Category Archives: Elementary Schools

HISD extends districtwide closure, will continue online instruction

With the federal government extending social distancing guidelines through the end of April, the Houston Independent School District will remain closed, providing online instruction until further notice.

In addition to the federal guidelines, this decision comes in response to the new executive order by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday to close all Texas schools until May 4. During this time, we will continue remote learning.

Until traditional classroom instruction resumes, the district has launched HISD @ H.O.M.E. (Home-based Online Mobile Education), a distance learning plan to ensure students’ academic and non-academic needs are met as the district remains closed due to COVID-19 precautions.

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HISD to provide educational programming through HISD @ H.O.M.E. TV

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The Houston Independent School District is launching HISD @ H.O.M.E. TV to provide educational programming as part of the district’s HISD @ H.O.M.E distance learning plan.

HISD @ H.O.M.E. TV will kick off on Tuesday, March 31 with instructional videos that include lessons from teachers and teacher development specialists in several subject areas, including math, science, reading and writing, social studies, and fine arts.

“Our mission is to support students in every community with the educational resources they need to thrive, and this is an important step in that effort – especially given the current need to deliver instruction virtually,” said Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. “I want to thank our HISD Communications and Academics teams for supporting our students during these unprecedented times.”

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Food distribution efforts reach nearly 40,000 families

In a matter of eight days, the food distribution sites operated by the Houston Independent School District in partnership with the Houston Food Bank assisted nearly 40,000 families.

The 61 food distributions served approximately 1 million pounds of food to families in need before being canceled late Wednesday. Nearly 2,000 staff and volunteers assisted with the efforts and were able to serve 5,000 families per day throughout HISD. 

The cancellation of the distribution sites will remain in effect as the district re-evaluates its process for safely delivering this service to students and families.  

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Rucker ES holds neighborhood parade to connect with students

Rucker Elementary School Principal Eileen Puente knew that her staff would need to rethink how they would engage with students following Spring Break and the closure of HISD campuses due to COVID-19.

So, on Thursday, Puente and over 20 of her teachers and staff convened at Rucker with their vehicles, formed a parade, and drove through nearby streets and neighborhoods to check in with their students from a safe distance.

Like tens of thousands of other elementary school children across HISD, the 400-plus students, who call the southeast neighborhood school home, will not be returning to campus for several weeks due to intensifying precautions around the spread of COVID-19.

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Wilson Montessori implements Virtual Spirit Week to lift spirits, showcase learning

The Monday after Spring Break, pictures of students proudly showcasing their family heritage flooded Wilson Montessori’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

With schools closed amid COVID-19 precautions, the Montrose-based campus has found a creative way to support their students and families during this time with a Virtual Spirit Week.

“We must be mindful that this may be a difficult time for children and their families,” said Wilson Principal Shameika Sykes-Salvador. “While we won’t be seeing them in person, it’s still important for children and families not to feel isolated.”

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Friday food distribution sites rescheduled for Monday due to weather forecast; sites to be open again next week

Curbside pickup service will still be available and social distancing required at all locations

Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Houston Independent School District and the Houston Food Bank are rescheduling Friday’s food distribution sites for Monday to ensure the safety of families and volunteers.

Additionally, food distribution sites will extend operations throughout the week of Monday, March 23.

Curbside pickup service will continue to be available at all 39 food distribution sites districtwide next week to help promote personal health and social distancing. Families who do not have transportation and must walk to the site can continue to stand in line but will be required to stand six feet apart from each other. HISD Police and staff volunteers will be on site to enforce these measures and help with crowd control.

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HISD extends districtwide closure through April 10

As districts around the state and across the country continue to grapple with how to proceed in this unprecedented challenge to public health and education, the Houston Independent School District supports the nation’s need to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, HISD will extend its districtwide closure through Friday, April 10. All schools and offices are scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 13.

District administration will re-evaluate on Monday, April 6, to determine whether a longer closure beyond April 10 will be necessary. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that the state will waive STAAR testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. STAAR testing was scheduled to begin in April. The district also will provide more information about online learning and alternative education later this week.

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Curbside pickup service to be available, social distancing required at district food distribution sites

The Houston Independent School District and the Houston Food Bank will offer curbside pickup service at all 36 food distribution sites districtwide beginning March 16 to help promote personal health and social distancing.

Families who do not have transportation and must walk to the site can continue to stand in line but will be required to stand six feet apart from each other. HISD Police and staff volunteers will be on site to enforce these measures and help with crowd control.

“Social distancing is a key measure we must implement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so adding curbside pickup and keeping lines spaced out are important steps,” said HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan. “Thanks to our partners at the Houston Food Bank and our police and staff volunteers, we are able to safely distribute meals to our families in need during this time.”

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HISD to operate daily food distribution sites during districtwide closure

HISD, in partnership with the Houston Food Bank School Market program, will offer daily food distribution at five area high schools, beginning Saturday, March 16 to Friday, March 20.

A sixth high school will host a one-time food distribution site on Saturday, March 14.

The measure is being implementing to ensure all HISD families, many of whom have students who depend upon school meals, have access to healthy food while the district is closed.

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Annual Name that Book contest comes to a close

HISD students from across the district gathered at the Hattie Mae White Educational Center this week to show off their reading comprehension skills during the annual Name that Book competition finals. 

At the high-school level, the top three competitors were Carnegie Vanguard High School, The Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and Bellaire High School. T.H. Rogers, Garden Oaks, and West Briar Middle Schools earned bragging rights in grades 7 and 8, while Bush, Condit, and Horn Elementary Schools took the highest honors at the finals held for grades 3-6.

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