Category Archives: Middle Schools

The Rusk School to become middle school with health and medical focus

For young students with an interest in a health or medical career, there is a new magnet middle-school program in HISD.

Beginning with the upcoming school year, The Rusk School will transform from PK–8 into a middle school with a medical focus.

“We are very excited about the big changes coming to Rusk,” said Principal Daniel De León. “The new middle school will be modeled after the highly successful Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan. We have room for up to 250 students in sixth grade, and we want parents to begin applying now.”

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HISD celebrates 2016 Educators of the Year

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The Houston Independent School District on Friday paid tribute to the district’s top elementary and secondary teachers of the year during the fifth annual Educators of the Year banquet, which honors exceptional teachers and principals.

Hillary Smith, a fifth-grade reading teacher at DeAnda Elementary School, was named HISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, while Christina Carter-Woods, a seventh-grade reading teacher at Pershing Middle School, was named HISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Smith and Carter-Woods each received a $3,500 cash award and an engraved plaque. They also will advance to the state’s regional Teacher of the Year competition. Continue reading →

Early identification, intervention is key for HISD’s Speech-Language team  

speech_pathologistPart of creating Global Graduates is ensuring all students have the resources they need to be ready to learn. That’s where HISD’s speech-language pathologists come into the picture.

These trained professionals are responsible for identifying and providing intervention for students with speech and/or language difficulties that might affect a students’ ability to learn. Whether it’s receptive/expressive language, articulation, social skills, or stuttering; speech-language pathologist work to identify struggling children and provide the right intervention and strategies for them so they are able to flourish in school.  Continue reading →

District response to federal nondiscrimination guidance

The Houston Independent School District recognizes and respects each student’s right to an education experience that is free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Although HISD policy does not specifically address the issue of student restroom access, HISD Board policy does expressly prohibit discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression, or on any other basis prohibited by law. When restroom access questions arise, campus administrators are counseled to make accommodations that are aligned with the letter and spirit of the district’s policy prohibiting student discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

Board of Education approves new school names

The Houston ISD Board of Education on Thursday approved new names for seven schools that were recommended by committees of students, parents, teachers, alumni, civic leaders and principals.

Earlier this year, the Board of Education voted to start the process of choosing new names for schools that will better reflect the district’s values and diversity. The new names will be in effect beginning with the upcoming 2016-2017 school year. The new campus names are as follows: Continue reading →

Vocabulary victories at Chavez HS, Lanier MS highlight effective literacy strategies

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Chavez High School and Lanier Middle School won the top prizes in Vocabulary.com’s 2015-2016 national Vocabulary Bowl, a competition that is becoming just one example of effective strategies to increase literacy across the HISD’s secondary schools.

Chavez won for the second consecutive year with 344,043 words mastered, and Lanier won with 230,034 words. Chavez celebrated on Monday, May 9, with a trophy presentation, medals and certificates for the top 100 students, and inspirational speeches and congratulations from local media and nationally known figures. Lanier’s celebration was Friday, May 13, in the school gymnasium.

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Board of Education to consider new names for seven schools

The Houston ISD Board of Education on Thursday will consider new names for seven schools that were recommended by committees of students, parents, teachers, alumni, civic leaders and principals.

Earlier this year, the Board of Education voted to start the process of choosing new names for schools that will better reflect the district’s values and diversity. If approved, the new names will be in effect beginning with the upcoming 2016-2017 school year. The proposed new campus names are as follows: Continue reading →

HISD to host college summit for historically black colleges, universities

Hundreds of HISD middle and high school students will have the opportunity to meet admissions representatives from regional historically black colleges and universities from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10 at the HISD College Summit for HBCUs at Texas Southern University.

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located in Texas and Louisiana will be represented, and general information will be provided on the more than 100 HBCUs across the country. Students in grades 6-12 along with their parents are invited to attend. The free event will include a college fair and breakout sessions focused on financial aid and college admissions.

“Attending an HBCU changed my life,” said HISD EMERGE academic program manager Steven Chambers, who will be a featured speaker at the event. He is a graduate of Hampton University. “The HBCU college summit will expose students to the diversity of school offerings as well as highlight the impact HBCUs have on the character and confidence of students enrolled.”

Representatives will be in attendance from the following colleges and universities: Huston-Tillotson University, Jarvis Christian College, Prairie View A&M University, Southwestern Christian College, Texas College, Texas Southern University, and Wiley College.

The event is organized by the HISD College Readiness Department. Transportation will be provided from some campuses. This year, the district strengthened its college readiness efforts by deploying 28 new college success advisors and 10 college success managers to campuses across the district.

 

Dr. Steven Shetzer named new principal of Pershing Middle School

Steven Shetzer poses for a photograph, January 13, 2016. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)Dr. Steven Shetzer has been selected as the new principal of Pershing Middle School. Dr. Shetzer is currently serving as the principal of Kolter Elementary. Prior to this, he served as the AP/magnet coordinator at Roberts Elementary School. Dr. Shetzer began his educational career in HISD 12 years ago as a social studies teacher at Westbury High School, teaching everything from world geography to AP U.S. government. Dr. Shetzer holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from California Baptist University. He earned his master’s degree in secondary education and doctorate in teaching from the University of Houston.

HISD community celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week in creative ways 

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxAxwjkyiWs”]While we always encourage our community to tell teachers how much they’re valued, students, administrators, and staff have rallied around our educators for Teacher Appreciation Week to celebrate their tireless dedication.

Inspirational and emotional messages of thanks and encouragement flooded the district’s social media channels, including tear-jerking moments caught on video as students told their teachers how much they mean to them. Continue reading →