Category Archives: Special events

Volunteer to help HISD families and students recover from Harvey 

Volunteers help sort donated items at Delmar Fieldhouse.

Individuals and local organizations have an opportunity to help HISD students and families impacted by  Hurricane Harvey by volunteering at the district’s designated donation site.

Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum Road, Houston, TX 77092) will be receiving donations the week of Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering will need to sign-up by clicking here, and select the day and time they can volunteer.  Continue reading →

Facilities Services thanks its “lucky stars” during welcome back ceremony

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00001T25X4ke3JU” g_name=”Facilities-Services-Welcome-Back-2017″ width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Houston Independent School District’s Facility Services rolled out the red carpet for employees on Wednesday during a Hollywood-themed Welcome Back event designed to recognize workers for their outstanding performance.

Several hundred Facilities Services employees packed the bleachers of Barnett Fieldhouse to learn about new changes for the coming school year, including the development of new departmental values. Employees received surveys during the event to provide input on the values that are most important to them, as well as feedback on ways to improve the workplace culture and environment.

“Each of you is important,” Facility Services Officer Alisha Jolivette said as she addressed the crowd. “You have an impact on student education.”

Continue reading →

Grand opening celebration for new Milby HS set for Thursday

Construction at Milby High School, June 21, 2017. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)

Milby High School will host a grand opening on Thursday at 5 p.m. to celebrate the completion of its new facility, which was rebuilt as part of the Houston Independent School District’s 2012 Bond Program.

The three-story, $79 million project is a combination of new construction and renovation that preserves the historical front facade while creating a modern learning environment for 2,000 students.

The historic, front-facing main building has been transformed into a bright, open student-union-style space with a dining commons, learning commons, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto a large courtyard. Continue reading →

Superintendent outlines priorities at ‘Welcome Back’ event 

Achieve 180, wraparound services, and restorative justice practices are priorities for 2017-2018 school year 

Superintendent Richard Carranza outlined HISD’s top priorities for the 2017-2018 school year to school and district leaders at the annual “Welcome Back” back event on August 11.

Nearly 1,200 principals, deans, assistant principals, and district leaders packed Delmar Fieldhouse to hear Carranza’s message, which celebrated the successes of the previous year and outlined goals, initiatives, and challenges for the coming year.


Continue reading →

HISD Summer graduation ceremony set for Aug. 19 at TSU 

Hundreds of students from as many as 42 HISD high schools will collect their diplomas as part of the district’s annual summer graduation ceremony.

There will be only one ceremony, and it takes place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at Texas Southern University in the Health and Physical Education Building, which is located on Wheeler Ave. at Ennis St. in Houston, 77004.

HISD Chief Academic Officer Grenita Lathan will emcee the celebration.

The graduating students have successfully completed summer school and/or passed their State of Texas assessments.

Community gathers to honor late Trustee Rodríguez at board auditorium naming ceremony

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000gS0GmbY4TxY” g_name=”ManuelRodriguez-Ceremony” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

The family of late District III Trustee Manuel Rodríguez Jr., along with elected officials, educators, and community members, gathered at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center on Thursday to dedicate the board auditorium in his name.

Rodríguez, who passed away July 19, was a lifelong public servant and a trustee for 14 years. He was also a product of HISD schools, graduating from Austin High School in 1970 after attending Franklin Elementary and McReynolds Middle schools. His wife and four children also attended HISD schools.

“Today is a day of joy as we leave behind a legacy for the Rodríguez family,” said HISD Board of Education President Wanda Adams. Continue reading →

Reliant Energy donates generator to Energy Institute HS during annual school supply donation event

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000J7H_cE8jI3Y” g_name=”20170810-Reliant-EnergyHS” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Each year, Reliant Energy donates school supplies to HISD schools in August, but this year the company added something extra—a Goal Zero Yeti generator valued at more than $2,000.

The lucky recipients are the students at Energy Institute High School, and they saw a demonstration of the small but powerful generator during their freshman orientation on Aug. 10.

“We’re confident that demonstrating our portable Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium generator will give the event a unique STEM focus,” said NRG Retail Charitable Foundation representative Leanne Schneider. “It will combine the school’s cutting-edge approach with the buzz of renewable energy.”  Continue reading →

Superintendent welcomes 1,500 new teachers for 2017-2018 school year 

HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza on Thursday personally welcomed some of the nearly 1,500 new teachers to the district at an exclusive meet-and-greet event.

Attendees at the event included those new to teaching and experienced teachers who are new to the district. The newest members of Team HISD got to network with their colleagues, take selfies with the superintendent, and hear some motivational and encouraging words from HISD’s top leader.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000xxxQS9Drb.Y” g_name=”20170728-SuperintendentNewTeachers” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Continue reading →

Sign up for mayor’s Back to School Fest

Registration opens on Monday for Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Back to School Fest, an annual event that helps elementary students across the city access the resources they need for a successful school year.

Pre-registered children who are in grades kindergarten through fifth grade and reside in the City of Houston are eligible to participate. Attendees will receive backpacks filled with school supplies and also will have access to eye exams, vaccinations, lessons in dental health and hygiene, and more.

The event is free, thanks to the generosity of Shell and other sponsors working with the mayor’s office.

To register for an appointment, visit this link. Registration closes on Friday, July 21. Families may also register by calling 311 or 713-837-0311 to request an appointment.

For more information, check out a list of FAQs about the event.

Books Between Kids donates millionth book to HISD student 

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000sgKa6E5mL80″ g_name=”21070523-Piney-Point-ES-Books-Between-Kids” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

There were bubble machines, free books, and lots of exuberant children at Piney Point Elementary School recently, because Books Between Kids was there to celebrate the presentation of the one-millionth book to an HISD student.

Second-grader Justin Ikwuagwu was the lucky boy, and he seemed a bit overwhelmed by the attention. As Books Between Kids staff and volunteers gathered round for pictures, Justin held up the book, “How Much is a Million?” and smiled shyly.  Continue reading →