Category Archives: Middle Schools

HISD, Houston Public Library create virtual library card for students

The Learning Link allows students to access library resources at school and home

The Houston Independent School District announced on Monday with the Houston Public Library that every HISD student can now access numerous library resources at school and home through a new virtual library card known as the Learning Link.

Through the Learning Link, students will have free, 24/7 access to the Houston Public Library’s assortment of books and resources at any library location, and at school and home through the district’s HUB, HISD’s online teaching and learning platform. Students can use a laptop, tablet or smart phone to access more than one million books, e-books, magazines and research materials, as well as online resources and complimentary Wi-Fi. All HISD students will be automatically enrolled in the program and can use their student ID as their library account number to access these resources. Continue reading →

Special Olympics Field Days rescheduled for November; volunteers needed 

Houston ISD students participate in a district wide field day at Barnett Stadium, May 1, 2015.

Houston ISD students participate in a district wide field day at Barnett Stadium, May 1, 2015.

The fourth annual Special Olympics Field Days, which was postponed in April because of inclement weather, are now scheduled for November, and HISD needs volunteers for the upcoming event.

Field Days give students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to showcase their athletic skills by taking part in fun athletic contests. The friendly competition includes basketball, tennis, soccer, and track and field for all ages, as well as flag football for high-schoolers.

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Bob Lanier Middle School holds renaming ceremony, honors namesake 

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Hundreds of students, staff, and community members on Wednesday celebrated the renaming of Lanier Middle School — an event that featured student performances, special guests, and the unveiling of a new school emblem and song.

Family and friends of the late Mayor Bob Lanier were on hand for the event, along with HISD Board of Education Trustee Jolanda Jones and HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza.

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Telemundo, Chick-fil-A want to recognize outstanding HISD teachers

Know an outstanding teacher who deserves kudos and free Chick-fil-A? Then nominate them for Telemundo/Chick-fil-A’s Teacher of the Month program.

The partnership seeks to recognize HISD educators who inspire their students, are involved in the community, and routinely go above and beyond in the classroom.  Continue reading →

Summit connects schools with wrap-around services in Houston community 

Principals network with more than 120 city, county, and nonprofit service providers to help serve their students and families

HISD principals were able to connect with more than 120 different city, county, and nonprofit service providers available to their students and families as part of the district’s first ever Wrap-Around Services Summit.

The summit, held at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center on Sept. 7, was designed as a networking opportunity for campuses to identify resources available to their school communities in the areas of behavior and medical related services, parent education, vocational/workforce training, and other social services.

“Some schools may not even know what exists out there,” said District V Trustee Mike Lunceford. “There is an assortment of organizations who have the ability to help our children, and we need to reach out and make sure that all of our schools benefit from these services.”  Continue reading →

School Choice Fairs highlight special programs, magnet application process

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Weekly campus tours also planned; applications accepted Sept. 30 through Dec. 9

The Houston Independent School District Office of School Choice will host five School Choice Fairs and offer weekly campus tours at all magnet campuses throughout the fall semester for families to meet with magnet representatives and learn about the 2017-2018 application process, which begins Sept. 30.

Families will be able to attend a fair to learn more about the district’s 119 Magnet programs, which specialize in areas such as fine arts, language studies, college and career readiness and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math).

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Lawson Middle School celebrates groundbreaking for new campus

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Nearly 500 students, staff, and school supporters attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Lawson Middle School on Friday to officially mark the start of construction on the new campus and to honor the dedicated educator for whom the school is now renamed.

Lawson is among 40 HISD schools being renovated or rebuilt as part of the 2012 Bond Program. The three-story, $59 million facility will be designed to accommodate up to 1,500 students and showcase their fine arts magnet program.

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Superintendent Carranza goes on whirlwind tour of district on first day of classes

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Click image for an interactive tour.

Click image for an interactive tour.

New HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza embarked on a whirlwind tour today of six HISD campuses – which took more than six hours and spanned 60 miles – on the first day of classes in the district.

Carranza’s itinerary covered each geographical area of HISD, and he visited with students, school staff, and community members at each location.

His first stop was at Law Elementary School on the south side, where he had the opportunity to visit a dual language classroom. Next up was Stevenson Middle School to the southeast, where he observed the launch of the district’s Literacy in the Middle program, which aims to improve middle school reading skills. Carranza then traveled to the Third Ward to Yates High School to learn about the school’s communications and maritime magnet programs. The tour then took him to Carnegie Vanguard High School near downtown, which is one of the district’s nationally acclaimed magnet schools. Next up was Wisdom High School (formerly Lee) to the west, HISD’s most diverse comprehensive high school. Carranza wrapped up the tour at Fonwood Early Childhood Center, where he observed pre-K students on their first day in a brand-new building.

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Superintendent Richard Carranza to welcome HISD students back to school

New HISD leader will travel 60 miles while visiting 6 schools in 6 hours on Monday

Newly hired HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza will welcome students back to school on Monday as he crisscrosses the city on a six-campus tour.

A unanimous HISD Board of Education hired Carranza on Thursday, and Monday’s visits will be his first chance to get a glimpse of the district’s size, diversity, and variety of educational programs. Members of the HISD Board of Education will join Carranza along the tour, and members of the news media are welcome to cover all of his stops.

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Board of Education set to name Richard A. Carranza HISD superintendent

carranza2New superintendent will address news media, meet with public following vote

The Houston ISD Board of Education is scheduled to finalize the hiring of lone superintendent finalist Richard A. Carranza on Thursday.

The meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Board Auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th Street. After the vote, Mr. Carranza will address members of the news media and participate in a meet-and-greet with members of the public. The full agenda is available here. Continue reading →