Category Archives: High Schools

Washington HS pool construction nears halfway mark

Washington High School students soon will be able to practice their favorite swimming strokes in their new four-lane pool and natatorium, which is set to open in April. 

Tracking at 45 percent completion, the natatorium features large garage-style overhead coiling doors that open to allow fresh air inside and fencing at each opening to maintain a secure perimeter.  

The pool’s concrete foundation was poured last month, and pool walls are being constructed. After the pool is formed, the concrete deck and locker rooms will be finished.  

Continue reading →

Bond Oversight Committee meets for fourth quarter update

Upbeat music blared through the speakers of the Northside High School dance studio as the Dancing Pantherettes showcased their new studio space for Bond Oversight Committee members. 

Led by Northside Principal Cecilia Gonzales, Associate Principal Victor Okoli, and Construction Services Senior Manager Sizwe Lewis, the tour of the new Northside also featured the new fine arts wing, black box theater, TV production room, and culinary kitchen. 

After the tour, Northside culinary arts students served a buffet-style, made-from-scratch breakfast — including biscuits, scones, eggs, bacon, sausage, and fruit — to showcase their magnet for culinary arts, hotel management, and media. 

Continue reading →

Trustees approve comprehensive facilities assessment to address aging infrastructure across the district 

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a comprehensive, districtwide facilities assessment designed to aid administrators as they prepare to address aging infrastructure across the district.

Facing more than $4.7 billion in deferred maintenance needs, the assessment data will be used to drive the district’s response to maintenance issues, safety concerns, student population growth, and building capacity needs, as well vertical curriculum alignment and educational equity.

Continue reading →

ROSES to hold spring women’s forum on networking

The Houston Independent School District’s Resilient Outstanding Sisters Exemplifying Success (ROSES) project on will host its spring professional women’s forum to discuss the strong communication and effective networking can shape a young woman’s life.   

The forum’s discussion panel will be moderated by ABC 13 News Weekend Anchor and Reporter Erica Simon, who also serves as a ROSES mentor. The event, which will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Kashmere High School (6900 Wileyvale Road, 77028), will feature panelists who are leaders from various fields, including an immigration attorney, a community relations expert, a law enforcement officer, as well as a ROSES student from Navarro Middle School.  

Continue reading →

Lathan, student leaders discuss student safety and well-being

Houston Independent School District Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan hosted a school safety discussion on Wednesday with student leaders from across the district to discuss strategies to ensure their safety and well-being.  

One student representative from every high school attended the morning meeting. The meeting, which will take place on a recurring basis, is part of an ongoing effort to increase the dialog around school safety in the wake of the tragic shooting at Bellaire High School last month, which resulted in the death of a student.  

“I want to thank you all for coming out today,” Lathan said. “I want to thank you all for giving of your time and feedback on this very important issue.” 

Continue reading →

Three HISD campuses nominated for prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools award

Three Houston Independent School District schools have been nominated for the U.S. Department of Education’s prestigious 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools award.

High School for Law and Justice (HSLJ), Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy (YWCPA), and Memorial Elementary School – all first-time nominees – are among 26 schools in Texas to be nominated by the Texas Education Agency.

“I applaud the dedication and work ethic of the students, parents, teachers, staff, and principals at each of our nominated campuses,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “These schools are proof that closing achievement gaps and creating high-performing academic environments districtwide is our commitment in HISD.”

Continue reading →

City of Houston program offers paid summer jobs to students

HISD students can gain real-world work experience through the City of Houston’s Hire Houston Youth (HHY) Initiative, which offers paid summer jobs and internships throughout the city.

The HHY initiative, which started in 2016, offers students ages 16 to 24 a minimum of $9 per hour for seven weeks of paid work at the City of Houston, and in Houston’s nonprofit and private sectors.

This summer, more than 10,000 job opportunities will be available with companies such as McDonald’s, United Airlines, the YMCA, and more. Most summer employment opportunities begin on June 8, 2020, and end July 30, 2020.

Continue reading →

Yates HS pool construction passes halfway mark

It’s been several years since students at Yates High School had a swim team. But with the completion of the school’s new natatorium set for April, students are one step closer to making that team a reality once again. 

Construction on the school’s natatorium and four-lane practice pool is 55 percent complete. The building’s exterior walls – which feature large garage-style overhead coiling doors that allow fresh air inside and have fencing at each opening to maintain a secure perimeter — were built first to ensure interior pool construction would not be affected by wet weather.  

The pool’s concrete foundation was laid in January, and pool walls are now being constructed. The project is expected to wrap up later this semester. 

Continue reading →

Lathan, key community leaders discuss strategies to increase school safety

Houston Independent School District Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan engaged in a school safety discussion on Friday with key community leaders to discuss strategies to ensure student safety and security. 

The meeting was an additional measure to engage with HISD stakeholders in the wake of the tragic shooting at Bellaire High School last month, which resulted in the death of a student.

Continue reading →