Category Archives: HISD: Our Story

More than 30 HISD schools earn spot on 2017 Texas Honor Roll

Thirty-one Houston Independent School District campuses have been named to the 2017-2018 Educational Results Partnership Texas Honor Roll for their high achievement and student success.

The 2017 Honor Roll recognizes public elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement overtime, and reduction in achievement gaps. For high schools, Honor Roll recognition includes measures of college readiness in students. This year, the Texas Honor Roll recognized 729 higher performing schools that are distinguished for their academic achievement and closing achievement gaps.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Texas Honor Roll School District by educational and business leaders in Texas,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “I am incredibly proud of our teachers and school leaders, as they have remained focused on our students and their continued academic progress.”

Continue reading →

Ministers and school, community leaders partner for safe start to summer 

Local religious, school, and community leaders came together Tuesday to kick off the 28th year of Project Safe Start, a partnership aimed at preventing crime and providing additional security for students and teachers as they begin their summer vacations.

The partnership includes Houston Ministers Against Crime, HISD Police Department, Houston Police Department, Texas Southern University, the METRO Police Department, and other local school districts.

Ministers say the end of the school year is a time when students want to settle scores before summer break, and they often do so not on but near campus. Project Safe Start includes increased security on and around campuses to ensure areas surrounding schools remain safe for all students.   Continue reading →

Free summer meals to be offered at nearly 200 HISD schools 

The Houston Independent School District is formally kicking off its Summer Meal Program on June 6 at more than 190 area schools, where breakfast and lunch will be served for free to children ages 1 to 18.

Children do not need to be enrolled in summer school to participate in the program, and no paperwork, registration, or proof of income is required. Adults may purchase breakfast for $2.25 and lunch for $3.75.

Specific serving times vary by campus. Meals will be served at most campuses Mondays through Thursdays from June 6 to July 3, though some campuses are extending the program until later in July and others are serving meals on Fridays. A map detailing when and where meals are being served is online. Parents are encouraged to call the site before they go to confirm serving times.

All HISD meals are nutritionally balanced to ensure children receive the vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain a healthy diet. Last summer, HISD Nutrition Services served more than 1.1 million free meals to Houston-area children.

If you have questions about the free summer meals program, contact HISD’s Nutrition Services department at 713-556-2979.

For information on where to find free meals after the program ends, contact the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department at 713-676-6832 or dial 2-1-1.

 

Third Ward students become Coogs for a day

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Article reposted with permission from the University of Houston College of Education

More than 100 students from Third Ward and the surrounding area had a chance to envision themselves as future Coogs during an activity-packed visit to campus this week.

The University of Houston Advancing Community Engagement and Service Institute organized the campus visits on Tuesday and Wednesday for students from Blackshear, Foster and Hartsfield elementary schools and Yates and Sterling high schools. Continue reading →

FF&E manager for HISD making an impact on students

To the naked eye, a chair may seem ordinary. But for Michelle Black, it’s more than just a piece of furniture — it’s a tool that can foster student learning.

As the HISD Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment Manager for the 2012 Bond Program, Black is responsible for furnishing all 40 bond schools — including 29 high schools — with comfortable, modern, and flexible furniture.

Black oversees each project — often managing more than five at a time – as they near completion. Continue reading →

Summer reading program ‘block party’ encourages kids of all ages to read, earn prizes 

Summer is the perfect time for students to hone their reading skills, and thanks to a partnership with the Houston Public Library, they can have fun while doing just that.

HISD is encouraging students to join the Houston Public Library’s summer reading program for kids and teens called “Summer Block Party,” which kicks off June 1 and runs through Aug. 1.

Students can receive a free book and lanyard simply by registering. At each prize level, students earn another book and pins to decorate their lanyards and show off their success. They can earn pins by reaching their reading goals, attending library activities, and being an active member in their communities.  Continue reading →

Interim assistant chief tapped to serve as second in command of HISD PD

Interim Assistant Police Chief Lucretia Rogers

Lucretia L. Rogers selected as HISD Police Department Assistant Chief

Interim Assistant Police Chief Lucretia Rogers has been selected to serve as the second in command of the Houston Independent School District Police Department.

A former detective, Rogers has been serving as interim assistant chief since February 2018. She permanently assumes the role on May 22.

Rogers was selected by HISD Police Chief Paul Cordova, who also was recently named to his position. Both Cordova and Rogers have been tasked with building a new culture within the police department while also improving the agency’s reputation and strengthening its relationships with the community. Continue reading →

Northside HS senior receives first HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholar Award 

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Northside senior Sofia Flores got a big surprise in class Tuesday morning when she was named the first-ever recipient of the HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholar Awards.

The scholarships, which will be distributed to one senior at every high school through next week, recognizes students who have exemplified great character and resilience.

HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, with District I Trustee Elizabeth Santos, had the honor of presenting Sofia with an oversized $5,000 check. Lathan highlighted the importance of the scholarships and helping students who had overcome significant obstacles to pursue their dream of going to college.

“We want to help them in their endeavors as they embark on the next leg of their journey,” she said.

Sofia has flourished in her studies despite losing her younger brother, Josue Flores, who was killed as he was walking home from his school. Just days ago marked the two-year anniversary of his murder, which remains unsolved.

Sofia was her younger brother’s personal tutor, guiding him to academic success and nurturing his love of math and science. It was in her interactions with him that inspired her to go to the University of Texas and study education. She hopes to one day return to HISD as a teacher.

“I am actually honored to get this scholarship,” Sofia said. “Helping him inspired me to be a teacher, and everything I do, I do for him.”

 

 

 

HISD names chief of staff, chief human resources officer

Silvia Saenz Trinh

The Houston Independent School District is announcing two leadership promotions, naming Silvia Saenz Trinh as chief of staff and Julia Dimmitt as chief human resources officer.

Trinh, who previously served as director of Academic Services, has more than 20 years of experience in public schools. A native of El Salvador, she came to the U.S. at 10 years old, was enrolled at HISD’s Rusk Elementary School and later attended Jackson Middle School.

Trinh served as a bilingual teacher, ESL specialist, and assistant principal in surrounding districts before joining Team HISD, where she moved into principal positions at Gordon and Park Place elementary schools. She also served as director of Elementary Transformation Schools before moving into her current role.

“I am so honored to work alongside Ms. Trinh and to have her serving in this new role,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “With her leadership, we were able to get 22 schools out of IR in one year. I know she will continue to support and promote efforts to improve student achievement.”

Julia Dimmitt

Trinh has a deep understanding of the needs of HISD students and the role education plays in breaking the cycle of poverty. She was inspired to serve as an educator after experiencing firsthand the challenges of learning a new language in a new country – and later witnessing students who were facing that same adversity.

“I knew from a very early age that education was the key to success,” Trinh said. “The road out of poverty goes right through our public schools.”

Trinh earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Houston and has received multiple awards for her work, including Fort Bend ISD’s Bilingual Teacher of the Year Award and the National Excellence in Urban Education Award from the National Center for Urban School Transformation. She was featured in the U.S. Department of Education publication “K-8 Charter Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap.” Trinh was also selected by the TEA to take part in a best practices case study for her work at Park Place Elementary School. Continue reading →

HISD planning for possible May 2019 bond referendum to strengthen security across district

The Houston Independent School District is beginning to plan for a possible May 2019 bond referendum as part of a strategic capital plan designed to rebuild schools and strengthen security at campuses throughout the district.

Board of Education trustees were briefed at their May 17 workshop about the recommendation currently under consideration for the possible referendum. It places a strong emphasis on safety and security.

“The safety and security of our students and staff is absolutely paramount, which is why we believe it should play a major role in any potential bond program going forward,” HISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby said. “Our students and teachers need and deserve safe, secure learning environments that allow them to thrive. Our goal is to provide that to them.” Continue reading →