Category Archives: Special Education

Students Saddle Up During Summer Social Skills Program

A student prepares to mount a horse at the SIRE complex outside of Hockley, Texas.

A student prepares to mount a horse at the SIRE complex outside of Hockley, Texas.

As both the humidity and temperature rose on a recent Wednesday morning, 15 HISD students stepped off their yellow bus from the city and into a horse-riding arena skirting the Waller and Montgomery county lines. They had come to SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Center, as part of the district’s social-skills enrichment program for those with autism.

Interaction with the horses has multiple benefits for people with mental or physical challenges, said P.J. Murray, head instructor at SIRE’s Hockley location. The non-profit group has been operating in the Houston area for 30 years, working with riders as young as three years old.

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Camp M.I. Way Offers Both Campers and Counselors a Unique Experience

What summer camp would be complete without silly songs and fun games? At Camp M.I. Way, however, the focus is on stimulation, rather than recreation. The five-week camp places a child with multiple impairments with a personal student counselor from one of several HISD middle and high schools.

“Camp M.I. Way gives students with multiple impairments a chance to practice and expand their skills in an atmosphere of fun,” said Deborah Carr, the executive director of Home Run Hitters International, a local non-profit group which created and founded the camp.

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Special, regular education students combine talents to perform ‘Aesop’s Idol’

Students perform an original song as part of the Westside Integrated Theatre's semester-ending play.

In Aesop’s Fable, “The Bundle of Sticks,” a man teaches the importance of unity and strength to his sons by having them each break individual sticks rather than failing to break a bundle of sticks.

On Tuesday morning at Westside High School, the students of the Westside Integrated Theatre displayed their own unity and collective strength on stage, performing their own interpretations of the tales credited to the ancient Greek storyteller.

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HISD to Celebrate Class of 2013 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

President and CEO of Smart Financial Credit Union to be Keynote Speaker

The Houston Independent School District will be honoring the exceptional academic achievements of each high school’s top seniors at the annual Scholars Banquet today.  HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman will be addressing the Class of 2013 valedictorians and salutatorians along with the keynote speaker CEO and President of Smart Financial Credit Union Gary Tuma.  Since its inception 79 years ago, Smart Financial Credit Union has been a valued community partner of HISD offering scholarships for graduating seniors.

Click here to see photos and read the biographies of each valedictorian and salutatorian.

What:              HISD to recognize the Class of 2013 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

Who:               HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman, President and CEO of Smart Financial Credit Union Gary Tuma, HISD administrators, principals, teachers, staff, parents and the Class of 2013 HISD Valedictorians and Salutatorians

When:             Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m.

Where:            Westin Oaks Galleria, 5011 Westheimer, Houston

Special Education Meeting for Parents Scheduled for May 22

The Houston Independent School District’s Office of Special Education Services (OSES) would like to invite parents to the final meeting for the current school year on Wednesday, May 22, 2013.

Parents will have the opportunity to share their ideas, successes and challenges, and learn about all the great initiatives the OSES has implemented this year to support students.

The event will take place in Room 3C10 of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St.) from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Gregory Finora, Special Education parent liaison, at 713-556-7041 or gfinora@houstonisd.org.

District Program Locates, Evaluates, Identifies Students With Disabilities

Do you suspect your child has a disability or do you know a parent that suspects their child might have a disability? HISD’s Child Find locates, evaluates, and identifies students with disabilities from 3 to 21 years of age. Anyone can start the process: a parent, doctor, teacher, relative or friend.

“HISD has a responsibility to evaluate and serve students who may need special education and related services regardless of whether or not the student is enrolled in an HISD school,” said Child Study Manager Michael Webb. “If services are needed enrollment in HISD for children with disabilities can begin as early as age three.”

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HISD, UST Offering Master’s in Special Education Leadership

Those interested can attend informational session on May 15

HISD is expanding its current partnership with the University of St. Thomas to offer a Master’s of Education in Special Education Leadership through a grant program. The district already collaborates with UST to offer a Master’s in Business Administration program for aspiring principals. Like its predecessor, this special education master’s degree features greatly reduced tuition, principal certification and participation in a cohort group that will remain with each other throughout the program. Continue reading →

HISD to Host Inaugural Districtwide Special Olympics Field Day

More than 1,200 students to participate during two-day event

The HISD Office of Special Education Services and Special Olympics Texas have partnered to host the inaugural districtwide Special Olympics Field Day, a two-day event to provide athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and closely related developmental disabilities, on May 2 and 3.  More than 1,200 HISD students will be participating in a variety of athletics events such as basketball, track, flag football, soccer, and softball toss events.  Houston Texans players and coaches, along with volunteers from HISD’s athletics department, the University of Houston and Hewlett Packard, will be helping out with the event.

What:  Inaugural HISD Special Olympics Field Day

Who:  HISD Office of Special Education Services staff, HISD students, coaches, Houston Texans players and coaches, and University of Houston and Hewlett Packard volunteers

When:  Thursday, May 2, 2013 (Elementary) and Friday, May 3, 2013 (Middle/High) from 9a.m. – 1p.m.

Where:  Delmar-Tusa Athletic Complex, 2020 Mangum Road

Team HISD is Hiring – Early Application Deadline is March 18

HISD currently has openings for motivated teachers who are invested in making an impact on student achievement.  To attract the best candidates, we are currently accepting early applications for the 2013-2014 school year. The deadline for the early application round is March 18, 2013. We are continuing to access applications for the 2012-2013 school year.

While vacancies exist in all areas, the highest need for teachers exists in critical shortage areas including bilingual (Spanish), secondary Spanish, secondary math, secondary science and specific areas in special education.

To get started, click here and follow the directions to start your application for employment with HISD today! Candidates who apply early will have the best chance of securing contracts for the 2013-2014 school year.

For more information about a teaching career at HISD, visit the teacher recruitment page by clicking here.

See photos of MATP Challenge Day with Memorial, Bush and T.H. Rogers ES

Once a year, T.H.Rogers holds a field day or special olympics for students enrolled in the Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) on campus. The fun-filled event gives students with severe disabilities a chance to demonstrate their personal best in a variety of sporting events. A tropical luau served as the theme for this year’s challenge which also included students and staff from Barbara Bush and Memorial Elementary.

Click through the photos below to see more from MATP Challenge Day.

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