Category Archives: Holidays

Emancipation Park Conservancy provides more than 100 bicycles to HISD second-grade students

More than 100 Houston Independent School District second-grade students at two elementary schools were given new bicycles Friday afternoon, donated by the Emancipation Park Conservancy as part of its holiday season celebrations.

Second-graders at Thompson and Blackshear elementary schools were surprised to learn they were receiving the new bikes.

“We hope these bicycles will brighten the lives of our hardworking students,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “The Emancipation Park Conservancy is a wonderful community partner, and we always appreciate their support.”

Continue reading →

Winter break begins Dec. 20 for students, with classes resuming on Jan. 6  

The Houston Independent School District’s 2019 Winter break begins on Friday, Dec. 20 for all students. Campuses and district offices will be closed for the break starting on Monday, Dec. 23. 

Students will be on winter break from school starting on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, through Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Students will return to school on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. 

HISD central and administrative offices will be closed beginning Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, and will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. 

Continue reading →

Northline ES students get holiday surprise from Mattress Mack, Astros star Bregman

Two special elves carrying a huge holiday delivery on Tuesday stopped by HISD’s Northline Elementary School to the delight of the school’s more than 500 students. 

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale and Houston Astros star third baseman Alex Bregman teamed up to deliver presents to all 550 students, and to pass on words of encouragement and support.  

“In order to play baseball, you have to do well in school, pass all of your classes, listen to your teachers and work extremely hard,” Bregman said. “And don’t forget to listen to your parents.” 

Continue reading →

HISD participating in Toys for Tots holiday toy drive

This holiday season, the Houston Independent School District once again is participating as a donation site for Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps’ premier community action program.  

Employees as well as the general public are encouraged to drop off new and unwrapped toys at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092) to the Strategic Partnerships department (Level 1SE) by 4 p.m. on Dec. 18. 

Continue reading →

Cullen MS students distribute free groceries to families in need

Cullen Middle School students made the holiday season a little brighter on Thursday for their community during the campus’ school market, where 150 families were provided with more than 2,000 pounds of free groceries.  

The School Market, which is a bi-weekly food distribution run entirely by student volunteers, provides food assistance to community members, as well as families of students from Cullen and nearby Foster, Lockhart and Peck elementary schools. The provisions are especially beneficial to parents in need during the holidays. 

“Here at our school a large percentage of our families live at or below the poverty line,” said Cullen Wraparound Specialist Nora Lemon, who oversees the entire operation. “This market provides the flexibility and sustainability they need to ensure their students are fed and eating healthy meals at home.” 

Continue reading →

Nutrition Services celebrates Thanksgiving with healthier lunch

Parents flooded the Lantrip Elementary School cafeteria Thursday as they joined their children — clad in pilgrim hats, white bonnets, and colorful turkey headbands — for a nutritious Thanksgiving lunch.  

The annual celebration hosted by HISD’s Nutrition Services has attracted thousands of families to school cafeterias for more than 50 years. This year’s menu included roasted turkey with gravy, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, a fresh fruit medley, and ice cream. 

“We get a ton of volunteers, but it takes everyone,” Lantrip Principal Magdalena Strickland said, noting that about half of the school’s 700 families participate in the Thanksgiving lunch each year. “When parents know you care for their kids, they’ll go above and beyond.” 

Continue reading →

HISD to name student winners of 2019 holiday greeting card competition

17 finalists selected from nearly 100 entries this year 

The Houston Independent School District on Friday, Nov. 8, will unveil the winners of the district’s 2019 holiday greeting card student art competition. 

This year, 17 students from HISD elementary, middle, and high schools have been named finalists from a total of 95 entries. The 17 finalists were chosen by the district’s area superintendents.  

Continue reading →