Category Archives: Fine arts

HISD names student winners of 2017 holiday greeting card contest 

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The Houston Independent School District on Monday announced the winners of the district’s 2017 holiday greeting card competition that features creative student artwork highlighting holiday traditions, seasonal decorations, and classic holiday songs.

The winners – fifth-grader Marissa Reyes of Scroggins Elementary School, seventh-grader Sophie Hinh of Pershing Middle School, and ninth-grader Daisy Prince of Lamar High School – were among 60 finalists from elementary, middle and high schools. All finalists received a boxed set of their holiday cards. All designs will also be available for purchase and on display at the HISD administration building.  Continue reading →

HISD to unveil 2017 holiday greeting cards designed by students

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The Houston Independent School District on Monday will unveil its 2017 holiday greeting card collection designed by students as part of the district’s annual holiday card competition.

This year, 60 students from elementary, middle, and high schools are finalists. The winning cards will be announced by HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza, who will select a winner from each school level.

The winning students will be present for the unveiling. All of the finalists’ holiday cards will be on display and available for purchase at HoustonISD.org/HolidayCards.

HISD students turn storm-damaged doors into art in Project aDOORe

Students from 25 campuses across the Houston Independent School District are turning doors from storm-damaged homes into works of art that will be showcased throughout the city.

The fine arts initiative — known as Project aDOORe Houston — aims to strengthen school communities that were most impacted by Hurricane Harvey by providing students with a means to heal through the creation of art.

Students will use the doors to visually document how the storm affected them, their school, and their community. They also will be tasked with depicting how the city has overcome, united, and grown as a result of the storm. Continue reading →

New Parker ES on track to open in January

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Parker Elementary School will have a new look for 2018, as construction on the new building inches closer to its scheduled December completion.

Exterior brick and roof installations are nearly complete, and steel framing is underway, as is the installation of insulation and dry wall. In addition, building heating and cooling systems are being tested and crews are painting the cafeteria’s exterior.

“I’m extremely anxious, but very excited,” Parker Principal Lori Frodine said. “We’ve been planning for our new school for several years, so it’s wonderful to see it come together. We can’t wait to move in.”

Continue reading →

Community, staff invited to cheer on bands at 10th annual Marching Band Festival 

The impact of Hurricane Harvey will be felt at this year’s Marching Band Festival, which is from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9 at Delmar Stadium (2020 Mangum). Admission is free.

The 10th annual showcase will feature fewer bands after Harvey shortened practice time and left some schools with damaged instruments.

Community and staff are invited to cheer on the nine participating bands as they perform in front of UIL-level adjudicators who will provide feedback on music, visual effects and performance. The lineup is:

  • Washington HS: 5 p.m.
  • North Forest HS: 5:30 p.m.
  • Sharpstown HS: 6 p.m.
  • Scarborough HS: 6:30 p.m.
  • Heights HS: 7 p.m.
  • Austin HS: 7:30 p.m.
  • Sterling HS: 8 p.m.
  • Lamar HS: 8:30 p.m.
  • Waltrip HS: 9 p.m.

Construction at Lawson MS hits halfway mark

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Construction at Lawson Middle School is more than halfway complete with the installation of the roof and testing of the heating and cooling system well underway.

Lawson Principal Kasey Bailey said she’s happy with the construction progress and is looking forward to opening the new school next year.

“I’ve walked the building twice, and it’s definitely coming along,” Bailey said. “Since we are a fine arts magnet, I’m really looking forward to celebrating the arts.”

Continue reading →

Hurricane art by HISD students on sale to raise money for hurricane relief

When some HISD students wanted to raise money for hurricane victims, they picked up their paint brushes and crayons and got to work. Tinsley Elementary School art teacher Phil Daum and his students are using art and technology to raise money for the HISD Foundation’s hurricane fund.

Continue reading →

Ask HISD Superintendent Carranza your back-to-school questions

Parents and community members can have their back-to-school questions answered by the superintendent and learn more about what’s new in the 2017-18 school year by tuning in to a live, interactive broadcast on Monday, Aug. 21.

Superintendent Carranza and his staff will take questions during a discussion that will be streamed live on HoustonISD.org, Facebook.com/HoustonISD, and on HISD-TV (Comcast 18 and Uverse 99).

There will be two opportunities to join in the conversation: from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for Spanish-speaking community members, and from 7 to 8 p.m. for English-speaking community members.

Parents can submit questions ahead of time by emailing Back2School@HoustonISD.org , posting a Tweet with the hashtag #Back2School, or posting a question at Facebook.com/HoustonISD. Questions can also be submitted during the live event.

The live broadcast will also provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about HISD’s initiatives for the new school year, including Achieve180, which is a plan to support the district’s 32 underserved campuses; restorative justice practices; wraparound services; and literacy. There will also be an update on the district’s new bond schools, nutrition in HISD, and fine arts.

New Westbury HS construction project moving along


The Westbury High School Huskies are seeing significant changes on their campus as construction on their two story addition is nearly halfway complete.

The $40 million dollar project, which is a part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond, calls for general renovations to the current building, as well as a new addition with 26 classrooms, flexible learning centers, two new gyms, and a dual purpose commons serving as both a dining area and space for students to gather.

“There is great progress being made as far as I can visibly see,” Westbury Principal Susan Monaghan said. “I think it’s going to be awesome for Westbury and the community.”

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Arts Access Initiative grows to include more HISD schools 

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Last year, the number of schools receiving creative learning experiences through the Arts Access Initiative grew to 25 from 11 the previous year. That number has now grown to 44 schools.

AAI representatives from nearly all of the participating schools came together in June for a Meet and Greet, where they learned more about the opportunities available to them through some 40 partner arts organizations. The group was welcomed by AAI Director Deborah Lugo. Remarks were made by HISD’s new fine arts director, Wenden Sanders.  Continue reading →