Category Archives: High Schools

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 

espinosa

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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High school students get first-hand look into higher-education options

Students from Jones Futures Academy and Milby High School recently had the opportunity to learn more about pursuing their higher-education options and to start thinking about looking into options beyond their bachelor’s degree studies.

In an event hosted by Prospanica Houston (formerly known as the National Society of Hispanics MBAs) and with volunteers from the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), students were encouraged to explore the opportunities they can pursue after graduating high school, including the benefits of a master’s degree.

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HSPVA junior named city’s second Youth Poet Laureate

Fareena Arefeen

Fareena Arefeen

Fareena Arefeen, a junior at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts, has been named Houston’s second Youth Poet Laureate, succeeding Andrew White, who graduated from HSPVA in June and is now attending New York University. The position was created by Writers in the Schools in partnership with the Houston Public Library, City of Houston, and Office of the Mayor.

Arefeen was one of 40 Houston-area students to apply. Candidates submitted five poems to a committee of what WITS Executive Director Robin Reagler called “page poets and stage poets.” The committee narrowed it down to five students, and the finalists were interviewed by a smaller group of published poets. The one-year term includes a book deal, a scholarship, and being mentored by Houston’s Poet Laureate, Robin Davidson.

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Groundbreaking ceremonies planned for Wilson Montessori, Energy Institute HS

Wilson Montessori and Energy Institute High School will hold groundbreaking ceremonies in November to celebrate the start of construction on their new buildings.

The Wilson Montessori event will be held Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 9 a.m. at their school campus, 2100 Yupon St. The Energy Institute event will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. at the site of their new location, 3501 Southmore Blvd. Continue reading →

Fun, friendly competition during Special Olympics Field Day for high schools

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High school students took the field on Thursday during the fourth annual Special Olympics Field Days at Butler Stadium, participating in sports such as football, basketball, track, and soccer. The events give students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to showcase their athletic skills by taking part in fun athletic contests. Elementary school students will have their field day next week on Nov. 17, which will conclude the event this year.

HISD unveils 2016 holiday greeting cards designed by students

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The Houston Independent School District announced the winners of the district’s 2016 holiday greeting card competition that features creative student artwork highlighting family holiday traditions, seasonal decorations, and classic holiday songs.

The winners – fourth-grader Angela Ramos of Ed White Elementary School, seventh-grader Annette Hernandez of Pilgrim Academy, and 11th-grader Javier Garcia of Scarborough High School – were among 40 finalists from elementary, middle, and high schools. All finalists received a boxed set of their holiday cards. Their holiday cards also will be available for purchase and on display at the HISD administration building. Continue reading →