HISD students have the opportunity to earn a $100 gift card if they successfully locate and refer a classmate who has dropped out or has not yet enrolled for the 2013-2014 school year. The incentive program lasts from now until September 26 and is part of comprehensive districtwide effort called Youth Watch, which is aimed at reducing the district’s dropout rate.
Category Archives: Middle Schools
Johnston MS Receives $28,000 Grant to Support Japanese Language Instruction
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston recently presented HISD with a $28,000 Japan Foundation grant to support the Japanese language program at Johnston Middle School. The check was awarded during a reception welcoming students from Chiba, Japan, who visited Houston Aug. 16 to 29 as part of the Japan America Society of Houston’s Houston-Chiba Youth Exchange program.
HISD Teacher Recognized by Jamie Oliver for Promoting Healthy Foods
Kellie Karavias, a culinary arts teacher and garden educator at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center, who teachers her students how to grow, harvest and cook healthy foods, has been highlighted as a Food Revolution Hero on Chef Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution website. “Food Heroes” are people across the country who combine their passion for food with innovative ways to promote fresh, healthy foods in their communities.
“One out of three kids is obese, because they are living on chips and fast food,” Karavias said. “If they make a big enough garden, they can feed their entire family.” Her culinary program begins with the organic school garden, where science, math, nutrition, reading, and physical activity are integrated into lesson plans. It continues in the “culinary classroom,” where students produce nutritious meals in a safe, kid-friendly environment. The students also market and sell their produce to Whole Kids Farmers Markets at Whole Foods Market—Montrose.
Watch Video Featuring First Day of School
HISD TV was out at several campuses for the first day of the 2013-2014 school year. Watch this video to see what the first day was like for students, teachers and administrators.
[vimeo https://vimeo.com/73169755 width=”600px” height=”330px”]
New School Year Brings Excitement, Opportunities for HISD Students
[vimeo https://vimeo.com/73169755/ w=320&h=205]
Monday marked the first day of the new school year for the Houston Independent School District, and everyone—from parents to the superintendent—expressed excitement about what that would mean for students.
Superintendent Terry Grier visited several campuses to welcome students and teachers back to class, including Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan and Thurgood Marshall Elementary School.
Baylor is one of two new secondary campuses opening this fall to offer students a highly specialized curriculum. (See related article on the other one, Energy Institute High School.)
Lead Principal Initiative Helping Other Campuses Succeed
Ortiz Middle School Principal Noelia Longoria
HISD is launching a new program this year designed to increase student achievement “from the middle.” The Lead Principal Initiative pairs highly effective principals with other campus leaders at similar schools to spread the district’s best practices more effectively.
“‘Leading from the middle’ refers to influencing from among, rather than from above, below, or in front of one’s group,” explained HISD School Services Officer Lupita Hinojosa. “It implies positioning ourselves alongside of those we’ve empowered and working shoulder to shoulder with them.”
Teamwork, Dialogue, and Cultural Awareness Key Aspects of IB Programs
More than 700 educators from HISD and neighboring districts gathered at Lamar High School August 1 and 2 to participate in the Houston International Baccalaureate (IB) Conference. The meeting was an opportunity for teachers to brush up on their IB training as they prepare for the new school year, as well as meet and talk with teachers from other Houston-area IB schools.
Millionaire Club Spotlight: What Are You Reading This Summer?
HISD’s Millionaire Club is a literacy initiative designed to encourage students to read for pleasure during the summer months. Each week, we’ll catch up with one HISD librarian to find out what’s on his or her reading list. This week, we spoke with Cindy Dinneen, a librarian at Johnston Middle School.
Houston ISD Meets Tougher State Accountability Standard
The Houston Independent School District earned an overall Met Standard rating under the new Texas school accountability system, the Texas Education Agency announced Thursday.
More than three-quarters – 78 percent – of individual HISD schools earned a Met Standard rating under the new system that seeks to measure whether students are on track to graduate ready for college and the workplace. Of the 210 HISD schools that were awarded a Met Standard rating, 154 earned an additional distinction designation for especially strong student progress, or achievement in math and/or reading/English language arts.
Families Required to Complete Application for HISD’s Free and Reduced Price Meals Program
Application available online and at all HISD campuses for 2013-2014 academic year
Families must complete an application for their children to qualify for free-and reduced-price meals and ensure their children start the school year with access to healthy meals.
Families can fill out their application at any HISD campus, at the HISD Food Services Support Facility (6801 Bennington Street), or online at www.mealapps.houstonisd.org.