Category Archives: High Schools

Washington HS hosts students from Zimbabwe for science, technology learning collaborative 

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Booker T. Washington High School recently hosted a group of nearly 50 students from Zimbabwe as part of a 10-day international collaborative learning project.

The collaborative between Rydings College in Zimbabwe and Washington High School primarily was focused on science and technology and included visits to Space Center Houston and the University of Houston. Students hoped to bring back ideas on how to make wind turbines and processes for water purification.

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Excellence – Whatever it Takes: Sam Houston motto rings true as construction begins

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The excitement was palpable as the Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center Mariachi Band began to perform on Friday, formally kicking off the celebration designed to mark the start of construction on their new school.

Blustery winds didn’t stop dozens of students, teachers, parents, and alumni from gathering in the school parking lot to witness the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Sam Houston — part of the 2012 Bond Program — and catch a peek of the construction that already is underway.

“I believe strongly that our students deserve a state-of-the-art school,” Sam Houston Principal Alan Summers said. “Not only because they deserve to go to a school that looks good, but also because they deserve to be in a building that has facilities to help prepare them for life after high school.

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City of Houston to host summer job fairs

Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston, in partnership with the McDonald’s Owner/Operators Association of Greater Houston, are hosting a series of “on the spot” hiring events to help connect youth and young adults, ages 16-24, with potential employers looking to fill summer jobs.

Bring your resume, Texas ID, and Social Security card, and get hired on the spot!

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Madison HS senior graduates despite health challenges 

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Surrounded by his family and doctors, as well as HISD Board President Wanda Adams, Madison Principal Orlando Reyna, and staff members, senior Erick Reyes donned a graduation cap and gown for a moving bedside ceremony at Texas Children’s Hospital on Friday.

Fox News was there and posted this story on their website.

Erick has been suffering with bone cancer for the past two years and was recently moved to hospice care. He enrolled at Madison in 2012 and was well on his way to graduation when he was diagnosed with bone cancer.  Erick struggled to continue his studies while receiving treatment but had to stop due to the severity of his illness. He went into remission and returned to campus to finish his final classes, but unfortunately, the cancer returned. Although Erick was unable to complete his dream of walking across the stage with his classmates, he was pleased to be honored with his diploma.

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Help make this a prom to remember for HISD students 

HISD’s Homeless Education Office is requesting donations of formal attire for hundreds of homeless and at-risk high school seniors planning to attend their prom. The homeless office is requesting formal dresses, shoes, handbags, and jewelry for girls and tuxedo rentals, men’s shirts, and men’s shoes for boys.

Donations may be dropped off at the following locations:

  • Hattie Mae White Education Support Center, Room 3SW11, 4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092 (713-556-6800)
  • HISD Homeless Education Office, Peck Elementary School, 5001 Martin Luther King, Houston, 77021 (713-556-7237)
  • Bee Busy Wellness Center, 8785 W. Bellfort, Houston, 77031 (713-771-2292)

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Milestone ceremonies planned this week for Codwell ES, Sterling Aviation HS

The South Area feeder pattern on Friday will host milestone celebrations at Codwell Elementary School and Sterling Aviation High School to showcase improvements and investments in South Area schools.

The event will begin with a groundbreaking ceremony at Codwell Elementary, which is receiving a $12.5 million renovation that will allow it to reopen to students. The event will conclude at Sterling Aviation High School, which will celebrate its new 237,000-square-foot facility, which was constructed as part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond Program.

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Graduation ceremony schedule announced for the Class of 2017

Hundreds of HISD students will walk across a stage in the spring to collect their diplomas as part of the district’s annual graduation ceremonies.

Most ceremonies will take place at various locations around the city (primarily the Barnett Fieldhouse, Butler Fieldhouse, Delmar Fieldhouse, NRG Arena/Stadium, Texas Southern University campus, and Wilkins Pavilion) between Friday, May 26, and Sunday, May 28.

However, a few will be taking place earlier (E-STEM, Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy, Victory Prep – North, and Victory Prep – South on Thursday, May 25) or later (Liberty HS on Sunday, June 4), so be sure to check the schedule for times and locations at HoustonISD.org/GraduationCalendar.

Students to present at Microsoft for Digital Learning Day 

Presentations to highlight how technology has helped transform learning 

Teams from 10 HISD high schools will be making presentations to Microsoft executives this Thursday, Feb. 23, as part of Digital Learning Day. The student presentations highlight how HISD’s one-to-one laptop initiative, also known as PowerUp, has impacted learning both in and out of the classroom.

The ten teams were selected from among 45 high schools who participated in Together with Tech, the district’s first ever student-led technology conference that took place Feb. 11 at Lamar High School. Student presentations at the conference used technology-based platforms that included digital animation, mobile app design, and tools such as Google Earth.   Continue reading

HISD to kick off districtwide Voter Registration Week 

The Houston Independent School District will kick off a districtwide voter registration drive as part of the district’s ongoing efforts to teach students about their civic duties and the voting process.

HISD will host its Voter Registration Week beginning on Presidents’ Day – Monday, Feb. 20. Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center (9400 Irvington Blvd., 77076) is one of many HISD campuses that will register students to vote from Monday, Feb. 20 through Friday, Feb. 24.

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Honor African Americans during Black History Month by learning about HISD’s namesake schools

Click image for an interactive tour.

HISD is celebrating Black History Month by exploring the many schools named for distinguished African Americans in the community. The district has more than 30 schools that recognize the contributions of African American leaders ranging from renowned educators to legislators to community leaders. The first week’s story focused on early childhood centers and elementary schools. Last week, the series continued with middle and combination schools, and this third week is high schools, alternative schools, and the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.

Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center – When former teacher Hattie Mae White (1916-1993) was elected to the HISD Board of Education in 1958, she was the first African American elected to public office in Texas in the 20th century. She led the effort to desegregate Houston’s schools, undeterred despite racist attacks. White also was elected to the YWCA Metropolitan Board of Directors, where she served for six years. After being defeated for a third term with HISD, she returned to teaching and retired at age 70. She attended Booker T. Washington High School and the former Texas Southern University before graduating from what is now Prairie View A&M University. The HISD district headquarters building on Richmond was named in her honor, as is the new building on W. 18th Street that replaced it.

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