HAIS students travel to China
One of the goals of the Houston Academy for International Studies (HAIS) is to develop cultural awareness in students that will make them empathetic, informed citizens of the world. HAIS students have had a busy year, traveling far and wide to practice their linguistic skills and become better global citizens.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston recently presented HISD with a $28,000 Japan Foundation grant to support the Japanese language program at Johnston Middle School. The check was awarded during a reception welcoming students from Chiba, Japan, who visited Houston Aug. 16 to 29 as part of the Japan America Society of Houston’s Houston-Chiba Youth Exchange program.
24 high schools participating across Houston
What: HISD’s Department of Dropout Prevention will lead visits to the homes of hundreds of students who did not return to school for this fall semester during the 10th annual Grads Within Reach walk. The purpose of this walk is to let the students know about the programs HISD offers to help them graduate such as the Grad Labs online credit recovery program and the Twilight High Schools around the city which offer flexible night and weekend hours. The volunteers will set out from 24 high schools across the city to knock on the doors of students’ homes to personally encourage them to return to school.
Media are invited to Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center for video of the walk and interviews with administrators and volunteers.
Who: HISD Department of Dropout Prevention, principals and volunteers
When: Saturday, Sept. 7 at 8:00 a.m.
Where: Sam Houston MSTC, 9400 Irvington
Two Houston ISD schools are competing in the 12th annual Tommy Tune Awards.
Thousands of ninth-graders across HISD began taking the PSAT college-readiness exam this fall as a part of the “PSAT for All” initiative.
Launched in 2003, the program was originally designed to give all tenth-graders a chance to take the test for free. It was expanded in 2010 to include all ninth-graders. All test administration fees are paid for by the district.
Elizabeth Henderson
When 17-year-old Elizabeth Henderson boarded an airplane this summer for her first-ever international flight, she did not know she would come back to Houston a month later ready to change the world.
But Henderson, a resident of the predominately African-American community of Sunnyside, returned from her trip to Israel more culturally aware and determined to apply what she had learned overseas.
From friendly campus competitions to going door to door in their communities, HISD schools are getting creative in ways to increase student attendance. September is Attendance Awareness Month, and HISD is joining school districts around the nation to deliver the message that attendance matters for success in school and in life, and that too many absences can easily add up to academic trouble.
At the monthly HISD principals’ meeting on September 4, school leaders shared what they are doing to reward students who come to school every day, and how they are reaching out to those who are having attendance issues.
HISD Food Services will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday
After giving the cafeteria dining area and kitchen a complete makeover, students at North Forest High School will get to enjoy four new build-your-own dining stations and celebrate their cafeteria’s new look during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 30at 10 a.m. at 10725 Mesa Drive.
“The new build-your-own dining stations increase our variety of offerings to students and encourage them to be creative while eating healthy versions of their favorite meals,” HISD Food Services Senior Administrator Brian Giles said. “Each station offers fresh vegetables, lean and low-fat proteins and whole grain bread options.”
Earlier this summer, North Forest High School students participated in focus groups and provided feedback on the type of school lunch experience they would like to have. Their feedback helped HISD Food Services develop lunch experiences to meet their campus’ needs.
North Forest High School students can now order their lunch from the following dining brands:
“The revamped cafeteria allows students to enjoy their favorite foods created their own way, while refueling physically and emotionally to meet the challenges of the day,” said North Forest Principal Pamela Farinas. “I am pleased with the work of HISD Food Services to improve the kitchen conditions, eating environment and food for the students at North Forest High School.”
Eighty-seven new dining brand stations have been implemented in high schools throughout the district since last fall, providing flavor and variety to more than 30,000 students.
When the first lunch bell rang at North Forest High School, hungry students filled the cafeteria and noticed that the walls were a little brighter and there were more food choices than last year. For the first few minutes, students walked around trying to figure out what to order.
Over the summer, HISD Food Services completely overhauled the cafeteria and menu offerings in the former North Forest ISD school. “I like how the lines are set-up with different things to choose from,” said senior Chanzce Jones. “The food tastes better than last year, and I’m glad to hear it will be different every day.” Students who were accustomed to seeing the same items daily can now choose from four dining choices developed by HISD Food Services/ARAMARK Education.
Sharpstown HS student Scorpia Taban started the 2013–2014 school year on Monday missing some crucial school supplies. But now, thanks to a generous donation by Chase, the freshman is equipped with all she needs for a successful year. “This is great, because this morning I didn’t have a backpack,” Taban said. “This really helps me out, and I am very grateful.”
Taban and all freshmen on the Apollo 20 campus received new backpacks filled with school supplies, while students in grades 10-12 received pens, highlighters, spiral notebooks, binders, and more. The donation was made possible through a partnership between Chase and World Vision, an organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.