Category Archives: Elementary Schools

Winter reading program encourages students to read, earn prizes

Winter break is the perfect time for students to catch up on their favorite books, hone their reading skills, and earn a free book from their local Houston Public Library.

HISD is encouraging students to join the Houston Public Library’s winter reading program for kids and teens. From Dec. 1 through Jan. 15, students are encouraged to read or be read to 20 minutes a day for 10 days.

Students can read anything they like. Books, comics, newspapers, magazine articles, blogs, web pages, listen to an audiobook or have someone read to aloud; all of these types of reading count. 

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Eight years later: A look back at designing schools for learning

These certainly aren’t your grandmothers’ schools.

At least that’s how Dan Bankhead, General Manager for Facilities Design, describes the newly redesigned schools built under the 2012 Bond Program.

A sharp contrast from the original buildings, classrooms are now bright, spacious, and flooded with natural light. Bold colors adorn the floors and walls. Shared spaces are reminiscent of trendy hotel lobbies and cafés.

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T.H. Rogers alum and plant operator focuses on encouraging others

When students at T.H. Rogers School are dismissed for the day, Thomas Winston’s shift is just getting started. 

As a plant operator, Winston works nights, but looks forward to the time when he gets to cross paths with the elementary and middle school students as they make their way home.

Sometimes he simply greets them with a warm hello, other times he likes to give advice and prepare them for the outside world.

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From classroom delivery to grab-and-go, Nutrition Services continues to reinvent lunch

Lunchtime for Tracey Crawley’s first-grade class looks a bit different these days.

Instead of eating in a bustling cafeteria, the Gregory-Lincoln Education Center students now have lunch delivered directly to their classroom. Though different, it’s something the students still look forward to — especially on chicken nuggets day.

“It’s like second nature now,” Crawley said about her students’ new lunch model and safety protocols. “The atmosphere is set for them. The food is always on time. Our team has done a great job in making it an easy process.”

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Virtual Parent University session set for Jan. 19 to focus on college and career readiness

The Houston Independent School District will host its next virtual Parent University workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

The theme of the fourth session will be “College and Career Readiness.” The workshop will begin with a general session followed by virtual breakout sessions that will include information on district programs, parent engagement, and community resources.  

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Robinson ES teacher named December Teacher of the Month

Fifth-grade math teacher Jennifer Harwell was teaching her students at Robinson Elementary School how to multiply decimals when she was pulled out of her classroom for a special surprise.

Harwell was named HISD’s December Teacher of the Month for making learning about numbers exciting for all students, even those who may not always enjoy math. As a thank you for her hard work, this holiday season, she will be driving a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT, courtesy Sterling McCall Chevrolet.

Harwell is also a team lead for fifth grade and ensures her team works cohesively and actively collaborates with other grade levels to align instruction and good practices. This year, she has taken on the role of Career Pathways Instructional Excellence Coach and is working to coach new teachers on effective practices and quality instruction for all students.

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Proposed Pre-K instructional materials available for online review

The Houston Independent School District is participating in the prekindergarten instructional materials adoption process TEA’s Proclamation 2021, evaluating which of the state-adopted materials best supports HISD students.

As part of that evaluation, the district invites school and community members to review the state-adopted materials for English and Spanish prekindergarten systems and provide feedback. Materials selected and approved next spring by HISD Board of Trustees are then eligible for district purchase and distribution to Pre-K classrooms.

Ten publishers have submitted materials for HISD’s consideration. Instructions on accessing online samples of these materials can be viewed online here.

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School Choice application deadline for Phase 2 is Feb. 26  

Parents who would still like to apply for a school choice program for the 2021-2022 school year have until Friday, Feb. 26 to do so. 

After all applications in Phase 1 have been offered, eligible Phase 2 students who meet a program’s qualifications will be considered in the order in which their application was submitted, should the program have space available. 

Any applications for students who live outside the HISD boundaries will not be considered until Phase 3, even if the application was submitted during Phase 2. 

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Emancipation Park Conservancy provides more than 100 bicycles to HISD second-grade students

More than 100 Houston Independent School District second-grade students at two elementary schools were given new bicycles Friday afternoon, donated by the Emancipation Park Conservancy as part of its holiday season celebrations.

Second-graders at Thompson and Blackshear elementary schools were surprised to learn they were receiving the new bikes.

“We hope these bicycles will brighten the lives of our hardworking students,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “The Emancipation Park Conservancy is a wonderful community partner, and we always appreciate their support.”

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HISD kicks off 2020 Holiday Toy Drive

Houston Independent School District employees are sharing in the spirit of the holidays with those less fortunate through the district’s 2020 Holiday Toy Drive.

Donors are encouraged to drop off new and unwrapped toys at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St. Houston, TX 77092) by Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. Receptacles are located at the East and West entrances of the building.

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