuses using strategies such as mobilizing effective teachers and principals, implementing reading mastery and corrective reading, extending the school day, and streamlining bus transportation to boost attendance.  

Five of the seven original transition team members are still part of Team HISD to this day, and the experience left an indelible impact on each of them. 

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Sing your heart out with National School Lunch Week student jingle contest

Nutrition Services is sponsoring a student jingle contest in honor of National School Lunch Week, which is being held Oct. 14-18. 

National School Lunch Week was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 as an annual celebration of the National School Lunch Program. This year, the theme — What’s on Your Playlist? — highlights the variety of flavors and dishes offered in today’s school lunch.  

“National School Lunch Week provides us with a great opportunity to celebrate the importance of a healthy school lunch, while also reinforcing the importance of eating good food and expanding students’ palates,” HISD Nutrition Services Officer Betti Wiggins said. 

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New Parent University session scheduled for Oct. 15 

HISD will host its next Parent University workshop from 5:15 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at four locations throughout the district: Cook Elementary School, Lawson and Pershing middle schools, and Westside High School. 

The theme for the session will be “How to Get Involved.” The workshop will begin with a dinner and resource fair and will include information on district programs, parent engagement, community resources, and how parents can become active partners in the successful education of their children. 

Parents can look up locations and select the most convenient one to attend. Registration is available at HoustonISD.org/ParentUniversity. 

Free dinner, interpretation services, and child care will be provided.

Want to become an HISD teacher?

District’s alternative certification program hosting info session 

Thinking about changing careers and love working with children? Maybe you’ve thought about becoming a teacher, but not sure what’s involved with getting your certification? 

The Houston ISD Alternative Certification Program invites you to attend its upcoming ACP Teacher Information Session at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Hattie Mae White (4400 West 18th St., 77092).  

Prospects can learn more about the ACP program and candidate selection process, as well as meet current teachers with HISD and those enrolled in the HISD ACP program. The one-year program is dedicated to recruiting individuals from diverse educational and career backgrounds who are passionate about students, teaching, and learning. 

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HISD celebrating Principals Month with downloadable templates for special messages

Principals play a vital role in the success of our students. As campus leaders, principals are responsible for fostering a positive climate and culture at our schools.

Whether it’s placing the right teacher in the classroom or having coffee with school parents, it’s without question that HISD principals go the extra mile to ensure the greatest outcomes for students.

HISD is encouraging students, parents, staff, and community members to honor and thank district principals during the month of October by printing out one of our custom cutouts, which are downloadable at the link below. You can include a message to give to your school leader or display on your campus and post on social media. There is even a version for students to color!

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October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

Throughout October, HISD is rallying behind National Bullying Prevention Month and encouraging participation in a campaign to keep all youth safe from bullying. 

Every day, thousands of students experience some form of bullying either at school, at home, or online through social media and texts. This is a great time for our schools, staff and students to raise awareness about bullying and the role we all play in making a difference.  

Schools looking for ways to participate this month can utilize a few simple and inexpensive projects and activities to bring awareness to the effects of bullying. Age-appropriate activities can be found online here.  

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Two HISD schools earn prestigious designations as National Blue Ribbon Schools

Field ES and Project Chrysalis MS recognized for closing achievement gaps

Field Elementary School and Project Chrysalis Middle School have been designated 2019 Blue Ribbon campuses by the U.S. Department of Education.

This is the second time Project Chrysalis Middle School has received the prestigious designation, which is awarded to schools that maintain high academic standards among all its students, while demonstrating progress in closing achievement gaps among various subgroups of students.

“I congratulate our National Blue Ribbon Schools, which are outstanding examples of our mission in HISD,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “Our teachers, administrators and parents work diligently to provide academic, social, and emotional supports that allow our students to excel despite challenges they may face.” 

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Kolter ES community celebrates construction progress

Hundreds of Kolter Elementary School families gathered Saturday at the site where their old school once stood, eager to get a peek at concrete and steel rising up from the ground before them. 

Many were clad in red and blue shirts adorned with a proud and determined message: “Hurricanes are strong. Kolter is stronger.” Others held white paper fans emblazoned with, “Consider me a big fan of the new Kolter Elementary.”  

All were there to celebrate the construction progress on the foreign language magnet school, set to re-open next summer after being destroyed two years prior by Hurricane Harvey. 

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HISD launches grade level acceleration program called Level-Up

The Houston Independent School District Office of Special Populations launched the Level-Up Program on Tuesday to support grade level acceleration of overage elementary students.  

In partnership with Imagine Learning, Level-Up works with overaged students in grades 2-4 and 6-7 to provide accelerated learning interventions that will allow them to master state-mandated learning objectives and advance one grade level by the beginning of their second semester.  

“This is definitely a dream come true,” Officer of Special Populations Courtney Busby said. “We’ve been talking about solutions for our overaged students for some time now, and we want to be sure we are meeting the needs of all of our learners.” 

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School Choice applications for 2020-2021 available on Sept. 27

First of five school choice fairs set for Sept. 28 at Sterling HS

Parents will have the ability to begin applying to School Choice Programs for the 2020-2021 school year on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019. The district’s first school choice fair will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Sterling High School (11625 Martindale, 77048).

HISD offers a robust portfolio of magnet programs at 112 schools to best meet students’ academic needs and interests. The magnet programs within the district include:

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