Category Archives: High Schools

HISD football coach nominated for NFL High School Coach of the Year Award

Furr High School football coach Matthew Valmore was recently nominated for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award by the NFL Foundation for his leadership, dedication to the community, and commitment to player health and safety and on-field success.

“I am humbled, honored, and very appreciative to be considered for such a prestigious award,” Valmore said. “It almost feels like a dream.”

Valmore is among 32 high school football coaches from across the country nominated by a NFL team for the national award, which is named for the winningest coach in NFL history. He was nominated by the Houston Texans after the team selected him as a High School Coach of the Week in November. Continue reading →

New year, new school for Sterling Aviation HS students

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The first day back at school after winter break isn’t usually a day to celebrate among high school teens wishing they had one more day to sleep in.

But the atmosphere at Sterling Aviation High School was different on Wednesday as students reported for the first time to their new campus — a grand building with spacious classrooms, broad windows, colorful furniture, and the latest technology.

“It’s better than the old building,” said Sterling senior Rae’janae Bennings, as she caught up with friends outside the central dining commons before the first bell.  “It’s bigger, and it looks way better.”

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Sterling Aviation HS to open doors to students on Jan. 4

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When Sterling Aviation High School students return to class after winter break, they’ll report to a modern, new building with contemporary furniture, broad windows, and spacious classrooms and hallways adorned in bright, bold colors.

The grand building — specifically designed to enhance their aviation sciences program and support 21st century learning — has been long-awaited by the Sterling community, and it is well deserved.

“I think it’s going to mean that they’re not forgotten,” Fuentes said, describing the importance of the new building to his students and community. The feeling of being forgotten seemed reinforced as the school was labeled by the state as “Improvement Required” and lost academic programs. “Now, we have a new school, we’re no longer IR, we’re adding programs. They’re starting to see that they have value. They are valued.”

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Donors make holiday merry for 178 underprivileged students at Northside HS

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Excitement and anticipation filled the air at Northside High School on Wednesday, as 178 students and their families waited in the school gymnasium, perched in the bleachers above row upon row of Christmas presents.

The students were selected to take part in the third annual Christmas Gifts of Love event at the school, which pairs up students with donors throughout the district and community to provide the underprivileged students with holiday gifts. The event is an example of how the holiday spirit is spreading across district thanks to a multitude of HISD business and community partners.

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HISD superintendent shares report on Listen and Learn tour findings

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Watch Superintendent Carranza’s report about what he learned during his Listen and Learn Tour

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza has shared a full report on the results of the Listen and Learn town hall meetings with the HISD Board of Education.

The HISD Board of Education hosted more than two dozen town hall meetings that began in September as a way to introduce Carranza to the community, solicit input from stakeholders about the district’s future, and learn about key issues across HISD.

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HISD Board of Education to consider community’s calendar recommendation

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider adopting a 2017-2018 academic calendar supported by 89 percent of survey takers.

The proposed calendar would give students and staff a full week off for Thanksgiving. The first day of school for students would be Aug. 28, and the final day of classes would be June 1. For the first time, HISD this year allowed parents, students, staff, and community members to vote on their preferred calendar. After more than 75,000 votes were tallied, nearly 90 percent favored the calendar option that is being brought forward for board approval.

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High school students earn job skills from City of Houston internship program

Twelve Worthing High School students will be recognized Tuesday by the Houston City Council for their participation in an internship and job training program with various city departments to build career readiness skills while learning about community services provided to residents.

The students are participating in a two-year paid internship with at least four city departments – Health and Human Services, Houston Police, Information Technology, and the Houston Public Library – to learn about areas such as cybersecurity, urban planning, finance, administrative support, and employee relations.

“Our students are gaining valuable workforce training and experience from local city government professionals who are serving as mentors by preparing them for future success,” said HISD District IX Trustee Wanda Adams. “We’re excited to see our students be recognized for their commitment to this program and look forward to watching them continue to grow into young business professionals.” Continue reading →

HISD’s alternative certification program now accepting applications 

If you or someone you know is interested in starting a challenging and rewarding career as a teacher at HISD, the district is now accepting applications for its Effective Teacher Fellowship (ETF).

ETF is searching for qualified, passionate and effective educators for the 2017-2018 school year who will help HISD students reach their potential.  Continue reading →

HISD to host Dream Summit for students

Event to help students apply for college, financial aid

The Houston Independent School District College Readiness and Multilingual Department will host its second Dream Summit to assist students with the college application and financial aid process on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The event aims to help HISD DREAMers, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, visa holders, permanent residents, refugees, and asylum grantees along with their families. Students will have the opportunity to speak with district representatives who will help them learn more about financial aid requirements and guidance with the application process.  Admissions representatives from several community colleges and Texas universities will be on hand to answer questions and will host information sessions on the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).

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Waltrip HS band director receives award plus $1,000 grant for school music program 

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Jesse Espinosa

Waltrip High School band director Jesse Espinosa was recently selected as one of 20 inspiring music teachers across the country by Give a Note Foundation and 21st Century Fox as part of their “Music Education Idols” competition.

Students, parents, and community members nominated music educators online by describing how a music teacher inspired them to discover their creative potential. Espinosa was nominated by a student’s parents, who submitted a video testimonial about his influence at the school. Espinosa was later selected as a “Music Ed idol” and will receive a $1,000 grant for the Waltrip music program.

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